What We Know So Far About The Sims 5: Project Rene

It has been almost 10 years since the release of the life simulation game, The Sims 4. Developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts, the game has dominated its genre for two and a half decades. However, nothing can be dominant forever and critics and fans alike have been pressuring the developers for the next iteration of the sims. Luckily, it seems the next Sims title might not be so far away! Here is everything we know so far about The Sims 5: Project Rene.

The Sims Premise

Ever since its inception, The Sims series has been a sandbox that allows players to create their customized avatars called Sims. Even though there are a lot of games in this series each title has something unique that makes it a fan favorite. It isn’t hard to come across fans who swear the series peaked with The Sims 3, The Sims: Bustin’ Out, and even Mysims. Even if these games are different they still have the same gameplay at their cores.

The Sims Titles In The Series

The Sims content is seemingly endless for potential fans. Here is an extensive list of every game and expansion pack in the series.

The Sims Era

• The Sims (2000; Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, macOS)
• The Sims: Livin’ Large (The Sims: Livin’ It Up in the UK, Ireland and Portugal)
• The Sims: House Party
• The Sims: Hot Date
• The Sims: Vacation (The Sims: On Holiday in the UK, Ireland, China and Portugal)
• The Sims: Unleashed
• The Sims: Superstar
• The Sims: Makin’ Magic
• The Sims Deluxe Edition
• The Sims Double Deluxe
• The Sims Mega Deluxe
• The Sims Triple Deluxe (UK and Ireland only)
• The Sims Complete Collection (The Sims: Full House in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa)
• The Sims Expansion Collection
• The Sims Expansion Three-Pack
• The Sims (PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox)
• The Sims Online (2002)
• The Sims Bustin’ Out (2003; PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, N-Gage, Game Boy Advance)
• The Urbz: Sims in the City (2004; GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS)

Sims 2 Era

• The Sims 2 (2004; Microsoft Windows, macOS)
• The Sims 2: University
• The Sims 2: Nightlife
• The Sims 2: Open for Business
• The Sims 2: Pets
• The Sims 2: Seasons
• The Sims 2: Bon Voyage
• The Sims 2: FreeTime
• The Sims 2: Apartment Life
• The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack (The Sims 2: Christmas Party Pack in the UK and Ireland)
• The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff
• The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff
• The Sims 2: Happy Holiday Stuff (The Sims 2: Festive Holiday Stuff in the UK and Ireland)
• The Sims 2: Celebration! Stuff
• The Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff
• The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff
• The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff
• The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff
• The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff
• The Sims 2: Special DVD Edition
• The Sims 2: Holiday Edition (2005)
• The Sims 2: Holiday Edition (2006)
• The Sims 2: Deluxe
• The Sims 2: Double Deluxe
• The Sims 2: University Life Collection
• The Sims 2: Best of Business Collection
• The Sims 2: Fun with Pets Collection
• The Sims 2: Ultimate Collection
• The Sims 2 (GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, Mobile)
• The Sims 2: Pets (Wii, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable)
• The Sims 2: Castaway (2007; Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS, Mobile)
• The Sims 2: Apartment Pets (2008; Nintendo DS)
• The Sims DJ (2008; iPod)
• The Sims Bowling (2008; iPod)
• The Sims Pool (2008; iPod)
• The Sims Stories
• The Sims Life Stories (2007; Microsoft Windows, macOS)
• The Sims Pet Stories (2007; Microsoft Windows, macOS)
• The Sims Castaway Stories (2008; Microsoft Windows, macOS)
• MySims (2008; Microsoft Windows, Wii, Nintendo DS)
• MySims Kingdom (2008; Wii, Nintendo DS)
• MySims Party (2009; Wii, Nintendo DS)
• MySims Racing (2009; Wii, Nintendo DS)
• MySims Agents (2009; Wii, Nintendo DS)
• MySims SkyHeroes (2010; Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360)

Sims 3 Era

• The Sims 3 (2009; Microsoft Windows, macOS
• The Sims 3: World Adventures
• The Sims 3: Ambitions
• The Sims 3: Late Night
• The Sims 3: Generations
• The Sims 3: Pets
• The Sims 3: Showtime
• The Sims 3: Supernatural
• The Sims 3: Seasons
• The Sims 3: University Life
• The Sims 3: Island Paradise
• The Sims 3: Into the Future
• The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff
• The Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff
• The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff
• The Sims 3: Town Life Stuff
• The Sims 3: Master Suite Stuff
• The Sims 3: Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats
• The Sims 3: Diesel Stuff
• The Sims 3: 70s, 80s, & 90s Stuff
• The Sims 3: Movie Stuf
• The Sims 3: Riverview
• The Sims 3: Barnacle Bay
• The Sims 3: Hidden Springs
• The Sims 3: Lunar Lakes
• The Sims 3: Lucky Palms
• The Sims 3: Sunlit Tides
• The Sims 3: Monte Vista
• The Sims 3: Aurora Skies
• The Sims 3: Dragon Valley
• The Sims 3: Midnight Hollow
• The Sims 3: Roaring Heights
• The Sims 3 Collector’s Edition
• The Sims 3 Holiday Collector’s Edition
• The Sims 3 Commemorative Edition
• The Sims 3 Deluxe
• The Sims 3 Starter Pack
• The Sims 3 (iOS, Android, Mobile, Blackberry Curve)
• The Sims 3 (Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS)
• The Sims 3: World Adventures (iOS, Mobile)
• The Sims 3: Ambitions (iOS, Mobile)
• The Sims 3: Pets (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS)
• The Sims 3: Supernatural (Blackberry Curve)
• The Sims Medieval (2011; Microsoft Windows, macOS)
• The Sims Medieval: Pirates and Nobles
• The Sims Medieval Deluxe Edition
• The Sims Medieval (iOS, Windows Phone)
• The Sims Social (2011)
• The Sims FreePlay (2011; iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry 10)

The Sims 4 Era

• The Sims 4 (2014; Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One)
• The Sims 4: Get to Work
• The Sims 4: Get Together
• The Sims 4: City Living
• The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs
• The Sims 4: Seasons
• The Sims 4: Get Famous
• The Sims 4: Island Living
• The Sims 4: Discover University
• The Sims 4: Eco Lifestyle
• The Sims 4: Snowy Escape
• The Sims 4: Cottage Living
• The Sims 4: High School Years
• The Sims 4: Growing Together
• The Sims 4: Horse Ranch
• The Sims 4: Outdoor Retreat
• The Sims 4: Spa Day
• The Sims 4: Dine Out
• The Sims 4: Vampires
• The Sims 4: Parenthood
• The Sims 4: Jungle Adventure
• The Sims 4: StrangerVille
• The Sims 4: Realm of Magic
• The Sims 4: Star Wars: Journey to Batuu
• The Sims 4: Dream Home Decorator
• The Sims 4: My Wedding Stories
• The Sims 4: Werewolves
• The Sims 4: Luxury Party Stuff
• The Sims 4: Perfect Patio Stuff
• The Sims 4: Cool Kitchen Stuff
• The Sims 4: Spooky Stuff
• The Sims 4: Movie Hangout Stuff
• The Sims 4: Romantic Garden Stuff
• The Sims 4: Kids Room Stuff
• The Sims 4: Backyard Stuff
• The Sims 4: Vintage Glamour Stuff
• The Sims 4: Bowling Night Stuff
• The Sims 4: Fitness Stuff
• The Sims 4: Toddler Stuff
• The Sims 4: Laundry Day Stuff
• The Sims 4: My First Pet Stuff
• The Sims 4: Moschino Stuff
• The Sims 4: Tiny Living Stuff
• The Sims 4: Nifty Knitting Stuff
• The Sims 4: Paranormal Stuff
• The Sims 4: Home Chef Hustle Stuff
• The Sims 4: Throwback Fit Kit
• The Sims 4: Country Kitchen Kit
• The Sims 4: Bust the Dust Kit
• The Sims 4: Courtyard Oasis Kit
• The Sims 4: Industrial Loft Kit
• The Sims 4: Fashion Street Kit
• The Sims 4: Incheon Arrivals Kit
• The Sims 4: Blooming Rooms Kit
• The Sims 4: Modern Menswear Kit
• The Sims 4: Carnaval Streetwear Kit
• The Sims 4: Decor to the Max Kit
• The Sims 4: Moonlight Chic Kit
• The Sims 4: Little Campers Kit
• The Sims 4: First Fits Kit
• The Sims 4: Desert Luxe Kit
• The Sims 4: Pastel Pop Kit
• The Sims 4: Everyday Clutter Kit
• The Sims 4: Bathroom Clutter Kit
• The Sims 4: Simtimates Collection Kit
• The Sims 4: Greenhouse Haven Kit
• The Sims 4: Basement Treasures Kit
• The Sims 4: Book Nook Kit
• The Sims 4: Grunge Revival Kit
• The Sims 4: Modern Luxe Kit
• The Sims 4: Poolside Splash Kit
• The Sims 4: Holiday Celebration Pack
• The Sims 4: Limited Edition
• The Sims 4: Digital Deluxe
• The Sims 4: Premium Edition
• The Sims 4: Collector’s Edition
• The Sims 4: Legacy Edition
• The Sims 4: EA Play Edition
• The Sims Mobile
• The Sims Mobile (2017; iOS, Android)

No Release Date As Of Yet

While we know that development has started for The Sims 5, also known as Project Rene, we still don’t have a release date. Development was confirmed on October 18th, 2022 during the Behind The Sims Summit Stream. It has been confirmed that we’re still a few years away from The Sims 5.

The Game Will Be Available In Early Access

Maxis will eventually open up early access builds to the community. These playable builds will be given to small groups over time and the players will be able to provide input throughout the development of the game. These early playtests seem to have already begun as some information on the game has leaked.

The Game Will Be Free to Play

Electronic Arts has confirmed that The Sims 5 will be free to play when it’s officially released. The company broke down the monetization plan as they intend to sell paid content packs for the game. The game will also receive updates over time so it can continue to evolve. The VP franchise creative Lyndsay Pearson has stated that the game is not intended to replace The Sims 4 so it won’t launch with every feature The Sims 4 currently has.

The Sims 5 Will have Cross-Progression

Maxis hasn’t confirmed all the platforms the game will release on yet. However, they have stated that content is being tested on PC and mobile. In the Sims Summit Stream linked above, you can watch a tech test of the game. They intend for players to be able to pick the game up on one platform put it down and then pick it up again seamlessly on another platform.

The Sims 5 Will have Multiplayer Elements

Most of The Sims 5‘s gameplay information is around the building aspect. Maxis teased players will be able to collaborate on designing apartments and arranging furniture. The game will allow players to share designs easily with their friends. Electronic Arts made sure to clarify that while the game will have multiplayer elements it is not massively multiplayer like some fans may have wanted. They also clarified that the game is just as enjoyable as a solo experience.

Sims 5 Will Prioritize Hair Color Customization

There hasn’t been much information on how creating a sim will work in the new title. However, the team wants to prioritize hairstyle variety and coloring options.

The Create-A-Style tool from Sims 3 Is Making A Comeback

Fans of the Sims 3 can rejoice as Create-A-Style is making a return. The Sims 5‘s build mode will add modular pieces. This will allow players to swap pieces of furniture separately. You can edit a couch and the cushions of that couch separately providing extra customization options for fans of build-mode.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Electronic Arts / Maxis / The Sims.