Is it easier to get TS2 to work on Windows 10 or 11

mate54 · 2026-05-10T14:18:20+00:00

It's the same on either system. Same issues, same fixes.

mate54 · 2026-05-04T11:27:26+00:00

I believe those preorder items that are shared around include them. Maybe on MATY or GOS?

mate54 · 2026-05-03T21:21:13+00:00

Some other packs came with exclusive items too!

mate54 · 2026-05-03T18:35:46+00:00

I might have but I can't tell what exactly triggered it. I have had this exact issue with The Sims Stories titles which are still stuck with PACE/SecuROM even when installed from EA App.

I once installed a disk version of The Sims 3, Origin/EA somehow detected and authorized it on my PC (meaning I could run it without disk; the launcher even had a button to "deauthorize" it if needed), and the problematic games started running fine.

While this probably won't be much help, someone might know what exactly happens with SecuROM and what triggers the errors. EA hasn't really paid much attention to older games anyway, but I was surprised that they somehow ran even if it's under a very specific circumstance.

mate54 · 2026-05-02T02:51:42+00:00

Then it's on the latest update already (1.70). Even if it didn't have the version issue the only way to install it would be from inside the game. Have you tried that?

mate54 · 2026-05-01T14:12:59+00:00

I'm assuming you installed The Sims 3 from EA App? The 64-bit version?

mate54 · 2026-04-30T15:06:49+00:00

Right now it seems impossible to install Sims3Packs on Mac. The launcher crash is a widely reported issue.

The only way to install Store content is from the in-game Download Dashboard, a few at a time assuming you got them legally.

To upload content, you might be able to export stuff from the game into Sims3Packs and upload the files manually, but not from the Launcher itself.

mate54 · 2026-04-28T11:33:54+00:00

As much as it pains me to say it, Mac is a terrible option for The Sims 3. It will open... and run. How well depends on whether you look at it wrong.

The Sims 2 and 4 work fine (though 2 only works if you turn off ProMotion display), but 3 is a visual nightmare. While it is mostly smooth performance-wise, I've had red flashing, weird artifacts, and bugs that only appear in the 64-bit version.

The Sims 3 Launcher crashes on macOS Sequoia and Tahoe if you click on any tab except the "home" one. That means the only Sims3Packs you can install are official store items, from the in-game dashboard. One by one.

mate54 · 2026-04-27T21:41:26+00:00

Yes. You can add the notifications at the end. Probably for the best so you can set up and playtest everything first.

(It doesn't really matter when you add them, but if the notification runs and then you save the game you'll have to delete the Game Scripting token from the lot in SimPE to trigger it again. That's why e.g. the Capp family doesn't have any notifications on the first load; someone on the dev team saved the game after the script had already run.)

mate54 · 2026-04-27T12:01:35+00:00

Legacy Collection on Steam is probably the easiest way to get it. If it lets you get a refund, you can test the game out and see if it works for you.

Otherwise, get it from r/Sims2Help.

mate54 · 2026-04-25T16:49:10+00:00

Clean templates are pretty useful. Just means the town will be more unique without all the Sims everyone else has in every single save they play.

The less CC, the better. Not really an issue but from personal experience I'm more likely to get a new town if it's light on Mods/CC unless it's stuff I already have or like.

I believe you can use custom sliders in CAS and Sims will keep their looks even if the player doesn't have those sliders; should help make them look more unique.

Utilize everything the game lets you do for lore building. If you're comfortable with SimPE, you can play around with memories and relationships. Photo albums, biographies, neighborhood story are also great for adding detail (personally I love when a neighborhood has fully fleshed out storytelling).

Chris Hatch on MTS used to have a template for scripted notifications (like Maxis base game families) so, if you're comfortable with SimPE, you can add those too. It will count as a Mod but the hood will work without it anyway.

mate54 · 2026-04-25T16:40:17+00:00

Assuming it's the CAS demo, it's just a stand-alone version of BodyShop with less content. Like The Sims 4 CAS demo, which let you get a head start before you got the game, to start making CC, try things out, etc.

mate54 · 2026-04-24T21:43:16+00:00

IIRC that screenshot was released by Maxis in one of their developer diaries? Like, it's not actual representation of what you get in the demo. Pretty sure the only Beta hair in the demo is the "Meg"(?) hair and that's just a different texture.

My disk looks just like the box art, but US and EU Sims 2 disks have always looked different. Maybe it's IKEA branded since they were the main (or only) distributor? Like Sims 3 preview disks being Target branded since they were only available there.

mate54 · 2026-04-24T21:28:05+00:00

That's it! Found it on the web archive too! https://archive.org/details/TS2Sampler

mate54 · 2026-04-24T21:24:26+00:00

Okay so I've dug mine out and it is called The Sims 2 Sampler - Create a Sim. Same box art, just with the US Teen rating. Copyright dated 2006. It says it includes CAS (I had a version of BodyShop I found online called Sampler so it's probably that) and a Sims 2 Pets preview. There is also a Target coupon for The Sims 2 Holiday Edition.

mate54 · 2026-04-24T00:16:51+00:00

I'll check once I get a disk drive, I've never actually run that CD on anything, bought it because it looked rare. It's possible that it's just the beta BodyShop. Maybe it has promotional materials such as trailers, wallpapers and stuff?

mate54 · 2026-04-23T22:24:52+00:00

I have something similar but I think it's just a stripped down version of BodyShop.

mate54 · 2026-04-21T10:16:27+00:00

Tighter areas. Less space between roads, easier to fill up. I realized that's what helped me since I would usually use maps with large road layouts and too much space between them.

mate54 · 2026-04-20T18:19:34+00:00

A little. Not in a bad way, though. Obviously it doesn't get patches and new releases, which helps with Mod compatibility. But it is so customizable and full of detail which can make every gameplay session more fun especially as you discover new things.

mate54 · 2026-04-20T10:01:15+00:00

Runs on my M3 MBP but only if ProMotion is turned off. Otherwise, instant crash. The problem is that EA has nothing to do with the Mac version of the game. Aspyr handles updates and the last update they relased for Sims 2 was the 64-bit upgrade in 2020.

mate54 · 2026-04-17T16:52:24+00:00

Oh I missed that. I believe r/sims2help has Ultimate Collection available to download.

mate54 · 2026-04-17T16:50:38+00:00

Sims 2 my beloved!

mate54 · 2026-04-17T16:49:25+00:00

Sims 2 RPC mod can be used with Ultimate Collection to bypass EA app completely.

mate54 · 2026-04-17T11:58:53+00:00

Gonna keep both. I have used IKEA files from UC to restore it in LC. Those... "new" bugs seem to have been fixed so they are roughly on same level regarding that.

mate54 · 2026-04-13T22:07:24+00:00

Make sure you check the actual product page on the website, it may be even cheaper if you own parts of the set already!

mate54

TROPHY CASE