Are the rumours of an elusive fifth Sims game true? When will it release? Is Bella Goth coming back? Here's everything we know about The Sims 5.
The Sims 4 does not seem to be slowing down, despite releasing all the way back in 2014. We're now in the longest wait between Sims games since its debut in 2000, and we haven't seen any spin-offs either. There's no telling when EA will cease content for Sims 4, but it will likely be after Sims 5 is due to release: Sims 3 received content almost overlapping with the release of 4.
We have a ton more Sims content to keep you occupied - here's a rundown of the latest Kits, Moonlight Chic and Little Campers, and the latest pack: Werewolves. Oh, and here's some Sims 4 cheats for you.
Latest news
October 19, 2022 -
Hold onto your hats, Simmers! Project Rene, the probable Sims 5, has been revealed - and we even got a sneak peek during the Sims Summit.
Will there be a Sims 5?
The good news is, Sims 5 is officially confirmed, and is in development. It is in the foetal stages right now, so the game will probably be a long time away.
Way back in 2020, CEO Andrew Wilson gave some vague, but interesting comments in an interview with CNN. The game at the time appeared to be in a conceptual phase, and not in development at all, however, this confirmed it would be coming in the future.
This was corroborated by a later interview in 2021 with Laura Miele, EA’s Chief Studio Officer. She talked about the Sims franchise, new technology within games that has changed over the years, and that Maxis was in fact working diligently on the Sims 5.
Sims 5 rumours
At present, anything we "know" about the game other than it exists is purely assumption and based on rumours or expectations of the community.
Allegedly, the new game will feature multiplayer elements, much like The Sims Online. Andrew Wilson specifically named this game and talked about how forward previous Sims games have been, seemingly insinuating that the new one will bring back lost features - such as multiplayer.
What expansions will Sims 5 have?
click to enlargeEach of the four mainline Sims games have featured some core gameplay areas as expansion packs. Note: this isn't including most of Sims 4's frivolous Packs and Kits.
The recurring themes are:
| Theme | The Sims | Sims 2 | Sims 3 | Sims 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pets | The Sims Unleashed | Sims 2 Pets | Sims 3 Pets | Sims 4 Cats & Dogs |
| Careers | The Sims Superstar | Sims 2 Open For Business | Sims 3 Ambitions and Showtime | Sims 4 Get To Work |
| Entertainment | The Sims House Party | Sims 2 FreeTime | Sims 3 World Adventures | Sims 4 City Living |
| University | - | Sims 2 University | Sims 3 University Life | Sims 4 Discover University |
| Night-time entertainment | The Sims Hot Date | The Sims Nightlife | Sims 3 Late Night | Sims 4 Get Together |
| Vacation | The Sims Vacation | Sims 2 Bon Voyage | Sims 3 Island Paradise | Sims 4 Snowy Escape and Island Living |
| Seasonal | - | Sims 2 Seasons | Sims 3 Seasons | Sims 4 Seasons |
| Supernatural | The Sims Makin' Magic | (Included in other packs) | Sims 3 Supernatural | Sims 4 Strangerville, Realm Of Magic and Vampires |
The Sims was limited at the time and does not contain as many packs and experiences as later games, but was still stuffed with content. In contrast, Sims 4 took the idea of Expansions and themes and often split it up into different Packs, or Kits - such as vacations being drip-fed through a snow theme and island-theme Expansion.
Looking at this, we can assume that the main themes listed above will return in Sims 5, though probably not immediately after release.
Which platforms will Sims 5 be on?
Following on from the established ways of previous Sims games, Sims 5 will release on PC first. It may then come to PlayStation and Xbox consoles as Sims 4 did, or it may get spin-offs like with Sims and Sims 2. So far, there are no Sims-related games on the Nintendo Switch, and it is unlikely that 5 will be available on the console.
What should The Sims 5 include?
Warning: none of this is confirmed at all. All of this is the writer's own thoughts. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let's get into it.
Looking back at older Sims games, there are some things that should be brought back to ensure a full and entertaining game. Here are our thoughts:
- Burglars, crime, and response services like police and fire departments.
- Colour wheel and custom swatches from Sims 3.
- Custom and editable neighbourhoods, with moveable plots.
- Separate body meshes for teens and elders.
- School buses to take our young ones to school!
The Sims 4 has introduced some simple, but integral additions to the series that should logically be brought over on release. Gender neutrality, custom pronouns, and other creative and accessible options should be a standard in the base game for Sims 5.
In terms of gameplay, the Sims 5 should rectify some of the omissions that we had with 4, such as having toddlers and pools available in the base game instead of in a pack. It makes sense that some things like landline phones and newspapers have been lost, given our modern society, but where are the cars and transport options? It is no secret that players lament the lack of these and would love them to be brought back into the new game.