What to Expect From The Sims in 2026

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2025 was an eventful year for The Sims. It became clear that the franchise wasn’t just paused, but actively changing. With new content, information leaks, and concerns about its future, The Sims felt more dynamic and less predictable than before. This sense of change and uncertainty continues as we move into 2026.

Although it might seem like there will be fewer updates for The Sims in early 2026 compared to previous years, this could be a deliberate choice. With Project Rene on the horizon, ongoing speculation about Sims 4, and Maxis wanting to manage expectations, the coming months appear to be a period of preparation for significant changes, rather than a slowdown. Here’s a look at what the future holds for this popular life simulation game.

The Sims’ Early 2026 Plans May Just Be the Calm Before The Storm

The Sims Mobile Shuts Down

Fans of The Sims on mobile are disappointed to learn that The Sims Mobile will no longer be available after January 20, 2026. While not as expansive as the main Sims games, The Sims Mobile provided a fun and accessible experience for players on the go. It originally launched in 2018 and, for several years, offered a free way to play The Sims before Sims 4 adopted a free-to-play model.

Starting January 6th, all players of The Sims Mobile will have access to every item in Build Mode and Create-a-Sim, no matter their level or progress in the game.

Sim Devs to Clear Up “Misinformation” in Early January

Fans love to speculate about what’s next for The Sims, so the developers at Maxis are promising to share updates about Sims 4 in January 2026. EA and Maxis say this announcement will address and correct inaccurate rumors that have been spreading.

Given the recent communication style, players can probably anticipate a public plan outlining important dates for future updates to The Sims 4. These development roadmaps aren’t new to the game; they’ve become a regular feature, starting with a push for more openness in 2025. Last year, these plans were paired with forums where players could vote on the most important bugs and gameplay problems to be fixed.

The Sims 4 Might Have a Crazy 2026 Ahead—If Rumors Are True

The Sims 4 Rumor Patrol

  • The Sims 4’s final Expansion Pack?: According to recent rumors circling Reddit and other forums, the next Sims 4’s Expansion Pack will be its last. The 21st Expansion Pack will allegedly be royalty-themed with three kingdoms for players to choose from. Although this rumor states that there will be no more Expansion Packs, it also clarifies that Game, Kit, and Stuff Packs are still underway.
  • Project X: There are some conflicting allegations surrounding the mysterious Project X that has been circling The Sims’ online circles. But according to a renowned leaker, a Sims 4 remake called Project X might be released in late 2026. The rumored remake would come shortly after The Sims 4‘s 12th anniversary, and may address some of the stability issues facing the over-decade-old software.
  • The Sims 4’s release cadence: With no roadmap yet and endless speculation, Simmers may be wondering what the DLC release schedule may look like this year. Luckily, previous years give us a starting point. In the past few years, there have been at least 2 Expansion Packs per year, usually released in the summer and winter. Game Packs and Stuff Packs are scattered throughout the year in between EPs. The most common type of DLC is Kits, with free Sims 4 base game updates accompanying all kinds of releases.

What We Know About Project Rene for 2026

The Basics of Project Rene

Project Rene is being described as the future of The Sims, but it’s important to understand it’s not the same as The Sims 5. Maxis has stated that Rene isn’t a sequel or replacement for The Sims 4; instead, they plan to develop both games at the same time, and both will be available for players to enjoy for a long time.

The upcoming Project Rene is shaping up to be a more adaptable and customizable version of The Sims, designed to evolve over time. A key feature is the ability to play on PCs, consoles, and mobile devices, with your progress syncing across all platforms. Players will be able to enjoy the game both solo and with others, collaborating or simply sharing their creations. Early looks at the game highlight a revamped Build Mode with easier-to-use tools for placing objects, customizing colors, and creating modular furniture.

Currently, there’s no set release date, price, or list of devices for Project Rene. Maxis sees it as a constantly evolving platform, not a typical standalone sequel. Instead of being a complete overhaul with a fixed ending, they plan for it to grow and change over time.

Project Rene Rumor Patrol

  • A fashion-forward, social focus: One circulating leak claims Project Rene shares gameplay features with Roblox’s Dress to Impress, suggesting a heavier emphasis on fashion, cosmetics, and social presentation. This has spurred an onslaught of criticism.
  • Project X as Rene’s single-player mode: Some rumors—Project X chief among them—suggest that an allegedly separate Sims project is actually Project Rene’s single-player experience. These claims also point to a late 2026 launch window and position Project X as a more traditional Sims-style sandbox layered onto Rene’s broader platform.
  • Will Project Rene release in 2026?: Multiple rumors place Project Rene’s rollout in late 2026, though Maxis has not publicly committed to any timeframe. This rumor is fueled by the sunsetting of Sims Mobile, and general chatter about Rene entering an Early Access or beta phase. However, the studio’s emphasis on community testing, iteration, and transparency, a longer runway would be consistent with how Rene has been presented so far. Any date speculation should be taken with a grain of salt.

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2026-01-05 13:11