Electronic Arts has confirmed that development of The Sims project codenamed Project Lotus has been paused as the publisher shifts its resources toward another franchise project, Project Evergreen. The decision was announced on October 21, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring of EA’s game development portfolio.
In an official company announcement titled Building EA’s Next Chapter, EA outlined changes to several of its major franchises, including The Sims, Mass Effect, Battlefield and skate. The publisher said it intends to concentrate development resources on fewer projects while prioritizing games with greater long-term potential.
For The Sims franchise, that means Project Evergreen will take priority over Project Lotus, although EA has not announced a release date or detailed the features of either project.
The decision was confirmed in an internal message shared publicly by EA, signed by Chief Studios Officer Cam Weber and Chief Operating Officer David Tinson.
The executives explained that EA is focusing on the long-term potential of its lifestyle gaming portfolio. Project Evergreen will receive additional development attention to help the team achieve its intended vision, while work on Project Lotus is being put on hold.
Importantly, EA described Project Lotus as paused rather than permanently canceled. Although some reports have characterized the decision as a cancellation, the company’s official announcement does not confirm that development has been terminated indefinitely.
EA also did not provide a timeline for potentially resuming Project Lotus or explain whether its development team would be reassigned to Project Evergreen.
The announcement leaves several questions about the future of The Sims unanswered. EA has not disclosed detailed gameplay information, supported platforms or release plans for Project Evergreen in its restructuring statement. It also did not identify Project Lotus as a numbered sequel or specify how the two projects differ.
The immediate change is therefore a shift in development priorities rather than an announced replacement or release schedule for the franchise.
The Sims decision is one part of a larger restructuring across EA. The publisher also confirmed that it is closing BioWare and ending early development of the next Mass Effect game. Meanwhile, Respawn Entertainment and DICE will collaborate on a future project alongside EA’s continuing investment in Battlefield and Apex Legends.
EA is also reducing the size of the development team behind skate., while maintaining plans for the game’s ongoing development.
For The Sims players, Project Evergreen is now the publisher’s stated development priority. Project Lotus remains on hold, and EA has not confirmed whether or when work on it will resume.
