In a significant move for one of gaming's most enduring franchises, Electronic Arts has officially confirmed that a brand new, single-player The Sims game is in development. The announcement, made on 12th January 2026, clarifies the future direction of the series, separating it from the long-anticipated but delayed Project Rene.
The 'Next Evolution' of Single-Player Sims
While carefully avoiding the label 'The Sims 5', EA stated in an official blog post that developer Maxis is now dedicated to creating the 'next evolution' of single-player life simulation. This new title will exist separately from the ongoing The Sims 4 and the social multiplayer experiment, Project Rene.
The confirmation puts to rest months of swirling rumours within the community. Speculation had suggested that support for The Sims 4 was ending, but EA has directly refuted claims that upcoming DLC will be the last. 'We’ll continue to deliver content and updates to The Sims 4 and we are committed to improving the experience,' the company assured fans.
Project Rene's New Mobile-First Focus
In a parallel development, EA provided a crucial update on the mysterious Project Rene. Currently in playtesting, the project has 'evolved to focus on social multiplayer play' based on player feedback. More strikingly, it is now described as a 'mobile-first' experience, meaning its initial release will be exclusively on mobile phones.
EA was keen to distinguish it from the core series, stating: 'It is not the successor to The Sims 4 and is a separate experience from any future deep, single player life simulation experience.' This aligns with recent rumours that a planned single-player component for Project Rene was spun off into its own project, potentially the 'next evolution' now confirmed.
Addressing Community Concerns and Core Values
The blog post also served to address growing concerns within The Sims community regarding EA's impending buyout by a consortium of investors, which includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Given Saudi Arabia's record on LGBT rights, players have expressed fears about the future of inclusive content in the series.
EA responded by reaffirming the development team's creative independence: 'Our Sims team’s creative control, guided by our values of inclusivity, choice, creativity, community, and play, has not changed.' The company emphasised that these values continue to guide all future planning for the franchise.
With more news promised in the coming months, the confirmation sets the stage for a new chapter in The Sims legacy, promising a dedicated single-player future while exploring new social and mobile horizons with Project Rene.
