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‘Sims 5’ listed for pre-order on game code buying site

sims 5 listed for pre order

Before we even get into the details of what might or might not be the ‘new’ Sims game, let’s make something clear: there has not been any official word from EA on what might or might not come next for The Sims franchise.

Anyone who has spent some time poking around on the parts of the internet where Simmers hang out will tell you, though, silence only feeds speculation – both rational and completely far fetched.

Over the last few months, it has been quite obvious that the ‘on brand’ message from The Sims 4 is that the game is likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. But many things – including official EA job listings – suggest that there is new simulation game being worked on by Maxis.

No official release date has been set, and we do not even know what the game will be called or if it will even be a follow on from The Sims 4. So the listing on Gamivo.com should be taken with a pinch of salt.

The listing has existed for a while – with the release date still listed as to be announced on Gamivo. A price has recently been added, though, with the pre-order pricing at ? 59.99. For context, this same retail site pre-listed The Sims 4 Discover University with a description, prior to the release of the expansion.

If you remain dubious about the next iteration of The Sims, as you should, there’s more to ponder in the context of this listing.

Sleuth Simmers have sniffed out fresh details about a new Maxis game

While players of The Sims 4 are wrangling milking cows in all sorts of awkward ways while keeping a beady eye on EA Play, Simmer Sleuths have sniffed out fresh new details about a new simulation game in development by Maxis.

That there is something afoot in simulation land over at Maxis HQ is not news, of course. But the new details, first reported by the website, Sims Community, makes a good case for the idea that what comes next will be somewhat separate to The Sims franchise.

Over on Twitter, a user going by the handle @PattonKieran, shared screenshots from the portfolio of a UI Artist with EA. Chris Karo’s portfolio lists an unnamed “Maxis New IP” as one of the projects they worked on. “The game features 3d menu navigation, super abilities, and co-op PvE events. I was the Sr. UI Designer and visionary of the immersive UI experience,” Karo’s portfolio says.

new maxis ip chris karo
Photo: The image that appears on Chris Karo’s online portfolio, talking about the new Maxis IP.

It is accompanied by a screenshot with a galaxy background. But the portfolio section doesn’t leave many clues. The url is a copy of the previous portfolio item and the image doesn’t reveal much in terms of its meta data.

The fact that it is specifically listed as a new IP means that the pre-order listing might not be for the next incarnation of The Sims at all. Or it could be a double whammy: the next edition of The Sims and something new entirely. That, however, seems unlikely. But, as we noted before, until there is official confirmation from EA, speculation might get a bit out of this world at times.