I am in absolute shock about this news and I can’t believe that I’m actually having to write this on the website. The Sims 4, which was to be the next instalment in The Sims franchise, has ceased development.

The following message was posted online by Lucy Bradshaw, the senior vice president of EA Maxis:

Hi Simmers,

It is with a heavy heart today that EA and Maxis are announcing that ‘The Sims 4’ has ceased development. It’s never an easy decision to do something like this and on behalf of the development team I would like to thank you for all of your support. The Sims is, and will always be, about you – the community.

We will be evaluating the future of The Sims franchise to see what exciting experiences we can bring you in the future.

Lucy Bradshaw
SVP, EA Maxis

Following this news, a press release was posted on EA.com detailing a spin-off game for The Sims franchise. A ‘Freezer Bunny’ game has been announced and a majority of The Sims 4 development team will be transferred to development of this game.

Freezer Bunny is a pink cartoony rabbit from The Sims 2 and appeared at the back of community lot freezers.

Maxis has described this new game as a ‘free to play’ mobile game that’ll take Freezer Bunny to unimaginable places in Katy Perry’s Candyfornia. The game will also feature an always-online world, which has been extremely popular game feature over the past year, compatibility with the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and forced in-app purchases.

APRIL FOOLS!! Did we fool you?!