The Sims Team released a new update for The Sims 3, World Adventures and High-End Loft Stuff that will update your game to either 1.11 (Base), 2.6 (World Adventures) or 3.2 (High End Loft Stuff).  As with any patch, be sure to disable custom content before installing.  Actually, I’d probably wait it out and keep an eye over at The Sims 3 official forums for any issues before downloading.  I’ll add these to the site sometime this week when I have the chance! Here’s what the patch fixes:

This game update includes:

  • Base Game: Fixes an issue where Sims continuously perform the “Be Invited Inside” interaction on other Sims’ lots.
  • Base Game: Fixes an issue that causes Sims to get stuck in the “Grab a Slice” interaction on pizza.
  • World Adventures: Fixes an issue that causes the game to freeze when attempting to save a household on a base camp
  • High End Loft Stuff: Fixes an issue where the family inventory loses functionality after using the Create a Style tool on an object.
  • High End Loft Stuff: Fixes an issue that prevents the fulfillment of the “Buy a Video Game System” wish when buying the “GUGA JoyToy 3” and “Console 7” video game systems
  • High End Loft Stuff: Fixes and issue that prevents the “Presenting the Perfect Private Aquarium” Life Time Wish from counting fish in fish aquariums.
  • Shop Mode Update: Fixes problems caused by the font and updates the In Game Store to the latest EA Webkit version.

Issue after installing 1.11/2.6/3.2 update – code version is incompatible

If you are running into an issue after installing the March Update stating the code version is incompatible, and all products are completely up to date, try deleting the Version.tag file located in your My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3 folder. This file will be created again upon starting the game.

Important notes, please reading before downloading!

Before installing an Update for The Sims 3, an Expansion Pack, or a Stuff Pack, it is a good idea to run through the following checklist to ensure your game continues to work smoothly.

If you have any questions about the below steps, please visit the Technical Support forum on the official Sims 3 community found at this URL: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/10.page

Step 1: Disable Custom Content

Custom Content is all Sims content that did not come from an official The Sims 3 Update, The Sims 3 Store, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack. Custom Content is created by 3rd Party Developers that are not regulated by Electronic Arts or The Sims 3 Development Team and may not work with new updates. Custom Content may cause the game to behave unexpectedly or not function entirely.

To disable your custom content, undo whatever you did to install this content to get your game back into an unmodified state. If you placed it in a Sims 3 directory folder, move it to a new folder that is outside your Sims 3 file directory. Your Sims 3 file directory can be found using the paths listed below:

  • Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3
  • Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/

Once you have installed the official update you may re-enable your custom content. If you experience problems, disable it again until the 3rd party developer updates their content to work with the official Update, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack.

Step 2: Back Up your Save Files

It’s always a good precaution to back up your save files before installing an Expansion Pack, Update, or Stuff Pack. To do this, copy the “.sims3” folders found in the Saves folder onto your desktop or another file directory.

Your Sims 3 Saves folder can be found using the paths listed below:

  • Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves
  • Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/Saves

After the Update is installed, run the game to verify your saves still function correctly.

Step 3: Let the Update Complete Entirely

Updates can sometimes be rather large and may take a while to download and install completely. Cancelling the update before it has completed may cause unexpected problems, so it is always best to let it finish entirely. Do not close the Launcher until you have confirmed the update is completely installed, as this will cancel the update.

Problems with an “Invalid File Found” error when you are installing a patch? Please check out Delphy’s Patch Log Viewer (see the question ‘I get “Invalid File” when installing the patch!‘)