What’s a Bug ?
. The Sims 3: Create the perfect world with full customization at your fingertips. Refine personalities and help fulfill destinies. Go online and share your creations and movies with the ever-growing community. Late Night Expansion Pack: Your Sims can explore the night life with trips to dance clubs, dive bars, and high-class lounges. Further information on the cumulative manual superpatch Many simmers find that patching their game via the Game Updates tab of the Launcher does not work properly. It is then better to download and apply the manual superpatch. It is important to download the Mac version rather than the PC version, and to pick the right one for your region. Since the release of the Sims 3 Generations (patch 1.22.9), players no longer need to update their expansions and stuff packs. All updates will now only be applied to the base game. All updates will now only be applied to the base game. If you’re playing on Mac, you need to use The Sims 3 super-patcher to update your game. PC players can use the super-patcher as well.
Bugs are errors in the game. Not everyone has every bug for it depends on the combinations of actions you do if a bug actually shows in your game or not. Some bugs are very common, others are not. Bugs can be caused by Mods and CC as well. Because of this, make sure your Downloads are always up-to-date.
What’s a patch ?
A patch is an update to the game code. A patch can have two purposes
- Fix bugs in the game
- Adjust the base game to the be able to handle a new expansion.
Is it normal for me to have bugs from expansions without having the expansion ?
Yes, a patch always updates all add-ons to the newest update. It’s only bugs that concern specific functionality of a add-on that you won’t have if you don’t have the expansion (e.g. since excavating is specific to WA, you will only have that bug if you actually own WA, the bad mood bug you will have as soon as you patch to 1.19 cause this is base game functionality). Pets and newer expansion also have examples of bugs that only occur if you don’t have the EP cause EA failed to properly gate the functionality (e.g. Gourmet Pet Food)
Can I just skip a patch and move on to the next one if I want to omit a bug ?
No. A newer patch includes all changes in the previous patches. You can wait until the next patch comes – hoping EA will fix said bug – but once you want to install a new EP you need the patch for that.
Mac Manual Superpatch Sims 3.0
Can I uninstall an already installed patch ?
It’s not possible to unpatch a game (this would lead to potentially more issues). All you can do is uninstall your game, reinstall and manually patch to the level you want. Make sure to turn off automatic updates. Links to older Manual Patches can be found at MTS
Do patches that EA released around the time an EP is released fix my bug I have with the new EP ?
Probably not. That patch is for all those Simmers that don’t want to buy the add-on so that their basegame/add-ons are patched to the newest version as well and also for the people who buy the download version. Patches that are released at the same time as an expansion pack are always included in the DVD and you already have that patch if you’ve installed the EP. There are very few exceptions to this rule where EA releases a patch within a few days of the release of the add-on. Check the versions numbers to make sure that you are up-to-date.
Do I have to buy an EP to get rid of my bugs
No, you will never have to buy an expansion pack to get rid of errors and bugs. If the patch didn’t fix it, the EP won’t either. Exceptions are those are the bugs EA now likes to introduce where EP functionality is not properly gate for the EP. Those are bugs and EA needs to fix them. You should NOT buy the EP just for those.
Do I patch my game to lower levels first if I skipped a patch ?
No, that is not necessary. The newest patch always contains the fixes for the older patches as well. If you’re patching manually and use the incremental patch, make sure you patch from the right version.
Can I keep using my mods after an update ?
No, you can’t. Some of them will still work, other will not. Check with the creator if they still work or not. Never use a mod that is not doesn’t have an ok from the creator or someone you trust. Can I keep using my other downloads and custom content ? Clothing, objects and more can also have issues after a new patch. Check around the forums if you find any info of potential problems. There were several occasions were many downloads had to be updates: Blue Lots, CC Objects issues with Patch 1.26/1.27 and there was also an issue with doors and windows when half walls were introduced. What patches did we have so far ?
What patches have been released ?
- Patch 1.2.7 (June 25th, 2009)
- Patch 1.3.4 (July 27th, 2009)
- Patch 1.4.6 (05. August 5th, 2009)
- Patch 1.5.82/1.6.6 (November 16th, 2009)
- Patch 1.7.9/2.2.8 (November 18th, 2009)
- Patch 1.8.25/2.3.33 (December 15th, 2009)
- Patch 1.9.22/2.4.7 (February 2nd, 2010)
- Patch 1.10.6/2.5.12/3.1.7 (February 8th, 2010)
- Patch 1.11.7/2.6.11/3.2.8. (Match 24th, 2010)
- Patch 1.12.7/2.7.7/3.3.11/4.0.87 (June 1st, 2010)
- Patch 1.14.11/2.9.10/3.5.8/4.2.32 (July 8th, 2010)
- Patch 1.15.34/2.10.5/3.6.6/4.3.4 (September 7th, 2010)
- Patch 1.17.60/2.12.8/3.8.6/4.5.6/5.3.4 (October 27th, 2010)
- Patch 1.18.9/2.13.6/3.9.6/4.6.6/5.4.4/6.1.11 (November 30th, 2010)
- Patch 1.19.44/2.14.4/3.10.4/4.7.4/5.5.4/6.2.4 (February 1st, 2011)
- Patch 1.22 (May 31st, 2011)
- Patch 1.24 (July 25th 2011)
- Patch 1.25 (September 1st, 2011) --> MAC only
- Patch 1.26/1.27 (October 17th, 2011)
- Patch 1.29 (December 14th, 2011)
- Patch 1.31 (March 1st, 2012)
- Patch 1.32 (March 9th 2012) --> Bad Patch. Don't Use
- Patch 1.33 (March 15th, 2012)
- Patch 1.34 (June 2nd, 2012)
- Patch 1.36 (July 8th, 2012)
- Patch 1.38 (August 31st, 2012)
- Patch 1.39 (September 27th, 2012)
- Patch 1.42 (October 29th, 2012)
- Patch 1.47 (January 8th, 2013)
- Patch1.48 (January 22nd, 2013)
- Patch 1.50 (February 19th, 2013) --> Incremental patch doesn't work. Use Superpatch.
- Patch 1.55 (June 18th, 2013)
- Patch 1.57 (September 4th, 2013)
- Patch 1.63 (October 17th, 2013) --> Use Superpatch
- Patch 1.66 (January 14th, 2014)
- Patch 1.67 (January 24, 2014)
What do the numbers mean ?
Each expansion has it’s own version number. Details can be found here: Game Version. Details dazu gibt es hier: Spielversion. Since Patch 1.22 only the base game is patched and only the base game gets a new number. The launcher shows the version of your latest Expansion pack anyways which leads to confusion. For checking compatibility and bug reports, only the version of the base game is of relevance.
Can I combine the digital downloads with the DVD version ??
Yes, as long as you stay on Origin. The Steam Version is not compatible with the DVD or the Origin download. The Code from Steam can be redeemed at Origin.
Do I need to use the launcher to patch ?
No, you can manually patch your games. Make sure to turn off automatic updates for that though.
You have two options to manually patch
- Use the Patch Downloader (recommended)
- Download the manual patch and install it to your game by double clicking on the file. Many sites, including SimsVIP, ModTheSims and this site offer links to the manual patches quite fast. Those are the official patches, hosted by EA. The sites just link them.
If you use the second method, make sure you download the right patch. There are incremental patches as well as a cumulative superpatch. You need to make sure, you use the right patch if you are using the incremental one. Your region and current version are important as well as your operating system. The superpatch doesn’t care which region or current patch level but you can’t install a mac patch on a Windows system and the other way round.
What’s the different between a Store Content patch and a Game update ?
The Store Content patch updates the Store content that you can buy extra for your game while the game update updates the game itself.
Sims 3 Game Help Categories: | |
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Custom Content | Installation | Gameplay Guides | Technical & Graphics Issues |Miscellaneous Issues | |
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The 1.31/1.32/1.33 Superpatcher has been causing issues it seems, and EA has since pulled the 1.32 Superpatcher file from the server. This action has caused major confusion on whether the games are fine when patched to 1.32 or if anything needed to be done. Furthermore, those with Showtime hasn't been able to start their game as they were being prompted to update to 1.32, but while Launcher reports there's a newer update available, it also states that the game is also up-to-date. Well, duh!
It remains a concern that those with Showtime, are being locked out of their games when
- the game is reported to be outdated
- the Simport server is down
Shouldn't they be allowed a chance to logout and play offline? Well, enough of the editorial...to the issue at hand.
Note: (1) I've no idea if the issue exists on Macs, as I don't have the same tools that I used on the PC for OSX. But if the symptoms apply, you can try to follow along using the Mac manual update tgz files.
Note: (2) With the just released 1.33.2, the same issue is still occurring with the Collections folder. Since this is the one area I can personally confirm, I cannot say for sure if there are other similar issues, not with that sparse Patch Notes, anyway. I suppose we can just chalk it up as another 'bug'.
1.34 updates
Update: 12:15, 7 June 2012 (EDT)
The 1.34 SuperPatcher released on Jun 5, 2012 coinciding with the Katy Perry Sweet Treats (Stuff Pack 06) does not appear to be any different from games updated with the 1.34_from_1.33 incremental file. So the 1.34 SuperPatcher seems to have things back to normal.
Issue & Symptoms
Mac Manual Superpatch Sims 360
If you have one or more of the following symptoms, even if you don't encounter any issues or bugs, the game is probably not stable at this point; as people's game manifest bugs at different times depending on one's gameplay style. It also depends on how Story Progression is setup in your game (with mods or mod-free) for certain bugs to appear or not appear and on what timetable.
- Missing collection icon for Showtime but other addons' are OK.
- Standard game collection icons all went missing except for Showtime's.
- CAS issues with skins and sliders:
- Totally black-skinned Sims due incorrect skintone being used
- The new skintoneramps conflicts with your current custom skintoneramps (default replacements being the most likely cause)
- Extra sliders may have exceeded the maximum number of sliders in-game or become wonky as it may be incompatible with your existing custom sliders.
- Totally black-skinned Sims due incorrect skintone being used
Ways to check
- While game not loaded:
- check the deltabuild?.package filesizes
- check in Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsThe Sims 3GameDataSharedNonPackagedCollections folder. A properly patched game has 17 files, while a superpatched game has fewer than 17 or has only one file in this folder.
- check the deltabuild?.package filesizes
- If you have the game loaded:
- check in CAS if you have the
- werewolf jaw slider
- more skintones and rainbow-hued skintoneramps
- check in CAS if you have the
- How did you patch to 1.31/1.32/1.33?
Group A: Who has the potential problem ? |
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Group B: Who does not ? |
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initial table courtesy of crinrict, who was also my sounding board for the Collections folder issue troubleshooting.
Causes
The cause is the so-called 'leaked' 1.32 Superpatcher (filename: TS3_1.32.3.0150xx_update.exe for PC). Actually all the 1.3x SuperPatchers of March 2012 at the moment. The 'leaked' 1.32 has incomplete code, I suppose. While all of the 1.3x to date has incomplete Collections folder contents. That's the 2 items I've been able to confirm. Others bugs (or 'features') need longer gameplay sessions.
Here's my findings on all the differences, in addition to the images already posted above.
- Resource counts in DeltaBuild0.package resulting from 1.32 incremental & superpatch differs as shown on the image on the left, using s3pe and PivotTable.
- Same file with resource count comparison for the 1.32 incremental & superpatch results, as verified by QADPE corroborating s3pe's total count
- Resource counts in DeltaBuild0.package resulting from 1.32 incremental & superpatch differs as shown on the image on the left, using s3pe and PivotTable.
- There are a total of 96 additional 'deform*GEOM' resources in the DeltaBuild0.package file - for the Brow, Ears and Nose - for Teen - Elder age groups of both genders.
- For the missing Collection icons:
- the 1.31 incremental patch only adds Showtime's coll_*.package, which is all right and proper. But all three of the 1.3x superpatcher does nothing - no creation, additions or modifications - on the Collections folder of any kind.
- the key piece is 1.31. How did you get to this version? If incremental patch, then things are good, no worries. I've re-confirmed with 1.33 again with a superpatch of 1.33 after being at 1.31.
- the 1.31 incremental patch only adds Showtime's coll_*.package, which is all right and proper. But all three of the 1.3x superpatcher does nothing - no creation, additions or modifications - on the Collections folder of any kind.
Solution
If you don't encounter the symptoms above or you're able to live with them, there's nothing to do.
If you do encounter the symptoms above and you're able to live with these new 'features' because you like them and your CC is not conflicting, there's also nothing to do.
If you do encounter the symptoms above and have other weird stuff happening that no one knows whether it is a patch bug or a game bug, then before you submit a bug report, it is best to do so with a clean slate. And the only way to achieve that is by uninstalling since there's no such thing as an 'Undo Patch SuperButton'. But the trick is not to patch any old how, I've worked out the steps below to ensure the 'cleanest' slate we can achieve at this point.
What you need
- The 1.29 SuperPatcher (filename: TS3_1.29.55.0140xx_update.exe for PC) Link available in the Archives
- Click the 'More Info' link for the year 2011 to expand that table
- Ensure you're at the 1.29 table, and then click on the SuperPatcher link to download
- If you have stored the 1.29 SuperPatcher on your system from back in Dec 2011 patching cycle, you can of course use that file instead of re-downloading.
- The 1.31_from_1.29 Incremental patch, from the Archives page for your region code.
- The 1.33_from_1.31 Incremental patch or the 1.33 SuperPatcher or via Launcher (this would use the 1.33 SuperPatcher).
- Links to the Incremental and Superpatch available in Current wiki page if you want to update manually. Select from the Incremental portion - the previous patch version of 'from 1.31' and your region code - as appropriate.
- If you want to use Launcher, ensure Origin is updated.
What you do
- Uninstall just the base game from Control Panel
- Our step-by-step guide with instructions on how to check for leftover Registry entries and folders Game Help:TS3 Uninstall.
- Reinstall base game
- The standard install steps that you normally perform
- Patch to 1.29 using SuperPatcher
- use the file you downloaded in the previous section
- DO NOT use the 1.31, or the 1.32, or the 1.33 SuperPatcher!
- DO NOT use Launcher!
- Patch to 1.33 using Incremental manual update
- DO NOT use Launcher! As it would use the 1.33_from_1.29 and skip the 1.31 causing the missing Showtime Collection icon issue all over again
- With the files you've downloaded in the previous section
- patch to 1.31 from 1.29 and then
- patch to 1.33 from 1.31 (this step can also be done via Launcher or using the 1.33 SuperPatcher, if you want to download the huge file)
Further reading
Another explanation of the issue: Patch 1.3x - What's the issue @crinrict's blog
Threads on thesims3.com forum:
Seeking further assistance
Before you post in the MTS Sims 3 Help Forums, please try all the above suggestions. If you have questions on the above or have difficulties with the instructions, there's a Q&A thread here.
Do drop a line if you're on a Mac - if the above helps or has no impact on OSX. I'm sure folks are wondering...
Sims 3 Game Help Categories: | |
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Custom Content | Installation | Gameplay Guides | Technical & Graphics Issues |Miscellaneous Issues | |
MTS Help Q&A Forums |