The Best Step Forward for the Sims May Be to Take No Steps at All

The Sims 4 has released 19 expansion packs since it released over a decade ago, and more might be on the way still. Going by this count, The Sims 4 already has the most DLCs out of all the mainline games in the franchise, and each of them has helped fans with letting their creative juices flow in order to make their Sims’ lives much more interesting.

It’s also not a secret that EA and Maxis have been working on Project Rene, the rumored fifth The Sims game with advanced graphics and customization features that could redefine the life simulation genre in the future. While it’s still unknown when Project Rene will be released, its development would mean that The Sims 4 should consider its next steps once it’s out. But considering that many fans have already invested so much in The Sims 4 over the years, perhaps the “right” move could be to stay put.

Project Rene Could Become The Sims 4’s Next Big Transformation

What We Know About Project Rene So Far

EA and Maxis have opened playtesting opportunities for Project Rene, wherein players tried out the very detailed furniture and apartment customization, as well as the multiplayer function. Just like The Sims 4, developers have revealed that Project Rene will be free to download from the start. Furthermore, it will be accessible on mobile, so players can access their virtual homes even while on the go. Other playtester leaks include Sims getting jobs and earning Simoleons at a cafe and clothing store.

The next round of Project Rene playtests is still under wraps, but it’s expected that they should feature the new Create-A-Sim function. The furniture customization has already impressed those who managed to test it out, so expectations are high for Project Rene to deliver diverse character creation options.

Why Project Rene Should Become a Sims 4 Spin-Off

As mentioned, The Sims 4 has released a significant number of expansion packs over the last decade, which many fans have invested in. The Sims 4’s most recent DLC is Enchanted By Nature, wherein players can turn their Sims into fairies and engage in other whimsical activities. If players have spent a lot on these expansion packs, then it might become difficult to leave The Sims 4 for Project Rene once it finally launches. Likewise, newer and longtime players might still want to get the DLCs in the future, so it might not be good if EA and Maxis suddenly pulled them out.

One possible solution would be to turn Project Rene into a Sims 4 spin-off or another expansion pack, especially if reports are true that it’s not necessarily going to be treated as the fifth mainline game. The Sims 4 has been stagnant when it comes to spin-offs, so Project Rene’s release could be a great opportunity to do a major update in order to accommodate the advanced graphics and customization features. It’s like killing two birds with one stone: The Sims 4 will be here to stay, so players won’t have to let go of the process they made and the expansion packs they’ve collected over the years; and expectant Project Rene players will be able to enjoy an entirely new experience.

Whenever Project Rene comes out, it has the potential to improve upon many The Sims 4 features, like deepening the furniture and character customization. With similar life simulation games like InZOI capitalizing on hyperrealistic characters and immersive worlds, the Sims franchise definitely has to keep up.