Sims 3 Base Game is incompatible with Sims Generations!

I don't really know about the launcher constantly disappearing, but you can update your game (which it looks like you need to) using the manual patch. 

You can find your game version by hovering over the base game icon with the mouse. Let me know what it is, it should be 1.48 as far as I'm aware, because you're on a MAC.

See here: http://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/FAQ-Current-Patch-1-50-Manual-links-and-more/td-p/67858

You'll note that (to quote) "Mac Patch 1.50 is NOT out yet". Read that part carefully

Welcome to the Answer HQ!

Edit: I found this, apparantly it helps find your game version on a MAC: http://bluebellflora.com/ts3-on-a-mac/checking-which-patch-version-youre-running

Thanks for your help, however I am still not sure what i have to do to get it working.

The hovering thing you mentioned doesnt seem to work but i clicked on the link for checking which patch version you're running and it gave me the number I mentioned in the above message.

What should I do now?

I have just tried re-installing all my expansion and stuff packs again and this has just come up when I tried to install sims 3 high end loft stuff pack

the sims 3 version installed is more recent than expected. the sims 3 high end loft stuff could be incompatible. make sure you get all updates before playing.

what does this even mean!! someone please help me

You'll need to update your game but I'm not quite sure as you're on a MAC. Give me a sec - I want to see if I can find the link to the old 1.48 patch which would work for you.

Alrighty. I'm rather nervous about this, so I do advise waiting for someone else. Here is the link to the super patch which would take you to patch 1.48: http://simsvip.com/2013/01/22/sims-3-game-update-1-48-12213/

The reason why I'm nervous is because it doesn't specifically mention anything about macs. 

It's really your choice - sorry. I'll see if I can find someone else to help you

Hope everthing works out and sorry

what would it do if it was wrong??

Also sounds like such a stupid question but when I download it where do i put the downloaded item?? and how will i know if its worked or not?

also which one would i download super patch or the other one?

The super patch definitely. I don't know what would happen, that's why I'm worried, nothing would happen to your mac though maybe just the game. If you want to take the risk, make sure you make a backup copy of your Sims 3 file.

Once you download it (if you do), it'll pop up somewhere (for me it's called downloads and I tend to find it in the My Documents - keep in mind, I'm working on a PC here) you then just double - click and it installs. 

Please, if you do go ahead with it and something happens, don't blame me. I did warn you

im going to give it a go. dont have much to lose as its not working now anyway! thank you for your help and i will let you know if it works!

Just a quick question, if it downloads but then the download file is a document which wont open so i cannot install it, does this mean its not right for my computer or what? Its happenned quite a few times now since i have been trying to solve this problem!