Edit: Since we now have two threads about this patch, one originally on this forum and one migrated from Answers HQ, I wanted one to convert to a general discussion thread and one to cover technical issues. So this is now the tech-oriented thread. EA released a very minor patch for Sims 3 today, only for the EA App version and Windows. The new version number is 1.69.47.024017. This patch fixes the Alder Lake issue, where the game wouldn't start correctly on certain newer, higher-end Intel processors. It makes no other changes. If you get the activation window, simply click Exit and launch the game again. It should work this time around.

@SimMinnie79 The update fixed an issue that was only present on the PC version, so Mac will not get the update.

@puzzlezaddict After clicking exit I tried starting up again (I use LD's launcher). The startup was taking forever then I got a message that said I'm using modifications that may not be comatible with the version of Sims I'm using and continuing to play may cause crashes. I checked a reddit thread and someone said with this new update you have to now play without mods until all the mod creators update their mods! I have DOZENS of mods and some modders are no longer active! Do you know anything about this?

@puzzlezaddict So I did try to launch the game after every step. It would not work until the last step, reinstalling and getting rid of duplicate Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable programs. I'm not sure if that means it was just that, or if everything else needed to be done lol.

I tried messing with DirectX and thought maybe the issue was with TinyUIFix but nothing I tried worked; eventually I found the solution on my own.I simply typed in my username, pressed tab, typed in my password, and hit enter.Basically logging in even though the window wasn't big enough to see it. After I logged in the first time, it did not ask me to again on subsequent launches.

Ok, thanks for letting me know. I guess they're going to ignore the issues we have on mac that makes the game barely playable.

Sims 3 patch, Jan 13, 2025: technical issues thread

51 Replies

SimMinnie79
25 days ago
Thanks for this info. I just restarted my game hoping to get an update, but there is no update available, just the play button.
I'm playing on mac with the EA app. Do I need to do anything to get the update?
(And to think I was so excited about this for a few minutes.)
mate54
Hero+
25 days ago
@SimMinnie79 The update fixed an issue that was only present on the PC version, so Mac will not get the update.
SimMinnie79
25 days ago
Ok, thanks for letting me know.
I guess they're going to ignore the issues we have on mac that makes the game barely playable.
acartergirl3
25 days ago
@puzzlezaddict After clicking exit I tried starting up again (I use LD's launcher). The startup was taking forever then I got a message that said I'm using modifications that may not be comatible with the version of Sims I'm using and continuing to play may cause crashes. I checked a reddit thread and someone said with this new update you have to now play without mods until all the mod creators update their mods! I have DOZENS of mods and some modders are no longer active! Do you know anything about this?
fantuanss
New Veteran
25 days ago
@acartergirl3 Only core mods is affected. (Common mods like nraas error trap). You have to wait for an update from the mods team. Other mods shouldn't need update because no gameplay aspect is changed.
acartergirl3
25 days ago
Thanks. Still a bummer though, who knows when that will be, tho? Not even sure Nraas is still updating or if it will take several weeks or something.
fantuanss
New Veteran
25 days ago
@acartergirl3 nraas team is still active on updating their mods, so it may take some time.
jmhtogether31
25 days ago
Anyone know if we still need the Alder Lake patch or any other game modifications to play the game? I'm currently moving my Sims 3 things from Steam to EA so I get the patch update. I have both NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX and Intel Core i7 on my Windows 11 PC. crossing my fingers that it'll run without mods.
Lebe17
25 days ago
im assuming this doesn't include mac/IOS then?
Lebe17
25 days ago
literally, its not playable at all it crashes so much to the point why even make it available on mac?!