Am I crazy?

Will it be easy to get all my extra purchases (expansions, sim store etc) back??
How are the system requirements for TS3 compared to 4? (Will my computer run it well if it handles TS4)

It's not overly busy here, but busy enough. There are always some people around.
While not everyone here tried TS4, most have. Some play it regularly or both games (or even TS2), others just TS3. Given TS4 has been given away for free a few times, most people have at least looked at it.
How easy it will be to get your old stuff back is anyone's guess. The experiences differ wildly.
I think TS4 may need a 64-bit system, but it doesn't use as many resources, at least as long as you don't load all DLC. So the answer is: depends very much on your system.

I am a fairly recent returnee to TS3. When I picked up the game again, back at the end of September (or was it October?) I hadn't touched it since mid 2012. However, I had a hankering to play one of my favourite families again and recreating them in TS4 just didn't cut it. I am a Mac player but I did play on my Win laptop while waiting for the new Mac version of TS3 to be released.

Technically you will probably have to do a bit of reading about your video card and how to get the game to recognise it. I had to do that on the laptop. It's not hard to do so don't be put off. There's a lot of information and expert help on this site and people with knowledge who can help you if you need it.

I had no problem downloading my store bought items. I downloaded them on both the laptop and my Mac.

I am loving TS3 again. It may take longer to load and save and it is not always as slick and smooth as TS4 but it has a lot of depth to the gameplay and the sims themselves are so interesting. It is not just the different art style; the sims' personalities and the forces that drive them are so different and can be challenging. It is easy to have a bunch of happy, friendly sims in TS4. My TS3 sims are a lot more grumpy and quirky but a heap of fun.

So, my advice, is to go for it.

I played Sims 3 for almost a decade, and Sims 4 for the last 2 years. I still play both games but I prefer Sims 3 as I'm getting lot more enjoyment out of it than Ts4.

"NRowe;c-17741001" wrote:
How are the system requirements for TS3 compared to 4? (Will my computer run it well if it handles TS4)

Can we get some quick specs on your system? Processor, RAM, graphics card, hard drive size and space free? :)

"Figwit;c-17741022" wrote:
I am a fairly recent returnee to TS3.

Hi, @Figwit :)

"NRowe;d-984556" wrote:
Thinking about returning to TS3 after all these years.
I have played since before TS1 had any expansions. When each new iteration came out, I swapped over pretty promptly and never looked back. Until now.

I’m curious. How active is this forum and how many people have played TS4??

Not crazy at all :) i play 4 and sometimes 3.

I've been playing Sims 3 since July 2013. I played Sims 4 for about 4 months when it first came out. That was enough for me. I also played Sims 2 for a few months when they gave it away for free. I liked it better than Sims 4, but not as well as Sims 3.

Thanks for the encouragement. Just what I needed.
This morning I downloaded Sims3 via Origin. Even made a test Sim and mucked about a bit.
I had forgotten just how much content I owned. Or how full the neighbourhoods (worlds in TS3 I guess) seem.

There are still some things to navigate, like getting the graphics right (edge smoothing was off for example...) and finding the best way to download my Store purchases. But I am looking forward to giving TS3 another try.

"Figwit;c-17741022" wrote:


I am loving TS3 again. It may take longer to load and save and it is not always as slick and smooth as TS4 but it has a lot of depth to the gameplay and the sims themselves are so interesting. It is not just the different art style; the sims' personalities and the forces that drive them are so different and can be challenging. It is easy to have a bunch of happy, friendly sims in TS4. My TS3 sims are a lot more grumpy and quirky but a heap of fun.

This is exactly what I am hoping for.