Table of content Table of content
Despite some promising developments on paper, the community hasn’t exactly rolled out the red carpet for The Sims 4: Royalty & Legacy, which launched on February 12, 2026. On social media, typically buzzing with discussions following the release of new packs, this time the chatter has been noticeably more subdued. Conversations are primarily focused on the perceived overuse of recycled content, a long-standing complaint among players. A growing divide appears to be emerging between long-time fans and the franchise, fueled by various factors.
Among these concerns are the acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia, persistent bugs from previous years (some of which risk corrupting save files), and the inconsistent quality of recent expansions. Meanwhile, rumors surrounding Project X, a supposed Sims 4.5 set in an open world, continue to circulate. This new installment would build upon the current Sims foundation, adding some of the most requested features. With these developments, the future of The Sims seems more uncertain than ever, and the latest leaks are not particularly reassuring. Let’s break it down.
EA Could Take Full Creative Control of The Sims Franchise
Once again, on the ATRL forums, a user named “gloamingtheplain,” reportedly a former developer at Firemonkeys Studios (which collaborates with Maxis on mobile versions), shared insider information about the future of The Sims. For context, this same source had previously leaked accurate details about the recently released DLC and was one of the first to hint at the existence of Sims 4.5. According to this individual, EA is preparing a major restructuring of the brand with one clear goal: to streamline development costs while maximizing revenue streams.
At the core of this new strategy is the first major structural overhaul since 2000. Maxis would see its autonomy reduced in favor of a more direct role from EA in the creation, distribution, and, most notably, the monetization of The Sims 4.5 and its expansions, as well as the broader Sims franchise.
New Business Models for The Sims 4.5?
Subscription services, integrated digital storefronts, paid and free virtual currencies, and in-game events are among the strategies EA is considering to move the Sims ecosystem closer to a games-as-a-service model. If this doesn’t sound particularly promising, EA is also reportedly looking to tighten creative control to manage development costs. Under this optimization strategy, Project X would aim to become as profitable as possible. A prime example of this shift is that The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs would be integrated directly into the game.
Sounds like good news, right? However, given the overwhelming success of this DLC, EA now reportedly sees it as another goldmine. The publisher cloud plan to monetize pets further with additional paid content dedicated to them. Other top-selling expansions would also be automatically included in the next release. The goal would be to create as much LC as possible for popular content, rather than creating individual DLC packs.
EA Aims to Combat Piracy
Another strategy being explored for Sims 4.5 is the official integration of popular mods as “Creator DLCs,” with official support from mod creators to minimize technical issues that often arise with new updates or expansions. This initiative is expected to begin as early as March 2026. Additionally, EA might have acknowledged the rise in piracy since the announcement of its acquisition, which may have partially influenced the decision to close The Sims Mobile to reallocate the servers for future projects.
While much of this remains speculative until formally confirmed, EA is seemingly being cautious and is unlikely to make any definitive announcements about the future of The Sims franchise until the Saudi acquisition is finalized. Although this rumor is far from reassuring, perhaps the voice of the community will make an impact before that happens.
Source: ATRL
