Over the past year, The Sims 4 has seen remarkable growth with over 15 million new players, attributed largely to its shift to a free-to-play model in 2022. Since the franchise's debut in 2000, The Sims has become one of the best-selling game series globally, amassing more than 200 million units sold across its mainline titles and spin-offs. Despite a lukewarm launch in 2014, The Sims 4 has consistently expanded its player base and popularity.
EA’s Q2 FY25 earnings report revealed that increased engagement in The Sims 4 exceeded expectations, leading to significant net bookings for the series. In addition to The Sims 4, EA saw strong performances in titles like Madden NFL, EA Sports FC, and College Football 25, with impressive player engagement increases across American football games and record-setting growth for EA Sports FC. The publisher’s total net bookings reached $2.079 billion, with net revenue at $2.025 billion, encouraging EA to raise its fiscal year outlook.
As The Sims 4 continues to attract a growing player base, fans are now eagerly awaiting EA’s next major Sims project, known as Project Rene, which is described as a major evolution of the franchise. Expected to introduce online multiplayer elements, Project Rene promises to bring a fresh experience to The Sims series, potentially setting the stage for a new era in life simulation gaming after The Sims 4's ten-year run.