Project Rene Leaks Reveal ‘Disappointing’ Mobile Gaming Mechanics

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of many gaming titans. The latest development regarding Project Rene has left me scratching my head. It seems that EA is taking us down the mobile route yet again, and it’s like deja vu all over…again.

Recently, it seems some sneak peeks of Project Rene’s beta version have been accidentally shared online, revealing modifications that have left The Sims community feeling disheartened. Upon initial examination, Electronic Arts appears to have shifted the original concept unveiled months ago towards a design more suitable for mobile devices, featuring repetitive tasks and in-app purchases.

On September 17th, they announced that there are currently no intentions to launch The Sims 5; instead, they will continue to roll out new updates for the ten-year-old game, The Sims 4.

Going Mobile

For quite some time now, the progress of Project Rene has been under wraps at Electronic Arts, with updates being sparse. Over the past few years, bits and pieces of information, such as rumors about an expansive open-world setting and a developer diary showcasing early concept art for the game, have gradually trickled out to the community.

Over the past few days, some allegedly authentic images have emerged on the internet, which are said to showcase a newer version of Project Rene under development. The visuals have sparked criticism among fans, who find it disappointing that the developers seem to be working on what appears to be an ordinary and unremarkable mobile game.

Man, I’m utterly shocked! I thought for sure Project Rene was going to be the long-awaited, next-gen successor to The Sims 4. But now it seems like they’ve taken a drastic turn and transformed it into… well, an unappealing mobile game? It looks like another ad-filled cash grab that I can’t see myself enjoying.
— tom (@simshive) September 29, 2024

Interestingly enough, it was disclosed in January 2024 that The Sims Mobile would no longer receive updates. Despite this, Project Rene is slated to take its place as a sort of successor, but not everyone among the fan base is content with this news.

In the leaked images, there’s a visible microtransaction section using ‘Simoleons’, along with samples of quests that players might complete to gain XP and in-game money. It appears that they will use this money to acquire clothing, furniture, and other items within the game, which is quite common in mobile games.

Apart from the provided pictures, a post emerged on Reddit from a participant in a current playtest. This individual described it as a game centered around a ‘cooperative multiplayer scenario’, where players would interact and build relationships with other actual gamers.

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