Maxis Teases an Official Sims 5 Game, Confirms Project Rene Is a Mobile Title

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The team behind The Sims 4 has just shared some major news for 2026: Project Rene will be a game for mobile devices, and they may also be hinting at the next full installment, The Sims 5. There’s been a lot of discussion about both of these games, especially as Maxis continues to update and support The Sims 4. This new announcement has clarified a lot of what’s been speculated about.

I’ve been playing The Sims 4 since it came out in September 2014, and it’s amazing how consistently the developers have updated it! Sure, all the extra stuff can add up, but for over eleven years, they’ve kept things fresh with new content and ways to play. Just recently, details about their next expansion pack, Royalty and Legacy, slipped out after being rated overseas. It’s a great sign that Maxis and EA are still dedicated to The Sims 4, even though a lot of us are also excited to see what they’re planning for the next big Sims game!

Sims Team Reveals Project Rene Will Be a Mobile Game

Image via EA

The development team recently shared a lot of exciting news, including their plans for the rest of 2026 and details about Project Rene. Announced in 2022, many fans speculated Project Rene was a codename for The Sims 5, but the developers clarified that wasn’t the case. A new post on the game’s website revealed that Project Rene will be a life-simulation game designed for mobile devices, focusing on social interaction and collaboration. While details about the gameplay are still limited, the post includes an early look at the game – a screenshot showing characters gathering in an outdoor space, offering a first glimpse of what Project Rene might become.

Image via EA

When Project Rene finally releases, it won’t replace The Sims 4. The creators have stated this since early 2024, and confirmed it in a recent post. However, the final game might look quite different from the original vision, as the development process has changed over time. The fact that they’re describing it as ‘mobile-first’ hints that it could be available on other devices, with PCs being a strong possibility.

The Sims 5 Potentially Teased by Maxis

Maxis is working on several new Sims projects for PC and consoles, continuing to focus on the classic life simulation gameplay. This could mean more expansion packs, stuff packs, and kits for The Sims 4 will be released this year. However, Maxis also hinted at “the next evolution” of The Sims 4, leading some fans to believe a completely new game is in development. Over half of the Maxis development team is currently working on these projects. Given that Maxis hasn’t released a game outside of the Sims series since the 2013 SimCity remake, this suggests a significant investment in either Project Rene or a surprising new direction.

Image via EA

I’ve been waiting for this blog post since December, and it was supposed to clear up some confusion about what’s happening with The Sims 4. Honestly, it’s still a little open to how you read it, but it’s good to know Maxis and EA are planning to share more details throughout the year. They’re also encouraging us to ask questions on social media, which is cool! The Sims Labs is going to let us test out early versions of things they’re working on, which is exciting, but they also made it clear that just because we see something in testing doesn’t guarantee it’ll actually end up in The Sims 4 or Project Rene. It’s a tease, but a welcome one!

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2026-01-10 02:36