As a Longtime Sims Player, Project Rene’s Leaks Have Me Nervous

The pivot away from a numbered entry was the first unexpected turn for me. Then came the early gameplay previews that put multiplayer front and center, tugging the franchise back toward the very development pitfalls that haunted The Sims before. Now, the latest round of leaks showcases a gameplay loop that looks suspiciously like a far cry from the pure life-simulation identity that anchored the series for nearly twenty-five years. Individually, these changes could be harmless experiments. Together, they can be a major revamp that changes the franchise’s entire identity. And as a longtime Simmer, I can’t help but bite my fingernails as I watch this unfold. And I know I’m not alone.