Black Screen Since Updating to 1.63

Most of the time you don't have to re install the game. Here's a good how to reset game - reset user data Once you get the game to not see the user date folder it will get created the next time you start the game. This will tell you if the game is corrupt or you have problems in the user data.

Thanks so much for the reply Roberta591

I really don't want to sound daft but maybe my computer skills are much less than I originally thought... I'm afraid I have no idea how to even create a back up of my game. I'm really struggling to follow the instructions on the link you provided. For instance I don't know what an external drive is, nor can I find the Sims in my documents. I'm really sorry to be a pain... Is there any further help you can give me?

All you have to do is move the folder anywhere but where it is (you can even just rename it or change the extension). The desktop is good. Just make it so the game can't find it. You can do a copy and paste and then delete the original folder. You can move the folder. If you have a pc the user data should be located in the default location - click the start button, double click Electronic Arts and you should see a folder The Sims 3. That is the folder you need to move. "moving" the folder will give you a duplicate folder on your desktop and the next time you start the game the folder will be recreated in the default location with default values.

hth

Bad news I'm afraid - I did exactly as you said, and when I restart the launcher it does the exact same thing so I cannot even open it. I can get as far as opening the launcher, but I can't 'play' the game to then quit it as you have suggested. 

Bad news I'm afraid - I did exactly as you said, and when I restart the launcher it does the exact same thing so I cannot even open it. I can get as far as opening the launcher, but I can't 'play' the game to then quit it as you have suggested. 

Did you "move" or copy the user data folder? The game needs to see there is no user data to load and it will act like it is the first time you played the game and recrearte the folder. If this doesn't work I'm afraid you may have to re install the game as the procedure means the basic game is not working correctly. Use the operating system wizard to uninstall the game and packs. Use a program like ccleaner from Piriform (there is a free version). Clean the registry. reinstall the base game. start game and it will patch. close game. open game and a store patch should occur. run game to live mode. If game works install the next released to market game you own. open game, patch, run game to live mode. next pack. same thing as the first pack.

I copied the file as there is no option to move it. 

What does the following mean and why do I have to install it?

"If game works install the next released to market game you own"