I Don't Have The EA App But I Have Its Problems

@mw1525  Does this also happen in a clean user folder?  I ask because my Steam install is thus far unaffected by any changes to the Store that came with the EA App.  The only issue I run into is when I forget to unblock the game from writing to the FeaturedItems folder, which causes the installer to hang and corrupts most of my already-installed Store content.

@mw1525My guess is your problem has to do with DRM and a couple of side issues. As I'm guessing I will not go into detail. Version 1.69 of the Sims 3 game runs under Windows 11. The problem here is your not running the game as prescribed by the publisher. You do not own this software. What you paid for is a license to use the software. Please read the EULA. The DRM has changed since this games release. I'm not going to bore you with the history. With a new version on the horizon this may have something to do with recent changes (one of my guesses). There have been several store patches that may solve your issue. The EA app installs the game differently then Origin. What worked under Origin may (or may not) work under the EA app. If this is a DRM issue then I don't think EA support is going to be much help. They probably don't know and even if they did they probably won't tell you. I once had a conversation with Will Wright about the DRM used in SimCity. Long time ago I belonged to a computer user group. If there was new software you can bet that before the end of the meeting everyone had a copy of it. The basic reason I don't run the game the way you do is that the disc version installs SecuROM which is a rootkit. It's not easy to get rid of and it is not longer supported by Microsoft or Apple. I now have the game installedthe way EA wants users to run the game and it works. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Good luck with your issue.

@mw1525  I'm not sure what's going on here, but one question I have is whether your whole computer is offline when you try to install content, and if so, whether it helps to be online.  And just to clarify, do you even have Origin or the EA App installed on this computer, or not?  You shouldn't need to; I'd just like to know in case there turns out to be a pattern with other users.

@roberta591 - I feel you may be correct on two points:

1- This is a DRM issue and,
2- I am not playing the game in the way EA currently wants me to play (through their app).

However, as far as I know this game has not been listed as 'retired' on their official site. Nor have I seen or heard any official mention that the disc version of the game (v167) is currently unsupported. Not once has EA made a statement to its disc players to re-install the game to digital because updates or fixes would ONLY be given to 'digital' version of the game. Until they officially announce this, I can only assume support for my version of the game is still supported. After all, their servers allowed me to download my content, it didn't stop me because I wasn't on patch v1.70.

@puzzlezaddict - Yes, I install content when not connected to the internet. I don't like things being slid onto my PC from EA when I am online.

No. I do not and never had either Origin or The EA app installed on my PC. This is why I do not understand the recoding of my launcher to not install my content not even from back-ups made nearly 10 years ago.

And just to add, I installed this game offline. I declined the download manager. I updated to v1.67 via the super-patch. All store content which is currently installed was installed from my back-up files and not from a fresh download. The Sims have been installed on this PC since mid-2021 with no issues....until now.

Hi @mw1525

I also have the original disc version of Sims 3 purchased as they were made available between 2009-2013. I made a backup of my store content back in 2016 and am able to install and use them without any issues. I did have some store content that had dates of 2010, that install just fine as well.

I installed my backed up store content into a new Sims 3 folder, about 20 at a time at most depending on what I was installing. World files I installed 1 or 2 a time.

If you haven't, try deleting browser data via Edge, specifically for Internet Explorer.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/view-and-delete-browser-history-in-microsoft-edge-00cf7943-a9e1-975a-a33d-ac10ce454ca4

You mentioned you've tried the usual troubleshooting steps, but didn't mention which ones you've tried other than installing into a new Sims 3 folder. This is why I am suggesting deleting browser data. The Sims 3 Launcher uses IE parts of IE to do it's thing.

If you would like, I can try to help you troubleshoot some more?

I also downloaded some store content recently, like within the last few days as part of my store content test. I took notes as I did my test:

– 2009-2013 - Original Disc based version updated  to 1.67 via the Superpatch.
– Reinstalled the game Summer 2021.
– No ties to Origin/EA App.
– Can download store content via the Sims 3 store website,. (https://store.thesims3.com/) into new Sims 3 folder, using Firefox.
– Needed to make sure to allow the store to open Sims3 links. It will open the launcher and start downloading the .Sims3Pack file(s).
– Files will show as brown boxes until they are fully downloaded. After downloaded they show their thumbnails.
– Cleared browser data including IE data after done downloading store files. Used Ccleaner before installing.
– Installed files while online. But logged out of the launcher/game.
– Files install and items show in the Installed Content tab.
– Ccmerged.package in DCBackup. Deleted the rest.
– Installed 8 files in total and have 1 dcdb0.ebc cache file and dcc.ent in my DCCache folder.
– Barnacle Bay and Hidden Springs show up in Installed Worlds and show on the New Game drop down list.
– Got a couple of venue lots in the Library folder. (Green House and Daycare Center) and show in-game community lots tab.
– Items show in Build/Buy mode.

List of Venues, Sets and Worlds -

Tiny Prodigies Early Learning Center (Venue) - TinyProdigiesEarlyLearningCenterSET.sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13570&productId=OFB-SIM3:61770

Stones Throw Greenhouse (Venue) - GreenhouseSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13570&productId=OFB-SIM3:58192

Brunch at the Old Mill (Set) - MillSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72837&categoryId=11488

Bohemian Garden (Set) - BohemianGardenSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?productId=OFB-SIM3:72093&categoryId=11488

Blast From the Past Compilation (Set) - BlastfromPast.SET.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=13763&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:56590

Ultra Lounge 2010 (Set) - UltraLoungeCompleteSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=12036&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:33702

Barnacle Bay (World) - BarnacleBayDDSet.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/barnacleBay.html?categoryId=12642&section=UpSell

Hidden Springs (World) - Hidden Springs.Sims3Pack
https://store.thesims3.com/hiddenSprings.html?categoryId=12642&section=UpSell

@172e3cda00349872- I am glad you are not affected with this issue as it is an unpleasant one. You wanted to know what other steps I took for troubleshooting. Prior to removing the entire folder, I tried the following:

1- Removed all mods (and tried)

2- Removed 3rd party custom content (hair, clothing & objects) which are installed as .package files and not .dbc files (+ the mods folder and tried again.)

3-Removed custom worlds (from both the library file and their associated .dbc file)

4- Removed just the DCCache folder (with both .dbc and .ebc files)

5 - Removed the DCCache folder + The DCBackup folder

6- Cleared the thumbnail folder (without DCCache or DCBackup and tried again)

7- Cleared the world Caches folder (and tried again)

8- Threw out the x5 cache packages (and tried again)

And, finally I moved the entire folder to let the game generate a new one. I then went online downloaded a toddler toilet to test. Turned off the internet, tried to install the potty chair. It didn't work. I used one of my back-up files to test. I still didn't work.

I don't think I could have done anything more. After none of my efforts worked, I tried to get 'official help' by opening a case. Yet, no matter how I explain this issue, the only advice they give is for me to uninstall and re-install the EA app to see if that fixes the issue.

**Forgot to add, my browser is set to clear everything and all histories on closing. Only things I specifically add are saved.

@puzzlezaddict- I forgot to mention every time I tried to install anything a 'dcdbt.ebc' file is generated. Any idea why?

@mw1525 @172e3cda00349872 

i also have the disc version of this game and I am reading the back of the jewel case. It says acceptance of the end user license agreement required to play. EA has not retired this game. EA can (and has) updated the EULA since this game was released. The disc version IS still supported. The EULA I just read (may not be the latest) makes a reference to the DRM and the use of Origin. I'm sure EA will get around to updating the language eventually. Until you patch to version 1.69 SecuROM is active. I would like to see this game run under Linux. I had the base game running but couldn't get the download to work. I doubt if EA will ever release a game without DRM. That was Steam's original objective. Noble as it was even Steam had to change. This is the distributor's forum and I'm sure an EA game consultant can help you getting the game running correctly.

@roberta591 - Because of the 2008 Class Action Ruling (concerning SPORE), EA never put secuROM on the 2009 base game discs or any other in the Sims 3 series. Instead, they opted to use the product key as the authentication protection tool.

EXCERPT:
Sims series executive producer Rod Humble has said that The Sims 3 will not use DRM (digital rights management). "To play the game there will not be any online authentication needed," Humble wrote on the Sims 3 website.

Source: https://www.eurogamer.net/the-sims-3-will-not-use-drm

Even if they had included it, on March 31, 2009 (months before TS3's release), Electronic Arts released a DRM Deactivation Tool to remove it. There are still many articles from various credible sources concerning the decision available to read online.

EA Download Manager/Origin/EA App are all (optional) digital services which are not required to run the game or use the launcher. Each one of these services applies only to people who use the digital version of the game. Documentation concerning these can be found in the EULA of both the (1st) 2009 'Base Game' (EA Download Manager) and The (last) 2013 'Into The Future' (Origin).

The introduction and purpose of Origin is still located on the The Sims 3 store. It states, "Origin is a newer and better integrated system, designed to support digital download, mobile devices, and the full range of EA games."
Source: https://www.thesims3.com/gettingstarted/aboutorigin

The EA App states its purpose on the current EA site. "For our Origin players, we’ve worked hard to make the transition to the EA app as simple as possible. We will be inviting you to make the move soon, and by the time you receive your invite, all your games and content, including games previously installed, will be ready and waiting for you on the EA app."
Source: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/ea-app

Since I am not a 'digital' player, these changes do not apply to my situation. My base game came 'before' the mandatory change to Origin credentials in 2012. Not accepting (not--not installing) Origin only meant I could no longer sign into the Sims 3.com. It had no changes to the game or launcher.

@mw1525Here's a quote for you - Ken Olsen (president of DEC) saying that he couldn’t see any need or any use for a computer in someone’s home. If the game was released with no DRM then why did we need a disc in the optical drive to play? I remember a lot of confusion because as you bought expansion packs you needed the latest released to market disc in the optical drive to play unless you get the digital download version.