Friday Highlights - April 11th
Sul sul my lovelies! After a long week, we’ve almost made it to the weekend, which means it’s time for another edition of Friday Highlights! Do you all have an exciting weekend planned? Have you been prepping for your annual visit from the Flower Bunny? Tell me everything you’ve been up to this week! But first, a quick recap on this week’s updates: Yesterday our two newest Creator Kits launched- Sleek Bathroom created by @syboulette and Sweet Allure by @aharris00britney, and I am still swooning over that bathroom 😍 Yesterday also brought us Patch 8 for The Sims Legacy Collection- for a full list of everything included with this patch, be sure to read up on the notes here! Celebrating Love Day, posted here, by HaneulFier Let's catch up on this week's highlights! To celebrate the two newest Creator Kits, our very own simgirl1010 hosted a giveaway for both the Sleek Bathroom and Sweet Allure kits - big congrats to the 4 winners, mariefoxprice83, Asatoria, gamegirl2168, and ilmonegure! Don’t forget to to check out our official screenshot thread here for these kits and show off your new builds and very fashionable new outfits 🛁👗 For this week’s build, we’re going retro with belalucina’s Sims 4 rendition of the classic 56 Ingleside Drive from The Sims: Unleashed. With exact furniture placement, a red tiled front garden, small ponds, and even the signature blue couch, this build is a perfect replica of the original (with slightly more stylish wallpaper). Be sure to check this thread out for remakes of all your favorite original Sims households! And for my very talented builders out there- who’s willing to take on rebuilding the classic Sims 4 houses in The Sims Legacy Collection? 🙃 Up next, we have a long-running gameplay story inspired by the Decades Challenge, The Whittaker Saga, written by JesLet40. This story began in the 1890’s, originally following founder Abigail Spencer as she finds love and builds a family of her own. 3 generations later, we’ve now progressed into the 1960’s, and this week’s update focuses on Barbara, Thomas and Betty as they deal with a bathtub stealing burglar and welcome in the newest arrival of generation 4 👶💖 If you’re interested in a historical and emotional story, be sure to check this one out as it moves closer to the 21st century! The Sims is a game full of all kinds of surprises, and mlnov39 wants to know about some of the most unexpected plot twists you’ve encountered in your gameplay. The first (and only) time I ever attempted a Legacy Challenge, my founding Sim had just met a partner to start their family with and had planned a quiet dinner date at home. With Frank and Beans being the obvious choice for a romantic dish, my Sim began cooking, and immediately caught the entire kitchen on fire and died on the spot. And before it had even begun, my Legacy Challenge was over ☠️ But tell us about some of the unplanned twists you’ve run into- have you had any Sims suddenly die and ruin a challenge like me? Or maybe your Sim met an unintended partner that changed their trajectory entirely? Be sure to share your favorite unforeseen story twists with us! And finally, AidenNite10 has created a Gallery Showdown for all you wonderful speed builders out there- this challenge is all about creating any type of build you can imagine from mansions, to starter homes, to venues and racing to see who can complete their lot first! So do you think you can build your way to the top of the scoreboard? Let’s see what you've got! 🏁🏗️ And that’s all for another wonderful week! As always, stay safe everyone, have a wonderful weekend, and happy Simming 💚 Till next time! -EA_SolaireEA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 3
Hello everyone, 👋 Welcome to Volume 3 of the EA Forums Online Security Newsletter!🎉 Number 3 is special in the cybersecurity field, so we can treat this edition as quite special. Why is the number 3 special, you ask? There are many different approaches in cybersecurity that address fundamental aspects. Make your own research and let us know your findings!🧐 Speaking of fundamentals, last month we covered the basics of online safety. It’s a reminder not to overlook the most crucial aspects of your online life! If you missed Volume 2 or need a refresher, the link is here. This month we’ll cover the interesting topics of biometrics, passkeys, and the passwordless approach to online safety. As always, by interacting with the newsletter through participating in the quiz or sharing your experiences in the comments, you’ll receive a unique forum badge! Stay safe! What is biometrics? Biometric authentication uses your biological traits—fingerprint, face, or voice—to verify your identity. OK, and passkeys? Passkeys are cryptographic keys stored on your device, removing the need for traditional passwords entirely. Why should I care? Both biometrics and passkeys provide a seamless and secure way to log in, eliminating weak passwords susceptible to cracking, phishing risks, and brute force attacks. What are other benefits of biometrics and passkeys? First, there is no need to type your password anymore, nor use additional TFA. Another significant benefit is hardened phishing resistance. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they can't steal your fingerprint. Additionally, biometric data can't be guessed or cracked through brute force attacks. Alright, but what if someone gets my device? Biometric data is encrypted and stored securely on your device, not in a central database. Even if a hacker accesses your device, they won’t be able to extract your biometric information. Does my device keep a record of my fingerprint? Your device keeps a biometric value of your fingerprint, face, or voice, which is then encrypted. Your device does not store your actual fingerprint or photo of your face (apart from your photo reel). FIDO Alliance - industry standards for passwordless authentication NIST - Biometric security Electronic Frontier Foundation - Digital privacy Online Security Newsletter - Feedback Form Online Security Newsletter - Challange Creation Interest form Online Security Newsletter - Volume 3 QuizFriday Highlights - April 4th
Sul sul simmers! The sun is bright, spring has arrived and Friday Highlights are back, what more can we ask? 🌞 Based from the very warm reactions to EA_Solaire's return of Friday Highlights last week, I can tell I'm not the only one who missed those! We hope everyone is accustomed to our shiny new forums by now and we can't wait to see everything you will share with us. ✨ A quick recap of this week's news: ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Have you seen the Pride Every Day Collection that dropped on April 2nd? Check the fabulous outfits and items and more information! We can't wait to see how you will incorporate these in your games! ⚙️ This week, there was another patch for The Sims Legacy Edition. Make sure you check out all the details here ! 🌲 There is one more week left to the Plumbob Green Challenge on Discord, make sure to participate if you'd like a chance to win a Plumbob pin! ❓ Finally, we have a poll of the utmost importance on Discord: Who is your favorite mascot? Don't forget to cast your vote and let us know here who is your preferred mascot (which should be Yamachan, obviously)! Let's celebrate Spring by visiting the community garden greenhouse! posted here, by ManicPot8to Now, let's move on to the highlights... Let's kick off those highlights with the mention of everybody's favourite angry old lady, Miss Crumplebottom 👵👜. It looks like drkangl7690 has been very patient so far, but everyone eventually hits their limits: she got turned into a vampire after another instance of public rude behaviour! 🧛♀️ And since she still wouldn't behave, she even got frozen by a freeze ray so she could be taught a lesson (and we got a really funny screenshot out of that, which I encourage you to see!). Has Miss Crumplebottom interacted with your sims before? Have you integrated her into your games? Apparently she can become sweet and teach your sims knitting, but she has never grown out of the grumpy phase in my games! 😅 If you are in a reading mood, texansky added a new chapter to the Fields of Gold story. Jade Fields has come a long way, from Bidgeport to an old lodge in Alryne Valley. Her hard work has paid off and she is settling well into the house that is slowly getting lest rusty and renovated. She has found a friend in Elijah the local cat and she has also found love with Shaun, and things are looking very well! 💍 If you want a nice cosy, slice of life story with a Spring vibe, then this story is made for you! We have the perfect place for your sims to enjoy the nice Spring weather with Cevans1962's Jackdaws house, located in San Sequoia. It's very luminous, it includes a spacious kitchen and living room, three bedrooms, a study and a gym. There is a cute patio for your family barbecues, a playground for children, and an adorable front garden that is beautifuly decorated 🌷 Everyone in the household will find what they need, so you should definitely take a look! If you are up for a challenge this week, have a look at what AidenNite10 is proposing: The Sims 4 Restaurant Build Challenge. 🍽️ The rules are simple and allow you to bring out your creativity as long as you don't use any mods or custom content. You don't even need any specific pack such as Dine Out, so I'm curious to see everyone's builds because I'm sure they are all going to look different from each other yet amazing! Finally, vickyloo shares some insight about the game: did you know that when your sim gets hurt, they will end up with a bandage that stays on until the injury is healed? 🤕That's a neat little detail that adds more realism! It's so subtle that you would barely notice it, but it's so rewarding when you do - especially when you've been playing for years! What are other things that you never knew and discovered after a long time? It's a known fact by now but I discovered pretty late and randomly that cats can sit on the roombas and have a little wander in the house. 😻 This is it for the week folks! I hope you and your sims have a nice weekend, and we'll see you very soon! Dag dag 👋 EA_Cath ✌️The Return of Friday Highlights
Sul sul everyone! Happy Friday! Now that we're finally at home on our new and improved forums, I thought it was time to bring back our favorite weekly tradition- The Friday Highlights 🌸 If you're new to these highlights, here's a quick rundown: each week we'll be recapping all the exciting updates and highlighting the top discussions, gameplay challenges, stories, builds and more all created by you! So make sure you stop by every Friday to join in on the fun 🙂 Now let's get started, shall we? So what happened this week? Plumbob Green is now an official custom color developed by Pantone, and to celebrate, a new shell challenge is available in the official Sims Discord! You can download the lot here and share your build in Discord for a chance to win your very own Plumbob pin. For more details, check out the Discord announcement here! A second build challenge is available in Discord for Businesses and Hobbies- your goal is to transform New Harbor Park in Iverstad into a thriving and bustling business, and share the story of how you turned this vacant lot into a flourishing establishment. Check out the Discord announcement here for more info! Have you been wondering which MySim character to befriend? You can take the quiz available in Discord here to find out, and to enter for a chance to win a copy of MySims: Cozy Bundle! The quiz will be available through next week, be sure to check it out and let us know who you got! Morning fishing trip in Sulani, posted here, by lanlynk Let's see what we can fish up with this week's highlights! Spring is officially here, and with this season symbolizing rebirth, what better way to celebrate than with this Life & Death Rebirth Saga Challenge, created by nastyjman. For this challenge, you'll play through various reincarnations of your Sim while working towards specific aspirations with each rebirth- you'll begin as a deviant and evil Sim and will slowly blossom and grow into a creative and good spirit. Each reincarnation has a set of rules, like various traits and income restrictions to make this challenge a little more difficult. So if you've been looking for a fun gameplay challenge to start the season with, be sure to check this one out and let us know how far you get! With Businesses and Hobbies now in full swing, AidenNite10 is asking the question we've all been wondering- What's the best way for your Sims to earn money? While it may be a slow process, my personal favorite is knitting, cross stitching and candle making to sell in my small business. But what's your favorite way to make extra money- are you a bulk dragon fruit farmer, or a lucrative art dealer? Do you sell your goods in your small business like me, or do you prefer Plopsy? Let us know all your best money making secrets! With summer just around the corner, I've been looking for the perfect vacation home to escape the hot weather, and this elegant Mediterranean château, Villa Harmonia, built by imoger checks all the boxes- it includes 5 full size bedrooms with timeless exposed brick walls, a private art studio for painting and woodwork, and lush outdoor living space with a garden style pool and shaded pergola. If you're in need of a relaxing and scenic new home, you'll definitely want to check this one out! Season 29 of The Bachelor may have ended on Monday, but don't worry, we've still got plenty of roses to hand out with this gameplay story, The Bachelor Challenge, by QuinShay5. Our Bachelor for this story is Eric Nash, a young and creative romantic looking for his perfect soul mate. This week's episode brought us elimination #2 and things got s p i c e y as one of the girls decided to pop off on Eric, thus resulting in her removal from the house. So which of the remaining girls are you rooting for? My personal favorite is Zuri, mostly because her hair is 🔥 If you need some extra drama in your life, be sure to tune into this hilarious story, and let us know who you think will win the final rose! And finally, for our very talented Sims 3 builders soocoolsim has created a New Orleans inspired world collaboration, Bayou Bijou. This week, a big milestone was hit as Map C of this world has been completed! A total of 54 lots for this world have already been created, but don't worry, plenty more lots are available to claim if you want to participate! The next lot claiming period will begin Monday, April 1st, so be sure to head over, claim your lots and show off all your best building skills. And that will wrap us up for this week! I hope you all stay safe, have a wonderful weekend, and happy Simming 💚 Till next time! -EA_SolaireEA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 2
Hey everyone, welcome to the second edition of our newsletter dedicated to online safety for gamers. Last month, we examined security measures designed to protect us from malicious programs that can appear when we are not careful when using our phones, tablets, and computers. We also looked at this topic from the perspective of protecting the youngest from the dangers lurking online. If you have not yet had time to read the previous edition, you can find the link here. In this edition, we want to remind you of the basic rules of security for your online account, which you use for games and more! As always, for participating in the newsletter, whether by sharing your experiences with us or by completing the quiz, you will receive a participation token - a unique badge on the forum. Stay safe! Basic rules of security for your online account. Strong, Unique Passwords Think of your password as the key to your digital vault. A strong password is long, complex, and unique. It should mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Use hard-to-guess information instead of common choices such as "123456" or "password," and avoid words that are easy to guess, such as birthdays and names like "Daniel93." However, remembering numerous complex passwords can be daunting. You can store your passwords securely, and they'll fill in automatically with password managers. Using them, you can generate strong passwords and prevent using the same password twice. Two-Factor Authentication (TFA) Two-Factor Authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification. Google Authenticator is a popular choice that generates time-based codes, ensuring only you can access your accounts. Google Authenticator and other apps now support seamless device integration and offer biometric options, making 2FA quicker and more secure. Guarding Against Phishing Phishing is a deceptive attempt to steal your data. Always verify the sender's email address and look for typos, grammatical errors, or suspicious links. Use multi-factor authentication for extra security. Keep software updated and employ strong, unique passwords. Be cautious with attachments and never share personal information. Trust your instincts; if it feels off, it probably is. Securing Your Email Your email is a gateway to many of your accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for your email, and regularly review your account activity. Use encryption tools for sensitive communications and be wary of unsolicited requests for personal information. Many companies partner to ensure the highest level of security. You can read about EA's cooperation with Google in our news section "Keeping your EA account safe by working with others." This partnership addresses cases where email accounts tied to EA Accounts were compromised, allowing attackers to take over the EA Account and other valuable internet accounts connected to that email. EA has been working closely with Google to address this quickly and safely through their Cross-Account Protection program. Google shared more about this partnership in a recent post here! How to turn on EA Login Verification Where can I find my backup codes? How to update your EA Account Positive Play Charter Report cheating, harassment, and illegal content How to avoid phishing Online Security Newsletter - Feedback Form Online Security Newsletter - Challange Creation Interest form Online Security Newsletter - Volume 2 QuizEA Forums Online Security Newsletter - Volume 1
We're starting the year with a few changes to adapt to the transfer to the new forums. You'll notice a slight change in the naming of the newsletter and the badges. The newsletter will now be released in volumes every month. As usual - you can still receive badges for participating in volumes 1-12. I want to dedicate this month's subject to my nephew, who inspired me by asking some questions that intrigue him a lot—he just got his first PC and has many questions. So, let's start with the basics and answer one of his many questions: How do you download games safely? Let's consider why this is so important. Before diving into the world of games, everyone needs to download them first—and there's a right and wrong way to do this first step. The right way is safe for both the user and their device. Knowing a few simple rules can help us avoid problems and enjoy games stress-free. Those rules are especially crucial for young gamers and inexperienced parents, as it's easy to stumble upon unsafe sources or harmful apps. But I believe that even more experienced users can refresh or even update the "database". I'll share some tips and real-life examples that might be helpful. Don't forget to check them out and talk with your daughters, sons, nephews, nieces, grandparents, and parents. Okay, let's say it in a simple way: It will benefit everybody. How do you download games and applications safely? Download only from trusted sources Always download apps and games from official stores, such as Google Play, the App Store, or the Microsoft Store. Unknown sources may offer infected files that can harm your device. Check reviews and ratings Before downloading a new app, it's a good idea to read other users' reviews and check ratings. Apps with lots of positive reviews are usually more trustworthy. Beware of app permissions Before you install a new app, check what permissions are required. If a flashlight app wants access to your contacts and messages, it may be suspicious. Keep your apps and operating system up to date. Use antivirus software Installing antivirus software on your device can help detect and remove malware. Beware of "Cracked" versions Downloading “cracked” versions of games and applications is illegal and very risky. Such files often contain viruses and other malware. By following these tips, you can enjoy your favorite apps and games without worry! Stay safe and have fun! How to turn on EA Login Verification Where can I find my backup codes? How to update your EA Account Positive Play Charter Report cheating, harassment, and illegal content How to avoid phishing Online Security Newsletter - Feedback Form Online Security Newsletter - Challange Creation Interest form Online Security Newsletter - Volume 1 QuizCelebrate 6 Years of Apex
Another legendary year down. This year we celebrate the 6th anniversary of Apex Legends. How are we celebrating you ask? We’re back with an anniversary event like no other. This year, we have a free community-made reward tracker, a first of its kind Mythic R-301, Mythic Mayhem Royale, and more. COMMUNITY-MADE REWARD TRACKER Some of your favorite community artists and creators have joined forces to bring you a fresh and brand new community-made reward tracker to help commemorate our anniversary. Complete daily challenges and earn points to unlock free items like Legend skins, Art Trackers, Crafting Metals, an Anniversary Event pack, stickers and more. A huge and special shout out to all of the amazing artists and creators who squadded up to make this anniversary tracker happen! MYTHIC MAYHEM ROYALE Get ready for some Mythic Mayhem Royale! The new Mythic R-301 is coming to Pubs in this new takeover. Keep an eye out for new supply drops marked with Rampart's signature and hologram to receive a fully kitted R-301 with a distinct hop-up providing a unique buff during the event. In addition to Mythic Mayhem Royale, get ready to hunt down some Respawn Tokens while playing Trios and Duos (during the 3rd week of the event only). Loot a respawn token and get a second chance at victory! MYTHIC R-301 AND HEIRLOOM SHARDS Join the party and unleash destruction as you unlock 36 Anniversary Event items, with every item being Legendary or above, including a set of Heirloom Shards, Legend skins, weapon skins, and the Mythic R-301! Some Anniversary Event items this year may look familiar as we included a number of previous anniversary skins. However, if players already own the previous anniversary skins, they will automatically progress through the milestone rewards. Inspired by Wraith’s affinity with the void, mirroring her volatile nature and a dimension that transcends time and space - the first of its kind Mythic R-301 has entered the party. The Mythic R-301 is absolutely loaded. Use Exotic Shards to evolve it through four bold cosmetic upgrades. These upgrades include elevated animations, knock effects, and more. Players who obtain Void Disruption, the new Mythic R-301 weapon skin, during the Anniversary Event will automatically receive the matching Void Disruption ordnance skin. Afterwards, players will be able to unlock the Void Disruption ordnance skin via currency. STORE TAB Today through March 4th, you can snag skins from previous anniversary stores dating all the way back to Apex’s 2nd anniversary! Bundles with skins such as Lunar Elegance, Air Orchid, and Hype Beast will all be available. Play Apex Legends™ for free* now on PlayStation®4, PlayStation®5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PC via the EA app, Epic, and Steam. Follow Apex Legends™ on X, Instagram, TikTok, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and check out our forums. Sign up for our newsletter today to receive the latest Apex Legends™ news, updates, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive offers, and more (including other EA news, products, events, and promotions) by email. This announcement may change as we listen to community feedback and continue developing and evolving our Live Service & Content. We will always strive to keep our community as informed as possible. For more information, please refer to EA’s Online Service Updates at https://www.ea.com/service-updates. *Applicable platform account and platform subscription (sold separately) may be required. A persistent internet connection and EA account required. Age restrictions apply. Includes in-game purchases. †Not available in all territories.The 12 Days of Simsmas: 2024 Edition
Sul Sul! It's time to kick off the 12 Days of Simsmas, and once again we're giving you a chance to win your choice of Kit, Stuff Pack, Game Pack, or Expansion Pack for The Sims™ 4! For this giveaway, players on PC, Mac, Xbox and PlayStation will have until the 12 Days of Simsmas ends (December 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT) to comment on this post with what you love most about The Sims 4; make sure you also include the hashtag #TheSimsGiveaway to be considered! 2 winners will be contacted via EA Forums Private Message, so make sure you have them enabled! Full contest rules including how to enter, how winners will be selected, and eligible countries can be found in the spoiler tag below 👇
