9/12 BTS Rene Reveal Discussion Thread
No new gameplay screenshots. We learned:
- Many versions of Sims introduced: The Sims, Sims Online, Sims Castaways, Urbz etc...With Project Rene, looking to see what they should preserve in making a Sims game and what can they do that they couldn't before
- With Project Rene, they want to do things at the start that the Sims hasn't done before and do familiar things in a new way
- Some of these new things include things shown already, like the ability to play with friends and across devices + more gameplay to be shown later
- Project Rene and the Sims 4 will continue to exist side by side (!!)
- Plan to support both and more content planned for the Sims 4 in the foreseeable future
- Want to make it super easy for friends to come and join you in Sims Rene; there is more to share with what multiplayer will look like "in the year ahead" (singular year!!)
- Project Rene is free to download when it is ready with no subscription
- Won't start with everything we have in the Sims 4, but they will add new content over time
- Beyond regular updates to core game they will release packs. But the mix will be changed up. In Sims 4 only way to experience weather is with Sims 4 Seasons pack. But in Rene, they might introduce basic weather for free in the base game and a pack for purchase might focus on winter sports. This means that wind, rain, and clouds can be used for other pack themes as well given base game has the basic system
- They aren't sure what the exact lines will look like between the core game and DLC, but their goal is to lower the barrier to play.
Official Sims Newsroom has a blog post on Project Rene:
An update on Project Rene
We are back with new updates on Project Rene! Over the years, you’ve seen us introduce many versions of Sims experiences from The Sims to The Sims Online, The Sims Castaway, The Sims Medieval, The Urbz to today’s The Sims FreePlay and The Sims 4. We are always looking for ways to bring The Sims to more players while keeping our charming characters and creations at the heart of what we make. When we think about any Sims game, it has to start with the core experience. What must we preserve for this to be a Sims game AND what can we do in this game that we couldn’t do before?
Project Rene will be a new way to play The Sims - it will feel “Simsy” as players will still manage what their Sims do throughout their day, while also presenting gameplay choices differently. With Project Rene, we want to do things from the start that The Sims hasn’t ever done or try to do familiar things in a new way! Here is an overview of the Project Rene news updates mentioned during Behind The Sims Episode 3.
Project Rene will Coexist With Other Sims Games
Project Rene and The Sims 4 will exist side by side. We will continue to support both at the same time and will plan to bring more exciting content to The Sims 4 community for the foreseeable future.
Project Rene Will Be Free to Download When It’s Ready
Project Rene will be Free to Download. This means that when Project Rene is ready and fully open to players, you will be able to join, play and explore it without a subscription, core game purchase or energy mechanics. We want playing to be super easy for you to invite or join friends and experience new features, stories and challenges.
Project Rene Will Grow Over Time
We want Project Rene to be strong and cohesive from the start. While it won’t begin with everything you have in The Sims 4, we plan to add new experiences and content to Project Rene over time.
Beyond regular updates to the core game, we will sell content and packs, but we plan to change this up a bit. For example, basic weather may be added to the core game for free, for everybody. And in the future, a pack for purchase may be focused on winter sports with activities like ice dancing or a snowman building competition. It’s important that with Project Rene we lower barriers to play and give all players the broadest shared systems because that feels like the strongest foundation for us to grow from.
A New Way of Development
We’re bringing everyone along with us every step of the way for Project Rene. We want to include Simmers throughout the various phases of development, which could include everything from closed invites to small public playtests or early access options.
We are still in the early stages of development for Project Rene, but we are excited to keep sharing the details of our progress with you!
