A New Era Begins for The Sims on Mobile
EA has officially opened the next chapter of its iconic life-simulation franchise with the soft launch of its latest mobile title. The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions, and with this release, Electronic Arts is signaling a fresh and modern direction for mobile Sims experiences. Currently live in the Netherlands, Italy, and Sweden, the title marks the evolution of what was once known as Project Rene, a long-rumored expansion of the Sims universe aimed at bringing more co-op and social elements to players.
This announcement comes at an emotional time for the community, with The Sims Mobile officially shutting down on January 20, 2026. As longtime players prepare to bid farewell to one mobile chapter, EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions, offering a renewed sense of excitement and optimism. With an earlier Android playtest in April hinting at its potential, the soft launch now gives iOS players their first official hands-on experience.
The game introduces a vibrant city backdrop where players can create their own Sims, complete tasks, participate in activities, and interact cooperatively with friends. Its modern visual style and fresh city-life vibe help differentiate it from previous mobile entries, all while maintaining familiar Sims charm.
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Fresh Features, Fashion Flair, and Collaborative Play
One of the standout features revealed in the soft launch is the range of activities players can enjoy. True to its roots, EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions, integrating both life-sim fundamentals and modern multiplayer social elements. You can walk the runway in the Fashion Passion mode, engage in fun party-style activities like Secret Sim, or work toward unlocking your first apartment as an aspiring stylist. The runway mode, in particular, draws early comparisons to Roblox’s blockbuster hit Dress to Impress, making it immediately appealing to fans of fashion-centric gameplay.
Beyond the glam and creative expression, players can manage personal ventures such as running a café, completing quests, and discovering new clothing pieces at the Thrift Shop. These elements bring a refreshing mix of business simulation, exploration, and creativity. Each activity feels like a natural extension of city life, making the in-game world feel alive, stylish, and full of energy.
As playtesters reported earlier this year, the updated visuals, smoother animations, and more interactive environments all suggest that EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions with a noticeably more polished and flexible design philosophy. For fans who felt disconnected from recent Sims mobile entries, this title may be the bridge that brings them back.
A Promising Future for Mobile Sims Fans
What makes this soft launch particularly meaningful is how it arrives right as players prepare for the end of The Sims Mobile’s decade-long journey. The timing suggests EA’s intention to ensure players have a new world waiting for them, and EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions exactly when fans needed reassurance.
The game’s progression system, which emphasizes unlocking new lifestyle options, apartments, fashion careers, and shared social spaces, reflects EA’s long-term vision for a collaborative and evolving Sims experience. The co-op interactions—something players have long requested—appear to be at the heart of the gameplay, making this perhaps the most socially-driven Sims mobile title to date.
With more updates planned, this early release phase serves as a crucial testing ground. As EA continues refining mechanics, adding features, and improving balancing, EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions gives the community a chance to shape the next big mobile Sims entry.
As the soft launch expands and more players gain access, anticipation is likely to rise globally. For now, fans in the Netherlands, Italy, and Sweden can download the game via the App Store and step into this vibrant new city-life adventure. Until a global rollout arrives, the rest of the community can look forward to new updates, gameplay reveals, and community feedback — all contributing to what may become the next flagship experience in the Sims universe.
In the meantime, EA’s The Sims Lab: Life Together, formerly City Life Game with Friends, soft launches on iOS in select regions, offering a meaningful fresh start for mobile players. With its stylish gameplay, social creativity, and renewed energy, the soft launch sets the stage for what could be one of EA’s most exciting mobile releases in years.
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