We’ve first reported back in September 2018 that Maxis has finally started working on a new Sims Title (or The Sims 5 as some might call it). The report came from Maxis’ official Career listings that offered job positions for talented Concept Artists who would help create The Sims 5’s first initial look. This is something that’s usually done in the first steps of creating a brand new video game.
Back then Maxis published several job listings including Environment Concept Artist, Character Concept Artist, Gameplay Software Engineer and more which all gave clear ideas that The Sims 5 has started with production. You can read more about those initial listings HERE!
Then, about a year later in 2019 we got more clues that Maxis is shifting the gears for The Sims 5 by making Grant Rodiek who was there for the full development cycle of The Sims 3 and The Sims 4 to a brand new Maxis project. All of our suspicions were fully confirmed afterwards by EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson who confirmed that Maxis is definitely planning a whole new generation of The Sims, with possible aspects of the game having both single player and multiplayer features.
With the brief history of what we know about The Sims 5’s development so far, we’ve got a whole lot of new information today regarding The Sims 5’s development from Maxis’ official Careers Listing website which opened up plenty of new job positions for the next Sims Game. One of the most interesting things that they’ve listed is the fact that the next Sims Game will be prototyped in Unreal Engine – a powerful software used by many game developers which helped bring many games to life. Some of those include Fortnite, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, Final Fantasy and many more!
Now let’s clarify something – this doesn’t mean that the final product of the next Sims Game will be completely reliant on Unreal Engine. What this means is that Maxis is looking for folks who can bring the prototypes of The Sims 5 to life using C++, Python and Unreal Engine.
If you’re unsure what a prototype is, think of it as what The Sims 4 looked like in some of the leaked material from the game’s production. The developers were using a different engine to prototype various simulation features such as the graphics, objects, characters and the environment around them. You can check out some of the early prototypes of The Sims 4 HERE! Most of the 3D prototypes shown in the linked article have been created in the Unity software.
So what are the new job listings, who is Maxis looking for and what will the growing team for the next Sims Game be doing in the upcoming period? Check it all out in the listings that Maxis has published below. These are only a few of many that are available on the official Maxis Careers Website, but we’ve pointed out a few that talk about building a whole new coding infrastructure, prototypes, sim behaviors and well – a whole new Sims game considering that careers listing for The Sims 4 are marked as job opportunities for TS4 and not “for The Sims” in each of the offered job opportunity.
Before I sign off this post with the quotes from the Careers Listing note that this won’t impact the development of The Sims 4 at the time being considering that different teams at Maxis are working on different Sims Titles. The careers page also suggested that the new Maxis Austin studio might also be involved in the development of the next Sims Game – who we know is working on an entirely different IP video game (aka a whole new title that is not The Sims).
Software Engineer – Automation
Job Summary
Maxis is looking for a talented engineer that can amplify our ability to rapidly develop our games with the help of automation. This engineer will work with an experienced team that has collectively built almost all Maxis games in the past two decades. You will actively work with engineering, art, design, and quality verification groups to prototype and ship various features that expand the featureset of Sims games. Most of the work is expected to be done in Unreal Engine, both in C++ and blueprints.
As an Automation Engineer for a game at Maxis, you will
- Implement quality control tools, test automation and analysis systems for various stages in the creation of a Sims game.
- Enable the designers, producers, artists, and other engineers to build a framework that brings designs to life.
- Demonstrate excellent technical problem-solving skills under iteratively changing requirements during game development.
- Author technical design documents detailing software requirements.
- Be a critical partner to driving innovation in tools and processes to achieve the highest quality standards. Use appropriate programming and scripting languages to design, develop, and maintain automation test tools; statistical analysis and dashboards; and other tools that help drive quality in our products.
Software Engineer – Gameplay/UI
As a Gameplay Software Engineer on The Sims, your job will be to develop user-facing content for The Sims.
Qualifications:
- You will use Python, C++ and ActionScript 3 to implement data-driven gameplay and UI systems.
- You will create new Sim behaviors: interaction with the world, other Sims, and objects.
- You will build creative aspects of real life within a simulation game (e.g. socialization, careers, weather).
- You will work with designers, producers, artists, and other engineers on improving the data-driven framework that brings designs to life.
- You will write technical design documents detailing software requirements.
- You will build unique content for a game that supports a large demographic of simulation player patterns.
- You will write code with performance and memory usage in mind.
- Excellent technical problem-solving skills under iteratively changing requirements during development.
Core Engineer – Animation (C++)
High Level
Animation Engineer will work on the animation system subsystem within the game. The work will range from rapid prototyping to production development. Most of the work is expected to be done in Unreal Engine, both in C++ and Blueprints. Some prototypes and features may be done completely in C++.
Core Engineer – UI/UX
High Level
UX Engineer will work on UI and UX within the game. The work will range from rapid prototyping to production development. Most of the work is expected to be done in Unreal Engine, both in C++ and Blueprints. Some prototypes and features may be done with different tools and frameworks.
Senior Software Engineer – Client (C++)
As a Client Senior Software Engineer on The Sims, you will work on the client systems within the game. The work will range from rapid prototyping to production development. Most of the work is expected to be done in C++.
Job Responsibilities:
- Architect and implement client features and systems in C++.
- Extend existing client systems and create new ones.
- Work with designers, producers, content creators and other engineers to design and develop game features.
- Write technical design documents detailing software requirements.
- Write cross-platform code with performance and memory usage in mind.
- Debug code to document and fix bugs.
- Provide a mentorship to other engineers.
- Solve challenging technical problems in a dynamic environment to support active live service.
Client Software Engineer
As a Client Software Engineer on The Sims, you will work on the client systems within the game. The work will range from rapid prototyping to production development. Most of the work is expected to be done in C++.
Job Responsibilities:
- Implement client features and systems in C++.
- Extend existing client systems and create new ones.
- Work with designers, producers, content creators and othe
- r engineers to design and develop game features.
- Write technical design documents detailing software requirements.
- Write cross-platform code with performance and memory usage in mind.
- Debug code to document and fix bugs.
- Solve challenging technical problems in a dynamic environment to support active live service.
I can’t help but think that TS4 looked a lot better in development than in its final form, lighting being the biggest thing. The team should just use tools they have at their disposal instead of creating a brand new engine from scratch, this would allow them to focus more heavily on features and gameplay.
That kind of lightning and shadows use the most resources. They won’t be able to have those graphics and also make the game run on janky laptops most of the Sims players use.
I’m an “Olympus” fan. I love everything about the concepts/prototype. As a simmer since day 1 who’s actually invested in a gaming laptop. It’s a slap in the face in 2021 they still have to “dumb down” the game! give me the good stuff! The lighting, grass, cars, open world, etc etc.
Either upgrade or get left behind. I played TS2 without mirror reflection for years!
I am afraid sims series will never reach it’s highest potential until MAXIS releases themselves from EA
Not sure what this mystical “highest potential” is, considering that MAXIS was acquired by EA years before release of The Sims 1. Literally the entire franchise has been published under Electronic Arts.
I think they were only the publisher for TS1 and I think TS2? They definitely had been acquired by TS3 I believe so you’re right that Maxis hasn’t been an independent studio from EA for literally more than a decade.
EA games challenge everything that was said at the start of sims 2 every time you uploaded it… EA has been here the whole time.
Ea acquired Maxis in 1997, three years before the original Sims came out.
I hope they keep the online features to a minimum, No one wants to play the sims fully online that’s what severely limited TS4 before release.
There are many Simmers who want to play with their friends in their game, how that would be implemented is beyond me. Also, things like The Gallery are also online and it’s one of TS4’s strongest features. So saying “no one wants The Sims online” is a bit of an exaggeration.
Idk man.. the most consistent part of sims is that it’s single player.. I’m hoping if they do a multiplayer thing that it doesn’t bother you if you don’t want to do it. like I swear to god if it’s an interactive world where you have to play with other people just to play I will lose it
Yeah this is what I meant, mandatory online gameplay is a big part of what killed Sim City 5
I think people just don’t want useless online features to interfere with their regular gameplay
yes. this comment. it would take up space and the sims is single player only in my eyes. its way too stressful to have to deal with random troll people in life, why would i want to go home and struggle with even worse people who hide behind keyboards to bully me and steal my things? any online game ive ever played, ive never been left alone bc im an easy target. i get followed i get pestered ect. im disabled and regular stress to someone normal, is 0-100% really ducking quick for me. think autism but much worse when someone intentionally upsets me. the only game i play is the sims, specifically because its single player, and thats how they get so much of my little saved funds is bc im more than happy to add to my game that no one can take/harass me on, and or hack my account and caus me to loose all of my years worth of hard work and detail like runescape did. with the internet you are basically inviting in every single bad person out there looking to harm you, and im not about that life. in my 30 years ive never been bullied, harassed, stalked, made upset and sad on purpose, and thieved from more than any time i played an online game.
It’s defenitely an exaggeration my original comment came off way more bitter than I intended lol.
Optional online features are fine. I love the gallery and we previously had stuff like sim port (which I think wasn’t very popular) that whether you use it or not doesn’t impact your gameplay.
What I think many simmers wouldn’t want is an experience relying largely on online gameplay because it’s just not the same.
I’m not keen on having to interact with other people in order to play either, but I do find it funny how many of The Sims players, a game about simulated social relationships, are, in fact, anti-social.
lol, in my case, it was a life i never had the honor of having. it also helps my ocd micro managing as a result of my disability..bad parents caused me to pick up the sims, stress, caused me to buy the game and it has given me the most invaluable coping mechanism that i have today as an adult. real people are a lot more complex than shift, click, remove from household. lol
i agree. elective is one thing, like how its elective to even have internet to play the sims, or start the gallery. dont get me wrong, i love the gallery, but i just dont want to be made to have to HAVE internet just to play the game. i often every day shut mine off just to play offline when i get too overwhelmed. and thats something sony really messed up on and largely the reason why i quit playing playstation 4. all their games are online only, and you have no option of weather or not people just come at you.
you must be social, we arent and more than 80% of the sims fan base dont wish to play with other trolls online. the fact that sims is single player means you can escape to that world, AWAY from the STRESS of other people whenever you want to relax and just shut out the world. it effects mental health like myself with a disability, i cant associate with other people online and being forced to do so would push me far away from the sims 5 if that where the case. the gallery doesnt force you to interact with other humans, its elective and there is no chatting which would kill the game for me and A LOT of other people. no one wants the sims 5 online.
I don’t think I can handle another greedy slow drip of “dlc” that should just be base features of these games at this point. They need to think outside the box instead of “Oh how about Japan? Yeah lets do City Living but in Japan”. Just lazy and a sign they are resting on their laurels and probably have been ever since S4 came out.
I really hope they have learned from all the production mistakes made in The Sims 4 so that they have a solid base game in which add more content later on, with features such as multiplayer not being the main priority but rather another function of the game. I can’t wait to see how this turns out!
Some of those listings are definitely still for Sims 4. For example one of them says “You will use Python, C++ and ActionScript 3 to implement data-driven gameplay and UI systems.” All three languages are what Sims 4 uses, including ActionScript (i.e. Flash) which is very outdated now. There’s no way Sims 5 will continue to use Flash for its UI. The two client system engineer listings are also high likely to be for Sims 4. The job description matches what the current Sims 4 client engineers do, and wouldn’t make sense for a game made in Unreal Engine.
Where’s the link?
as long as they dont force me to interact with other people online, which is what severely effects my disability, then im all for it! i would really appreciate it if it merged into the sims 4 somehow to where my $600+ munnies werent wasted and i could still use all my pack content…could you please remaster the sims 2 bustin out at some point in life as well? remastered to PC, to where it has our graphics lol id be personally grateful for that/would pay for that.<3<3
Makes sense they’d want to put TS5 out there as soon as possible, considering new alternatives are threatening The Sims’ ancient monopoly over the genre (yes, I’m looking at you, Paralives).
I’m excited, market competition always produces better, out-of-the-box games. I’ve loved The Sims all my life, but the company seems to have become comfortable in their work these past few years, believing the public would buy whatever they choose to advertise, no matter how weird or uncalled for.
Yes, I was talking about the crappy Star Wars DLC and that weird deal with the make up brand.
I hope the new The Sims title adds more to the core game. It’s very uncovenient, not to mention expensive, to buy thousands of DLCs in order to expand our gameplay, because the core game is just….. plain. It gets boring after a couple hours, when you choose to forsake the “extra” content.
no not yet with Sims 5 still have several more big packs to do, not to mention many cleaning up to do with overall quality and concepts. Maybe 2025 bring out Sims 5 but Sims 4 still in working progress and process. Still need to include items like *spiral staircases, swinging benches, escalators, VR headsets* packs that include more food/beverage concepts, Transportation such as skateboards, roller blades, Customize your own Car*. *Expansion Packs like Wild Wild West, Stone Age, Generations, Farming*.
I would like to see sims with disabilities, with varying levels of severity. I would like to have the option to create sims with Autism Spectrum Disorder, dyslexia, ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Fragile X Syndrome, Other chromosomal anomalies, Intellectual Disability, among many other disabilities. I would like to have each of my sims be affected by their disabilities in various ways, and to varying degrees of severity. Some of my sims with disabilities might be able to become a long distance runner, while other sims are completely unable to walk independently. I would also like to have the option not to give a sim a disability.
I think your minds in the right place but the reality is this could open doors for some sick and twisted gameplay out there lol if you add varying degrees of severity in disabilites i myself have one plus an almost unheard of genetic disorder called Tuberous Scelerosis Complex i would actually like to see ADHD and autism maybe even down syndrome even wheel chairs but I wouldnt want anymore than that not saying people who have any of the disabilities you listed shouldn’t be represented it just can back fire if its not done right and be down right offensive personally.
I really hope for The Sims 5. I am so tired of TS4, I was kind for this game a long time, but TS team and EA shows, that they dont care about repairing TS4, they only care about new paying content which always looks great in the trailers and does not add much to the game. I had good vibes every time when new stuff comming out, and always thinking “TS4 could be great, it’s need just a little more time” but I realized that I was lying to myself, and after almost 7 years nothing changing in The Sims 4. Its just a pretty doll house, good to play for kids, but without depth for old fans as me.
I doubt they’ll use Unreal Engine 5 for The sims 5.
The Sims Online must have a huge map where you choose your neighbour, but it doesn’t need to interfere with single player that is the heart of the serie.
The sims 5 must be Open World like The sims 3!
hey there
Much C++
Wtill discard Phyton?
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