Sims Team Reaffirms Values After EA Ownership Shift

The Sims development team has reiterated that the franchise’s core values remain unchanged despite EA’s pending acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and private equity partners.
Concerns emerged within the community about how the new ownership might influence the series’ long‑standing focus on inclusivity.
Developers responded by emphasizing continued creative independence and outlining future plans for the franchise.

Developers Address Concerns Over EA’s Acquisition

EA has reassured players that The Sims’ guiding principles remain intact as the company moves toward a major ownership transition. Shareholders approved a $55 billion acquisition that would place more than 93% of EA under the control of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, pending U.S. government review. News of the deal prompted several prominent Sims creators to leave the EA Creator Network, citing concerns about potential conflicts between the game’s inclusive community and the conservative values associated with the buyers. These departures sparked broader discussion about the future direction of the franchise.

The Sims team responded with a detailed blog post stating that the values shaping the series “are unchanged.” Developers described the game as a space for diverse identities, creative expression and unpredictable life moments. They emphasized that the franchise has grown into a community‑driven world shaped by player creativity. This message aimed to reassure fans that the team’s approach remains consistent.

Creative control, according to the developers, continues to rest with the Sims team. They highlighted inclusivity, choice, creativity, community and play as the principles guiding their decisions. These values, they said, will continue to influence both current development and long‑term planning. The statement sought to reaffirm stability during a period of corporate uncertainty.

Community reactions have been mixed, with some players expressing relief and others remaining cautious. The acquisition’s scale has raised questions about how much influence new ownership might exert. Developers have attempted to address these concerns by maintaining transparency about their work. The blog post marks one of the most direct responses to community unease since the acquisition was announced.

Future Plans for the Franchise Take Shape

The Sims team outlined its vision for the franchise’s future alongside its reassurance about values. Developers said they are building a “family of new Sims experiences” across PC, console and mobile platforms. Single‑player life simulation will remain central to the series, with the team confirming that such experiences will “always be a part” of The Sims’ identity. This commitment reflects the franchise’s long‑standing focus on personal storytelling and player‑driven worlds.

Project Rene, a long‑discussed initiative, has evolved based on community feedback. It is now described as a “social, collaborative, mobile‑first life‑sim game,” separate from both The Sims 4 and any future deep single‑player titles. The team emphasized that Project Rene is not intended as a direct successor to existing mainline games. This distinction aims to clarify expectations as development continues.

Playtesting for The Sims Lab remains ongoing. Developers noted that these tests involve experimental features, concept art, naming conventions and early ideas that may change or be discarded. Some concepts will evolve, while others may not progress beyond testing. The team stressed that these experiments are part of an iterative development process.

Players have been encouraged to view these tests as works in progress rather than previews of final products. The Sims Lab serves as a space for experimentation and community‑driven refinement. Developers plan to continue gathering feedback as they shape future experiences. This approach reflects a broader trend toward open development in live‑service and simulation games.

The Sims Mobile Approaches Shutdown as New Projects Advance

EA confirmed that The Sims Mobile will shut down on 20 January after seven years of operation. The game launched in 2017 as a free‑to‑play mobile adaptation of the main series, offering a streamlined life‑simulation experience. From this month onward, no new content updates or events will be released. All existing content will become unplayable once servers go offline.

The publisher has not provided a specific reason for the shutdown. Industry observers suggest the decision likely clears the way for the new mobile project known as The Sims Labs: Town Stories. This upcoming title appears to be part of the broader expansion of Sims‑related experiences mentioned by the development team. Its design may reflect lessons learned from both The Sims Mobile and ongoing playtests.

Mobile gaming remains a significant part of EA’s strategy. The transition from The Sims Mobile to new projects indicates a shift toward more flexible, experimental formats. Developers appear focused on creating mobile experiences that complement, rather than replicate, mainline Sims titles. This strategy aligns with the evolving expectations of mobile players.

The closure of The Sims Mobile marks the end of a notable chapter in the franchise’s history. Its seven‑year run reflects sustained interest in portable life‑simulation experiences. The upcoming Town Stories project may attempt to build on that foundation with updated mechanics and a more modern design. Further details are expected as development progresses.