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casserole5862's avatar
casserole5862
Seasoned Newcomer
1 day ago

Sims 3 physical disc codes “redeemed” but EA help can’t help me?

So, my two sisters and I used to share the copies of the Sims 3 physical discs we had. I’ve had the urge to go back and play them due to bugs with Sims 4 that are getting annoying. 

Finally dig them out of the old office at my mum’s place and take the set I have back with me. Go to enter the codes - they’re redeemed. I did figure this might happen because one of my sisters or I would’ve put them on the old Sims 3 website. 

So, I do what every google search says to do - contact EA Help. And I do… and it’s the opposite of helpful. I explain I have the physical disc copies with me right now, with the original packaging, pamphlets and even ERGC files from the old laptop they were installed on. The fact they were gifted to my sisters and I by my parents, and I have an inkling which email they’re assigned to but it’s non-recoverable according to Microsoft.

I get told I have to contact the retailers for proof of purchase… I was under 18 when they were bought by my parents, from different retailers. 

What else can I do, short of buying an external disc drive and HOPING they’ll run on a new PC build? 

Considering the original price tags are on the disc covers showing $40AUD and they currently still sell the games electronically for $30AUD… repurchasing seems pretty rough too. 

any solutions or thoughts?

pc
technical issues

3 Replies

  • puzzlezaddict's avatar
    puzzlezaddict
    Hero+
    17 hours ago

    casserole5862​  You can try to recover the original account.  That doesn't necessarily mean recovering the email it was attached to, although if you could make another one with exactly the same name, that would get around the problem.  The point is to prove to EA customer support that you own this particular EA account.  Photos showing the discs, cases, and other packaging, with product codes clearly readable, can help here, although you'll likely need to provide other proof as well.

    Account recovery is a distinct process, which is probably why you weren't offered the chance to try when you contacted support the first time around.

    Sims 3 discs do still work, but not with all external disc drives.  So I'd suggest borrowing one from a friend or family member and testing it, rather than buying a new drive.  If it works, get the same model for yourself, or just buy it off whoever loaned it to you.

    If you do end up needing to buy the game again, wait for a sale, during which all Sims 3 content other than SimPoints is typically 50-60% off the sticker price.  It's not ideal but a lot better than paying full price.

  • casserole5862's avatar
    casserole5862
    Seasoned Newcomer
    15 hours ago

    I see, I was wondering why nothing about the account recovery process was mentioned. 

    Steam as the expansion pack bundle on sale, so I bought it and lo and behold… it doesn’t run on my pc! My specs shouldn’t be a problem, and I tried all the usual fixes. No dice. 

    Steam is great and immediately refunded it, which I’m thankful for. But this was why I wanted to use the games I already owned. 

    Maybe I’ll try and ask about account recovery again at a later point. 

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