August 13, 2025, 2:55 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
EA has confirmed that there will be no “The Sims 5.” TECHBOOK explains the official reasons the publisher cites, why the decision affects more than just players–and what might really be behind it.
For more than a decade, “The Sims 4” has been the centerpiece of one of the world’s most well-known game series. Millions of people design houses, characters, and mods in this life simulation game–investing time and money into the ever-growing content collection. It is now clear: There will not be a traditional successor in the form of “The Sims 5.” Instead, EA plans to implement a comprehensive platform strategy that will closely connect the game and its offshoots. This move is sparking discussions within the “Sims” community.
Why EA Is Skipping “The Sims 5”
Previously, a new “Sims” game always meant a fresh start. For example, those who switched from “The Sims 2” to “The Sims 3” had to start from scratch: All purchased expansions, custom content, and saved games were left behind. EA wants to avoid this break this time.
“What I don’t want is for you to have to start from day one and give up all the things you’ve created, all the content you’ve bought over the years,” EA Entertainment President Laura Miele told “Variety.”
Since its release in 2014, “The Sims 4” has seen an extensive content library, which currently includes 19 expansion packs, 12 gameplay packs, 20 stuff packs, and 44 kits valued at more than 1,000 euros (as of August 2025). A complete restart would mean that players switching to “The Sims 5” would have to forgo these contents. By not releasing a new full-price game, EA saves on high development costs and instead plans to expand the existing base both technically and content-wise, as well as increase the number of bug fixes.
The “Sims Universe”: Four Games, One Platform
The core of the new strategy is the “Sims Universe,” a shared platform where multiple Sims titles, sharing technical foundations and community features, are operated in parallel and interconnected.
Specifically, four titles are to be connected:
- “The Sims 4” as the main title with new DLCs and technical updates
- “Project Rene,” a multiplayer offshoot of “The Sims 4” with a free-to-play model and cross-platform play
- “MySims,” a “The Sims” spin-off
- “Project Stories,” a mobile game with a story focus
All games are to use the same creator tools, a shared user content gallery, and a common marketplace and social network system. This will allow players to share buildings, Sims, or mods across games–regardless of which game they were created in. Miele describes this networking as “one of the biggest growth opportunities for EA.”
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More Info on “Project Rene”
Initially, fans of “The Sims 4” assumed that the frequently mentioned “Project Rene” in EA’s blog posts and streams was the successor to “The Sims 4.” It is now clear: “Project Rene” is part of the new platform approach.
The focus is on playing together: Friends should be able to meet in real-time in a new world, build together, and interact–both on PC and mobile. The transition between platforms is intended to be seamless. It is also known that “Project Rene” will be released as free-to-play–a first for the main series. Monetization will likely occur through optional content, similar to the numerous DLCs in “The Sims 4.”
The popular “Create-A-Style” tool from “The Sims 3” is also set to return, allowing objects to be freely colored and patterned. Development has been ongoing for several years, with the first invite-only playtests taking place in 2024. These tests gave selected players a glimpse into the multiplayer experience. There is no official release date yet, but a release is likely no earlier than 2026.
Other Projects: Film, Spin-offs, and New Game Ideas
The “Sims Universe” also includes cross-media projects. EA and developer studio Maxis are working on several projects that expand the franchise in new directions. One example: The already officially announced “The Sims” movie, produced by Amazon MGM Studios in collaboration with Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap. EA plans to release special in-game content for the film’s theatrical release.
Additionally, “MySims” celebrated a PC comeback in April 2025 with the “MySims: Cozy Bundle” (including “MySims” and “MySims Kingdom”). EA is also testing new cozy game concepts, including collaborations with Nintendo for the Asian market.
For “The Sims 4,” EA is increasingly focusing on collaborations with well-known content creators and custom content designers like lilsimsie, Myshunosun, and Trillyke as part of “Creator Sets.” Joint sets were released for the 25th anniversary of The Sims, with more to follow.