Update: The Sims is 'moving beyond' sequential releases to avoid resetting player progress

Update (09/18/24): EA has clarified The Sims 4 won't be getting a multiplayer mode as first reported by Variety. Instead, the company said upcoming franchise expansion 'Project Rene' will be a standalone experience focused on "building ways for friends to meet, connect, and share while playing together in an all-new world."

"There will be a small invite-only playtest for Project Rene this Fall 2024, giving an early look at a multiplayer experience that explores joining friends and other players at a shared location," added the company.

Original story: Variety reports EA will keep The Sims 4 going, while also exploring ways to make sure player progress carries over into its eventual successor.

The Sims 4 is the series' longest-running entry, and has accrued over 1.22 billion hours of playtime. General manager Kate Gorman said Maxis doesn't want players to start everything over when Sims 5 eventually releases.

She explained how each Sims game has historically existed as a "replacement" for the previous one. Instead of continuing that trend, Maxis is taking a more "yes, and" approach, and will "add to our universe" in different ways.

"You’ll see there are more ways to experience The Sims on different platforms," she said. "[That means] different ways to play, transmedia, and lots of great offerings within this universe. [...] The way we’re going to do things going forward is a little different."

Some of those "different ways" include Maxis bringing online multiplayer and player-made creation kits to The Sims 4 and supporting the title "more than ever."

As for Sims 5, EA has previously referred to "Project Rene" as the future of the franchise. Rene is getting a small, invite-only playtest in the fall, and will see players "joining friends and others at a shared location."

EA's future plans for The Sims 4

The Sims' last go at multiplayer was with The Sims Online in 2002, which shut down in 2008. Gorman said EA had "a lot of learnings" from that game, and is aiming to create a "very social, real time, multiplayer environment" for The Sims 4.

"We’re looking at what that means and could look like," she said. "We know simulation is at the core of everything we do and we want to make sure our players still have that experience they want, but in a world with real players and NPCs."

As for the creation kits, she said player-made content will be sold in-game, and that its creators will be compensated for their work sold.

EA's full outline for the future of The Sims can be read here.