The Sims Team Affirms Commitment To Inclusivity And Creative Control Amidst EA Buyout

The team behind The Sims has publicly stated that its core values remain unchanged as we move into 2026, a direct response to a significant corporate acquisition. Late last year, EA shareholders gave their approval for a proposed $55 billion buyout of the video game publisher by Saudi Arabia and various private equity firms. This deal, which now only awaits approval from the US government, would place 93.4 percent of EA under the ownership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The Sims content creators have quit from the EA Creator Network. Their decision was a protest against the perceived conflict between the game's inclusive community and the documented anti-LGBTQIA+ values of EA's buyers. This group includes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.

In a blog post published on January 9th, The Sims team sought to reassure its player base.

"The Sims has always been more than a game. It’s a canvas for life in all its unpredictable forms…the chaotic moments, the tiny joys, the big dreams, every identity, every version of you. And, thanks to you, The Sims has grown into something bigger than we ever imagined: a living world bursting with creativity, expression, humour, chaos, and heart. Our Sims team's creative control, guided by our values of inclusivity, choice, creativity, community, and play, has not changed. These values inspire the decisions we make each and every day as we plan for today, tomorrow, and the future."

— The Sims team

Following this statement, the team offered a glimpse into the franchise's future. They are currently "building a family of new Sims experiences across PC, console, and mobile," confirming that "single-player life simulation experiences" will always be a central part of their work. The team also provided an update on "Project Rene," clarifying that player feedback has helped it evolve into a "social, collaborative, mobile-first life-sim game." It is important to note this project is not a successor to The Sims 4 but an entirely separate experience.

Image: EA

Playtesting continues under The Sims Lab banner, with the team emphasizing that these tests are works in progress, featuring experimental ideas and concepts that may or may not move forward. In related news, EA is shutting down The Sims Mobile after a seven-year run. The servers are scheduled to go offline on January 20th, rendering all content unplayable. While no official reason was provided for the shutdown, it appears to be a move to make way for a new mobile title currently known as The Sims Labs: Town Stories.

Read also, recent leaks, which were later confirmed by the Game Content Classification Committee in South Korea, indicate that The Sims 4 is preparing to release its 21st expansion pack, titled Royalty and Legacy. The official rating and a short description suggest the pack will introduce gameplay centered on nobility and developing dynasties, leading fans to speculate it may share themes with The Sims Medieval.