The Sims 4 has had an unusually lengthy lifespan, although EA and Maxis have been engaged on the following entry within the standard life simulation franchise. In 2022, builders confirmed that they’re busy with Challenge Rene, which can be The Sims 4‘s successor. A number of issues have already been confirmed in regards to the upcoming recreation, together with the truth that it’ll characteristic collaborative play and cross-play.

It was suspected that the sport would undertake some form of free-to-play mannequin, as that is the shape The Sims 4 has taken. Moreover, a Maxis job posting was discovered which was searching for a Head of Market and Monetization for an upcoming free-to-enter recreation.

These suspicions have been confirmed, as a current weblog put up by EA states that Challenge Rene can be free to obtain when it’s prepared. The rigorously worded weblog goes on to clarify that you just’ll be capable to “be part of, play and discover it and not using a subscription, core recreation buy or power mechanics.”

There are large plans for Challenge Rene

Although Challenge Rene can be free to obtain, there can be some monetized points of it. EA will promote content material and packs, however there are additionally plans without spending a dime updates to the core recreation. As an example, primary climate could also be added to the core recreation, however different purchases could also be targeted on winter sports activities and snowman-building competitions.

EA claims that it goals to “decrease obstacles to play and provides all gamers the broadest shared programs.” This sounds good, however it’s price remembering that EA doesn’t have the very best historical past in the case of microtransactions and in-game monetization methods. It has led to a harsh backlash, so solely time will inform whether or not Challenge Rene can stability the corporate’s monetary wants with participant expectations.

We’ll get to seek out out extra about Challenge Rene quickly, as builders intend to maintain us within the loop all through the event cycle. It will are available varied types, together with Early Entry choices and small public playtests. By way of these occasions, we might uncover precisely how the following The Sims recreation can be monetized.