Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here’s why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

As a long-time Simmer myself, I must admit I am both intrigued and a little perplexed by the continued absence of The Sims 5. With over a decade spent nurturing our virtual families and expanding their homes in The Sims 4, it’s hard not to feel a bit like a real-life parent who’s been told that their child is just going through a phase and will eventually grow up.


On September 17, there was a significant development for the future of “The Sims” franchise, as Electronic Arts (EA) discussed a wide range of topics from Project Rene to the upcoming film.

However, what grabbed attention the most was learning that, at present, there seem to be no plans in motion for the release of “The Sims 5”.

This may come as a bit of a surprise to some people, considering The Sims 4 is now ten years old.

The details provided below outline the reasons behind the cancellation of the upcoming release known as “The Sims 5”.

Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here's why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

Is The Sims 5 cancelled?

Back in October 2022, when Project Rene was unveiled as the upcoming title in the series, it was generally believed that it would take over from where The Sims 4 left off.

EA has not mentioned “The Sims 5” in connection with Project Rene, which means that they have not officially announced the release of a fifth numbered Sims game.

The company has clearly announced that Project Rene is not the next version of The Sims 4. Instead, they emphasize that it centers around multiplayer interaction and a lively, real-time environment, similar to The Sims Online from 2002. Essentially, it’s a standalone project with its unique identity.

In addition, Electronic Arts (EA) has declared that they currently do not have any intentions of developing The Sims 5, as they are steering the franchise towards a new path and moving beyond numbered sequels altogether.

Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here's why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

Kate Gorman, EA’s vice president and manager of The Sims franchise, explained to Variety that historically, The Sims series began with The Sims 1, followed by The Sims 2, 3, and 4. These games were often viewed as updates or replacements for their earlier versions.

“What we’re really working with our community on is a new era of The Sims.

In the future, we won’t focus on swapping out old projects; instead, we’re expanding our existing universe. As a result, you’ll notice that The Sims will be accessible across multiple platforms, offering diverse gameplay experiences, transmedia content, and an abundance of exciting features within this universe.

Indeed, we’re indeed carrying on with our unwavering commitment to The Sims 4, offering expansion packs, updates, and bug fixes more than ever. However, I must clarify that the approach we take from now on will have some changes.

Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here's why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

Why is The Sims 5 not coming out?

Beyond their efforts to expand the realm of “The Sims,” Electronic Arts (EA) has also explained their rationale for maintaining support for “The Sims 4,” despite it being a decade-old game.

In May 2024, there was an announcement by EA that they were dedicating a specialized team to further enhance and fix issues related to the gameplay of The Sims 4, suggesting they believed the game still had significant potential for growth.

So The Sims 4 isn’t going anywhere, and we will continue to see new expansions in the years ahead.

In an interview with Variety, EA executive Kate Gorman shared the reason for not creating The Sims 5 yet. She emphasized that they are aware and respect the significant investment Sims fans have made in The Sims 4.

She assured, “We’ll keep enhancing the HD simulation with features you’d expect from a next-gen version, but rest assured, your previous progress won’t be wiped out or reset. You’ll continue from where you left off in version 4.

Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here's why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

In considering its future, we hope that you will carry on the legacy for generations to come. The advancements and connections you’ve made are a reflection of your growth and bond with it. We aim to preserve rather than start anew the progress you’ve achieved.

Instead of focusing primarily on the specific figures within the games, understand that the future of this series is geared towards maintaining your game progress, synchronizing elements across different titles, and offering a continuous experience rather than a stop-and-start one between individual products.

As I type this up, I’m buzzing with excitement! There are currently 16 expansion packs under my belt, with the 17th one dropping in October. I’ve also got 12 game packs and 20 stuff packs, giving me a ton of new content to play around with. On top of that, there are 31 kits at my disposal, and two more are set to release on September 19th! Game on!

Additionally, another factor that Electronic Arts (EA) might be keen on prolonging The Sims 4 for as long as feasible is due to its enduring popularity, which remains strong despite having been around for a decade.

2023 marked the most significant year for The Sims 4, as it accumulated an impressive 1.8 billion hours played in its entire lifespan. The surge in playtime is undeniably attributed to the game’s transition into a free-to-play format towards the end of 2022. As for the current year, 2024, over 1.2 billion hours have already been enjoyed by players.

As a dedicated follower, I can certainly relate to the immense engagement that Simmers continue to display within The Sims 4’s vibrant universe and its consistent updates. It’s hard to imagine Electronic Arts (EA) opting to restart everything afresh when there’s already so much love and investment in this game.

Is The Sims 5 cancelled? Here's why a Sims 4 sequel is not happening

This approach additionally clarifies why the squad has been conducting temporary events throughout the current season, given their pursuit of fresh methods to maintain player interest, and there’s another planned event coming up in this very month.

During May’s ‘Happy at Home’ occasion, there were criticisms regarding the release of daily login benefits that were only accessible, however, it seems Electronic Arts (EA) is content with how the situation unfolded.

The team expressed their excitement when they saw how well-received the ‘Happy at Home’ event was, as it was their first try at something new and fun.]

It appears that the exciting gameplay of The Sims 4 will continue for some time, so it’s likely that we’ll be treated to additional special, time-limited events down the line.

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2024-09-18 17:49

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