EA explains why Sims 4 has no pools or toddlers

The Sims 4 won't include swimming pools or toddlers as EA is choosing to focus on "revolutionising" the Sims themselves, according to executive producer Rachel Franklin.

The omission of pools and toddlers will "disappoint some of our fans", said Franklin, but it was necessary to include other features such as new AI and animation systems.

New audio positioning tools, new locomotion logic and new routing intelligence are all also debuting in The Sims 4.

"So the bottom line is that when we sat down and looked at everything we wanted to do for this game, all the new tech we wanted to build into it, the fact was that there would be trade-offs, and these would disappoint some of our fans," Franklin wrote on the official website.

"Hard pill to swallow, believe me, but delivering on the vision set out for The Sims 4 required focus. Focus on revolutionising the Sims themselves.

"You'll notice the new technology base the first time you play."

15 minutes of in-game footage is due to be revealed within the next two weeks.

The Sims 4 releases 5 September for PC.