As a Longtime Sims Player, Project Rene’s Leaks Have Me Nervous

I’ve been playing The Sims for twenty years, and I’m used to change – new looks, new features, even frequent expansions. But the recent announcements for Project Rene, what many thought would be The Sims 5, are different. Instead of getting me excited about the future of the franchise, they’ve left me feeling uncertain and a little worried. Each new reveal just raises more questions than answers.

I was surprised when the new game dropped numbered titles. Then, the early previews focused heavily on multiplayer, which reminded me of past issues with the franchise. Now, recent leaks suggest the core gameplay is shifting away from the life-simulation style that’s defined The Sims for almost twenty-five years. While each change on its own might not be a big deal, together they could drastically alter what The Sims is all about. As a longtime fan, I’m worried, and I know many other players feel the same way.

Project Rene Has Some Beige Flags—Arguably Red Ones, Too

As a long-time Sims fan, I’m realizing the game is going through a big shift right now, and honestly, it’s a little unsettling! It’s never easy when a franchise you love starts to change. We’ve seen it happen with other games too – look at Dragon Age, which keeps reinventing its look, or Halo, where the gameplay and story are always evolving. There’s always some pushback from fans, and I totally get why. I’m a creature of habit myself, so change can be scary!

I’m trying to approach changes to gaming, including with The Sims, with an open mind. I’ve both enjoyed and been skeptical of updates to favorite games. Looking at early gameplay of Project Rene, it still feels distinctly like The Sims at its core. While it’s different, the game has been fairly consistent for the last decade. Right now, Project Rene seems to be offering subtle changes – cautious updates that don’t feel particularly groundbreaking.

More customization options: In early footage, Project Rene is letting Build Mode relive its glory days. With modular pieces, a throwback to The Sims 3’s Create-a-Style, and just overall greater flexibility, Project Rene promises a win for Simmers who thrive on decor.
Familiar visual identity: Aesthetically, The Sims 4 hasn’t aged terribly. That’s thanks to its cartoonish art style. Of course, after 10 years, some aesthetic polish and technical tweaks could go a long way. If Project Rene launches with a similar visual identity to The Sims 4, some fans may be inclined to give it a good college try.
The skeleton is there: A life-sim like The Sims will still have your typical Sims fair—no matter what iteration it is. Players will still meet friends, romance them, and indulge in all the recognizable chaos that has made the franchise a cornerstone of EA’s portfolio.

The Red Flags Are Creeping Up, And I’m Afraid They’re About to Jumpscare Me

I wasn’t initially worried about Project Rene, but it’s starting to concern me. While no single detail is a major problem, together they suggest the Sims franchise is changing in a way that feels uncertain. As a longtime player—I’ve been playing for twenty years—I can sense this shift happening, even if I can’t quite put my finger on why.

Multiplayer keeps haunting the franchise: Project Rene has been advertised as a game where friends can come together to experience The Sims through multiplayer gameplay. This is a significant departure from The Sims’ single-player model. And frankly, it is perhaps its most controversial feature.
The Recent Leaks: The latest gameplay leaks for Project Rene lean heavily into fashion. So heavily, in fact, that some players have drawn comparisons to Roblox’s Dress to Impress. That, is, indeed, a choice. One that has drawn criticism from some perplexed fans.

It’s Not the Dress to Impress Comparisons That Make Me Nervous About Project Rene

When I was a rebellious teenager obsessed with Shadow the Hedgehog (still am, honestly), I had a secret hobby. I’d write about it in my diaries, keep it hidden online, and protect it fiercely, even when I was causing trouble with my friends at Hot Topic. Despite trying to look super angsty, I absolutely loved playing dress-up games. Websites like Girlsgogames and Dolldivine, and the Flash-based fashion dolls on DeviantArt, were my escape. I’d spend hours creating outfits for the characters, outfits that any mall goth would approve of.

Let me assure you, I love the idea of customizing characters and outfits – I grew up with it! I practically have muscle memory from dragging my mouse to change digital clothes, and even now, I sometimes play games like Baldur’s Gate 3 just to design my character’s look. However, when I started seeing how Project Rene was shaping up, mirroring the structure of those types of games – especially the way it seems to focus on completing challenges to unlock styles – it didn’t thrill me, it worried me. It’s not that those games are bad, but The Sims has always offered so much more than just dressing up. Project Rene feels like a shift in genre, and it’s using the familiar Sims branding to disguise that change. It’s starting to look less like a life simulation and more like something else entirely.

Losing What Makes The Sims… The Sims

I’m starting to feel really concerned that the next The Sims game is focusing too much on current trends and losing what makes it special. It’s not that new style features are bad – The Sims was a pioneer in letting players express themselves in games. However, recent information suggests the new game might be more about fashion and appearances, like Dress to Impress*, than a deep, realistic life simulation with all the usual drama, relationships, and unexpected events.

If this is the path the game is taking, it’s not progress – it’s a step backward. The Sims has always been about limitless options and creative freedom, not just superficial contests. If Project Rene focuses on trendy, shareable features instead of the depth and unique qualities that make The Sims special, it won’t be a natural evolution of the series. It will be a fundamental shift that damages what made the game great.

The Multiplayer Angle Gives Sims Veterans War Flashbacks

So, it’s kinda wild to learn that The Sims 4 actually started as a multiplayer game! Honestly, that explains a lot about why it felt…off when it first came out. A lot of the core stuff – the game engine, how things worked, even all the features that were missing at launch – were all built for that multiplayer idea. It’s cool how much better the game is now, but you can still feel those old compromises if you think about it. It just wasn’t what we, as longtime fans, were hoping for.

The new project, Project Rene, is venturing into multiplayer features, which could be a risky move. Previous attempts at multiplayer Sims games haven’t lasted. Focusing on multiplayer could alienate the loyal fanbase who love The Sims for its freedom, quiet play, personal stories, and the chance to control a virtual world at their own pace. For many, The Sims is a relaxing, solitary experience – a way to unwind and express themselves. While adding multiplayer might attract new players, it could leave long-time fans feeling excluded.

The Plumbob in the Room: We Might Actually Still Need The Sims 5

I know it’s tough to think about leaving behind everything you’ve built in The Sims 4 – all the DLC and years of memories. But honestly, it might be time for a fresh start. The game has been kept going for a long time, but that’s just a temporary fix. Every update and new expansion pack seems to break something, making the game unstable. It’s becoming increasingly fragile with each patch, and it can’t really continue like this forever.

The ongoing rumors about a Sims 4 remaster just add to the confusion. A remaster suggests EA wants to continue supporting the current game while also developing a new one, and it’s unclear why. Is it to make the switch to the next generation smoother? To allow players to keep their existing game progress? Or will I just be left with more questions as I watch this franchise evolve into something I might not even recognize, something that no longer feels like The Sims to me?

I don’t have any solid information about Project Rene or the future of The Sims that feels reassuring. I’m just seeing a lot of signs that the game’s direction is unclear, and that’s worrying when fans are hoping for something reliable. With the company itself going through big changes, and so much uncertainty already, it would be comforting to have something familiar to hold onto.

2025-11-21 21:43