EA and Maxis have shared new details on Project René, confirming it as a free-to-play multiplayer game for mobile devices rather than the next mainline Sims title. The project, first teased in 2022, emphasizes player interactions while The Sims 4 continues to receive support. No release date has been set as development remains in early stages.
The René Project emerged in 2022 with a promotional video that introduced powerful creative tools and meaningful storytelling to revive the life simulation series. Viewers glimpsed features like the return of the "Color Wheel" and an advanced construction mode allowing customization of object shapes, colors, patterns, materials, and placement angles.
In 2023's "Behind the Sims" presentation, developers outlined a free core game accessible without subscriptions, base purchases, or energy mechanics. As stated, "everyone will be able to start playing and exploring without subscriptions, base game purchases, or energy-based mechanics." Like The Sims 4, launched in 2014 without features such as pools, toddlers, basements, or a genealogy tree, Project René will expand post-launch with DLC in a new format.
Maxis assured fans that "Project Rene and The Sims 4 will coexist. We'll continue to support both games simultaneously, and we plan to deliver more exciting content to the The Sims 4 community in the near future." The project also promises multiplayer options with friends and potential crossplay across platforms.
A January 2026 EA blog post provided further clarity: Project René targets smartphones and tablets as a separate multiplayer experience, distinct from the single-player core series. Its primary aim is to facilitate interactions between players, though additional details remain forthcoming. With development ongoing but early, a release is not expected for several years.
