EA has no plans for The Sims 5 as franchise expands beyond numbered releases

EA has said it will “move beyond linear, sequential Sims releases” as it sees the future of the series as more than one title.

Outlining its vision for the franchise on Tuesday, the company said it plans to create a number of new Sims experiences while continuing to support The Sims 4 in a big way.

The most recent numbered entry in the series was released 10 years ago this month and is played “by more than 80 million people”, according to its publisher.

“The way to think about it is, historically, ‘The Sims’ franchise started with ‘Sims 1’ and then ‘Sims 2,’ ‘3’ and ‘4.’ And they were seen as replacements for the previous products,” EA’s vice president and general manager of The Sims franchise Kate Gorman told Variety.

“What we’re really working with our community on is this a new era of ‘The Sims.’ We are not going to be working on replacements of previous projects; we’re only going to be adding to our universe. With that, you’ll see there are more ways to experience ‘The Sims’ on different platforms, different ways to play, transmedia, and lots of great offerings within this universe.

“So absolutely, we’re still continuing to support ‘TS4’ more than ever. Still continue to deliver expansion packs and updates and fixes. But what this is to say is, the way we’re going to do things going forward is a little different. And it’s really exciting and it’s really the most expansive iteration of ‘The Sims’ yet.”

“What this means is that we will continue to bring HD simulation experience and what people would want from a ‘5’ — but it doesn’t mean that we’re going to start you over, reset all your progress, and really feel like you’re going to lose all of that amazing play you put into ‘4,’” Gorman added.

“I think as we think about the future of it, we want you to continue all of those families and generations. Those creations are your progress, your attachment. We don’t want to reset your progress. And so it’s not about as much of what the numbers are in the games, but know that the future of the franchise looks more like keeping your progress, keeping things across titles, and really having an ongoing experience, and not a start-and-stop experience between products.”

EA has also announced plans to start selling The Sims 4 Creator Kits this November, which will be available alongside its current collection of Kits.

It will mark the first time that full collections of in-game assets crafted by players have been officially published by EA, making them available for all players.

EA recently announced plans to re-release two games from the MySims series for Nintendo Switch this November.

“We’re focused on creating a variety of games and experiences that will touch different categories across the simulated life genre including cozy games, social and collaborative based gameplay, mobile narrative games and continued depth, improvements, and modernization of The Sims 4, which will continue to be a foundational Sims experience,” EA said today.

“We’re creating new and innovative experiences that connect with players on their terms, wherever they are and however they choose to play. These explorations are being tested via The Sims Labs including individual features from Project Rene, a story driven mobile test, enhancements to The Sims 4 with discovery and search tools, creator tools, and more.”

EA also provided an update on Project Rene, which was first announced in October 2022.

At the time, it said the free-to-play title would feature both solo and multiplayer gameplay, while offering the same experience across all supported devices including mobile

“Continuing its development alongside other exciting new projects within The Sims franchise, Project Rene is focused on building ways for friends to meet, connect, and share while playing together in an all-new world,” EA said today.

It’s planning to hold “a small invite-only playtest” for Rene this fall / autumn, “giving an early look at a multiplayer experience that explores joining friends and other players at a shared location”.

Players can register for the chance to participate here.

EA also confirmed a previous report that a feature film adaptation of The Sims is in the works.

It’s being produced by LuckyChap, the company run by Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerly, Josey McNamara and Sophia Kerr, along with Roy Lee (Lego movies) and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment.

LuckyChap produced last year’s top grossing film, Barbie, as well as Saltburn. The Sims adaptation is being helmed by Loki season one director Kate Herron.

EA and developer Full Circle also announced today that Skate, which has been in playtests for over a year, will be released in early access in 2025.