Returning to play after a long while and had a question on the Steam v retail version. Have the original 2009 version of TS3 but recently bought the Steam version (finally got all the EPs & SPs on massive sale discount) for convenience. The only thing now is my favorite mods.

One of the biggest advantages to using the original 2009 DVD version was the ability to use that buggy launcher to install Sims3packs. It seems EA removed this with the current Steam version of the game. So it seems only the use of *.package mods are now possible? If that's the case, is there a tool that will convert/unpack *.sims3pack files into *.package files? There are some old mods I've kept that I really want to install in the game. But this no longer seems possible with the online framework. Also some of my old sims3packs have conflicts/double DLC content in them. So there isn't a way to unzip/fix these anymore now that the old buggy launcher is unavailable.

TL DR
Is there a way/tool that will convert mod sims3pack files into package files?

I use this program from Modthesims to convert sims3packs. But I've only used it for CC, not for mods, and some people in the comments are having problems using it, so ymmv.

Ok thank you! I'll give this a shot and cross fingers. Is it possible to play TS3 Steam version offline and block Sims Play app from running interference with your mod folder (the way you could block the Origin Launcher if using the retail version)? Guess I don't understand why we're being forced to launch TS3 (a last gen, pre 2012 game designed for OFFLINE stand alone gameplay) through the new Sim Play app. Does the app allow you to go offline on Steam once your game has been validated when you launch on Steam?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about here. The Steam version absolutely allows the launcher to install Sims3Packs, and there is no requirement to have the EA App, if that's what you mean by "Sim Play," running. You don't need to open Steam either, after the first launch; just start the game from TS3W.exe, or the launcher from Sims3LauncherW.exe, both with the W.

If this isn't what you're seeing, did you actually install Sims 3 through Steam, or did you register your Steam-owned packs and install them through the EA App? If you installed through Steam, what exactly happens when you try to launch the game or install content through the launcher: does the EA App show up, do you see anything else, do you get an error?

I'll add another vote for the Steam version, actually installed through Steam. This install method delivers Patch 1.67, not 1.69, so there are no Origin/EA App requirements whatsoever although it should be pointed out that you can't really have both install types going for the same player/user at the same time on the same system. The one not being used should be uninstalled and the Windows Registry cleaned up. Both patch levels are considered current and are fully supported on this site.

If you have already been through all of that, or never had 1.69 installed on your current computer to begin with, then possibly your TS3 user game folder in Documents has become damaged through the install/transition and needs to be pulled out to the Desktop (or renamed) thus triggering the creation of a fresh, no-content game folder to begin anew.

Sorry to get pedantic here, but while CC can be delivered by way of sims3packs or package files, there is no such thing as a sims3pack delivered mod. It's possible that TS3 is the only game for which players make this distinction, but actual mods involve tuning, scripting, or core redirects and must always be package files or else they will never work. So for some examples, MasterController is a mod. A fluffy player-designed sofa that includes no other commands or scripting that a regular EA sofa would have is CC.

There should be no issues installing content of either file type on a Steam install, but there is one gotcha. If switching over from an Origin/EA App install to a Steam install, then TS3 Store Content will not work until it is all removed and re-downloaded from the Store. Assuming the same store user account, this can take some time to accomplish but doesn't mean the content needs to be repurchased.

puzzlezaddict post_id=96212 time=1691856929 user_id=17934 wrote: I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about here. The Steam version absolutely allows the launcher to install Sims3Packs, and there is no requirement to have the EA App, if that's what you mean by "Sim Play," running. You don't need to open Steam either, after the first launch; just start the game from TS3W.exe, or the launcher from Sims3LauncherW.exe, both with the W.

If this isn't what you're seeing, did you actually install Sims 3 through Steam, or did you register your Steam-owned packs and install them through the EA App? If you installed through Steam, what exactly happens when you try to launch the game or install content through the launcher: does the EA App show up, do you see anything else, do you get an error?

Haven't attempted to launch TS3 as yet as I'm still trying to figure out how to install my mods. And yes that's exactly what I was referring to. Example: download a sims3pack from the now free TSR 3 site. Then try to install it. The 2009 retail version had a broke as$h@t buggy launcher which let you install these file types. The only other alternative to having mods was to use the package files (which are more user friendly and easier to add/remove from game folder). So my concern was I wouldn't be able to reinstall some of the older pre 2014 CC I had originally with the DVD version.

Guess my confusion is with the changes they made with the Origin Launcher recently to Sims Play. I have TS4 which must be validated and launched with the new Sims Play app. I noticed that after buying TS3 on Steam, EA's site automatically copied/back linked the game & all it's EP/SP in Steam to the Origin site. Even though I've never launched any games from Origin site since buying/registering TS4 on it. I only open TS4 from Steam, which redirects the game.exe to be validated and then launched by EA's Origin (now Sims Play app). At that point, the game loads and I can finally access the TS4 Gallery etc. So I assumed the same process for TS3 because all my TS3 games have been miraculously copied into EA's website.

But if I understand you correctly, none of this matters. Because on opening TS3 on Steam, the Steam version WILL permit installation of custom CC as sims3packs regardless whether it's EA or 3rd party site (MTS, TSR etc.) without any issue? But if this is the case, when do I get the opportunity to install these sims3packs? Does a launcher pop up window show up after Sims app launches the game (like it did when launched from the retail DVD version)?

edit1: Reading is fundamental. Reading comprehension is even more paramount. >,< I'll try what you suggested above. Thank you!

edit 2: My TS3 game is exclusively from Steam. So if I understand you right, I should not? have issues trying to install any sims3pack CC that I bought from the sims3.com store right? Can't remember if these were package or sims3pack. But if latter is the case, then at what point does the game let you install the sims3pack CC after sims play app starts the game?

We seem to be going in circles here. But we do understand why this can be confusing.

TS3 and TS4 by way of Steam are totally different beasts. A Steam TS4 purchase hands the game off to Origin/The EA App. TS3 never did this; Steam acquired the rights to register and run TS3 independently of Origin/The EA App many years prior and that structure is still in place.

If you start the game from the Steam client program, you should get the (yes, sometimes fussy to say the least) 1.67 TS3 Launcher that will then allow you to load the game or install sims3packs. If you start the game with the old fashioned Launcher bypass to TS3W.exe, then you don't get the Launcher and you shouldn't get Origni/The EA App in your face either. The game should just start from there and you should get the selection screen that asks if you want to load an existing save or start a new game for that session.

Ok that clears up everything! Thanks again Igazor!