The Sims 4 could be getting a remaster, and it could fix its fortunes if done right

Having supported The Sims 4 for over a decade now, Maxis' latest and certainly not greatest instalment in the wildly popular life game series still can't match up to its predecessors. Considering EA's pledge to continue long-term support for TS4, rather than developing The Sims 5, a dramatic switch up will need to happen if it's going to stand the test of time. Well, it may finally be happening, as rumors of a Sims 4 remaster are swirling.

The Sims 4 is in a weird place right now. EA's recent acquisition by a Saudi-backed consortium has seen some of its biggest creators break ties from its Creator Program. It's also feeling the weight of age; Maxis' proprietary engine buckles more and more with each new update, and the studio is currently fighting to fix year-old bugs, let alone the new ones that continue to spring up.

The Sims 4 is certainly the prettiest iteration of the storied franchise, and its vast library of decorations dwarfs anything that came before it. However, in terms of raw gameplay, it pales in comparison to The Sims 3 which, in my book, is the best of the bunch. While TS3 has historically struggled with PC performance issues, I'll take it over having to load between lots. If the latest leak and rumor round has any weight to it, though, Maxis could soon be broadening our horizons.

According to a new post on SimsCommunity that collates numerous sources, a "new version" of The Sims 4's base game is on the way. It's reportedly replete with baked-in elements from DLCs like Seasons and Growing Together, open neighbourhoods, and an upgraded game engine is on the way. By the sounds of things, this will be a standalone experience, developed alongside The Sims 4 rather than replacing it.

Considering we're on the ramp up towards Project Rene, now is the time to really get TS4 into shape. The immediate question marks revolve around if and how DLC content and saves will work between the two versions, as well as if there'll be some sort of paid barrier to entry for existing The Sims 4 players. The series is a huge cash cow that demands well in excess of $1,000 for its full DLC catalog, so it's easy to be cynical.

The dream scenario is that all TS4 players will get a free upgrade (if the remaster is paid content), and there'll be full DLC carry-over. But I guess we'll have to wait and see how it all materializes, if it materializes. If EA and Maxis deliver in a player-first fashion, then it could be a huge step forward for The Sims.