EA Launches Playtest for The Sims Spinoff, City Life Game with Friends

If you’re a fan of The Sims or simply enjoy city-building games, you might be excited to hear about EA’s upcoming playtest for their new project, City Life Game with Friends. As part of EA’s The Sims Project Rene, this playtest offers a rare opportunity to dive into a limited preview of what could become the next big thing in city and social simulation gaming.

Where Can You Join the Playtest?

This playtest is exclusively available on Android devices running Android 12 or higher, with at least 4GB of RAM. Unfortunately, it’s not open to everyone—EA has set specific eligibility criteria to ensure a controlled testing environment.

The playtest runs until April 4th, 2025, with varying end times depending on your region:

• 7 PM UTC
• 6 AM AEST (Australia)
• 3 AM PHT (Philippines)

After that, the game will shut down, and you’ll need to uninstall it. Keep in mind, this isn’t the full version of the game—it’s more of a sandbox to gather feedback on gameplay mechanics, social interactions, and overall performance.

What to Expect During the Playtest?

Once inside, you’ll be able to create a character that reflects your personal style and vibe. The vibrant neighborhood is packed with activities to keep you engaged. You can shop for trendy outfits at the Thrift Shop, relax at the Café, or participate in community events.

Collaboration is key—work together with friends to organize block parties, make wishes at the Plaza Fountain, or search for hidden collectibles scattered throughout the city. The game encourages social interaction and community building based on shared interests like art, music, or casual conversations.

Why Join?

While this isn’t the final product, it gives you a glimpse into EA’s creative vision for the future of social city-building games. It’s clear that EA is experimenting with several innovative concepts, and your feedback could play a significant role in shaping the game.

If you’re curious, head over to the Google Play Store to join the playtest (if you’re eligible). Otherwise, stay tuned for our next article on Bandai Namco’s decision to retire PAC-MAN Mobile on its 45th anniversary!