"Writin_Reg;c-17102643" wrote:
"ScarletSimEater;c-17102328" wrote:
They're in the beginning stages of putting together TS5. There were ads for a position that was clearly related to a new sims project that were posted a while back. Nobody's saying anything about the timeline because nobody wants the inevitable fan frustration when deadlines have to be shifted (businesses learned this long ago), and the project is too early on to make any solid predictions, but work is being done.
Having said that, I'm heartened. First, that they're taking the time to get TS5 right. Second, even if they do wind up using a completely new engine, there are still lots of ideas from TS4 that can inform the franchise going forwards. Even if the engines wind up being incompatible, I'm sure that lots of how the game plays will be recognizable from things that worked well over TS4's lifetime.
That job posts was back on September 18, 2018 so I'd guess they just got started. It takes a good 4 or more years for a new base series - and any less than that it ends up like Sims 4 started. No one wants that again. Besides if they are using the Atlas Project SEED Program - well that won't be ready for at least three more years to get operational. I am pretty sure that will be multi - player though and not something I would like. I also know it uses cloud storage.
Sounds complicated - but I hear it'll be using the Frostbyte 3 engine. Culture shock to some simmers if that's the case - as that engine wants some high end pcs to play well.
Honestly if they do switch the Sims 5 to the Frostbite engine it could end the Sims development team internally and might not even be possible. It would require all new coding for AI (remember the Sims 4 had a new engine developed JUST for its AI despite frostbite existing then too.) Frostbite itself has been a complete nightmare for other EA studios to work with and was not designed to be easily accessible for developers.
Recent examples would include almost every recent Bioware game which had no experience with it and burned the team out, not to mention turned out terrible games because of software limitations partially.
https://kotaku.com/how-biowares-anthem-went-wrong-1833731964
Keep in mind too, Frostbite is NOT developed for modding either so that will be a serious issue the team would have to address if its at all possible. Currently its not. It is NOT a user friendly engine to use internally and will require all new tool set for Maxis to even make a game like the sims and honestly I don't believe it will be.
I suspect they will need to use a new and upgraded version of the engine they are currently using for the Sims 4.
the Sims 5 is probably so far out due to many underlying factors or issues.
