The Sims 4 & Project Rene: Seasons and Open Neighborhoods in the Base Game?

Insider rumors are actively circulating within The Sims community about the potential release of a remastered version of The Sims 4 (official name currently unknown), which may become part of the next-generation platform — Project Rene.

Updated Engine and Project Rene

According to an insider, the Maxis team is working on a separate base game designed to replace the current The Sims 4. It is not The Sims 5, but rather an "HD version of The Sims 4", built on an engine utilizing elements from Project Rene. The main goal is to improve graphics, lighting, and implement a large-scale update that was originally planned for The Sims 4, but which they decided to release as a separate new base game.

The rumors suggest that Project Rene will become a modular and important platform not only for future The Sims games but also for current ones, including The Sims 4.

Source: @thesimmerdan в Х 

Potential Enhancements: Open Neighborhoods and Integrated Packs

The hottest rumors concern the content that may be included in the updated core game:

• Open Neighborhoods: Reports from insiders suggest that open neighborhoods may finally be implemented, allowing players to move between lots without tedious loading screens. This is a long-awaited feature that fans have been hoping for since The Sims 4's announcement in 2014.
• Seasons and Milestones in the Base Game: Blogger @lunar_britney claims that Seasons from The Sims 4 Seasons Expansion Pack and the Memories/Milestones system from The Sims 4 Growing Together are planned for integration directly into the new core game.

Source: @lunar_britney в X

• Simulation Improvements: @lunar_britney also mentions that the new version will focus on "simulation outside the household," making the world feel more alive and immersive.

What's Next?

For now, all these discussions remain rumors. Considering that in its latest address to the audience, The Sims team promised "ongoing updates that address the things that matter most," such a large-scale remaster instead of The Sims 5 seems like a logical step to improve the core of the franchise.

However, there are also opinions that Maxis knew this information would be leaked, and may have leaked it deliberately.

Source: @jackofallgames в X

We encourage you to take this information with a grain of salt until official confirmation from EA and Maxis. But if the rumors are true, a completely new The Sims 4 experience may be waiting for us!