Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) has decided to depart from the conventional game release strategy by confirming that The Sims 5 will not be developed. This strategic shift was disclosed during EA's Investor Day 2024 event, where the company's President of Entertainment and Technology, Laura Miele, emphasized a move towards a more comprehensive vision by expanding The Sims 4 and introducing additional projects within the franchise. The decision to forgo The Sims 5 signifies a disruption in the traditional sequel model, with EA investing in the growth of a substantial Sims platform instead.
Despite The Sims 5 being scrapped, EA has reassured fans that Project Rene, a previously announced venture, is still in progress, with a closed multiplayer test scheduled for the upcoming autumn. Originally speculated as the next Sims installment, Project Rene is now positioned as a component of what EA refers to as “The Sims universe.” Laura Miele elaborated that The Sims 4 will serve as the cornerstone of EA’s future growth strategy, underscoring its ongoing support through core technology updates and the continuous release of fresh and engaging content to maintain player engagement.
In addition to prioritizing the expansion of The Sims universe, EA has confirmed its increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) to drive advancements in game development. CEO Andrew Wilson highlighted that AI plays a central role in EA’s business, with over 100 active AI projects aimed at enhancing game development efficiency, expanding player experiences, and transforming characters and storylines. EA aims to leverage AI to create more intelligent characters and storylines, as well as to personalize player experiences, including innovative features such as allowing players to search for in-game assets using photos instead of text on the forthcoming central Sims platform.