The Sims 4 Kicks Off New Year With Big News

EA has opened the year with an update aimed at reassuring players about the core values and the future direction of The Sims franchise.

On the Horizon

Following the recent announcement of EA’s sale, many Simmers have been understandably anxious about the fate of The Sims 4. EA, however, has promised that The Sims will continue to “always be about life, your way,” affirming its commitment to keeping our favorite life simulator inclusive and a safe space for all players.

In this update, Project Rene is also confirmed to be underway. This upcoming title will focus on social, multiplayer-driven gameplay. Importantly, it is worth noting that EA has clarified that Project Rene is not intended to replace or succeed The Sims 4, but rather to coexist alongside it.

So, make sure to tune in on these important updates, and rest assured, our beloved Sims will be in safe hands! Sul Sul!

New Year, New Updates: Four Things to Know Now about the Future of The Sims

January 9, 2026

Sul Sul, and Happy New Year Simmers!

As we kick off 2026, we’re excited to take a moment to share updates on what the team is working on for The Sims this year. But first, we want to start with what matters most–the values that have always shaped The Sims and we share with many of you.

The Values of The Sims Are Unchanged.

The Sims has always been more than a game. It’s a canvas for life in all its unpredictable forms…the chaotic moments, the tiny joys, the big dreams, every identity, every version of you. And, thanks to you, The Sims has grown into something bigger than we ever imagined: a living world bursting with creativity, expression, humor, chaos, and heart.

Our Sims team’s creative control, guided by our values of inclusivity, choice, creativity, community, and play, has not changed. These values inspire the decisions we make each and every day as we plan for today, tomorrow, and the future.

The Sims will always be about life, your way, and you can read more about our values here.

What We’re Working On: The Future of The Sims includes Experiences across PC, Console, and Mobile

The Sims is at its best when everyone can play in the way that feels right to them. Whether you’re here for storytelling, building, or seeing what happens when free will takes over, you’ve shown us just how imaginative you truly are. We want to meet that creativity with room to grow.

That’s why we’re building a family of new Sims experiences across PC, console, and mobile. Each experience carries the heart, humor, creativity, and lore you love, while introducing its own world, focus, and way to play. Every experience will stand strong on its own. And together, they open up a larger world of possibilities. We’re excited to share more about what we’re cooking up…as we’ve all learned from The Sims – a good grilled cheese takes time (and no fires!)

We are committed to single-player life simulation experiences.

At its core, The Sims was built on a deep, single-player life simulation, chock full of rich systems, meaningful storytelling, and player agency that puts you in control. That foundation isn’t going anywhere. We’ll continue to deliver content and updates to The Sims 4 and we are committed to improving the experience.

Single-player PC and console experiences will always be a part of our future, with more than half of our global development team dedicated to The Sims 4 and the next evolution. More news in the coming months!

Project Rene has evolved into a social, collaborative, mobile-first life-sim game

Thanks to ongoing player feedback, Project Rene has evolved to focus on social multiplayer play, offering a more direct way for friends to share creativity together. It is not the successor to The Sims 4 and is a separate experience from any future deep, single player life simulation experience.  It introduces a new way to explore and play together within the growing Sims family of games, welcoming Simmers who want to connect directly with other players.

Playtesting Continues across Multiple Sims Products and Experiences in 2026

Building The Sims is an ongoing collaboration with our players, and in 2026 you can expect to hear more from us as we continue playtesting new ideas and experiences.

Through limited market tests and The Sims Labs, you may encounter a variety of early builds and prototypes. These tests are works in progress with experimental game features, concept imagery, naming conventions (The Sims Labs: Life Together, The Sims Labs: Town Stories) and ideas in motion. Some concepts evolve and sometimes an experiment won’t move forward at all. That’s a normal and important part of how we build The Sims, by finding the fun early, together.

The Heart of It All: You

Looking ahead, our focus is on the next era of The Sims. It is one we aspire to build with you, because The Sims has always been at its best when players help shape what comes next.

For decades, you’ve made The Sims what it is, a world that spans generations and cultures, filled with joy, surprises, emotions, and stories that stick with us long after the save file closes. Now, we’re building the future the same way we built the past, with creativity, bold ideas, curiosity, and you as our partners. The Sims is, and has always been, all about you – uniquely you. And as a result, unmistakably The Sims.

We can’t wait to keep the conversations going, answer your questions throughout the year, and share in the optimism we feel about what’s ahead. Come engage with us on our official social channels, Discord or our Forums if you have any questions. Thank you for being part of this world with us!”