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vivianhagedorn's avatar
vivianhagedorn
2 years ago

Sims 3 64 Bit Won't Run on my Mac

Hello - 

Ever since Mac updated to the 64-bit version of the Sims 3 it won't work on my computer. I can launch the Sims 3 and sometimes I can even finish create-a-sim and start playing. However, it typically starts crashing on the loading screen or shortly after entering create-a-sim. The game itself doesn't quit, but it becomes unplayable because the graphics glitch and the game stops responding. This has been happening ever since I downloaded the 64-bit version. I'm playing on a 2017 MacBook Pro w/macOS Ventura 13.6.1. I play Sims through Origin and have all of the Sims 3 expansion backs. 

If anyone knows how to fix this I'd greatly appreciate it! I've seen many other users having issues with the 64-bit version; however, I've never seen someone with this exact problem.

Thanks,

Vivian 

Note: When the screen glitches it doesn't freeze, instead it flashes like a strobe light. 

mac
technical issues

5 Replies

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @vivianhagedorn  Does this happen if you play in windowed mode?  You can switch at the Main Menu, or you can edit Options.ini, in Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3, to set fullscreen to 0 (zero).

    Also, what OS was this computer running before it updated?  Do you use a cleaner app like CleanMyMac?  And please list the full specs of this system: everything under About This Mac except for the serial number.

  • vivianhagedorn's avatar
    vivianhagedorn
    2 years ago

    Hi! Yes, it still happens when I play in windowed mode. I'm not exactly sure what OS my computer was using before updating, but I believe the problem began once I updated to macOS "Big Sur." Again, this problem started a couple of years ago ever since the 64-bit version of the game came out--it's never worked for me. I've used CleanMyMac in the past, but I don't use it currently. My computer is a 2017 MacBook Pro currently updated to macOS Ventura 13.6.1. Processor is 2.3 GHz Dual-Core. Thanks! 

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    2 years ago

    @vivianhagedorn  Just to make sure, has this Mac's operating system been updated since CleanMyMac was last installed on it?  I ask because I've seen several cases of the app corrupting the OS in some way that prevents Sims 4 from running properly, to the point where people have had to reinstall the OS.  I haven't seen any cases with Sims 3, as far as I know, but 64-bit Sims 3 uses many of the same resources as Sims 4, so it's possible the same problem would happen.  But if you've installed the current OS without CleanMyMac present, this is not a concern.

    My next question is, have you tried to play any other games on this Mac, and if so, which ones, and how did they run?  Sims 4 is free if you want to try it.  I'm wondering whether the problem is Sims 3 itself or more global.

  • vivianhagedorn's avatar
    vivianhagedorn
    2 years ago

    Hi! I've had CleanMyMac two different times as a free trial for about a week each time. I'm sure my Mac has been updated since the first time, I'm unsure about the second since it was more recent. Sims 4 won't open on my computer so it could be that CleanMyMac is the cause of that. However, I don't play Sims 4 so I'm not interested in fixing that and this issue with Sims 3 happened prior to my using CleanMyMac. That being said, if you think it might help Sims 3 work, I'd be happy to try reinstall the OS. Besides the Sims, I don't play any other games on this Mac. Thanks! 

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