EA Shelves Mysterious Project Rene for The Sims—Why Project Evergreen Is a Hopeful Pivot

Electronic Arts has paused development on Project Rene, the long-rumored next entry in The Sims franchise, to focus on Project Evergreen, a potential remaster of The Sims 4 with DLC included and bug fixes. The move comes amid industry-wide layoffs and the closure of BioWare, which had been working on Mass Effect and Dragon Age. While EA reaffirmed its commitment to The Sims, Skate, and Apex Legends, fans are wary after the company cancelled two beloved franchises. Project Rene, also known as Project Lotus, was speculated to be an online or mobile-focused Sims title—a direction many players oppose, given The Sims 4’s rocky launch as a repurposed MMO. By shifting to Project Evergreen, EA may be listening to feedback and prioritizing a stable, complete experience for the existing game. The Sims 4 has received over 100 DLC packs and extensive bug fixes, but players still criticize it compared to The Sims 3. With no further expansion packs planned, the community hopes this pivot signals a more player-first approach for the franchise’s future.