BUCK Studio Reveals New The Sims Intro Animation: What We Know So Far
On March 12, creative agency BUCK published a portfolio of their work for The Sims across their social media channels, revealing details of a massive visual rebranding of the franchise's style. But the most interesting part was saved for the end — an announcement of a new in-game intro animation that millions of players will see when launching the game.
Who Are BUCK and What Did They Show?
BUCK is no newcomer to the industry. Their portfolio includes work for Disney, Nike, Google, and many other giants. This week, the studio released a showreel — a demo video featuring examples of animation created specifically for The Sims. The clip showcases:
- Animated logos and smooth transitions between scenes
- Graphics for social media and promotional materials
- Stickers and interface elements
- Animations featuring the Cowplant, Freezer Bunnies, and Plumbobs
But it wasn't the video itself that caught everyone's attention — it was the description. In a post on LinkedIn and on the studio's official website, BUCK made an unexpected revelation.
What Did the Original Source Say?
The original BUCK post appeared on March 11, 2026. Here's what the authors wrote:
"Sul sul! We worked closely with The Sims team to bring The Sims design system to life through a vibrant motion system.
Leaning into The Sims’ tone of voice, we developed motion principles that result in a playful and wide-reaching motion toolkit that spans across logo animations, transitions, social assets, and much, much more.
Our work also includes the brand mnemonic, the intro animation that plays every time a Sims player loads the game, that will be seen by millions for years to come."
This statement spread like wildfire through the community. Thanks to eagle-eyed user @_etozheden on X, who first spotted the publication, a 4K version of what could be the new intro also made its way online. Thanks to SimsCommunity, we can share the intro right here:
However, there's an important nuance here: the video that Simmers are currently discussing doesn't necessarily show the final product. It could either be test animation or part of a broader motion library that BUCK created for the entire franchise. In other words, what we're looking at is more of a style showcase rather than a finished intro.
What Does Collins Have to Do With This?
To understand the scale of what's happening, we need to remember that in 2024, the agency Collins carried out a massive visual rebranding of The Sims. That's when the world first saw the new logo, typefaces, and overall aesthetic — smoother, more organic, and "playful." BUCK's task was to bring this static design to life: adding animation, transitions, and micro-interactions. If Collins created the "body" of the new style, then BUCK gave it a "soul" in motion.
Which Game Is This Intro For?
This is the main question the community is currently asking. The current The Sims 4 intro has been in use since the game's launch in 2014 — over 11 years. There are several possibilities:
Version 1: The Sims 4
The game is still active, receives regular updates, and has the largest audience. The phrase "millions of players for years to come" perfectly fits the current state of the franchise. But completely changing the intro for an 11-year-old game would be a significant move.
Version 2: Project Rene or X (Next Generation)
It would make sense to save a new intro for a new game. However, the release date for Project Rene is still unknown, though the phrase "for years to come" would be even more fitting in this case.
Version 3: All of Them at Once
This is the most likely scenario. BUCK created a unified design system that could be used across all franchise projects — from The Sims 4 to Project Rene and even mobile versions. The new intro could become a single "face" for the brand across all platforms.
For now, neither EA nor Maxis have officially commented on the leak or confirmed which game the new intro animation is actually for. But the very fact that such large-scale work is underway suggests the franchise is preparing for something big — perhaps an anniversary, or maybe a smooth transition to a new generation.
