@AlicaHector Once you install this game the installation has to be activated through Origin. You have to activate the installation with Origin - that is the DRM. Patches come from EA servers and you can not select which patches to get for this game. I'm guessing Sims 4 patches only patch what you haven't yet patched to. If you just installed the game the patcher will install all patches to bring the game up to date. Patches may modify other files more then just user files and install registry entries. You will probably do more harm then good if you try to manually patch this game. User files are one thing but there are core game files also. You can not manually install this game. Like most of today's games files are installed in many locations and there are operating system files and there are registry entries that are required for the game to run. Patching the core game files most likely effects the game code execution. The recent patch updated php language runtime module and this may (probably) will affect mods. Eventually you will have to update your mods. The longer you wait the harder it will be. Recently I have seen computer hardware (mostly high end video cards for bit coin miners) have been over priced which has caused most hardware to artificially high then normal. This should only last until manufacturers are able to produce enough computer parts to fill demand. The Sims 4 is not that demanding of a game and I have seen some decent used gaming machines from users that have upgraded going for cheap. I'm also guessing that if you install through the digital download from Origin the game may (probably) automatically patch. Copying user files are one thing but copying core game files is another issue all together.
hth
@roberta591 but doesn't the folder 'thesims4' in electronic arts in documents, on my old computer, contain saves of the patch from my old game still? does my old 'save' game itself contain it?
I have the store bought disk itself of sims 4 and the GTW ep disk too, that i used to install my game on old pc, could i install it without going online with game and just move my old save files into the game and would it work like that, and would my old patches be there on my save? i want to transfer one pc game and saves to the new pc.
and if i still have to activate game even then, could i set it not to update game before it does it?
@tsukuri_8 The saves do not save the patch itself. The save file contains data about the status of the game at the time of the save. The game still needs to be activated to run and this is done by entering the game code in Origin. Installing from disk will not install any patches and again the game probably won't run properly (if at all) until the game is activated. There is no DRM software (SecuROM or SafeDisc) in this game. The DRM is Origin that is a Valve Steam like system. The game case states an internet connection is required for product activation. Activation requires an Origin account. Activation is probably accomplished by a registry entry (or entries). The game patches prior to an expansion pack being released. Exactly what the patch does only EA knows but my guess is that the patch is preparing the game core files to accept the new software. When you purchase this (and other software) game you do not own it. What you are paying for is a license to use the software. Licensing of software is not new. The way EA controls this license is by your Origin account. My guess is once activated the game will check with Origin periodically that the license is still valid (this is a guess).
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