Project Rene is no longer shaping up as the “next-gen Sims” many assumed it would be, and Maxis has now outlined what’s actually coming for The Sims in the near future.

While Electronic Arts’ biggest franchises are undoubtedly its EA Sports titles, on the EA Entertainment side The Sims remains one of the company’s most significant long-running live service brands, alongside shooters like Apex Legends and Battlefield 6. In a recent blog post, Maxis provided an update on the life simulation franchise and its roadmap, offering insight into what players can expect this year and beyond. The studio also stressed that the core values of the game will remain unchanged.

The statement arrives at a sensitive moment, as it has emerged that Electronic Arts could be taken private through a buyout led by a consortium of investors headed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner’s Silver Lake. Many fans have feared that once the deal is finalized, the life sim franchise could undergo drastic changes, including the removal of LGBTQIA+ representation or modifications that restrict same-sex couples in the game, despite The Sims being the first video game to show gay couples kissing. While EA shareholders have approved the transaction, it has not yet passed regulatory scrutiny, and the deal remains far from final. As a result, some may view the reassurance about “unchanged values” as premature while the acquisition is still pending.

Maxis explained that it is working on multiple projects in parallel and is building out a new family of Sims experiences across PC, console, and mobile. The team reaffirmed its commitment to single-player life simulation, emphasizing that the essence of The Sims has always been the personal moments created by players as they build their own worlds.

The most notable shift concerns Project Rene. Originally presented as a next-gen Sims project, it has now evolved into a mobile-optimized life simulation title and will be positioned as a separate experience from The Sims 4. Last year, Maxis and Electronic Arts announced that The Sims Mobile would be discontinued in 2026, sparking speculation that another game would eventually take its place. That scenario now appears increasingly plausible, although the full picture will only become clear once more concrete details about Project Rene are revealed.

At the same time, Maxis confirmed that The Sims 4 will continue to receive ongoing development, after the studio previously stated that The Sims 5 will not be made. The most dedicated fans will also get early access to upcoming features through The Sims Labs, where limited market tests will allow players to try out new additions before wider release.

Source: WCCFTech, Electronic Arts