The Sims developer Maxis is beginning the brand new yr with an replace on the phrases of the general deal, after a variety of rumors and issues about the way forward for the franchise. As a part of that, it appears to be teasing the “subsequent evolution” of single-player PC and console variations of The Sims video games… despite the fact that Venture Rene, the long-touted “subsequent era” of The Sims, has been relegated to a mobile-only social spinoff.
This comes from a prolonged weblog publish on the EA web site, wherein Maxis particulars his firm’s philosophy for subsequent yr’s The Sims. Most of it’s fairly mission statement-y, however alongside the best way you may get glimpses of what is deliberate for The Sims’ future.
For the previous three years, Maxis has been teasing one thing referred to as Venture Rene. Initially promoted as The Sims of the longer term throughout PC and cell, EA refused to name it The Sims 5. Since 2022, there have been a number of closed playtests, and suggestions has steadily gotten worse as Venture Rene has began to look increasingly more like a really primary cell recreation. In the meantime, whereas The Sims 4 neighborhood stays robust, there hasn’t been a lot dialogue about what The Sims 5 might be like or whether or not we must always count on one thing new on console and PC bases. As not too long ago as final August, EA Leisure president Laura Miele argued that releasing The Sims 4 when the neighborhood had already invested a lot money and time into it was “not player-friendly.”
That is why the wording of this weblog publish is each thrilling and nerve-wracking for me as a fan of The Sims. This publish separates our plans for The Sims on PC and consoles, and Venture Rene. Concerning PC and consoles, Maxis reaffirmed its dedication to new content material for The Sims 4, including, “Single-player PC and console experiences will all the time be a part of our future, and greater than half of our international improvement staff is devoted to The Sims 4 and its subsequent evolution. Extra information to be introduced within the coming months!”
The phrases “subsequent evolution” are very huge. It isn’t precisely The Sims 5, however that is the primary breadcrumb we have gotten in years, and we would lastly see one thing prefer it. What’s much more promising is that EA has designated Venture Rene as a mobile-first social multiplayer recreation. This can be a bummer for individuals who had been hoping Venture Rene can be an thrilling new future, but it surely appears like regardless of the precise new evolution is, it is nonetheless right here to remain in some kind.
Nonetheless, the street forward for Maxis is tough. Miele is right in mentioning that one of many largest issues with new The Sims video games is that gamers have already spent some huge cash on enlargement packs for The Sims 4, and traditionally new The Sims video games really feel woefully incomplete when launched with out such packs. That was the case with The Sims 4, which launched to comparatively weak critiques as gamers bought used to the shock of all of a sudden lacking options they had been used to, similar to pets, interactive youngsters, and climate, till a brand new paid enlargement pack was launched.
It is incumbent upon Maxis to know all of this, as The Sims 4 was launched over a decade in the past and is beginning to present its age. Moreover, a variety of potential rivals have emerged in recent times, together with Krafton’s inZOI and indie Paralives, each of that are in early entry.
The newest enlargement pack for The Sims 4 is Journey Awaits, which was launched final October.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter at videogameaddicted. Do you’ve any story suggestions? Ship it to rvalentine@videogameaddicted.com.