Re: the sims 3 (64-bit & metal) release
Edit: The release date has been confirmed as October 28; please see this post for more information:
https://answers.ea.com/t5/Technical-Issues-Mac/the-sims-3-64-bit-amp-metal-release/m-p/9646388#M8594
Hi Simmers!
Let's start with: Have you backed up your TS3 saves? 'Cause that's NEVER a bad idea.
You can see by scrolling back that there's been some excitement and developments over the last few days.
tl;dr:
- Many of you are seeing a new TS3 and associated DLC show up in your Origin client yet there's nothing to download. This is expected! Sort of. More detail below.
- Traditionally updating a publishing catalog is among the last steps you take in the process of publishing software (or any other content). More below.
- A FAQ has been posted (thanks @EA_Leeloo) that hopefully addresses many of the questions you've had about this release. It includes the minimum system requirements.
- Really, this release is targeted at macOS. There is not a secret Windows update hidden in it. We have nothing to announce about a Windows roadmap.
A more in-depth version:
Wow! So much excitement about that Origin catalog update! YOUR excitement is making all of us really giddy too! I can't wait to get this update out to you macOS players so that you can have that awesome The Sims 3 experience on your up-to-date modern hardware running Catalina! But also - Ooops! Sorry for the confusion that the update in Origin has created. That wasn't our intent. It's as though you've sneaked downstairs on late on Dec 22 and seen us setting up the Festivus pole - "Ha ha. Surprise?" Still, that doesn't make the magic any less special; just less magical. What you're all seeing is the process of granting an Origin entitlement for this The Sims 3 release (and the packs and DLC) to all The Sims 3 owners. It's a process that is happening over many days (hence some of you seeing some packs but missing others, only to have the others appear a day or two later).
Why is this happening now? Why not six months ago, or next week, or some other time? Because updating catalog/publishing databases is one of the final stages in releasing things! It's what happens when you finally know how many parts there are, how big they are, when they will be available, etc. It wouldn't do anyone any good to update a catalog database months before the update is needed (what if everything changes?), and you don't want to leave it to the last possible minute either (What if something goes wrong and you need time to fix it?). So generally this step happens shortly before a release and, through the magic of not accidentally doing it in a way that your players can see, it's an invisible process. This time that under-the-hood stuff isn't invisible. Sorry about that. Sure is exciting though!
We've published a FAQ for this The Sims 3 update a little early to help answer questions you might have about what's coming up. I'm positive we overlooked something obvious (see above for some general discussion of changing time frames). Feel free to ask questions here and, if I can, I'll answer them for you. There's two questions I can't, and won't, answer.
The first question I can't answer is "but WHEN can I download it?" Please know that we're getting it out as fast as we can and that the Origin changes you're seeing are indicative that we're pretty close. Stay vigilant. I also know a lot of you are wondering if this release will also include a 64-bit update for Windows players. No, it won't. And that's the other question I can't and won't answer: "When, or will, there be a Windows 64-bit update?" We can't comment on rumors and speculation nor can we comment on unannounced roadmaps that may or may not exist. If there was more I could tell you about this - I would.
Thanks for your patience everyone! We're almost there. Stay safe!