Summary
As the next upcoming entry inThe Simsfranchise after nearly a decade,Project Reneis expected to innovate on the formula which has been relatively consistent throughout the prolific simulation series. There has been a multitude of DLC released forThe Sims 4which has kept the game alive since its 2014 launch, leading many players to predict thatProject Renehas been designed around this kind of business model since its inception. In an increasingly competitive genre that has seen the rise ofAnimal Crossingto new levels of popularity in recent years, however, borrowing one feature from the Nintendo franchise might be able to provide more for players ofThe Simswho enjoy creating and utilizing Custom Content.
A remarkable degree of customization is one of the contributing factors toAnimal Crossing: New Horizons' success on Nintendo Switchas a bestseller, allowing it to rival a title like The Sims 4 despite featuring a far less realistic art style. Considering the directionThe Simsonce seemed to be going with its customization features, future games likeProject Renecould benefit enough from implementing similar mechanics to justify them over-releasing as much DLC.
Project Rene Has the Potential to Finally Evolve the CAS System of The Sims 3
Clothing Features in The Sims Franchise and Sharing the Life Sim Niche
There are several ways in whichThe Sims 4clearly improved upon its predecessor, but many fans have agreed that some aspects of its customization are lacking when compared to whatTS3previously accomplished. CAS mode notably featured access to a full color and patterns wheel in its editor, allowing players to step outside the bounds ofTS4’s later premade color palettes when it came to creating outfits. More clothing options overall, especially more modern looks, have come to be present inThe Sims 4’s CAS mode, but bridging the gap between these two strengths could come in the form of a new take on creation tools.
Multiple options have generally always existed within thelife simulation genre in gaming, but titles outside the prolific franchise ofThe Simshave grown to share more of the market with the iconic EA series by carving out their own identities. Via its Custom Design Portal,New Horizons, the biggest example, has been able to ensure lasting appeal via the creations of its own players being shared within the game.
A Custom Design Portal for Project Rene Would Revolutionize The Sims
Player-Created Content on a Scale Beyond Animal Crossing’s Art Style Comes with Complications
The potential ofNew Horizons' Custom Design Portalhas already been showcased by many players, but a similar mechanic has yet to be implemented in a game likeThe Sims. Some players have been outspoken about the loss of features likeTS3’s color wheel, but allowing for the uploading of custom designs and patterns could make the next game surpass all expectations within that realm. The prevalence of user-created CC mods forTS4has already proven that such an idea can serve to maintain a community for years to come, but this addition could be seen as a threat to the success ofThe Sims' DLC.
Among the plethora of content packs that have been released over the years, many of the additional offerings available toThe Sims 4players consist of new outfits that fit the DLC’s given theme. These expansions of the player wardrobe have come together as the game’s current huge set of options, and this type of structure might not seem as valuable if the option to download player-created designs finds itself in the next game. IffutureThe Simstitles likeProject Reneare able to balance the release of DLC with more support for player creations, however, the series' place at the top of the life simulation genre may become hard to compete with for years to come.
