The René Project was revealed in 2022 through a teasing, yet somewhat sparse, promotional video. Fans of the Sims franchise were introduced to this mysterious new venture, which was touted as a resurrection of the beloved series, aiming to breathe new life into the franchise while staying true to its original spirit.
Few details have been revealed about this game. Many gamers were hoping it would become The Sims 5, the next installment in the beloved life simulation series that has captivated millions around the globe for over two decades.
However, that's not the case, and recent developments surrounding Project René clearly indicate that this upcoming release — still in development — will not be The Sims 5. But let's take a step back a few years.
In the 2022 promotional video, The Sims team previewed a game packed with powerful creative tools and meaningful storytelling. In this short clip, fans can catch a glimpse of the return of the "Color Wheel," a much-requested feature that has been long anticipated since The Sims 4's launch.
The construction mode is evolving, introducing a tool that allows players to modify and customize the shape of objects, as well as their colors, patterns, materials, and the angles at which they are placed within structures...
This René project would also allow for multiplayer gaming with friends, and possibly even crossplay, meaning players from different platforms—whether PC or consoles—could play together. Then, in 2023, the René Project is brought up once again.
During this "Behind the Sims" reveal, we learn that the core game of the upcoming installment will be completely free for everyone as soon as it's fully ready. The developer assures fans that " everyone will be able to start playing and exploring without subscriptions, base game purchases, or energy-based mechanics."
It’s important to note that Project René won’t be released in its final form. Like The Sims 4, this fifth installment will evolve over time, gradually expanding its content and core mechanics. Remember: back in 2014, The Sims 4 initially launched without pools, toddlers, basements, or a genealogy tree... Additionally, Project René is expected to receive numerous DLC, but in a different format, according to Maxis.
Finally, the developers emphasize that the launch of Project Rene doesn't spell the end for The Sims 4: “Project Rene and The Sims 4 will coexist. We'll continue to support both games simultaneously, and we plan to deliver more exciting content to the The Sims 4 community in the near future.”
Yes, the release of Project René (remember, that's just a codename and not the final game title) won’t spell the end for The Sims 4. And there’s good reason for that.
In a blog post released in January 2026, EA updates us on the development of this game. Project René is steadily progressing... but it won’t be the groundbreaking shift some players were eagerly hoping for. Instead, we learn that the title will ultimately be a multiplayer mobile game, separate from the core series, which will still focus on single-player experiences.
The René Project is designed for smartphones and tablets, with its main feature being to enable player interactions. No further details have been released at this stage, and no release date has been announced.
In the coming years, we can expect more new updates regarding the development of this project. However, it's highly likely that the game won't be released for several more years, as its development is still in its early stages.
