TS4: What is Project Rene and How to Register for It?

EA games just announced that The Sims 5 won't be happening and the team will be focusing on making The Sims 4 even bigger. This includes the introduction of Project Rene or the next generation of The Sims franchise, currently under development by Maxis. This evolved Sims experience will supposedly bring forward more creativity, customization, and social features.

However, Project Rene won't be released as usual. Maxis has chosen to involve the community early in the development process, seeking feedback through playtests to shape the final product. In this article, you can read more about Project Rene and how to sign up for it. All of the information used here is based on the EA games official website.

What is Project Rene?

Project Rene will continue the legacy of The Sims franchise. Maxis is developing this project and looking for ways to make it bigger and better. The game will include advanced furniture and interior design customization, with early footage showing players being able to modify items on both mobile and PC platforms. Additionally, Project Rene is designed to support multiplayer experiences. This means TS players will be able to play and collaborate together on projects. This has sparked mixed opinions among the simmer community.

The name “Rene” is inspired by the words "renewal" and "renaissance," symbolizing the developers' intent to reinvent The Sims while making sure it stays true to itself.

Early Playtests and Community Involvement

Maxis has emphasized that player feedback will be very important for Project Rene. The developers have already started small-scale playtests in 2022. The first of these tests focused on “Apartment Customization,” where players were invited to try out furniture customization and collaborative interior design.

Since Project Rene is still in its early stages, more playtests are expected to roll out in the coming months and years. So far we can't be sure how long the development will take.

How to Register for Project Rene Playtests?

Most simmers probably want to be a part of this new adventure. Here’s how you can join the Project Rene playtests:

1. Stay Updated on The Sims News: Keep an eye on official The Sims social media channels, websites, and newsletters for announcements about upcoming playtests. The team shares updates through platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and their dedicated The Sims website.

2. Register with EA Playtesting: EA has a playtesting platform where they invite players to sign up for various game tests, such as Project Rene. To increase your chances of being selected, create a profile on the EA Playtesting website and provide details about your gaming preferences and platforms.

3. Sign in with your EA account and accept the playtesting conditions.

4. Head to Get Started, accept the playtesting conditions, and fill out all required profile information.

5. Check out the portal page. You can apply for Project Rene from the 'Playtests Available' section.

By participating in these early tests, players can directly influence the direction of Project Rene and contribute to the development of the next generation of The Sims.

Conclusion

Project Rene is the future of The Sims, for the better or for the worse. So far simmers can't be sure what to expect but the fact that they can help in the development sounds very promising.  For more information, follow The Sims official channels and consider signing up for EA playtesting to get hands-on experience with the next chapter of The Sims.