@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.
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.
