2025: A Landmark Year for The Sims Franchise

EA’s long-standing life simulation series, The Sims, kicked off the year on a high note, celebrating a remarkable 25-year run. Such durability in the gaming world is rare, yet The Sims has not only survived but thrived by delivering an enjoyable twist on life simulation.

Over its quarter-century history, The Sims has provided players with a unique playground for creating and living out imaginative digital lives, becoming an icon in the realm of simulation games. As one of the genre’s most recognizable names, The Sims is pulling out all stops for this milestone year, hosting events with familiar celebrity faces and rolling out new in-game additions. Fans can look forward to even more coming their way as the year unfolds.

One of the notable celebrations included a 25-hour livestream in February, featuring big names like Doja Cat and the dynamic duo, Trixie Mattel and Katya. Long-time fans were also delighted to see The Sims and The Sims 2 made playable on Windows 10 and 11 through a special birthday bundle. The Sims 4 received a hefty base update packed with over 70 fresh items, and events like the “Blast From the Past” in The Sims 4 added to the fanfare. March saw the arrival of the Business & Hobbies expansion pack and the MySims: Cozy Bundle on PC, along with some exclusive anniversary-themed merchandise.

But that’s not where it ends; EA is going even further by launching a board game version of The Sims later this year, teaming up with Goliath Games. Though a precise release date hasn’t been announced, they’re aiming for a fall 2025 launch, promising a new way for fans to immerse themselves in The Sims’ world.

In the midst of these celebrations, the community’s excitement is also building for the next chapter in The Sims series, known internally as Project Rene. Announced during the Behind The Sims Summit in 2022, this new installment promises a multiplayer-focused experience while still catering to single-player enthusiasts. While there’s no definite word yet on when Project Rene might officially take the spotlight, given this landmark year, there’s hope for a reveal that details how it innovates from The Sims 4.

With all the exciting developments and new content still potentially under wraps, 2025 is shaping up to be another great year for The Sims legacy, priming it for many more decades of engaging virtual life simulating experiences.