All Project Rene Leaks and Rumors Explained

All Project Rene Leaks and Rumors Explained

As a long-time Sims player with over a decade of creating and nurturing digital families, I must say, the latest leaks about Project Rene have me both excited and cautiously optimistic. The idea of a more expansive Create-A-Sim feature, including weight and height adjustments, multiple layers of clothing, and even mobility aids, is music to my ears. And horses? That’s just the icing on the cake!


The largest endeavor yet by the Sims team, consisting of Maxis and EA, is known as Project Rene. Contrary to widespread assumptions that a sequel to The Sims 4 would be the next significant release in the series, Maxis and EA have instead unveiled the intriguing Project Rene while also shelving The Sims 5.

Despite limited information available, it’s clear that Project Rene was initially presented as something different from previous games in the Sims series. Instead of being a single-player simulator like its predecessors, it was planned as an online multiplayer game accessible across multiple platforms such as mobile devices. However, much has changed since the project was announced in fall 2022, including the cancellation of The Sims 5, which many fans had assumed Project Rene to be.

Actually, the title “Project Rene” was deliberately selected as a reflection of a fresh direction for EA and Maxis. It was intended to evoke feelings of renaissance and renewal, symbolizing the team’s renewed dedication to the future success of The Sims. However, some long-time franchise enthusiasts are expressing reservations about this change, particularly in response to leaked glimpses from the project.

At the “Behind The Sims Summit” in 2022, Project Rene‘s reveal unveiled several new features such as apartments, which are expected to be part of the core game, unlike in The Sims 4. Additionally, a comprehensive object editor named “Workshop” was announced. This tool includes texture patterns, a color wheel, and an option to adjust the size of smaller objects relative to larger ones, such as making pillows bigger on a bed. These features are expansions upon existing elements in The Sims 4, like apartments (introduced in the City Living Expansion Pack) and swatches (the basic function for picking an item’s color).

A Playtester Spills the Beans

As an excited fan, I can’t help but share my exclusive insights into Project Rene. A playtester who shared their experience on Reddit has revealed that this upcoming project bears a striking resemblance to games within The Sims franchise, particularly The Sims 4. Much like in The Sims 4, I found myself landing a job at a local cafĂ© and using the Simoleons I earned to splurge on some stylish outfits at a nearby store. However, it’s essential to note that these features are actually part of expansion packs for The Sims 4 rather than being included in the base game itself. For instance, cafes were first introduced in the Get Together expansion, while retail stores made their debut in the Get to Work expansion. However, the addition of thrift stores and a more fashion-focused retail career came later, with the High School Years expansion.

Unlike Project Rene, which appears to offer careers as part of its core gameplay, new features in the base game often result in a higher price for games like Project Rene compared to The Sims 4. While it’s generally more beneficial for gamers’ wallets when new features are included in the base game, this could mean that Project Rene may cost more than The Sims 4 due to its potential inclusion of many expansions and DLC content. Since The Sims 4 became free-to-play, such a price difference was to be expected. If Project Rene heavily incorporates elements from multiple DLC packs of The Sims 4, it’s likely to carry a higher price tag than the initial cost of The Sims 4 plus some DLC expansions.

Participants might balk at the cost of Project Rene, following the same testers exposing sneak peeks of their gameplay. The leaker hastily explained that these visuals represented an early development stage and were expected to undergo enhancements later on. Still, disgruntled supporters have been labeling Project Rene as “a subpar version of The Sims Mobile.

Dataminers Dig Up Some Features

Create-A-Sim

Data miners have discovered details about “Project Rene”. One of the main highlights they unearthed was the planned upgrade to the character creation tool known as Create-A-Sim (CAS), similar to what’s found in The Sims series. The leaked information suggests that in Project Rene, players could customize their Sim’s weight, height, and clothing layers, features not currently available in The Sims 4. Moreover, a category for mobility aids, which at present only includes wheelchairs, has been discovered.

In addition to their findings, the data miners uncovered that horses may be customizable within the Creative Assembly Station (CAS). While it’s already possible to create pets in The Sims 4, animals themselves aren’t part of the core game and instead require additional purchases like The Sims 4: Horse Ranch and The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs. This latest discovery seems to support the validity of leaks suggesting that Electronic Arts (EA) and Maxis are packing as many features as possible into Project Rene’s base game, rather than saving them for DLC like The Sims 4. Furthermore, details about textures hinting at dirty or snow-covered objects strengthen this theory. If seasons are included in the game from launch, it would add another feature to the growing list of paywalled gameplay elements in The Sims 4 that are available for free in Project Rene.

Fast Travel

Beyond just CAS data, researchers discovered mentions of a practical subway network that facilitates swift navigation between various realms within Project Rene. Unlike The Sims 4 , where players can quickly travel between worlds by clicking a button and then waiting for a loading screen, this subway system could serve as a more interactive loading screen or include gameplay elements. For instance, players might need to wait for the right stop to exit at their desired world.

Multiplayer Mode and The Hub

It’s intriguing how data mining has provided insights into the multiplayer aspects of Project Rene. The Hub, believed to be the central point of the supposed play test, appears to serve as a venue for players to engage in weekly activities and procure digital items such as season passes. If these digital goods and season passes can be obtained using in-game currency, these discoveries align with Electronic Arts’ statement that Project Rene intends to be a free-to-play adaptation of The Sims.

As a dedicated gamer who can’t get enough of The Sims, I must admit that there’s been quite a buzz surrounding Project Rene. Some folks have been spreading whispers about it getting axed, but let’s set the record straight – it’s still in the works! Developing a free-to-play version of The Sims with multiplayer gameplay is no easy feat, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed and staying tuned for any updates. For now, I’ll be diving deep into the latest DLC for The Sims 4 to see if there are any hints about what Project Rene might bring our way!

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2024-10-19 23:25