Though concrete information aboutProject Reneis scarce, EA and Maxis have confirmed and promised that the mysterious project will improve on its predecessors inThe Simsfranchise. There are plenty of systems and features that EA and Maxis should reexamine withProject Rene, but one feature stands out clear as day.
Simmers are one of the most vocal gaming communities online and never hesitate to voicetheir criticism of new features fromThe Sims. While the feature Project Rene should revise seems great on paper, the toll and effect it has on gameplay can be quite frustrating to fans.
Burnout Can Burnout Players, Not Just Sims
Surprisingly, one of the most frustrating features ofThe Sims 4is not one that all players can access. Whilethe Growing Together Expansion Packis described as essential by some players, Simmers get to pick and choose which DLC they ultimately purchase from EA. This means that some players have been fortunate enough to avoid the game’s Burnout system, which was introduced inThe Sims 4in the Growing Together Expansion Pack.
Burnout adds a dash of realism to the otherwise wacky hi jinks ofThe Sims 4. The system closely mimics the burnout that everyday people experience and can be applied toalmost every skill that Sims unlock. From hobbies to work-based skills, Burnout can be triggered by anything if done for too long.
How the Burnout Moodlet Works
Prior to Burnout, a Sim will receive either theMental Block or Creative Block Dazed moodletlasting a full twenty-four hours. Mental Blocks tend to occur after forcing a Sim to “Work Hard” for several days in a row with no vacation time, or by playing logic-based skills like chess excessively. Creative Block tends to occur from creative skills like painting or writing excessively. Since these more artistic skills are necessary for different freelance careers, Freelancers tend to receive Creative Blocks more often than Mental Blocks.
If these Block moodlets don’t convince players to give their Sims a break from activities, Burnout,a Tense moodlet inThe Sims 4, will eventually be triggered. Unlike other moodlets, Burnout directly affects a Sim’s career. Sims will struggle to maintain high work performance, making promotions more difficult to attain. Any skill gains necessary for that career field will also be difficult to achieve. Burnout can even turn into the “Brain Block” Tense moodlet, which is even stronger than typical Burnout, with a +4 increased difficulty for skill and work gain.
Taking a break after receiving one of the two Dazed moodlets is the best method to avoid Burnout. However, Burnout can be removed by enjoying relaxing activities like meditating, going on reflective walks or jogs, or taking a vacation day. At the end of the day,Burnout is a feature thatThe Sims 4players should avoidas much as they can.
Project Rene Needs to Reimagine the Burnout Feature
Burnout tends to affect players who are participating in job or skill-based challengeslike the Rags to Riches challenge. As one of the most popular challenges inThe Simsfranchise, it would be unsurprising to see these challenges carried over toProject Rene. While Burnout is an understandable and realistic mechanic that challenges players, it can also be extremely difficult to manage. Therefore, EA and Maxis should revamp Burnout if they include it inProject Rene.
Playtests have leaked that somecareers inProject Renewill be multiplayer. EA and Maxis have heavily pushedProject Rene’s online multiplayer cross-platform capabilities consistently since the game was announced in 2022, making the leaks seem more plausible. Given that Burnout impacts careers the most, Burnout would have to account for the new multiplayer structure. The current Burnout system would be too limiting for a multiplayer system, giving EA and Maxis yet another feature to revamp fromThe Sims 4inProject Rene.
