The future of The Sims takes “mobile-first” shape as EA outlines 2026 with new ideas and experiences

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Story Highlights

  • EA confirms major expansion of The Sims across mobile, PC, and console platforms in 2026.
  • Project Rene, not Sims 5, is now a social, collaborative, mobile-first life simulation experience.
  • With The Sims Mobile shutting down this month, the focus on mobile seems to be a priority.

Electronic Arts recently shared an update on the future of The Sims, and mobile gamers have a lot to look forward to. Several plans that have been in development for a while are now starting to take shape.

Extensive playtesting through The Sims Labs will continue throughout 2026

EA recently announced that the fundamental principles of The Sims will stay the same. The game will continue to prioritize inclusivity, letting players express their creativity, offering freedom, and fostering a strong community. The development team says these principles will shape all future design choices for the game.

The future of The Sims involves creating games for PC, consoles, and mobile devices, all connected to each other. Instead of just one big Sims game, EA is developing a series of separate, yet connected, Sims experiences.

Over the past few months, it’s become clear that new Sims games are being developed. We’ve already seen a couple released as early access versions: The Sims Lab: Life Together came out on iOS, and The Sims Labs: Town Stories was released on both Android and iOS in November.

The Sims franchise is growing in exciting new ways. Originally believed to be the next main installment, Project Rene has become something different: a life-simulation game designed for mobile, with a strong focus on social interaction and collaborative play. It won’t replace The Sims 4; instead, it’s a separate, free-to-play game where players can create and share experiences together.

This isn’t a sudden shift in strategy. Back in 2024, EA had already shared its plans for The Sims, especially regarding mobile gaming. They announced that The Sims would be growing to include story-driven mobile games and a wider range of gameplay options.

Throughout 2026, EA will be thoroughly testing new Sims games and features with players. They’ll be sharing early versions and experimental ideas through The Sims Labs, including limited tests available in certain regions. As The Sims Mobile closes on January 20, 2026, there’s even more pressure on these upcoming projects to succeed.

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2026-01-13 21:11