If you’re a Mac player and own The Sims 3 in your Origin library then you’re probably familiar with the struggles of not being able to play the game after you’ve updated your Mac OS to Catalina.
EA had released a statement in early 2020 that they’re planning to update The Sims 3 for Mac users so it supports the Metal 64bit system that started operating since the latest Mac OS update. Although it’s been a while since then, Mac players have started reporting seeing a new version of The Sims 3 in their Origin game libraries.
Screen via @KCoehlo16
MaxisJoe who handles all things communication about the next Sims 3 Update for Mac has shared a few new updates on the upcoming Mac update. They’ve shared what’s going on behind-the-scenes, what’s being updated in the game files and when can you expect the game to come out (spoiler alert: very soon). Check out the official statement down below as well as the official FAQ regarding the new Sims 3 64bit release on Mac:
Hi Simmers!
Let’s start with: Have you backed up your TS3 saves? ‘Cause that’s NEVER a bad idea.
You can see by scrolling back that there’s been some excitement and developments over the last few days.
tl;dr:
- Many of you are seeing a new TS3 and associated DLC show up in your Origin client yet there’s nothing to download. This is expected! Sort of. More detail below.
- Traditionally updating a publishing catalog is among the last steps you take in the process of publishing software (or any other content). More below.
- A FAQ has been posted (thanks @EA_Leeloo) that hopefully addresses many of the questions you’ve had about this release. It includes the minimum system requirements.
- Really, this release is targeted at macOS. There is not a secret Windows update hidden in it. We have nothing to announce about a Windows roadmap.
A more in-depth version:
Wow! So much excitement about that Origin catalog update! YOUR excitement is making all of us really giddy too! I can’t wait to get this update out to you macOS players so that you can have that awesome The Sims 3 experience on your up-to-date modern hardware running Catalina! But also – Ooops! Sorry for the confusion that the update in Origin has created. That wasn’t our intent. It’s as though you’ve sneaked downstairs on late on Dec 22 and seen us setting up the Festivus pole – “Ha ha. Surprise?” Still, that doesn’t make the magic any less special; just less magical. What you’re all seeing is the process of granting an Origin entitlement for this The Sims 3 release (and the packs and DLC) to all The Sims 3 owners. It’s a process that is happening over many days (hence some of you seeing some packs but missing others, only to have the others appear a day or two later).
Why is this happening now? Why not six months ago, or next week, or some other time? Because updating catalog/publishing databases is one of the final stages in releasing things! It’s what happens when you finally know how many parts there are, how big they are, when they will be available, etc. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to update a catalog database months before the update is needed (what if everything changes?), and you don’t want to leave it to the last possible minute either (What if something goes wrong and you need time to fix it?). So generally this step happens shortly before a release and, through the magic of not accidentally doing it in a way that your players can see, it’s an invisible process. This time that under-the-hood stuff isn’t invisible. Sorry about that. Sure is exciting though!
We’ve published a FAQ for this The Sims 3 update a little early to help answer questions you might have about what’s coming up. I’m positive we overlooked something obvious (see above for some general discussion of changing time frames). Feel free to ask questions here and, if I can, I’ll answer them for you. There’s two questions I can’t, and won’t, answer.
The first question I can’t answer is “but WHEN can I download it?” Please know that we’re getting it out as fast as we can and that the Origin changes you’re seeing are indicative that we’re pretty close. Stay vigilant. I also know a lot of you are wondering if this release will also include a 64-bit update for Windows players. No, it won’t. And that’s the other question I can’t and won’t answer: “When, or will, there be a Windows 64-bit update?” We can’t comment on rumors and speculation nor can we comment on unannounced roadmaps that may or may not exist. If there was more I could tell you about this – I would.
Thanks for your patience everyone! We’re almost there. Stay safe!
FAQ
I already own The Sims 3 on Mac, how do I get the new 64-bit version?
The Sims 3 for macOS, 64-bit will automatically be applied to your EA Account and available to install from My Library at no additional cost.
I plan to purchase The Sims 3, which versions will I get?
Purchasing The Sims 3 through Origin will provide you access to previously existing versions on Windows PC and Mac as well as the new version for macOS.
I own The Sims 3 on disc, how do I get the new version?
To get the new version of The Sims 3 for macOS, 64-bit, you will need to register your game with EA and download the 64-bit version of The Sims 3 from Origin. You can register your game and packs at www.thesims3.com by logging in with the same account you use with Origin (EA Help). For any registration or account related issues, please contact EA Support by visiting https://help.ea.com/contact-us
I already registered The Sims 3 on the website but I don’t see it in Origin, what do I do?
If you have already registered The Sims 3 and any packs on www.thesims3.com but do not see it in My Library in Origin, ensure you log in to Origin using the same email and password you use on www.thesims3.com. The same applies for using The Sims 3 website, login using the same details you use in Origin to see all of your owned content. Do not try to re-register your code in Origin or on the website as it will inform you that the code has already been redeemed since it is already applied to your EA Account. For any registration or account related issues, please contact EA Support by visiting https://help.ea.com/contact-us
Is this a Remaster or Remake of The Sims 3?
This new version is a compatibility release which adds support for 64-bit, Apple’s Metal graphics API, and makes the application a fully native macOS app. It is not a Remaster or Remake of The Sims 3.
Is changing from 32-bit to 64-bit the only thing that has changed?
No. This update of The Sims 3 also switches from OpenGL to Apple’s Metal graphics API, changes significantly how data is managed with the game service, where files are stored within the macOS file system, and has been updated to be a native macOS application.
Will the new version of The Sims 3 on Mac be delivered as an update?
No, due to the changes, The Sims 3 for macOS, 64-bit is seen as a different game by Origin. That means you will need to install rather than update.
I have Save Game files, can I continue my progress in the new version?
Your Save Game files are compatible with the new version of The Sims 3 and you will be able to continue where you left off. Before uninstalling any version of The Sims 3, we always recommend backing up your Save Game files.
Can I go back to the old version of The Sims 3?
Yes, if your macOS supports 32-bit applications (support for 32-bit was dropped by macOS in the Catalina release in 2019, but earlier versions of macOS that still support 32-bit applications might still run on your Macintosh), you can install either release of The Sims 3 from My Game Library in Origin. However, if you have macOS Catalina (10.15.x, released in 2019) or later, which only supports 64-bit applications, you will only be able to use the new release of the game.
Can I install the older macOS version and the new macOS version together?
No, you will only be able to have one version of The Sims 3 installed at a time.
I own both a new and an old Mac, can I still play on both?
Yes, in My Library you will see both the older and newer versions of The Sims 3. Simply install the version of the game which suits the Mac you are using.
I have The Sims 3 DLC and/or content from The Sims 3 Store. Do I need to re-purchase them if I use the new version?
No, all of your existing packs, Worlds and purchases from The Sims 3 Store stay with you. To install your Packs, you will need to download them once you have installed the new version of The Sims 3. You can do this by selecting The Sims 3 (64-bit & Metal) from My Game Library in Origin and selecting each Pack type and clicking the Download button. For content purchased from The Sims 3 Store, login at TheSims3.com and go to Store > My Store Account > Purchase History and you will see your purchases ready for download.
I want to use the new version of The Sims 3 on my Mac. What specs do I need?
You will need a Mac which has support for Apple’s Metal graphics API and be on macOS High Sierra (10.13.x, released in 2017) or later. For Minimum and Recommended specs, you can find them listed below and on The Sims 3 (64-bit & Metal) page on Origin.com.
MAC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM SPECS:
OS: Metal required. macOS® X 10.13 (High Sierra)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor or better
RAM: At least 4 GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: At least 15 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation.
RECOMMENDED SPECS:
OS: macOS® X 10.13 or later
PROCESSOR: Intel Core i5 or better
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560, Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 or better
MEMORY: 8GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: 18 GB of Hard Drive space
Apple has recently announced that the Mac platform is moving to ARM based CPUs. Is this release of The Sims 3 for macOS, 64-bit optimized for this new architecture?
This release of The Sims 3 for macOS, 64-bit is optimized for macOS running on Intel x86 CPUs. It is not optimized for the Apple ARM CPU architecture.
I don’t want to see two versions of The Sims 3 in My Game Library, what can I do?
If you want to keep your My Game Library tidy, you can hide the version of The Sims 3 which you do not use by highlighting The Sims 3 and right click and select Hide. You can view your hidden games at any time and unhide them where necessary by using the Hidden Games filter in My Game Library.
When will The Sims 3 for Windows be updated to 64-bit?
The Sims 3 for Windows PC works on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows. We do recommend players on The Sims 3 version 1.67 or earlier update to version 1.69, which is available to download through Origin if you have registered your game and packs against your EA Account.
The Sims 3 for macOS is in my Origin library, but I can’t download it! Is something wrong?
Nope, nothing is wrong. Beginning on October 20 we began adding the entitlement for this version of the game to all Origin accounts that own any release of The Sims 3. This means that the game is showing up in your library, but that the game itself is not yet available for download. This is expected! The game will be available for download soon.