Here's what I mean:I currently have The Sims 3 base game and the Night Life EP which I bought and downloaded from the Origin store. My question is: if I buy a different expansion pack (e.g. Island Paradise) from a different store or retailer (e.g., Steam, Amazon or from a retail disc), will they work together?And if I do buy an EP from Steam (for example), will I need to have both Steam and Origin open in order to play all of my Sims games? If I buy a retail disc, will I need to have the disc in my tray in order to play it?Basically, I'm asking if I buy the base game from one store, am I locked into buying the EPs and SPs from that same store in order for them to be compatible.Thank you.

Guys I just bought the entire Sims Pack on steam with all the DLC available on Steam, Right click on the game in libreary and click "View Support Information" Redeem all keys on in origin. Now you will have anything from Steam on origin and it will run fine 🙂I am not sure whether you having a non-steam retail version means you may only launch from origin but even so you will still be able to play all DLC from steam when launching from Origin 🙂I can currently launch from Steam or Origin with all DLC.

Yes. Only thing you can't bring into the mix is the Steam version. Also beware this issue: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3-Into-the-Future/IMPORTANT-DLC-Compatibility-Alert/m-p/1694095

I think it has already been answerd here for me, but i will use my example to help me make sure i understand.Basically we have the Sims 3 Base Game which was from Retail, when i installed it it went into my origin games list. I now want to get expansion packs, and they are cheaper at my retail store than the origin store. So if i buy it from retail and install it will it work?

steam will not work with origin or disks if you buy the disk from amazon wal mart target asda doesn't matter where you buy those from you can install and play from the disk if you buy island paradise as a digital download from origin it will then show up in your my games tab to download and play if you buy the disk version from origin it will be shipped to your address

So if I understand correctly, you're saying that my Origin version of the game will only work with expansion packs purchased through Origin?

Can I install expansion packs for The Sims 3 if they're from different sources?

12 Replies

rumbutter
Hero (Retired)
12 years ago
steam will not work with origin or disks if you buy the disk from amazon wal mart target asda doesn't matter where you buy those from you can install and play from the disk if you buy island paradise as a digital download from origin it will then show up in your my games tab to download and play if you buy the disk version from origin it will be shipped to your address
Anonymous
12 years ago
So if I understand correctly, you're saying that my Origin version of the game will only work with expansion packs purchased through Origin?
rumbutter
Hero (Retired)
12 years ago
you can use your origin and expansion packs disk version bought in stores or disk version from amazon or digital download, just orign or disks will not work with steam
Anonymous
12 years ago
I think it has already been answerd here for me, but i will use my example to help me make sure i understand.
Basically we have the Sims 3 Base Game which was from Retail, when i installed it it went into my origin games list. I now want to get expansion packs, and they are cheaper at my retail store than the origin store. So if i buy it from retail and install it will it work?
crinrict
Hero+
12 years ago
Yes.

Only thing you can't bring into the mix is the Steam version.

Also beware this issue: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3-Into-the-Future/IMPORTANT-DLC-Compatibility-Alert/m-p/1694095
Anonymous
12 years ago
Guys I just bought the entire Sims Pack on steam with all the DLC available on Steam, Right click on the game in libreary and click "View Support Information" Redeem all keys on in origin. Now you will have anything from Steam on origin and it will run fine 🙂
I am not sure whether you having a non-steam retail version means you may only launch from origin but even so you will still be able to play all DLC from steam when launching from Origin 🙂
I can currently launch from Steam or Origin with all DLC.
Anonymous
11 years ago
I'm having a different problem - I bought and downloaded Sims 3 from Steam, and I have the physical copies of the Expansion Packs on disks. Everytime I put in the disk and try to install, it says that I have to have the Sims 3 game installed, which I do. What am I doing wrong?
rumbutter
Hero (Retired)
11 years ago
@shelbyroo199 wrote:

I'm having a different problem - I bought and downloaded Sims 3 from Steam, and I have the physical copies of the Expansion Packs on disks. Everytime I put in the disk and try to install, it says that I have to have the Sims 3 game installed, which I do. What am I doing wrong?

steam versions only work with steam steam does not work with origin or disks origin and disks work together you can do it the other way around get the key from steam and download from origin instead then you can use your disks with it

http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-Steam-VS-Origin-VS-Discs/td-p/3135440
Sebastian053004
10 years ago
um. it still dosent work for me
Arkidie
8 years ago
then how can anyone fix that problem? I got my disk version as a Christmas present from a friend. I already had the pets, seasons, and generations downloaded from steam, but obviously, I can't just install the expansion pack from the disk when I downloaded the sims 3 from steam. I don't want to waste my friends' money, so how can I possibly make everything work?