An announcement for The Sims 3 players on Mac
Dear Simmers, If you currently play The SimsTM 3 on Mac, pay close attention to this announcement! Earlier this year, Apple announced plans to phase out support for 32-bit applications with their new macOS, Catalina. Due to this change, we will be releasing an updated version of The Sims 3 that will be compatible with the new macOS, The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal). We will also be making all DLC content available in this new format, as well. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) will be available for download via Origin. We don’t have a release date for when Apple will release Catalina. However, if it occurs before The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) is out and you decide to update your Mac to macOS Catalina, you will not be able to continue playing The Sims 3 until after we release The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal). Once The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) is released, you will have to uninstall your current version of The Sims 3 and packs before re-installing, and you will not be able to patch your existing installation. We will post more detailed instructions when we make this update available. You will not lose your progress in the game and you will keep all the extra content you have acquired over time. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) FAQ Where can I get The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition? If you are an existing The Sims 3 owner, we will have instructions on this page which will walk you through the steps to get your copy of The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition when it is released. When will 64-Bit & Metal Edition be available? This change is planned for early 2020. We will update you once we have a confirmed date. Will I be able to get the 64-Bit & Metal Edition through a patch to my current game? No. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition will be its own version of The Sims 3 and carries significant changes from the currently available version. This means that the game will not be patched and will require the The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition and the packs to be installed like a new release through Origin. Will the minimum specifications be the same as The Sims 3? No. The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition will require the latest version of Origin which requires OSX 10.9 or later. Also, since the The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition adds 64-bit and Metal support, the minimum specifications will be adjusted accordingly. What if I can’t update my Mac? The Sims 3 and all the packs will be available in their current form for those players who choose not to or cannot update their Mac to Catalina. Will I need to buy The Sims 3 or my packs again? No. All The Sims 3 players who have registered their game and packs with Origin will have access to The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition when it releases. If you have the disc version of The Sims 3, you will need to redeem your code in Origin to access The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition in Origin. Will The Sims 3 (64-Bit & Metal) Edition release for Windows PC? There are no current plans to update the Windows PC version of The Sims 3. Version 1.6.9 is available to The Sims 3 players via Origin. What do I need to do to make sure my game is saved before I update to macOS Catalina? While updating macOS to a newer version should be straight forward, we recommend you backup your saves before updating to macOS Catalina. You can find The Sims 3 save files in Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3. Simply copy the entire The Sims 3 directory somewhere safe like your cloud storage of choice (eg. iCloud, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.) or a USB flash drive. This will backup your downloaded content and your save files among other things.
[FAQ] New Origin Layout for The Sims 3 Expansion Packs
Please note: this is has been adapted to the new Origin client. Previously with Sims 3 games, each and every expansion pack and stuff pack had its own individual tile. It used to look like this: After the update, you only have the base game showing: To find your expansion and stuff packs now, right-click on the Sims 3 icon and choose Show Game Details. Choose "Extra Content" and you'll see them there. As you can see in the above screenshot, some EPs have different statuses. Buy R199.95 (or whichever currency you might use) means that you do not own the game Download means that you own it, but it's not installed Installed means the game is installed To download your games, select download. Origin will then startup the normal downloading process for your game.Bought / registered digital game on Origin - Serial Codes Not Working on Sims Website!
I bought 5 games/expansion digital games from Origin, and I can't register a single one! I try to register my games using the serial numbers that come up when I click on the information button and it says that my codes are incorrect. This is frustrating! I do everything the emails tell me to... to a tee. And every time I get the same message that the number I have entered is invalid. How do I fix this?
[FAQ] Current Patch - 1.67 - Manual links and more
PLEASE TAKE OUT YOUR MODS BEFORE UPDATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Make sure to backup the folder in documents\electronicarts\thesims3 to a safe place. That's all your user data like your downloads and savegames. Patch Notes See here: http://www.thesims3.com/game/patches/-508283802 (make sure to set your country to US to read) How to install Download the patch to a place of your choice on your hard drive (don't choose to run it directly, download it first in case something goes wrong) Find the file and double click on it to install Wait until the patch is installed Done Patch Links Below you find the current manual patch links. This patches are NOT for Steam Users. Steam has it's own update system. If you have any troubles with the smaller incremental patch (like the Invalid File Found error), use the bigger Superpatch. If you are at a lower version than 1.66 right now, also use the super patch. If you already patched through the launcher, you don't need to use these. The manual links are for people that have issues getting the patch through the launcher or get errors with it. Super Patch Super Patch (All Regions), 1.7 GB Incremental from 1.66 Make sure to download the right region. The last two digits of your base game version will tell you your region. Region 1 (USA), 176,1 MB Region 2 (Europe, Australia & Rest of the world), 177.9 MB Region 3 (Asia), 176.1 MB Region 5 (Japan), 175.6 MB Region 17 (Digital Game Version), 179.8 MB Macs Super Patch Links Region 1 (USA), 1.7 GB Region 2 (EEurope, Australia & Rest of the world), 1.7 GB Region 3 (Asian), 1.7 GB Region 5 (Japan), 1.7 GB Region 17 (Digital Game Version), 1.7 GB Please read this post carefully. Links also availble: Official EA Download Links for The Sims 3 *Cumulative* Manual Update ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button
[CURRENT ISSUE 64-bit] All open water options missing
All of the options sims should have for open water activities are missing from the water itself, which offers no options when clicked. (Open water means any water that's not a pool or made with the pond tool.) In the 32-bit versions, with all packs installed, sims had a number of options: Fish Swim Play in ocean Play in ocean with toddler Snorkel Scuba dive (with sufficient skill) Boat to a location on the water, if they own a boat Windsurf (once in the water) (I'm probably forgetting a few) However, sims can use a taxi boat to travel from one island to another. This was tested in a new clean folder with zero added content, all EPs installed, in Sunset Valley.[HOW TO] DxDiag - PC Only
Sometimes it's important for the helpers to check your DxDiag. This contains all important information about your computer and helps identify certain problems. Not everything in the file is equally important and if you don't want your computer name to show, just xxxx that out. These instructions are valid for all games as it's your computers specs and has nothing to do with a specific game. How to gather your DxDiag Microsoft Windows XP Click the Start button on the Windows Taskbar. Select Run. Type dxdiag in the available text field. Click OK. Click Save All Information and save the content to a text file on your desktop Windows Vista/Win 7 Click On Start Type dxdiag into Search Box Program opens Click Save All Information and save the content to a text file on your desktop Windows 8 Make sure you are on the tiled screen Type DxDiag and hit enter Program should open Click Save All Information and save the content to a text file on your desktop How to post here Wait until the diagnostics are done and then click on Save all Information. This will create a text file. You can edit that text file to remove all personal information such as your computers name and then attach the file directly to your post buy using Attach file at the bottom of the post. Minimum Info you should post and why When you open the DxDiag file with a text editor, you see multiple sections. Please post the following sections in full System Information Contains all info about your CPU, RAM and operating system. It's ok to xxxx out your computer's name if you don't want that to show. DxDiag Notes Only if there's a problem showing Display Devices Very important. Shows information about your graphic card, drivers and memory it has. Sound Devices If you have sound issues, post this too Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives Shows the free space you have on your disc. Important info. If the drive space on your drive is low (< 20 GB) that could be your issue right there. System Devices Shows what other devices you have installed. Especially important if you're unsure whether you have a switchable graphic card. Diagnostics If you have Win 8.1 and above, the DxDiag shows errors that occurred on your computer. These can be very useful to pinpoint your issue, so please include those too.
Sims 3 - "There is a problem connecting to the server..." installation error
If you are not able to install Sims 3 due to an apparent connection issue, please post here. The warning windows you may receive are: This maybe an EA server issue or an OS based issue. You may also have two or more game icons happy bouncing away in the Dock while the game tries to authenticate: If you are affected please click the Me Too button below this post and reply confirming which version of macOS you are running. Thanks to @puzzlezaddict for the screenshots.
[FAQ] Lost and broken DVDs and missing serial codes - What to do ?
Lost/broken DVD but still have the serial code With your serial code, you are eligible for the download version of your game. You can download it through Origin and redeem your code. Instructions on how to do this can be found here: Redeem Your Serial Code in Origin Make sure to uninstall the DVD version and install the download version instead. Finding your Registration / Serial Code If you still have the game on your computer you can follow these steps to find your serial code from your registry (PC only). Credits of to Carl's Sims 3 Guide You need to be signed in as an Administrator first. Windows may require your permission to open the Registry Editor and if so, just click on yes. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type regedit in the search bar and press Enter. Click on 'File' at the top left of the window that opens then click on Export. Choose a location and name for the file as this will be your backup registry file. Click Save. This backup is created just as a precaution. Now to find your serial codes for each specific EP or SP installed on your computer: Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder. Expand the SOFTWARE folder (Wow6432Node for 64 bit systems) Expand the Electronic Arts folder. Expand the Sims folder Expand the EP or SP you need the code for Click on ergc and in the box to the right under 'Data' you will see the code Write it down somewhere save Repeat above steps for each EP --------------------- Instructions for Macs can be found here: Finding your serial key using Terminal ------------------- Finding the code on Origin If you registered the game on thesims3.com OR bought it on Origin, the serial code can be found in the myGames tab on the Origin client. Download the client from here http://origin.com/download, log in with your data and go to the MyGames tab. Hover over the game and find the i. The product code listed there is your serial number (it can be different from your original one if the game was bought before Origin came out) No access to the serial code If you lost your serial code and don't have the game installed on an old computer, you need to contact Customer Support. They can be found here: https://help.ea.com/contact-us You have the option to contact them by mail, phone or Live Chat. Make sure you have a game, a category and a platform selected for the options to become available. For Live Chat, make sure to choose US as your country. If you registered your game to your account, it should be easy to get the code. If not, they'll give you a new code if you can proof that you own the game. See this: Obtaining a Replacement Registration Code ------------------------------------ Did this FAQ help you with your issue ? If so, please consider pressing the XP button
