As EA and Maxis’ next venture inThe Simsfranchise,Project Renewill be the most complex and daring endeavor byThe Simsteam.Project Rene’s multiplayer features have been heavily pushed by EA and Maxis, though like most of the project, the exact details of these multiplayer features have been left in the dark. With virtually no information about multiplayer mode on the table, EA and Maxis could turn to some of FromSoftware’s multiplayer features for inspiration.
Project Reneessentially acts asThe Sims 5in terms of its place in the franchise. Though both EA and Maxis have remained tight-lipped about the project, some information about the project’s gameplay and multiplayer mode has been revealed.
What is Known About Project Rene’s Multiplayer Features
Leaks aboutProject Renehave been the most constant source of information about the game, as EA and Maxis have been announcing more content forThe Sims 4than updates aboutProject Rene. The game has been confirmed to have gone to playtesting at least once, with several importantProject Reneleaks coming from playtesters.
Allegedly,Project Renewill host a central area for players called The Hub (though this name could reference a collection of Sims games the play tester mentions). In addition to this centralized area, players can work at a coffee shop where they serve and work alongside other players. Players earn Simoleons from work or leveling up through XP and can spend their coins at a clothing shop. XP is earned by wishing at a fountain, talking to other Sims, completing quests, and working at the cafe. Once again, all of this information has not been confirmed officially by EA and Maxis, but has beenshared by aProject Reneplaytester.
Ideas for Multiplayer Game Play
Simmers are already coming up with suggestions forProject Rene’s multiplayer mode. If XP leveling is true like this play tester suggests,adding mini-games toProject Renecould be a fun way to earn XP. This could act as a great contrast to working at the cafe, which the playtester complained was a tad “grindy.”
Thereturn ofThe Sims 4’s Galleryfeature could also be an excellent way to facilitate multiplayer gameplay. Rather than simply sharing builds and Sims on the Gallery, the feature could be used like an invite system to play with other Simmers or visit their creations.
These are only a handful of ways that multiplayer playcould be utilized inProject Rene. However, FromSoftware has already introduced a fun community feature that EA and Maxis should take note of, and that’s messages left by other players.
FromSoftware Should Give The Sims Franchise a Message
BothDark SoulsandElden Ringhave receivedimmense acclaim for their gameplay, world-building, and much more. But a fun detail that both games have is the message feature, which allows players to leave little notes for each other. The feature is slightly different across FromSoftware’s catalog, but its effect remains fun and in some cases beneficial.
Messages can be placed down by players in various locations. These messages are not freely composed by players, but rather made up of different templates and key phrases. In the case ofmessages inElden Ring, there are four composition types or sentence structures. Keywords often refer to enemies, people, things, battle tactics, actions, etc. Players can also rate notes that other players have left behind.
WhileProject Renedoesn’t have to copy FromSoftware’s messaging feature exactly, the game should have some sort of chat function. FromSoftware’s template format is a great way to limit what players can say, and therefore prevent hate speech, bullying, and other language EA and Maxis won’t want to accommodate. Perhaps having a template will give Simmers a way toofficially learn some Simlish phrases. By picking specific words, Sims will “translate” these words and speak in Simlish, leaving the iconic language intact while still physically showing messages.
Information aboutProject Renewill always come at the will of EA and Maxis, but theSimsteam needs to buff up multiplayer mode ifProject Reneis as complex as they say. FromSoftware’s messaging feature could be a fun way for players to finally say “Sul-Sul!” to each other inProject Rene.
The Sims
Created by Will Wright and Maxis, and published by EA, The Sims is a long-running series of life simulation games with sandbox gameplay. Players create Sims and control every aspect of their lives, from the houses they live in to the jobs they work.
