The next Sims entry is potentially going to be a free-to-play live service title.
According to a job listing, EA is looking for someone to handle the Sims 5 content for the upcoming “free-to-enter” title.
The job listing states:
Own Project Rene’s in-game marketplace of content and [user-generated content] (free and paid), and manage a data-informed player-centric player purchase journey – maximizing value to players, optimizing player spend patterns, and minimizing player churn.
Own pricing of all content in this free-to-enter game, ensuring we have an optimal pricing and content architecture. Provide guidance to content teams on in-game content needs to meet player demand.
The job listing mentions “Project Rene,” which is what the game has been referenced as while in development since the announcement late last year. The free to play aspect aligns with both the rumor of a free-to-play movement by EA mentioned earlier this year, along with the current model of the Sims 4. Currently Sims 4 is free to play, but comes with a ton (A TON) of expansions, DLC packs, and user created content.
With the success of both The Sims 4 and Apex Legends, the free-to-play model seems to be working extremely well for EA, so it would be of no surprise if they continued that with Sims 5. That being said, expect a lot of paid content and expansions to support the game. The question is, will core features like swimming pools be missing at launch again?
