Fans ofThe Simsfranchise have a lot of new content to look forward to. Not only has developer Electronic Arts unveiled a 2023 roadmap with more planned features forThe Sims 4,butThe Sims 5- codenamed “Project Rene” is also in development. While very little is known about the next-generationSimsgame and what it has in store for players, there are rumors that it might include open-world elements. With the indisputable success ofThe Sims 3’s open world, it would make sense forThe Sims 5to get this same treatment.
Electronic Arts has kept most ofThe Sims 5development secrets under wraps - but have let fans know that the upcoming game will focus on “social connection.” This could mean anything from including multiplayer functionality to building out an expansive open world, but only time will tell. Given the prevalence and popularity ofThe Sims 4community-made modsthat turn the game into an open-world life simulator, there is ample possibility forThe Sims 5to be the open-world game fans have long wanted.
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If The Sims 5 Has Multiplayer, It Needs An Open World
There are many rumors aboutThe Sims 5’spossible multiplayer functionality, which might allow players to interact with other players' Sims in real-time. Some players may be unaware that multiplayer game elements have existed in previous iterations ofThe Simsfranchise.The Sims Onlinewas an MMORPG released by Electronic Arts in December 2002. While the game has shut down all activity, it was extremely popular but received mixed reviews critically. WhatThe Sims Onlineproved is that to have any multiplayer functionality forThe Sims,an open world needs to be involved.
The Sims Onlinenever had an open-world concept due to the limitations of the franchise at the time, but the MMORPG demonstrates how exciting and immersive aSimsopen-world, multiplayer gamewould be. Without open-world functionality inThe Sims 5with multiplayer, it would be difficult for players to find each other, and they would be confined to chatting in one room, as withThe Sims Online.With the advances in technology over the almost two decades sinceThe Sims Onlinewas released, players deserve to have a multiplayer experience that emulates the expansive open worlds of modern MMORPGS.
Why An Open World Is So Vital To The Single-Player Sims 5 Experience
While multiplayer functionality forThe Sims 5would be groundbreaking, many fans of the franchise want an open world that emulatesThe Sims 3.InThe Sims 3,all the game worlds are open for exploration, allowing Sims to drive around a vibrant downtown inThe Sims 3: Late Nightor explore ancient tombs inThe Sims 3: World Adventures.Not only did Sims have the ability to explore vast landscapes freely, but there were also very few loading screens between locations. In essence,The Sims 3never needed multiplayer functionality because it already seamlessly simulated the experience of meeting new Sims.
It’s been almost a decade sinceThe Sims 4was released without open-world functionality, but fans have created mods that simulate an open-world experience. For instance, a Simmer named Arnie created the “Brookheights Open World Mod,” adding a massive active lot that Sims can explore freely inThe Sims 4. The mod also adds cars to the game, anothergame element inThe Sims 3,not inThe Sims 4.The mod is an excellent demonstration of how vital an open world is to player immersion. Hopefully,The Sims 5will take inspiration from fan-created open-world content and re-introduce open-world mechanics in the upcoming game.
The Sims 5is in development.
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