The Sims 4 is in development for PC and Mac and will be released in 2014, publisher EA and developer Maxis has announced.

"The Sims 4 celebrates the heart and soul of the Sims themselves, giving players a deeper connection with the most expressive, surprising and charming Sims ever in this single-player offline experience," reads the PR, crucially confirming the presence of offline play.
"The Sims 4 encourages players to personalize their world with new and intuitive tools while offering them the ability to effortlessly share their creativity with friends and fans," it adds.

No further information is offered, and Maxis is yet to release any media for the game.

The Sims 3 was released to PC and Mac in June 2009, followed by console and smartphone versions in October 2010.

The Sims series has sold more than 150 million copies worldwide, says EA.