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Origin sale: expansion packs; Now with potential workaround
puzzlezaddict
Posts: 1,877 Member
Origin is currently holding a sale on TS3 expansion packs (and, from the look of things, a number of other games). All EPs are priced at $5 U.S. Stuff packs, worlds, and points still have their normal price.
I know many of us play through disc or Steam, but those who use Origin (and haven't bought all the packs yet) might find this convenient.
I couldn't find an end date for the sale, but it's for Black Friday, so it should be good at least through then (November 23).
I know many of us play through disc or Steam, but those who use Origin (and haven't bought all the packs yet) might find this convenient.
I couldn't find an end date for the sale, but it's for Black Friday, so it should be good at least through then (November 23).
Post edited by puzzlezaddict on
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> I was browsing Origin, and noticed some of TS3 EPS are 75% off (I didn’t look to see if it’s all of them, but for sure Showtime and Pets) however, it says your need “the sims 3 starter pack” now, I have this, but I didn’t get it through Origin as I have the discs version. Does anyone know if this won’t work unless I have the specific Origin bundle?
I own base game, not the starter pack version, and I am seeing this too. I don't remember if mine is disc or not. I am trying to buy Island Paradise but it's telling me that I already own it, which I do not, and it won't let me purchase it.
You're supposed to be able to buy, download, and install other packs without owning the starter pack specifically; you're also supposed to get credit for owning the starter pack if you own its components (Late Night and High-End Loft Stuff). In practice, some players run into the occasional error, but it's usually resolved by either clearing Origin's cache, or manually uninstalling and reinstalling Origin itself.
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/faq/clear-cache-to-fix-problems-with-your-games/
https://help.ea.com/en-us/help/origin/origin/manually-uninstalling-origin/
If you still can't buy packs from Origin, please post about it at AHQ, where EA staff are more likely to see your thread and forward it to the appropriate destination.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/bd-p/the-sims-3
Hmm, maybe contact EA chat and talk to someone? I’ll try buying one later today and tell you what happens.
https://answers.ea.com/t5/The-Sims-3/You-already-have-all-the-games-in-this-order/m-p/7187687#M233177
If these steps don't help you either (and it might be useful to clear Origin's cache or uninstall and reinstall it; see my comment above for the links), please click Me Too on the initial post and reply describing what you've tried and which packs you can't buy. The more people post, the better chance there is that the issue will be resolved. (I wish it didn't work that way, but it does.)
S3 simblr: http://simplysimming.tumblr.com/
S4 simblr: http://simlogic.tumblr.com/
> I tried clearing the Origin cache, using filters and tried to purchase via Origin website and it still doesn't work. Reinstalling sounds to risky. God I'd hate to contact them since that's always awkward for me. lol Maybe I'm not meant to get this sale today.
@puzzlezaddict
I tried the filters again and it worked!!! I am now $5 broker! Of course I didn't filter correctly the first time.
So yes, using the filters instead DO work if you have the game through Origin.
Thank you for the links!
Instead of trying to buy the packs you want though your game library, or searching for them directly, open the Origin app and then click on the "Celebrate Black Friday" banner across the top of the Origin window. (It doesn't always show, but clicking on Browse on the left of the screen usually made it appear for me.) This will bring up a list of all discounted games, which is a lot; you can use the "sort & filter" function in the upper right corner to narrow the list. I used "simulation." Then you'll be able to click on any TS3 EP and select "Add to Order" instead of "Buy Now," and you'll see a Buy button towards the top of the screen. You should be able to buy all the EPs you want, although SPs won't be available through this method, since they're not on sale.
It's hard for me to test this approach, since I already own all expansions, but it did work for someone else's account. If any of you are still having trouble, hopefully you can use this workaround to buy the content you want before the sale ends.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
You would have to buy the base game specifically in Steam, but it also costs only $5 (a bundle may be cheaper overall) until tomorrow morning. You'd also get another 1,000 SimPoints for it (and 1,000 for World Adventures, if you buy a second copy), so it's still a good deal.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/
Steam usually has a sale around New Year's, and last year, the prices were exactly the same as you're seeing now. That's no guarantee, but there have been a few similar sales so far this year, so it's entirely feasible to rebuy the game. Just remember that the packs you own in Origin would not transfer to Steam—you'd have to rebuy them all.
Yeah, that's why I'm not doing it right now.94.00 for all the games isn't a bad price at all! just at the holiday season kind of tough lol.Though I may just grab the base and couple of them.
https://graceymanorsims3.tumblr.com/