Though not much is known about the mysteriousProject Rene, the little information EA and Maxis have revealed about the project promises a lot of changes toThe Simsfranchise. With these significant changes in mind,Project Renecould distinguish itself fromThe Sims 4specifically in its approach to occult-type Sims.
There are several occult types currently available inThe Sims 4. Some of these Sims are available inThe Sims 4base games,like ghosts and PlantSims, but most occult types are only available through DLC. These pay-to-play occult types include aliens (Get to Work Expansion), spellcasters (Realm of Magic Game Pack), mermaids (Island Living Game Pack), vampires (Vampires Game Pack), and werewolves (Werewolves Game Pack). Ghosts were also recently expanded inThe Sims 4’s most recent expansion pack, Life and Death, released back in October 2024.
What is Known About Project Rene
As mentioned, EA and Maxis have promised quite a bit toplayers throughProject Rene. The new entry intoThe Simsfranchise will supposedly be an online multiplayer cross-platform experience. Play tests for the game have tested the game’s multiplayer capabilities, solidifying EA and Maxis’s statements.
Datamining and image leaks have also given players aninside scoop onProject Rene’s development. While all leaks should be taken with a grain of salt, alleged images ofProject Rene’s version of Create-A-Sim (CAS) are representative of statements made during the announcement of the game back at the Behind the Sims Summit in 2022.
Project Rene’s CAS will allegedlyallow Simmers to adjust the weight and height of their Sims and also layer their clothing. These features have been unavailable in CAS for the franchise’s previous installments. An alleged category for mobility aids, featuring items like wheelchairs, was also uncovered during the datamine. But the most interesting aspect found during this datamining session did not involve humans, but animals.
All customizable pets available inThe Sims 4are paywalled. Animals like cats, dogs, and horses, which have their own version of CAS, can only be obtained by purchasingthe Horse Ranch or Cats & Dogs Expansion Packs. This datamine alleges that these pets can be directly edited inProject Rene’s base game CAS, suggesting that this gameplay feature that is paywalled inThe Sims 4will be free-to-play inProject Rene. If this leak is true, EA and Maxis should take the same approach to occult-type Sims.
Project Rene May Solve The Sims' Pay Wall Problem
The amount of money necessary to purchase all DLC packscurrently available inThe Sims 4is ludicrous. Simmers have been complaining about the franchise’s pay-to-play system practically since DLC was introduced to the franchise. Though EA and Maxis’s approach to paywalls has evolved over the franchise’s twenty-five-year history, players remain disgruntled and disgusted byThe Sims’ pricing.
ButProject Renewill supposedly be different. EA and Maxis have long touted that the project will be like noSimsgame before it and be absolutely filled to the brim with content. If this is the case, occult-type Sims should beavailable inProject Rene’s base gameto play from the get-go.
Project Rene Will Likely Still Be Monetized
However, EA and Maxis will still want to make money somehow.Project Renewill likely not be free-to-playon release, as was the case withThe Sims 4. Even with the money made on the initial launch, it would not be unlikely for EA and Maxis to search for some other way to monetizeProject Rene. Therefore, the best option for the franchise would not be to sell individual items in the case ofThe Sims 3shop or release restrictive DLC packs like inThe Sims 4, but to turn to releasing more Kits.
While Kits have been a divisive DLC feature inThe Sims 4, as they typically feature only CAS items, Build and Buy items, or new gameplay, for $5 per Kit, this specificform of DLC might mesh well withProject Rene. Since this new title will be an online multiplayer game, it feels only fair for all players to have access to the same kinds of gameplay. However, selling new furniture and clothing items to Simmers would be a way for EA and Maxis to monetizeProject Rene, while giving all Simmers the chance to play with features like occult-type Sims.
