The Sims Wiki

Welcome to The Sims Wiki! Don't like the ads? Then create an account! Users with accounts will only see ads on the Main Page and have more options than anonymous users.

READ MORE

The Sims Wiki
Register
Advertisement
The Sims Wiki

Patch 8

Release date December 15, 2009
Game versions
TS3 Icon The Sims 3 1.8.25
TS3WA Icon World Adventures 2.3.33
Official Announcement
Spanner

Patch 8 for The Sims 3 was released on December 15, 2009 and is most notable for adding a recovery function for fixing the dreaded saved games which had been corrupted by the Save game error introduced in The Sims 3: World Adventures. The Create a World tool was released on the same day. You can download it through The Sims 3's Launcher.

Installing[]

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: https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/categories/technical-discussions-en

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:

  • On Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3
  • On Windows Vista/7/8: C:\Users\USER\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3
  • On Mac: ~/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:

  • On Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves
  • On Windows Vista/7/8: C:\Users\USER\Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves
  • On Mac: ~/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.

Release Notes[]

Base Game
  • Added an auto recovery prompt to recover save games corrupted by the late "Error Code 16" bug.
  • Fixed a hang that could occur when changing the active household.
  • Sims' lifespans are no longer altered when using the Change Appearance or Plan Outfit interactions.
  • The "C" shortcut key now works when taking cell phone pictures.
  • Food stored in fridges now spoils at the reduced rate.
  • Owned businesses now properly generate income again.
  • Swimming Sims no longer walk on water after The Sims™ 3 is updated.
  • Custom Music Favorites are no longer switched to French Music Favorites after updating.
  • Improved the Favorite Music Cheat.
  • The background music track is no longer restarted when switching between Build and Buy Modes.
  • The low detail Cypress Tree model has been refined.
  • Addressed an issue where the inside of bowls appeared blue while Sims were mixing the contents.
  • Ghosts can now float into rooms with no doors.
  • Fixed a minor error that occurred when building a room around a visiting NPC.
  • Estimated interaction duration for Sleep and Exercise interactions is now much more accurate.
  • Interaction Option selections are now properly applied if selected before the interaction begins.
  • 'Delete Object' testing cheat has been added.
  • Hitting Undo with the terrain paint eraser tool selected no longer automatically selects a terrain paint brush.
  • When unmarried Sims have a baby, an accurate relationship status is displayed in the relationship panel.
  • Gnomes can now be live dragged on community lots.
  • Trash piles are now properly reacted to after a lot containing the trash piles is exported and replaced through Edit in Game.
  • Fixed a minor error that could occur if a visiting Sim was not greeted before they needed to leave.
  • Fixed an uncommon problem where the game could crash while being quit.
  • Fixed a crash that could occur after leveling extremely uneven terrain.
  • Improved extended game session stability.
  • Undeletable walls can no longer be created in basements.
  • The clone cheat has been disabled on Sims and Walls.
  • Fixed a hang if the player opened the cheat console while rotating a lot in Edit in Game mode.
  • Improved long term stability when running at Speed 3 for extended periods of time.
  • The Add to Active Family cheat will no longer allow more than 8 Sims to be added to a household. Households with over 8 Sims lead to game instability.
Mac only
  • The Mac Uninstaller gives Mac players the option to easily uninstall all Sims 3 applications and content or expansion packs.
  • Improved stability of The Sims™ 3 running on an Nvidia 7300 Series.
  • The Game Launcher no longer allows players to edit file extensions. This was a frequent cause of upload failures.
  • Fixed a crash that occurred when moving through the installer very quickly.
  • Multiple launcher windows can no longer be opened at the same time.
In-Game Store
  • Players may now access store content through the Buy Mode In-Game Store Browser.
World Adventures
  • Addressed a problem that could lead to a failed Error Code 16 save game.
  • Added an auto recovery prompt to recover save games corrupted by the late "Error Code 16" bug.
  • The Sims™ 3 World Adventures music is now properly playing on all stereo channels.
  • Fixed a hang that could occur when changing the active household.
  • Sims' lifespans are no longer altered when using the Change Appearance or Plan Outfit interactions.
  • The "C" shortcut key now works when taking cell phone pictures.
  • Food stored in fridges now spoils at the reduced rate.
  • Fixed a bug that could cause mummies cured of their mummy status to retain the mummy walk style.
  • Owned businesses now properly generate income again.
  • The "Photog" photography skill challenge now properly rewards Sims with higher value photos.
  • Keystone panels with inserted keystones can now be deleted in Build or Buy mode.
  • Swimming Sims no longer walk on water after The Sims™ 3 is updated.
  • Custom Music Favorites are no longer switched to French Music Favorites after updating.
  • Improved the Favorite Music Cheat.
  • All custom styles on the tomb door now can be saved to the bin and imported successfully.
  • Sims no longer briefly appear in the T Pose when exiting a Scooter while running Speed 3.
  • The background music track is no longer restarted when switching between Build and Buy Modes.
  • The low detail Cypress Tree model has been refined.
  • Addressed an issue where the inside of bowls appeared blue while Sims were mixing the contents.
  • Mac: Improved stability of The Sims™ 3 running on an Nvidia 7300 Series.
  • Made numerous text clarifications and spelling corrections.
  • Addressed minor clipping that occurred when placing the Kenspa Scooter next to a bike rack.
  • Relics now autosort into more distinct inventory categories.
  • The Martial Arts Skill Journal entries now describe the rewards for completing each skill challenge.
  • The Photography Skill Journal entries now describe the rewards for completing each skill challenge.
  • Pagoda Roof selections are no longer available when the Auto-Roof option is enabled.
  • Ghosts can now float into rooms with no doors.
  • Task Progress Tracking has been extended to more applicable adventures.
  • Players with Martial Artist Sims are now informed when the Train interaction becomes available.
  • Relic names now include the type. (i.e. Red, Jade, Stone)
  • Torch sound effects are now being emitted from the proper position.
  • Hairstyles changed while traveling now persist upon returning home.
  • Sims no longer wait indefinitely when their path is disturbed by a trap.
  • The "A Little Experimentation" and "Even Better!" adventures now have unique requirements.
  • Sims can no longer travel with Sims who are in jail.
  • Fixed a minor error that occurred when building a room around a visiting NPC.
  • Added a hint to indicate how to create a Player-Controlled Mummy.
  • Estimated interaction duration for Sleep and Exercise interactions is now much more accurate.
  • Player customized Inventory UI size persists after traveling.
  • Interaction Option selections are now properly applied if selected before the interaction begins.
  • Explorer NPCs now exist in France.
  • "Delete Object" testing cheat has been added.
  • Fireworks that are placed in tomb rooms can now be Put In Inventory.
  • The "Veggies…Now" Adventure now specifically requires lettuce for completion.
  • Relics not in the household's collection have an increased drop rate.
  • Tourist NPCs can now be impregnated.
  • Mac: The Game Launcher no longer allows players to edit file extensions. This was a frequent cause of upload failures.
  • The "Opening the Tomb of Necteaux" Adventure now has completion text.
  • The "Deliver Painting to China" Opportunity completion requirements are now called out.
  • Fixed a problem where, on some stages of adventures, the Adventure Tracker would be incorrect if the adventure was suspended, and resumed, after travel.
  • NPCs who are involved in an Adventure are now immune from Story Progression.
  • Mac: Fixed a crash that occurred when moving through the installer very quickly.
  • Hitting Undo with the terrain paint eraser tool selected no longer automatically selects a terrain paint brush.
  • Sims no longer lose the ingredients required to summon a mummy if the interaction fails.
  • When unmarried Sims have a baby, an accurate relationship status is displayed in the relationship panel.
  • Gnomes can now be live dragged on community lots.
  • Eye of Horus placement has been improved.
  • Pregnant Sims in labor can no longer be placed in adventure neighborhoods through Edit Town.
  • Ghosts of adventure neighborhood locals can now be restored after bringing the local's tombstone home.
  • The player is now notified when a Sim in a foreign land dies of old age.
  • When foreign Sims die of old age, their tombstone will now be properly placed in the mausoleum if the dead Sim met the necessary relationship requirements with a member of the active household.
  • Trash piles are now properly reacted to after a lot containing the trash piles is exported and replaced through Edit in Game.
  • Fixed a minor error that could occur if a visiting Sim was not greeted before they needed to leave.
  • Fixed an uncommon problem where the game could crash while being quit.\Fixed a crash that could occur after leveling extremely uneven terrain.
  • Fixed an unlikely error that could occur if the player's Sim was far from home when a foreign visitor arrived.
  • Being in the Law Enforcement Career now has a better chance of triggering an Opportunity to learn the Martial Arts Skill.
  • It is now much more realistic for players to complete the "A Priceless Bet" Opportunity.
  • Fixed a rare problem that could reset a Sim while Watching Sims using the Snake Charming Basket.
  • Tombstone epitaphs now persist after traveling.
  • Custom paintings shared over the Exchange no longer lose their texture after reimporting the lots.
  • Fixed a minor error that occurred when travelling with an urn in a Sim's inventory.
  • The 'Get Tiberium' Opportunity now requires a more realistic amount of Tiberium.
  • The Jog interaction no longer mocks poor, atrophied, player-controlled Mummies.
  • Improved extended game session stability.
  • Sims no longer cuddle with inappropriate partners in tents.
  • There are now stricter relationship requirements for Woohooing with Sims in the Sarcophagus.
  • Child Sims now have the Use Stairs interaction available.
  • Mean Spirited Sims now "Freak Out" when reacting to danger.
  • Repossessing objects in tombs no longer results in the creation of a placeholder object.
  • The Wondrous Collection Moodlet duration no longer oscillates up and down.
  • Addressed an issue where tombstones of foreign Sims would disappear from inventory upon returning to the foreign Sim's home neighborhood.
  • Mac: Added a safety precaution to prevent the launcher from running while being updated.
  • Mummies now discuss the highs and lows of being a mummy.
  • Mummies can no longer learn songs. Their vocal chords have deteriorated leaving them mute.
  • Sims no longer retain minor side effects of being a Mummy after being cured.
  • Undeletable walls can no longer be created in basements.
  • The launcher now better indicates that World Adventures is required for World Adventures dependant custom content.
  • Ghosts of Sims who expired from the Mummy's Curse now display a proper particle aura.
  • The clone cheat has been disabled on Sims and Walls.
  • Mac: Multiple launcher windows can no longer be opened at the same time.
  • Fixed a hang if the player opened the cheat console while rotating a lot in Edit in Game mode.
  • Fixed an issue that could sever a Sim's relationship with a pregnant ghost on traveling.
  • Traps now properly import and export their visibility state. (hidden or visible)
  • Improved long term stability when running at Speed 3 for extended periods of time.
  • Playable ghosts can no longer get stuck wandering into a gender specific bathroom.
  • Fixed a slow memory leak that occurred from traveling with different Sims.
  • Relationships are now properly updated if a couple splits up while one of the pair is traveling.
  • Players can no longer get their Sims stuck in unroutable areas by canceling long routes on the roads in China.
  • Sims no longer have the chance of getting stuck when getting caught by hidden traps in the Tomb of Abu Simbel basement levels.
  • Logic Processor tomb objects now retain all settings when getting exported and imported.
  • Torch Wall Levers now animate when pulled.
  • Aging cheats are now disabled in Travel Locales.
  • Sims can no longer receive the Wish to Make Nectar using Onions.
  • Fixed a minor error that could occur when burning mummies.
  • Merchant NPCs are not generated if a Travel Locale does not contain a Market Venue.
  • The map tag of a departing Sim no longer remains after the Sim leaves a Travel Locale.
  • Multiple base camps can no longer be created in the same Travel Locale.
  • The Chat on Bed interaction is no longer available for Sims in Tents.
  • Addressed an issue where Sims could get stuck in the Sarcophagus if other Sims were lined up to use it.
  • The Add to Active Family cheat will no longer allow more than 8 Sims to be added to a household. Households with over 8 Sims lead to game instability.
  • The player is now informed if an Adventure is cancelled due to a different Sim interfering with quest requirements.
  • The Adventure Tracker text for the "Deliver Pieces of Unsmelted Mercury" adventure has been clarified.
  • Athletic Skill gain rate from sleeping in the Sarcophagus of Kings has been reduced.
  • Objects in a hidden state no longer revert to a visible state when importing and exporting a lot.
  • Cell phone pictures saved in a lot in the bin are no longer lost when updating.
Undocumented changes
Advertisement