why isn't the sims 3 included in steam sales?

Sims 3 hasn't been on sale since Sims 4 was released on Steam. Maybe it's an internal Steam decision, just to try to direct traffic and money to the newer, more profitable game. But part of me wonders whether the deal with EA included a lockout period where Steam couldn't offer Sims 3 on sale. It does seem like the kind of thing EA would do.

Weird. I got most of the packs on sale through Steam (except for Ambitions, which was not on sale at the time) for $5 each summer last year.

I can see why--TS3 packs have more substance compared to TS4 packs.

I'm rather disappointed myself...as I was hoping to catch a good deal on EPs, just in case I have to revert to 1.67. However, I'm at the point where I'm going, "Heck with it, Sims 3 is one game that I'll actually pay full price on...if I have to."

Unlike that other one that they're trying to flog right now which I'm not dropping a single dime on.

Don't want to cannibalize it's younger sibling.

That's a bummer. I got all my packs on Steam sales. They rotate what games are on sale, though, so hopefully next time for you.

Its EA decision as prices are set by Developer or Publisher and not by Steam. Even Amazon stoped selling digital copies and only offering limited number of retail copies they have. As i looked at some selling portal that offering cheap keys the prices of Sims 3 franchise doubled due limited retail copies available.

That sucks, plenty of other games for sale on steam though.

I'm still waiting for a Sims 3 EP sale too! I've seen keys on sale on eBay and also used copies of physical EP on eBay from Goodwill but not sure if those would be actually working prod codes since I play on Origin.

I don't think Origin had any sale for TS3 either. I guess they just want to push TS4 sales more.