No sequel? For an EA game? Hard to believe!
Fans of the popular life simulation game The Sims will have to keep waiting – or rather, start adjusting. As it turns out, Electronic Arts (EA) currently has no intention of releasing The Sims 5. The reason is as understandable as it is surprising, especially coming from a publisher known for churning out sequels across all its major franchises.
No Sims 5 – For Good Reason
What once seemed certain – a new installment every few years – isn’t happening with The Sims. While other EA franchises like FIFA/EA FC, Battlefield, or Need for Speed are regularly updated and re-released, The Sims remains unchanged. Sims 4, originally released in 2014, is still being treated as the central platform. According to EA, the game will continue to receive "years worth" of content updates, expansions, and technical upgrades.
When Project Rene – a mysterious new Sims project – was first announced, many assumed it was The Sims 5. But it quickly became clear that it’s a multiplayer spinoff rather than a true sequel. That revelation frustrated many fans who were hoping for a fresh single-player Sims experience.
An Unusual Move – Especially For EA
This decision is particularly notable because EA is not known for restraint when it comes to sequels. Quite the opposite: the company is frequently criticized for releasing new franchise entries in quick succession – often bundled with extensive DLC and microtransactions.
That EA is now choosing not to develop The Sims 5 is anything but typical – and according to its top brass, a deliberate, strategic choice. In an interview with Variety, EA Entertainment President Laura Miele explained that the company doesn't want players to feel like they have to start over again:
“What I don’t want is for players to start over and lose everything they’ve created, all the content they’ve purchased over the years.”
85+ DLCs – Too Much To Leave Behind
At first glance, this may seem like a generous decision – but it’s also a practical one. Over the past decade, EA has released more than 85 content packs for Sims 4. These include expansions, game packs, stuff packs, and kits – creating a massive ecosystem into which players have invested hundreds of dollars.
Launching a new game – inevitably requiring players to start over without access to all that content – would feel like a major loss for many. EA seems to acknowledge that this is simply not a player-friendly move.
Still, this isn’t purely a gesture of goodwill.
Project Rene And The Future Of Monetization
While Sims 4 remains the central platform, EA is heavily investing in new ways to monetize the franchise. Project Rene, currently in development, is set to be a multiplayer experience with new technology, mobile integration, and microtransactions. Early leaks already suggest an abundance of in-game purchases – a model EA has favored for years.
Miele described The Sims as an “ecosystem,” no longer just a single game. In addition to the multiplayer spinoff, EA is also producing a Sims movie in partnership with LuckyChap, Margot Robbie’s production company. The goal: transform The Sims into a multimedia brand, much like Pokémon or League of Legends.
From Game To Platform
EA’s decision not to replace Sims 4 stems from a shift in how games are managed. Instead of traditional sequels, publishers are increasingly turning games into platforms – continually updated, monetized, and reshaped. Sims 4 isn’t outdated – it’s the perfect foundation for EA to roll out new features and revenue streams without resetting progress.
This platform strategy isn’t unique. Other major titles like Rainbow Six Siege (Ubisoft), Minecraft (Microsoft), or World of Warcraft (Blizzard) have all moved toward long-term development models. EA is following that trend, particularly where it makes financial sense.
As much as fans may want a new entry: The Sims 5 remains a dream. EA is sticking to a proven model that continues to generate strong revenue, but also exploring new directions like multiplayer, microtransactions, and even Hollywood.
The irony? That The Sims, of all franchises, is the one where EA has chosen not to push a sequel. But it makes sense. Sims 4 is no longer just a game: it’s a platform, a universe, a business. And it’s too big to reset.