‘The Sims 4’ Free Update Adds Nannies, ‘Backyard Stuff’ Pack Releases Next Week

Nannies, water slides, and more are coming to The Sims 4. Thanks to the latest free update, nannies are now available to Sims in dire need of child care, and a new stuff pack is expected to release next week. “Backyard Stuff” will soon be available giving players new options to make Sims’ backyards a perfect place for summer fun.

First up, parent Sims can finally hire a nanny in The Sims 4. With the latest patch, which released today, players of The Sims 4 now have access to a Sim nanny that can be hired like other service Sims in the game, according to the official website. The nanny charges an hourly rate and will stay up to a total of 24 hours for parent Sims that really need a break. Simply use a Sim’s phone and navigate to the Career and Household menu of the Hire a Service area to get started.

Of course, the patch added more than just the ability to hire a nanny. Light’s color and intensity can be adjusted on a per room basis, changing outfits on an active Sim will now provide a visual preview of the available outfits, and several bugs were rectified in the patch. For the full list of changes and fixes, interested players can head over to EA.com for more information. The latest patch notesare presented first with previous patches to The Sims 4listed thereafter.

"ALL HAIL THE NANNY!" – Parent Sims Everywhere. ?? pic.twitter.com/yRnW3fvrc7

— The Sims (@TheSims) July 14, 2016

Players can enjoy the nanny and the miscellaneous bug fixes right now, but they will have to wait to get their hands on “Backyard Stuff.” The upcoming stuff pack is set to release on July 19, as stated on the official site, and includes several items perfect for summer enjoyment. “Backyard Stuff” will add many new items, objects, and decorations to The Sims 4 when purchased. Most notably, the Lawn Water Slide is a cornerstone object that Sims can interact with as part of the stuff pack.

“Looking to update your backyard? Additional customization options for your outdoor spaces await, with bright colors and patterns adding a splash of excitement. You’ll be able to decorate with everything from spinning wind catchers to spitting frog fountains and scented flowers, all helping set a casual backyard vibe.”

Also coming to The Sims 4, “Backyard Stuff” includes several new customization options for Sims in addition to new outdoor objects like the bird feeder. In fact, the bird feeder is the second object with which Sims can interact in the stuff pack. Sims can stock the feeder with the perfect seed to attract feathery flying friends. Wind chimes, drink pitchers, and patio furniture are also included in the upcoming stuff pack giving Sims a chance to lounge outdoors with ease.

“Backyard Stuff” releases just weeks after the previous stuff pack for The Sims 4. As the Inquisitrreported, “Kids Room Stuff” launched on June 28, adding several new items specifically for child Sims. New furniture, new clothes, new decorations, and even a new collection are part of “Kids Room Stuff.” Two objects in the pack can be interacted with just like the Lawn Water Slide coming with the “Backyard Stuff” pack. With “Kids Room Stuff” players can have their children put on puppet shows with The Puppet Theater or use their collected Voidcritter cards in the Voidcritter Battle Station.

Clearly, The Sims 4 updates often with both free patches and paid DLC. With “Backyard Stuff” out in a matter of days, no other paid content is revealed at this time. No new game pack or expansion pack is officially announced right now; however, there are plenty of concepts familiar to players of The Sims 4 yet to be added to the game. Pets, seasons, and other supernatural elements often present in The Sims are still noticeably absent from The Sims 4. What expansion or game pack would you like to see added to The Sims 4?