The new update doesn’t fundamentally change The Sims 3. In fact, it doesn’t change The Sims 3 at all. Instead, the update fixes an issue that prevented players using computers with 12th generation Intel processors from playing the game. Players with these CPUs would see the game crash on launch. In 2022, a prominent The Sims 3 modder, LazyDuchess, fixed the issue with her own modded patch. Electronic Arts’ update on Tuesday is the official fix for people using the EA App launcher. Steam players don’t appear to have received the update.
Naturally, The Sims 3 community is somewhat hesitant about the patch; they’ve spent more than a decade amassing modded and scripted content, and they’re worried about an official, forced patch messing it all up. One community member has set up a thorough guide to the update, including how not to update your game, if that’s something you’d like to prevent. Mods appear to be safe, Reddit user CowardlyCandy said.
Polygon has reached out to Electronic Arts for comment.
