@_mevan51_ Please list any packs you've installed, and any packs you would like to install but haven't.
Edit: This workaround is currently not working. It has been flagged, and EA is looking into it. This thread will be updated as soon as there is any news.
@_mevan51_ Start by running the Super Patch (digital download version). The launcher doesn't always do a thorough job patching, and if it tries to patch again later, it will undo the workaround for this problem.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-manual-super-patch-for-mac-1-67/
Once the Super Patch as run, right-click (or hold the control key and click) on the green Sims 3 icon in Applications\The Sims 3 and select Show Package Contents. From there, follow this path:
Contents\Resources\transgaming\c_drive\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\Packs\TS3
Right-click on the paul.dll file inside the TS3 folder and select Move to Trash. Then go back one level, to the Packs folder, and open TS3EP03. Right-click on the paul.dll file inside this folder and select Copy, then go back to the TS3 folder, right-click inside and select Paste. (All this right-clicking is necessary because Macs are particular about how you move files from within Applications.)
Now your game should get past the connection error. Let me know if it doesn't.
@puzzlezaddictOkay, so I did everything that you said. The launcher loads up and when I press play, the Sims 3 logo pops up as usual and then it asks me for my game key because I got the key version of the game and then I enter it in and then it starts to load and then it says "Exception raised Unhandled exception 0x80000004 at address 0x00000000. Do you wish to debug it ?" What should I do? Also whenever I press play on the Origin launcher it opens up 2 Sims 3 games
@_mevan51_ You don't need to play through Origin; just launch Sims 3 by double-clicking on the plumbob icon in Applications\The Sims 3. Seeing two green plumbobs in your dock when you open the game is normal, and one of them should go away right before the screen goes black and the introduction starts.
For the unhandled exception error, it could be a memory issue. Try launching TS3 immediately after restarting your computer, with nothing else running (not even Origin). If that alone doesn't help, try bypassing the launcher.
https://bluebellflora.com/sims-3-how-to-bypass-the-launcher-on-a-mac/
@bnqntm Did you run the digital download version of the Super Patch, or one of the regional disc ones? If you're not sure, you can run it again, and then reapply the license server fix. If you own any packs, it might help to install them, although four of them (Ambitions, Late Night, Fast Lane, and Outdoor Living) require a different workaround.
Let me know if none of this applies, and I'll get back to you when I can find the right EA person to respond—a lot of them aren't around right now for the holidays.
Sadly I am getting the same error after following these steps ☹️
I only have the base game and a macbook air from 2015
@dimitrom Did you specifically copy the paul.dll file from the EP03 (Late Night) folder into the base game folder? Did you happen to run the Super Patch afterwards, or let the launcher update the game? Either one would undo the change you made. If you did, or you're not sure, run the Super Patch again (to make sure all original files are in their proper place), and then copy over the paul.dll file again.
