The Sims 5 is in early development under the codename ‘Project Rene’

Eight years later, Sims 4 and its expansions, fans have started to wonder what’s next for the classic life simulator franchise. On Tuesday, The Sims developer Maxis unveiled a very early look at “Project Rene” (pronounced like Renée), the codename for the game that will eventually become Sims 5.

During the developer’s Behind the Sims Summit, Maxis’ vice president of franchise creative for The Sims, Lyndsay Pearson, shared high-level plans for upcoming Sims content. Pearson has officially revealed Project Rene, Sims’ next mainline game. This will enable solo and collaborative play as well as cross-play across different devices.

The preview of Project Rene presented at the summit focused on technical systems like building and customization, but didn’t show off the actual titular Sims themselves. This preview featured a player creating a custom room. It was quite different to the existing buy-and build mode. Sims 4. The player is shown dismantling a bed to modify the headboard’s shape or the texture of blankets. Another example showed how the player could decorate a sofa by choosing the perfect throw pillow, and then carefully adjusting the position so that it was just right. These features, along with the unique room layouts displayed on screen, make it look like Sims will have the ability to design very special homes.

Project Rene makes it easier to build a room. The buy-and-build stage can now be shared with other players. Project Rene lets friends decorate together in the game. Instead of using screen sharing for advice, they can all do it in Project Rene. Cross-platform is possible for the building phase. During the preview one person was seen looking through the furniture catalogue on their smartphone to decorate the room, while the other played on the PC.

Pearson stressed that Maxis has never shared in-progress looks at a Sims title so early in the development cycle, and that the developer will continue to share updates on Project Rene over the “next few years.”

Maxis will provide continued support Sims 4It will be updated and expanded as soon as Oct. 18 is available for free. Sims 4In 2023, two more expansions were added to the existing database. The 2023 edition will be updated with two additional expansions. Sims 4 will also see the addition of infants, which will expand on the baby stage of a Sim’s life. CurseForge mod platform is another option, which will support the vibrant modding community that surrounds the franchise.