Electronic Arts (EA) has confirmed the existence The Sims 5but when the title will be released and what it will look like has been kept under wraps.
The hit simulation series has been going strong since it debuted on PC in February 2000.
Now, four main games, hundreds of expansions, and dozens of spin-offs later, EA is ready to dive back in Sims pool for the next evolution of a long-running series.
When is The Sims 5 coming out?
Originally announced as part of the Behind The Sims Summit in October 2022, The Sims 5 (or as EA refers to it, Project Rene) is bullied “next generation” of the franchise (Per The Verge).
The game currently doesn’t have an official release date announced by developer Maxis, but due to this “next-gen” branding, it’s likely to be a while before the title is released in any significant way.
During the game’s original announcement, it was teased Project Rene (The Sims 5) had been reported “earlier than ever before” and that it still was “after years” (via Games Radar).
It’s been almost a decade The Sims 4 debuts, but – according to Maxis – it may still be some time before that Sims 5 will ever see the light of day.
Given the wording used in the announcement, the full release for Project Rene it looks like it could be at least another two to five years (2026-2029).
However, that doesn’t mean players won’t be able to access the title before then.
Maxis has made it clear that there are early days for the app The Sims 5 throughout development as shared by the team “Work in progress, expeditions, glimpses, behind the scenes content” for small groups of players (via Maxis):
“Over the next couple of years, we’ll continue to share updates with all of you on ‘Project Rene’. We’ll be sharing work-in-progress, research materials, glimpses, behind-the-scenes content, and we’ll start opening up Early Access to ‘Project Rene’ software to small groups over time.”
Why is The Sims 5 taking so long?
The reason for this long development cycle is simply due to its unprecedented nature Project Rene/Sims 5.
The Sims 5 is the first title in the franchise to be released as a full-fledged free-to-play platform.
Lyndsay Pearson (VP of Creative Franchise Sims) was revealed during the September 2023 live broadcast, “We are going to Project Rene be available for free download” and it will evolve with the player base over the coming years:
“This means that when Project Rene is ready and fully open to players, you’ll be able to join, play, and explore it without a subscription, core game purchase, or energy mechanics. We want it to be super easy for you to play, invite or join friends, and experience new features, stories, and challenges .”
Pearson added, The Sims 5 not everything currently available is included The Sims 4 but will exist “side by side” with the current title and team “plan(s) to add new experiences and content to Project Rene over time” (per IGN):
“(We’re going to) add new experiences and content to Project Rene over time. For example, basic weather can be added to the core game for free, for everyone. And in the future, a bundle for purchase may be focused on winter sports with activities like ice dancing or a snowman building competition.”
This is also reflected in the fact that the title is a multi-purpose experience that can be played on both PC and mobile. this enables a “the real, rich experience you’re used to” combined with ability “grab your phone and (get) a different experience” (via Games Radar):
“(It’s) a real, rich experience that you’re used to. But then when you’re on the go, you can grab your phone and maybe it’s a different experience, maybe you’re grabbing archetypes, you’re picking models, or you’re grabbing stuff that you’ve already created.”
This is an ambitious leap into new territory Sims the upcoming title is the primary reason for this extended delay between the main games, a wait that hopefully will be worth it for fans.
Does The Sims 5 have multiplayer?
Yeah, The Sims 5 focuses on multiplayer, which has been branded as a co-op game from the start, but Maxis has made it clear that it is “not an MMO”
In January 2023 at the Behind the Sims event Sims 5 director Grant Rodiek revealed that the new game is a “public, shared space” but it can still be played alone:
“Now it’s good to remember that Project Rene is not an MMO. It’s not this public shared space where everything you do is always with other people. You can play alone, on your own terms, and then again. , when you want on your own terms, you can invite others to come play with you This is the structure we follow and we think it’s really cool and perfect for “The Sims”.
VP of Franchise Creative Sims Lyndsay Pearson told the Radio Times in November 2023, explained The Sims 5 Is “no multiplayer in a big, scary ‘jump in a world full of aliens’ kind of way.” but more than Nintendo Animal Crossing concession:
“No multiplayer with a big, scary ‘jump in a world full of aliens’. But literally, how do you and your friends want to play together? And there’s a lot of different flavors, so we explored a lot of different modes there.”
How much does it cost to download Sim 5?
When The Sims 5 will be released eventually, costing players nothing.
There will be a game “free to download”, players part with their hard-earned dollars on additional downloadable content.
Pearson confirmed, “In addition to regular updates to the core game, we sell content and packages.” but it doesn’t look the same as before Sims games (via Digital Spy).
Instead, Sims 5 breaks up the game’s traditional expansion model and gives content to all players while charging others:
“In The Sims 4, the only way you could experience weather was if you bought Seasons. Now with Project Rene, we might introduce what’s basically a base game for free for everyone. And then the bundle you buy might focus on winter sports, and it might include activities like ice dancing or snowman building competitions.”
Possible game details for The Sims 5
From a game perspective The Sims 5 doesn’t seem to shake up the formula too much.
So far, Maxis has only teased what to expect, but the gameplay looks like it will consist of the same home design and life simulation that the franchise has become known for.
Where Project Rene however, differs in its creative and sharing features.
One important part The Sims 5 the equation designs and creates custom items to place in the player’s home.
The example Maxis and EA used in their marketing was creating a unique upholstery for a sofa and sharing it with the world. Sims 5 players to download and use in their game.
This leads to what is described in a “social gaming experience” where players can do things like “design an apartment together” in the collaborative experience.
When could The Sims 5 trailer be released?
No Sims 5 trailer hasn’t been released yet, but EA has been very public about the game at this point for a couple of years.
Since the title seems to be still in a fairly early stage of development, it may still be a while before players get a proper trailer.
The first official trailer The Sims 4 released just a year before launch, it made its debut on the Gamescom stage in 2013.
If Sims 5 follows a similar marketing cycle, which could mean the earliest a trailer could be seen is 2025.
The Sims 5 (alias Project Rene) is under active development, and no release date is available.
