This spin-off smartphone title has been shut down by EA.

In a shocking reveal we’ve discovered that The Sims Town Stories has been cancelled. The news comes from a now former employee from EA that this spin-off smartphone title is shutting down its development.

The Narrative Designer that made this announcement previously worked on other smartphone projects before moving onto The Sims Town Stories. Read the full announcement from this designer below:

“Dag dag” is Simlish for goodbye! Our project at The Sims has been cancelled and I am looking for new work in game design, narrative design, or puzzle design.

It was a phenomenal experience and a wonderful 6 years at EA. The folks I’ve worked with are immensely talented and I’m a lucky, lucky girl to have been parts of these teams. I will miss my EA gang tremendously.

– source

The Narrative Designer confirmed through their portfolio that they worked on this project for more than two and a half years. Before the imminent cancellation that’s been revealed yesterday.

Huge thanks to @_etozheden for the news tip!

What We Know About The Sims Town Stories

The Sims Town Stories was first announced as “Project Stories” during the EA Investor Day presentation in 2024. Obviously, a lot of plans have changed since then but The Sims Team was always persistent about introducing it as an individual project.

There were a couple of public playtests, where The Sims Town Stories would get listed on a smartphone store in a select country for a limited time to test out new game mechanisms.

The game worked like a Gardenscape version of The Sims. Where you would play mini-games, match 3 objects, learn lore about the new smartphone town and unlock places to build houses. On top of other Sims Mobile-esque features that you would expect from another cancelled Sims mobile game.

What happened?

An internal EA 2026 Survey leaked online in January. Where Electronic Arts allowed players to pick between two mobile titles for The Sims. One being The Sims Town Stories and another being an “unnanounced mobile game”.

The Sims Town Stories

A new Sims narrative driven, town-builder mobile game where you explore the story-rich town of Plumbrook, befriend memorable characters, and unlock quests and new areas as you play. Uncover mysteries, experience meaningful moments, and discover the stories that shape the town.

Untitled Sims Mobile Game

A Sims mobile game where you begin with one household and expand into a thriving Sim Town of your own design. Build and decorate homes, customize quirky Sims, progress through careers & hobbies, and express your creativity through generations of stories.

Was another Sims game for Mobile picked in favor of already-developed The Sims Town Stories? We know that The Sims Project Rene has shifted into Mobile-only focus with the official 2026 Roadmap announcement, so all of the development might be shifted into one singular product. However, all of that is just speculation at this point. And one of the main factors that could’ve resulted in the cancellation of this project is the EA buyout and / or the general community reception of this game.

People who used to work at Electronic Arts for this project specifically have been let go from the looks of the first statement. There is currently no information or official statements from EA / Maxis regarding the game cancellation. Only Rumors & Speculation about cutting costs and a restructured internal framework within Maxis that’s been imposed by EA.

The Sims FreePlay is currently spearheading the smartphone / tablet area with consistent updates that expand both graphics and gameplay possibilities.

What are your thoughts on the cancellation of The Sims Town Stories? Let us know in the comments below!