Maxis' next project is already lined up.Project Reneis set to follow up theimpressively long run ofThe Sims 4with an experience unlike any previous title in the series. Apparently planned to co-exist withTS4as both are supported in the future, it’s clear that the studio has plans outside the typicalSimsformula for its upcoming game. Since experimenting with the structure of the franchise is already on the table, this could be the best opportunity to introduce a multiplayer feature which fully utilizes the dynamic of multiple players participating at once in the simulation genre.
There hasn’t been a full reveal forProject Reneyet, but early official details regarding its focus on multiplayer along with cross-platform play between HD systems and mobile have signaled that the title has likely been created around these mechanics since its inception. Sharing the experience ofThe Simsto team up on builds and affect interactions in worlds together has a built-in appeal that could resonate with many players, but these features also open the door for a mode which emphasizes asymmetrical play by offering opposing roles.
Project Rene is Committed to a New Approach
Encouraging Multiplayer in a Traditionally Solo Franchise
After finding success in mechanics that have largely remained the same at their core,Project Reneappears to be making meaningful changes which still follow the trend of each newSimstitle being more streamlined and accessible. Being available on mobile devices showcases Maxis' attention to making it easily playable, and this philosophy seems to have extended to how multiplayer was conceptualized. In a 2022 interview withPCGamesN, VP of Franchise Creative Lindsay Pearson commented on the main ethos behind this feature in terms of Build Mode:
…Maybe your BFF is an awesome builder and you’re not, and you can figure out that problem together. They can do some of the hard stuff and you do some of the decorating stuff. Like there’s a lot of opportunities.
There’s no shortage ofhopes forProject Rene’s multiplayerthat fans have had since its announcement, but this aspect seems to be primarily aimed at building given current information. While allowing players to control households together might be just as appealing, a brand-new setup that puts one player in control of the others could provide a proper shake-up to how gameplay challenges are handled inThe Sims.
The Potential for an Overseer Mode in Project Rene
Stepping Out of Purely Managing Sims
While simply keeping up with the lives of each other’s Sims is an entertaining premise to begin with, going beyond this dynamic by allowing a player to function as an “overseer” with control over others could make for an entirely new level of long-term replayability. If a host is able to set up specific tasks to be completed, possibly even pitting other players against one another in the process, an edge of customizable difficulty could become one ofProject Rene’s possible staples. Considering the precedent set byTS2allowing for the direct control of Sims, a mode like this even has room for bringing other people directly into the shoes of characters within someone else’s world.
It’s undeniable that the wealth ofcontentThe Simsis known forcontributes to how fun it can be to revisit the same title with a new save file, but engaging multiplayer options may be able to push this aspect even further. There would be an added layer of unpredictability in a situation where players are subject to the rulings of a sort of game master, all while remaining in line with the fantasy of control thatProject Reneis certain to still be built around.
The Sims 4
WHERE TO PLAY
Unleash your imagination and create a unique world of Sims that’s an expression of you. Download for free, and customize every detail from Sims to homes and much more. Choose how Sims look, act, and dress, then decide how they’ll live out each day. Design and build incredible homes for every family, then decorate with your favorite furnishings and décor. Travel to different neighborhoods where you’re able to meet other Sims and learn about their lives. Discover beautiful locations with distinctive environments and go on spontaneous adventures. Manage the ups and downs of Sims’ everyday lives, and see what happens when you play out scenarios from your own real life. Tell your stories your way while developing relationships, pursuing careers and life aspirations, and immersing yourself in this extraordinary game, where the possibilities are endless
