New Base Game Update – September 18th

The Sims 4 is getting a significant base game update on September 18th that introduces new features and some fixes, but there’s a bit of controversy surrounding it. The update includes:

  • New Playground Lot Type: Players can now place playgrounds in their worlds, but here’s the catch – Maxis didn’t provide a pre-made playground lot, so players will need to either build their own or download one from the gallery.
  • Play Pretend Interaction: This allows kids to engage in imaginative play, such as creating fairy tale castles or pretending to be pirates. This feature works both solo and with other children, adding some variety to children’s gameplay.
  • Bug Fixes: Some minor tweaks were made, like addressing the issue where toddlers and children weren’t properly interacting with the environment.

Playground Equipment Shortage

While this update introduces a playground lot type, the available playground equipment in the base game is surprisingly limited. There are only four pieces of playground equipment, but the lot type requires six pieces to function. This oversight means players will have to duplicate existing equipment to make the playground functional, which has led to some frustration within the community. The lack of variety in playground items and the fact that players will need to purchase additional DLC (like the Growing Together pack) to fully experience the new features leaves many players feeling disappointed.

Mermaid Bassinet for Infants

A positive addition, however, is the mermaid bassinet for infants. Mermaids, who have long been an underrepresented occult in The Sims 4, now have their own bassinet, adding a bit of much-needed love to this occult group. While it’s a small step, it’s a welcome one for mermaid fans who have felt neglected by the dev team.

Adventure Awaits and Kit Leaks

Moving on to some leaks, Adventure Awaits is rumored to introduce even more content and new items. From the Autumn Apparel Kit, which will be released in October, we see a leak featuring cozy outfits for the season. This kit includes:

  • Sweaters, scarves, boots, and other autumn-themed accessories.
  • Darker, warm color palettes perfect for the fall weather.

Additionally, the Adventure Awaits expansion looks to continue The Sims’ tradition of incorporating outdoor and adventure-themed gameplay, but with a slightly more structured focus than previous packs.

Thoughts on the Update

Overall, this update is a mixed bag. While it’s nice to get more content for kids and the mermaid bassinet is a great addition, the playground lot type feels incomplete due to the lack of variety in equipment. Additionally, the fact that Adventure Awaits seems to be deeply tied to other DLC is concerning for those who don’t own everything.

The leaks about the Autumn Apparel Kit and Adventure Awaits point to more content coming soon, but given the state of the game and ongoing bugs, it’s hard to get fully excited until we see how it all comes together.

What are your thoughts on the September 18th update? Are you excited about the Autumn Apparel Kit and Adventure Awaits expansion, or are you frustrated by the lack of updates and unfinished features? Let me know in the comments below!