Get ready to dust off your Simlish skills because The Sims 5, also known as Project Rene, is finally on the horizon. This marks the longest gap between main entries in the franchise’s history. While The Sims 4 kept us busy with expansions and its recent transition to free-to-play, fans are eager for a fresh installment. As with every new Sims game, excitement is tempered with a healthy dose of skepticism about returning and new features.
While we can’t answer all your burning questions yet, here’s everything we know so far about The Sims 5. Currently referred to by its code name, Project Rene, The Sims 5 (which we’ll call it until an official title is revealed) lacks a confirmed release window. Developer Maxis announced it was in development at the Behind the Sims Summit presentation in October 2022. The only hint we received was this statement from Lyndsay Pearson, franchise creative vice president: “Over the next couple of years, we’ll continue sharing updates with all of you on Project Rene.” Based on this, the earliest we can expect The Sims 5 is likely sometime in 2025.
No official platform announcements have been made for The Sims 5, but it’s a safe bet that PC will be included. The sneak peek also mentioned bringing the game to mobile devices, hinting at a possible additional platform. While it’s not technically a trailer, the Behind the Sims Summit provided our first glimpse of The Sims 5. The footage showcases very early stages of furniture decorating and customization, leaving much to be revealed. The presentation gave us a taste of some systems planned for The Sims 5. A key feature is a significantly enhanced version of the Create-A-Style tool, previously used in The Sims 3. You can now upload your own custom designs to a gallery, where they can be used and placed on furniture. These designs can also be further tweaked and edited at a more granular level than ever before.
Another notable detail is the introduction of multiplayer in The Sims 5, although the full extent is still shrouded in mystery. We know you can collaborate with friends on sharing and creating, but you can also play entirely solo. Whether this will extend to bringing Sims together remains unknown.
The information below should be treated as rumors until EA officially confirms the details. The most significant reported leak originates from a Reddit post where a user claims to have datamined the entire Sims 5 map from a leaked playtest build. This leaked map reveals the portion of the map accessible in the playtest in relation to the entire map, which is supposedly open world. The map itself is reportedly based on Paris, drawing inspiration from actual locations. A less exciting rumor revolves around DRM. Some speculate that The Sims 5 will incorporate the controversial Denuvo anti-cheat. Object placement is also rumored to receive an upgrade with attached physics, allowing for more natural placement and dropping of objects in your world. This could result in objects tipping over if placed on uneven ground or when subjected to excessive weight on one side.
As the development team emphasized, The Sims 5 is still years away. We will encounter it multiple times before preordering becomes a possibility, perhaps even getting opportunities to participate in beta tests. When these details materialize, we’ll make sure to keep you informed with all the necessary information.
