Speculations about a Sims 5 sequel have been swirling for years, but it appears Electronic Arts (EA) is charting a bold new course, moving away from the traditional numbered releases. Dive in to discover EA's vision for expanding 'The Sims Universe.'

EA Plans on Expanding ‘The Sims Universe’

The Sims 4 Remains the Foundation of the Franchise

For decades, fans of The Sims, affectionately known as Simmers, have eagerly anticipated the next numbered installment in this beloved life simulation franchise. However, EA has announced a groundbreaking shift, moving away from the conventional sequel model. Instead of a traditional Sims 5, EA envisions a dynamic platform that will continuously evolve, encompassing four key titles: The Sims 4, Project Rene, MySims, and The Sims FreePlay.

The era of linear, numbered releases is over. EA recognizes the immense dedication players have shown towards The Sims 4 throughout its ten-year journey. "Historically, ‘The Sims’ franchise progressed from ‘Sims 1’ to ‘Sims 2,’ ‘3,’ and ‘4,’ each seen as a replacement for the previous," EA’s Vice President Kate Gorman explained in a recent Variety interview. "Now, we're embarking on a new era for ‘The Sims.’ We won't be replacing previous projects; instead, we'll be enriching our universe."

Gorman elaborated that this innovative approach will facilitate more frequent updates, diverse gameplay experiences, cross-media content, and a plethora of new offerings. "Our approach moving forward is different and incredibly exciting," Gorman added. "It's the most expansive iteration of ‘The Sims’ yet."

Despite its decade-long run, The Sims 4 and its expansive collection of add-ons continue to captivate players. In 2024 alone, Simmers have logged over 1.2 billion hours of gameplay, and the year isn't even over yet. Many fans feared that a new sequel might render their current game obsolete.

Reassuringly, EA has committed to ongoing updates for The Sims 4, including bug fixes and quality-of-life enhancements. In May, EA even formed a dedicated team to tackle the game's technical issues.

Echoing this commitment, Laura Miele, EA's president of entertainment and technology, stated during an investor presentation, as reported by PCGamer, that The Sims 4 will serve as the cornerstone for the franchise's future growth. "We will be updating the core technology foundation for the product and releasing fun and exciting content for many years to come," Miele affirmed.

One of the ways EA plans to expand the current lineup of Sims games is through the introduction of Sims Creator Kits. This new feature will enable players to purchase digital content crafted by the game's community.

"Our community is the heart of ‘The Sims’ today," Gorman stated. "Our players inspire us to evolve and innovate the content we develop and how we engage with them. We're thrilled to support our creators further with ‘The Sims 4 Creator Kits.’"

While EA is still in the early stages of developing the Creator Kits program, Gorman assured that the company is committed to ensuring fair compensation for creators. "We can't share specifics yet," Gorman noted, "but we've worked closely with our initial creator partners to compensate them for their work and will continue to refine this process as the program evolves."

According to their website, The Sims 4 Creator Kits will begin rolling out in November across all Sims channels, complementing their existing collections of Kits.

EA Teases Project Rene—It’s Not Sims 5, Sadly

While rumors of The Sims 5 continue to circulate, EA has teased its next major project: Project Rene. Contrary to fan hopes, it's not the long-awaited sequel, but it promises to be an exciting addition to the franchise.

EA describes Project Rene as a platform where players can "meet, connect, and share while playing together in an all-new world." To give fans a glimpse of what's to come, a small, invite-only playtest is scheduled for this fall. You can sign up for a chance to participate through The Sims Labs. If selected, you'll be among the first to experience the game's multiplayer aspect—a feature EA hasn't fully explored since the closure of The Sims Online in 2008, and only revisited through The Sims FreePlay mobile game.

Project Rene was first teased in October 2022, and since then, it has undergone one closed playtest focused on furniture customization, with another upcoming.

"We've learned a lot from ‘The Sims Online.’ There's a significant opportunity to create a very social, real-time, multiplayer environment within our gamespace," Gorman told Variety. "We haven't delivered this experience with ‘The Sims 4’ or any of our titles yet, so we're exploring what that could look like. Simulation remains at the core of what we do, and we want to ensure our players have the experience they desire, but in a world with real players and NPCs."

Additionally, EA is gearing up for its 25th anniversary in January 2025 with a special Behind The Sims presentation, where they'll share regular updates on the future of The Sims franchise.

The Sims Movie Will Include Easter Eggs and Lore, According to EA

In related news, EA has officially confirmed a film adaptation of The Sims. This movie, a collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, aims to bring the franchise to the big screen.

Gorman emphasized that the film is "deeply rooted in ‘The Sims universe.’" EA's goal is to deliver an authentic Sims experience by partnering with the right collaborators to create a cultural phenomenon similar to the Barbie movie. By tapping into the immense love and nostalgia for the Sims franchise, the film aims to resonate with both existing fans and new audiences.

Margot Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, is producing the film, while Kate Herron, known for her work on Loki, will direct and co-write the screenplay with Briony Redman. Herron is also set to direct the second season of The Last of Us TV show.

When asked about the film's story, Gorman hinted at "a lot of lore" and easter eggs. "There will be Freezer Bunnies," Gorman added. "I’m sure a pool without a ladder is somewhere in there, but we haven’t finalized any of those details. The idea is to celebrate the incredible play, creation, and fun that people have experienced over the last 25 years within ‘The Sims.’"