Sims 5 predicted release window and everything we know so far – gameplay, multiplayer, and more

Sims 5 predicted release window and everything we know so far – gameplay, multiplayer, and more
Annie Thelen Updated on by

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Wondering when The Sims 5 is going to be released? This simulation series has been dominating the scene since the early 2000’s and shows no signs of slowing down with the fifth installment on its way.

The Sims 4 already has tons to offer for fans of life simulation, from growing the legendary Cowplant to having twins, and more. Better yet, you can play the base game for free. Now, with the newest installment of the franchise confirmed, players have even more to look forward to. When is Sims 5 going to come out? We’re here to let you know all the details.

When is Sims 5 going to release?

As of right now, there is no official release date for The Sims 5, also known as Project Rene. While we’ve seen very early footage, the game is still early in development. VP of Franchise Creative for The Sims Lyndsay Pearson said during the Behind The Sims Summit Stream Event where Project Rene was shown off that the game is still years away.

Our best guess for when players can expect Sims 5 is 2025. While this is far away, EA and Maxis will continue to share updates and take feedback from players. The developers want fans to be involved in the making of the game to make it the best it can be.

Sims 5 Gameplay and Customi

While we haven’t seen much yet, there are some notable features from the gameplay we can see. It seems Create a Style has returned, a fan-favorite mechanic from Sims 3 that didn’t make it into the fourth game. You’ll be able to choose the color of your objects from the color wheel, as well as the pattern that appears on it. You’ll also be able to change the shape of an object, like changing a twin bed to a double bed or altering the headboard.

Choosing the pattern of a couch in Sims 5.
Image via EA

Another feature shown off for the latest Sims game was the ability to share creations with others, similar to The Gallery feature in Sims 4. The Gallery admittedly makes it difficult to exchange content, so updating the way players share content for download is a big improvement.

All of the gameplay shown off has been limited to Build and Buy Mode, so there’s no telling what the sims themselves look like yet. We’re sure to see more as time goes on.

It’s been a long time

While the gap between the first three Sims games were all about five years, the gap between The Sims 4 and The Sims 5 is nearly ten years long! The original Sims was released in 2000, Sims 2 in 2004, Sims 3 in 2009, and Sims 4 in 2014. This is the longest players have ever had to wait for a new installment.

Is The Sims 5 multiplayer?

Yes, Sims 5 is going to have multiplayer. However, Game Director Grant Rodiek has stated that you won’t have to play with tons of other people. In a Behind The Sims episode, Rodiek said that “Project Rene is not an MMO.”

The game will be able to be played completely single-player, however, you can invite friends if you want to. This is good news for fans who feared another SimCity 2013 situation, where being forced to play online created widespread connectivity issues at launch. This massive problem caused the game to be unplayable. It seems EA has learned its lesson from this disaster.

Is Sims 5 free to play?

Yes, it’s confirmed that The Sims 5 will be a free-to-play game with DLC content packs for purchase. This was confirmed in Episode 3 of Behind The Sims.

Making the core game free to entice more players was a big success for EA, and it saw a huge spike in DLC sales. They’ll be following this model with the fifth game as well.

Sims 5 Platforms

A living room in The Sims 5, codenamed Project Rene.
Image via EA

Sims 5 has been confirmed to be coming to PC and to mobile devices. The game is simultaneously being developed for both at the same time. The team is focusing on optimization for both, making the game the same experience no matter which platform you’re on. Shown during the Behind The Sims stream where Project Rene was announced, they showed off the Build and Buy mode working the same on both computers and mobile, allowing for the same experience on different screens.

In the past, Sims games were released on PC and then ported over to Mac and consoles like Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 a short time later. It’s highly likely that Project Rene will follow in these footsteps.

Will Sims 5 have open world?

It’s unknown at this time if The Sims 5 will be an open-world game like Sims 3. It’s is a feature many were disappointed to learn didn’t make its way into the fourth installment. During the June Behind The Sims stream it was talked about how sims would not only behave at home, but in an open neighborhood. It’s nothing official, but it does give some simmers hope.

This new game in the franchise is expected to usher in the next generation of The Sims, allowing for higher creativity, a satisfying multiplayer experience, and more expressive sims. There is no trailer for the game yet, as it remains in very early development, but we can expect to see tons more from the project soon.

That’s everything you need to know about The Sims 5 predicted release window and everything we know about the game so far. Be sure to check out how to fill out reports in Sims 4 and the Sims 4 For Rent release date for more info on the fourth installment.