The Sims 5 Project Rene: Updates, features, platforms and more

The anticipation surrounding the release of The Sims 5 has reached its peak among avid video game enthusiasts. Following the massive success of The Sims 4 and previous installments, The Sims 5 has become one of the most eagerly anticipated video games worldwide.

Under the codename Project Rene, the development of The Sims 5 is underway. Although it has not been officially referred to as The Sims 5 by EA or Maxis, Project Rene is being hailed as the "new future" of the series. This next generation of life and social simulation games is set to introduce a plethora of new and advanced features.

According to Lyndsay Pearson, VP of franchise creative for The Sims, the goal is to "reimagine The Sims you know and love with new ways to play" while staying true to the charming Sims, powerful tools, and meaningful stories that form the foundation of the game.

The announcement of Project Rene came shortly after the news that the base game of The Sims 4 is now available for free. This move by EA and Maxis hinted at their plans for the future of the franchise. While fans had mixed reactions, it provided hope that The Sims 5 was on the horizon.

The Sims 5 is being positioned as the "next generation of Sims game and creative platform." Given that Project Rene is still in its early stages of development, the creators will gradually unveil intriguing details about the game. Developers have already offered a sneak peek into what fans can expect from The Sims 5.

Lyndsay Pearson explained that Project Rene was chosen as the codename because it represents a renewal and rebirth of the franchise. The Sims is embarking on a new future, promising a fresh game experience and more immersive storytelling and collaborative features.

Maxis is hard at work on the next generation of The Sims game. Although not explicitly referred to as The Sims 5, the team aims to build on the tools that allow players to engage with life and explore the concept of playing together. Miele, a representative from Maxis, acknowledged that The Sims Online released nearly 20 years ago, was ahead of its time, laying the groundwork for future innovations.

Lyndsay Pearson confirmed that development had just begun and it would take a few years before The Sims 5 is launched. In the meantime, players of The Sims 4 can expect ongoing support and new content.

"Today marks the start of our journey over the next few years as we work on this next game and creative platform," she said on October 18, explaining that the team wanted to reveal the project early so Simmers can be "a part of our development journey," said Lyndsay Pearson.

 

The Sims Project Rene's reveal on October 18, 2022, brought the news that The Sims 4 base game is now free to play. Players can download the base game for free and purchase expansion kits separately. The game is available on various platforms, including PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.

Over the next couple of years, updates on Project Rene will be shared with the community. The team plans to provide in-progress work, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes content, and eventually open up Early Access to select groups of players.

As for the platforms on which The Sims 5 will be available, the official announcement has not been made. However, the game will likely be released on PS5 or Xbox Series, while also being playable on PC and mobile devices. The objective is to provide players the freedom to enjoy the game wherever they prefer.

Maxis showcased The Sims 5 running on PC and a mobile platform during the Project Rene reveal. The team aims to offer the same immersive experience across different screens and devices.

While Maxis has only revealed a few aspects of The Sims 5 or Project Rene, such as furniture customization and enhanced creative tools, more features will be unveiled in due course. The ability to customize colors, patterns, and shapes of items, as well as the option of placing and positioning throw cushions independently on sofas, highlights the level of detail and customization players can expect in The Sims 5.

Additionally, Maxis hinted at new sharing capabilities, allowing players to share specific arrangements of furniture and items as clusters, rather than sharing entire rooms or builds. This feature aims to facilitate collaboration and make it easier for players to work together on creative projects. However, Maxis acknowledges that The Sims has always been a personal and intimate escape for some players, and they emphasize that the choice to play alone or with others will always remain with the individual. While The Sims 5 offers multiplayer elements, it is not an MMO (massively multiplayer online) game and still provides a rich single-player experience.

Regarding the gaming platforms for The Sims 5, official confirmation from Maxis is yet to be announced. However, the demonstration of the game running on PC and mobile devices suggests that these platforms will likely be included. The team's goal is to ensure that players can enjoy The Sims 5 wherever they prefer, whether it be on a console, PC, or mobile device. The Sims 5 doesn't have an official release date.

Stay tuned to Devdiscourse to get the latest updates on video games. 

 Source: Gamesradar+

Also Read: The Sims 4: Popular life simulation game introduces gameplay changes