Project Rene isn't replacing The Sims 4 featured image
Image via Electronic Arts

EA says Project Rene won’t replace The Sims 4, as it announces a new playtest

Electronic Arts and Maxis want to add to The Sims universe rather than replace it.

As originally reported by Variety in an interview with EA’s vice president and The Sims general manager, Kate Gorman, Maxis has multiple plans for the Sims franchise, including running another playtest for Project Rene in Fall 2024 and introducing Creator Kits to The Sims 4.

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Moving forward, Gorman says things will be a little different. When asked specifically if there will not be a Sims 5, Gorman says, “It’s not ‘Sims 5‘ as a replacement for 4.”

During the interview, Gorman elaborates on multiple games in the franchise, with The Sims 5 being the main discussion topic initially and Maxis’ plans to avoid making it “‘Sims 5‘ as a replacement for ‘4.’”

Gorman clarifies further in the post: “What this means is that we will continue to bring HD simulation experience and what people would want from a ‘5’ — but it doesn’t mean that we’re going to start you over, reset all your progress, and really feel like you’re going to lose all of that amazing play you put into ‘4.’”

In short, whatever is next from The Sims will differ from previous games. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing what this planning will eventually lead to.

Alongside this interview is a separate post from EA describing The Sims’ future. In it, EA announced a Project Rene playtest arriving in Fall 2024. It’s an invite-only test, with no exact date listed yet, but we anticipate it’ll happen sometime between late September and November, if it’s a fall window.

Project Rene furniture playtest
Image via Electronic Arts

Although the exact plans for The Sims 5 and Project Rene are sparse right now, there’s plenty for The Sims 4, with EA’s post announcing Creator Kits made by community members, the Creator Program that gives more perks to influencers, and, as the post describes, “continued depth, improvements, and modernization of The Sims 4.” This includes adding more stuff, game, and expansion packs over time, with the Storybook Nursery and Artist Studio kits arriving on September 19 and the Life and Death expansion available starting on Halloween.


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Author
Image of Madison Benson
Madison Benson
Staff Writer - Madison has been a long-time fan of all things gaming since her adventures playing Heroes of Might and Magic over 20 years ago. She began her journalism career in 2021 and often enjoys casual life sims, MMORPGs, and action-adventure RPGs in her spare time.