Reports claim that just a week into playtesting, Project Rene - which many consider to be synonymous with The Sims 5 - has already been cracked and made available for those outside the playtest to download. Some fans got access to the Sims 5 playtest not long after Project Rene was unveiled. It focuses on a building mode called Workshop. The playtest also reportedly offers fans the chance to try the game's multiplayer functions, and includes a private Discord server where players can discuss the game.
Project Rene, which was first showcased on The Sims YouTube channel a few weeks ago, is already being shared outside the dedicated testing group, as reported by Insider Gaming. According to sources, as The Sims 5 - or whatever Project Rene may be - is in such early stages of development that the playtest isn't encrypted, it's simple to access. Those who have successfully cracked the game have done so by crafting their own Denuvo Tokens, which are what allow playtesters into the game. Additionally, those with pirated copies have reportedly been able to access the game's online features utilizing Peer to Peer servers, bypassing EA's own network.
A Sims 5 Playtest Hack Could Have Major Repercussions
The Behind The Sims Summit presentation revealed only small bits of footage and information about Project Rene, showing off only its decorating features and crossplay. Notably, the showcase did not feature any actual Sims. It was reiterated many times that Project Rene is in extremely early stages of development, and it's also been mentioned that the game was revealed much earlier than new Sims projects typically are. It was also never explicitly called The Sims 5 during the showcase - Project Rene could very well be a spin-off title like The Sims Freeplay.
It's unknown what sort of consequences this pirating could have on the game's overall development. While the franchise is no stranger to leaks, with things like The Sims 4 expansion packs and teen activities frequently leaking before their time, the fact that players are actually being granted access to the project may make The Sims team reconsider the way they're going about Project Rene's development. While developers originally stated their intention to be very transparent throughout the game's entire development process, this may throw a wrench into that and lead to the cancelation of future playtests.
However, from what's known about the Project Rene playtest, very little is being revealed in the current build that players have access to - it's relegated to Workshop mode, meaning playtest pirates are simply gaining access to some furniture customization, which isn't exactly top-secret information. As of now, those who have gained access to the game also haven't been sharing any new information about whether or not Project Rene is Sims 5, which would likely be much more objectionable to the developer than if they just silently played the game. Only time will tell how this new breach of The Sims playtest will affect further development and if it will give players any more insight into Project Rene.
Source: Insider Gaming, The Sims/YouTube