I'm watching the live developer chat right now, and Lead Designer, Eric Holmberg-Weidler just announced a pretty significant update scheduled to come out Thursday, April 28. The sound on the chat is horrendous, but here are the things I caught.

- More 360 ability for lot cameras
- Ability to take some equipment with your CO hero when starting a new kingdom
- Children will be able to succeed their Hero parent. The way I understood it, when a Hero Sim dies, if they have any offspring there will be an option to have that offspring replace the parent. He said something about that new hero not having to start from scratch, but the rest was unintelligible so I don't what he meant.

[Update]
They're posting some of the chat on Facebook - (I fixed their typos):

Yeah, I was in the chat and couldn't hear a damn thing, lol... gave up after 15 mins, so I'm hoping they put up a list of the modifications that's coming with the update
Sounds good so far though :D

Sounds like they've lurking around the forums and heard the people complain!

We can only hope, alexp, we can only hope!

Yayyyy!!!!! Yayy!!! That's definitely a good start! Wahooooo!!!!

I hope they make wives/husbands playable characters who can actually help with quests. (I know, i can do this via mods too, but i want this to be integrated into the game from the beginning )

The full list from Facebook. Endgame improvements made me squee

Thanks for that list, anadandy - is much appreciated for those, like myself, who missed a lot of the info 'cos we couldn't hear, lol!

Nice news! Hope that they fixed blue eyes too, when talking about cas:

Wow, nice list! I can't believe we're getting all that and without even having to wait for an expansion pack. It's a rare gesture of generosity on EA's part.

YES!!!! thank you EA!!! you finally listened to us!

now i'm waiting for them to bring back build mode.(i.e. lockable doors)

I know, right? I kept thinking "This guy is a game developer but he can't figure out how to turn up his mic??" I figured I couldn't be the only one.

Found this on simprograms. It's like a dream came true, and they make very much things, that are missing. Is this really true?

http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/5592709.page

I really hope it's true, 'cause all of that sounds wonderful

This same thing was in thesimsmedieval.com so I would presume it is valid.

Thank-you...very interesting, indeed. I look forward to the new patch.

Yes, it's true - I posted about it yesterday.

http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=440429

The info came directly from a live chat with the lead game designer.

Thanks, did not see your post before.

That's really great. I'm glad the developers are taking such an active part in keeping the game running smoothly and even improving it.

Definitely look forward to this. Maybe the game will feel a little more finished.

I like the idea of bonuses beyond level 10, and especially carry over abilities to new kingdoms. Will actually be a reason to bring over someone from a previous kingdom other then free levels.

I like the sound of the improvements but I can't help but feel like the game should have shipped this way. It's like we are still beta testing what should have been a finished product. I sure hope the blue eye bug is fixed, too.

All that stuff is great, but I need a fix for the borked pregnancy. Heirs do me no good if I can't actually produce them. ):

This is good news indeed and maybe I'll get TSM.

I'm glad for the improvements but I'm still hoping for an EP and maybe an additional kingdom.

I'm really looking forward to this. Though now I need to make a kingdom with some crazy evil wizard, finish it, and then transport her to another kingdom to be a Sorceress Queen...hm...Sounds fun and like it will take way too much of my time