A video purportedly taken from the next iteration of The Sims has surfaced online, sparking concern among fans about the future direction of the beloved series. Known as Project Rene, which some fans equate with The Sims 5, though EA clarifies it as a spin-off, the project has been in development for several years. Recent footage from a game titled "City Life Game With Friends" has led many to believe this could be the next installment in The Sims franchise.

The leaked video, which runs for 20 minutes, shows a player navigating through text prompts to customize their avatar's outfit, hair, watch, and activities. The gameplay then transitions to a sunlit Plaza de Poupon where the player's character, referred to as a Sim, engages in typical Sims activities like buying food and socializing. The character later works at an outdoor café, and the video confirms the use of Simlish and the iconic Plumbob, hallmarks of The Sims series.

"EA clearly wants to kill off normal Sims games and push people toward the mobile-style experience. So in their mind, a reboot literally means this — at least that’s what I THINK," another user commented, highlighting fears of a shift towards a more mobile-centric gameplay model.

"This is not going to be for me, I can tell already," said another. "It just seems so basic and I don't want to play The Sims on my phone," voicing a sentiment shared by many fans who prefer the traditional PC experience.

"The funny thing is, making a PC/mobile cross-compatible Sims game isn't a bad idea," suggested a fan. "EA just believes that mobile games HAVE to be ugly for some reason. They're chasing all of the design trends of the past decade, but it means that this thing already looks dated and it's not even out yet," pointing out the game's outdated aesthetics even before its release.

"The way The Sims was literally a satire about capitalist suburban consumption-as-happiness... And this is where the Sims ended up. Endless consumption-as-happiness," another fan remarked, reflecting on the thematic evolution of the series.

Project Rene, first teased in 2022 during a Behind the Sims Summit, is described as a free-to-play game with multiplayer elements inspired by Animal Crossing and Among Us. Although it has not been officially revealed or given a release date, EA has conducted small, invite-only playtests since its announcement. The recent leaks likely stem from these tests.

The name "Rene" is chosen to signify "renewal, renaissance, and rebirth," symbolizing the developers' commitment to a vibrant future for The Sims franchise. However, last October, leaked images from a closed online test prompted criticism over the game's art style, limited features, and the inclusion of microtransactions. The addition of a café, reminiscent of 2018's The Sims Mobile, fueled skepticism about Project Rene's direction, leading EA to reiterate that it is not The Sims 5 but a different "cosy, social game" under The Sims umbrella.

Meanwhile, fans of the older Sims games were pleasantly surprised by the return of The Burglar in the latest update for The Sims 4, bringing a nostalgic element back to the series.