It looks like EA will be making The Sims 5, or Project Rene as it’s currently officially known, a free-to-play game that allows user-generated content in a monetization model similar to that of Fortnite.

As I mentioned Sims communityEA posted a job listing looking for a Head of Market and Monetization for the Rene project, which it described as a “free-to-enter” game.

Candidate will own all content in this free to enter game, ensuring we have the best pricing and content design [and] Provide guidance to content teams on in-game content needs to meet player demand.

Another responsibility mentioned the in-game marketplace and user-generated content management. The candidate will own “Project Rene’s in-game content and UGC marketplace (both free and paid), and manage a data-informed player-centric player buying journey: increasing value for players, improving player spending patterns, and reducing player momentum.”

EA launched the Roblox-esque Fortnite Creative 2.0 in March, which allows players to create their own content for other users to use, either for free or at a cost. The monetization model mentioned in the job listing looks very similar to this, suggesting that the base version of The Sims 5 could be a free game with additional purchases available for those looking to buy new homes, clothes, and so on.

IGN asked EA for comment on the monetization of the Rene project.

The next Sims games were announced in October 2022, with Rene’s name chosen to represent words such as regeneration, rebirth, and rebirth, and to “represent the developer’s new commitment to The Sims’ bright future”.

Ryan Dinsdale is a freelance reporter for IGN. He’ll be talking about The Witcher all day.