Sims 4 won’t open even after successful patch update

Yesterday, I installed the patch update on my MacBook M1 2020. At first, the update wouldn’t load, which seems to be an ongoing problem. From another EA thread, someone provided a solution involving turning account authentication off. I followed those instructions, installed the update, played the game (even with mods). 

today, I open the game. It crashes. I look on the help forums—someone said to repair the game. I did that. I also cleared my origin cache. I backed up my mods folder just as I do for every update. The game launched fine. I exit, put my mods folder back, and get this error message when I try to launch the game. I assumed it must be an issue with a mod, so I start with the 50/50 method. I soon realize that it’s not an issue with one particular mod. Even if there’s one piece of custom content, the game gives me this error message. 

I understand EA can’t monitor the mods. But it doesn’t seem to be a mod issue. Ive been through many horrendous patch updates with this game, but I’ve never gotten this error. 

im very upset because my updated game was working fine until I repaired it via origin and cleared the cache. Now it will not launch with my mods folder in. I’ve uninstalled and reinstalled origin, uninstalled and reinstalled the sims, nothing works. 

I understand the first response from the EA help team will be “play without mods.” But the mods I have are from EA GameChangers. If it were the fault of the modders, perhaps EA shouldn’t sponsor them. But, i know it’s not the fault of the modders.  These mods are working for other users after the update. Frankly, the game is simply not enjoyable to play without mods. And I reiterate, it’s not an issue with the mods themselves. I am thorough to make sure all my mods are updated for the patch and i remove the ones that aren’t. If the mods themselves were broken, PC users and lucky Mac users would be having the same issue. 

to put it simply, repairing the game actually broke the game. Telling someone who has paid for every single EP, GP, SP, Kit to just “play without any mods” Yes, I had the choice to spend this money. I’m embarrassed that I have made this choice. But I wouldnt continue purchasing The Sims 4 packs if I couldn’t play them without the use of mods. 

Because this problem is so new, I haven’t found many recent threads about this error message for this patch. From what I have read from months ago is that this error message means all my games are corrupted now. All because I tried to FOLLOW THIS FORUM’S ADVICE, and repair my game. I can’t underscore the irony. This is very upsetting, and I will be pestering EA until it’s solved OR until they refund me for every single penny I’ve spent on The Sims 4 since its launch.  They can keep the hundreds I spent on TS1-TS3 because I’m generous. 

I apologize for the bad quality screenshot. I had to take a picture of it with my phone since I had to rush to work. Please, please tell me there’s a solution or fix. If my saves are corrupted, fine. I’ll be heartbroken bc of the months I put into them, but it’s not the end of the world. However, I dont have multiple hours to troubleshoot this game. I already spent 4 hours. This game is a treasured pastime for me—people have jobs and look for escapism. Not more frustration. If I have to start new saves, I will live. But please, please tell me how to fix this issue.