The Sims 5: Multiplayer Mode Confirmed with Inspiration from Animal Crossing and Among Us
The Next Sims Game
The highly anticipated next installment in The Sims game series, currently codenamed Project Rene, is generating a lot of excitement among fans. While the official title is not yet confirmed, speculations suggest it will be named The Sims 5. The game’s developers have recently revealed that multiplayer will be a key feature in this upcoming release. Taking inspiration from popular cozy life-sim game Animal Crossing and the murder-mystery sensation Among Us, the developers aim to create an engaging multiplayer experience.
A Peek into Project Rene
Lyndsay Pearson, the creative Vice President of The Sims franchise, discussed the multiplayer aspect of Project Rene in an interview with the Radio Times’ One More Life podcast. Pearson confirmed that the development team is determined to introduce multiplayer gameplay in The Sims 5.
Not Your Ordinary Multiplayer
Pearson emphasized that the multiplayer mode in The Sims 5 will not resemble a massive multiplayer online (MMO) game where players interact with countless strangers. Instead, the focus is on providing a platform for smaller groups of friends to connect and enjoy virtual experiences together. Various activities will be available for players to engage in while co-existing in their virtual worlds.
When discussing the vision for The Sims 5’s multiplayer, Pearson stated, “Not multiplayer in the big, scary ‘jump in a world full of strangers’ kind of way… how do you and your friends want to do some play together? And there’s a lot of different flavors that could take, so we’re exploring a lot of different spaces there. Because playing together can look like so many different things.”
Exploring New Gameplay Possibilities
While The Sims 5 is unlikely to transform into a battle royale or shooter game, Pearson hinted at some exciting ideas that the development team is considering. These innovative concepts will be adapted to fit into The Sims universe. Some potential options include trivia games, fighting games, racing games, and even a mystery mode inspired by Among Us, where players must collaborate and communicate to solve mysteries.
Pearson expressed the team’s enthusiasm for exploring these possibilities within the context of The Sims. The core essence of the game, guiding little virtual characters in their daily lives, remains intact even in multiplayer. Pearson pondered, “How do we figure out how to make a little bit of that chaos, a little bit of that fun, and a little bit of that positivity come together in a way that feels ‘Sims-y’?”
Learning from Animal Crossing
Pearson acknowledged the immense success of Animal Crossing as a source of inspiration for The Sims 5’s multiplayer. The shared spaces between players in Animal Crossing and the customizable world it offers are influential factors. Pearson noted, “We talk about Animal Crossing all the time because it is such a good example of my little space, my little island, but I can invite you over. We’ve seen throughout the last few years of Animal Crossing people inventing ways to play together that the game doesn’t specifically support, but they’ve made up scavenger hunts or whatever. Which is amazing. Or people who hosted talk shows in Animal Crossing, I think is incredible.”
Project Rene and the Future of The Sims
EA Maxis, the developer of The Sims series, has confirmed that Project Rene will be a free-to-play game, with additional paid downloadable content available. It will co-exist alongside other Sims games, including the popular predecessor The Sims 4, which also transitioned to a free-to-play model last year.
Behind the scenes, Project Rene features advancements in technology, including improved lighting, more sophisticated simulation of the game’s world, and enhanced visual cues for the moods of Sims characters. The inclusion of flames erupting from the heads of angry Sims, reminiscent of Among Us, suggests an exciting and engaging multiplayer experience.