6-18 Update from EA_Mai
UPDATE:
We previously announced that we were making some changes to the supported specifications for The Sims 4™ on PC and Mac on June 2019. We have decided to postpone this update to later this year. All players can currently play all released packs and will be able to play the recently announced Island Living Expansion Pack. We will share more information on the specific date once we have confirmation.
Dear Simmers,
Today we are announcing some changes to the supported specifications for The Sims 4™ on PC and Mac. As of June 2019, we will no longer support The Sims 4 on Non-Metal Mac OS machines or PC 32-bit Operating Systems.
Apple has announced plans to phase out support for graphics processing technology called OpenGL and will be moving to a new technology known as Metal. Due to this change, we will upgrade The Sims 4 to work with Metal. For those that cannot upgrade to a Metal supporting OS, The Sims 4™: Legacy Edition will be made available to you. Please see the FAQ below.
This update will also retire support for 32-bit Operating Systems. We regularly evaluate our technologies, and to continue growing, improving, and optimizing the game, we have made the decision to retire 32-bit support. If you are a PC player who cannot update to a 64-bit OS, The Sims 4: Legacy Edition will be made available to you. Please see FAQ below.
We want to thank all Simmers who have played or are still playing The Sims 4.
Where can I get The Sims 4: Legacy Edition?
The Sims 4: Legacy Edition will be available in June 2019. If you are an existing The Sims 4 owner, we will have instructions on this page which will walk you through the steps to get your copy of The Sims 4: Legacy Edition when it is released. The Sims 4: Legacy Edition will not be made available to new players.
When will this change happen and when will The Sims 4: Legacy Edition be available?
This change is tentatively planned for June 2019. If there are any changes to the planned June date, we will update it.
Will The Sims 4 on my Non-Metal Mac OS be automatically updated to the legacy version?
No, you will need to download The Sims 4: Legacy Edition. To find out if your Mac supports Metal, please check here
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205073Will The Sims 4 on my 32-bit OS PC be automatically updated to the legacy version?
No, you will need to download The Sims4: Legacy Edition.
Will The Sims 4: Legacy Edition receive any additional content or bug fixes in the future?
No, The Sims 4: Legacy Edition will not receive any more content or bug fixes.
Will any online features still work in The Sims 4: Legacy Edition?
The Gallery, game banners, and social integrations will be disabled. The Sims 4: Legacy Edition will not display or allow any purchases of content released after February 2019.
What Stuff Packs, Game Packs, and Expansion Packs can I play using The Sims 4: Legacy Edition?
You will be able to purchase and play all Stuff, Game and Expansion packs released between September 2, 2014 and February 26, 2019. This includes Luxury Party Stuff Pack, Perfect Patio Stuff Pack, Cool Kitchen Stuff Pack, Spooky Stuff Pack, Movie Hangout Stuff Pack, Romantic Garden Stuff Pack, Kids Room Stuff Pack, Backyard Stuff Pack, Vintage Glamour Stuff Pack, Bowling Night Stuff Pack, Fitness Stuff Pack, Toddler Stuff Pack, Laundry Day Stuff Pack, My First Pet Stuff Pack, Outdoor Retreat Game Pack, Spa Day Game Pack, Dine Out Game Pack, Vampires Game Pack, Parenthood Game Pack, Jungle Adventure Game Pack, StrangerVille Game Pack, Get Together Expansion Pack, Get To Work Expansion Pack, City Living Expansion Pack, Cats & Dogs Expansion Pack, Seasons Expansion Pack and Get Famous Expansion Pack.
Content released after February 2019 will require you to upgrade your system.
Will custom content still work with The Sims 4: Legacy Edition?
It will be up to the custom content or mod developer to decide to support their custom content for both The Sims 4 and The Sims 4: Legacy Edition.
Will there be different versions of The Sims 4: Legacy Edition for Non-Metal Mac OS and 32-bit PC OS?
There will be one version of The Sims 4: Legacy Edition that you will be able to download.
Will my save files still work in The Sims 4: Legacy Edition?
Yes, save files will still work with The Sims 4: Legacy Edition. Instructions on “how to” will be published once The Sims 4: Legacy Edition is released.
Comments
EA will no longer support Windows 32-bit version and macOS with OpenGL after June 2019.
All the packs released after February 2019 (After GP07 StrangerVille) will require Windows 64-bit or mac OS with Metal !
The Sims 4 Legacy Edition (Windows 32-bit and macOS OpenGL only) will be released in June 2019.
The Sims 4 Ideas Corner
- 👕 [CAS] Male content | 💰 §1 Million Lifestyle | ♂️ Man lifestyle for The Sims | ♻️ Content from The Sims
- 🔨 [Build/Buy Mode] Ideas | 📱 Ideas from The Sims FreePlay | ✈️ Vacation : Gameplay update | 🥦 New meals
The Sims 4 General DiscussionEP04 Cats & Dogs is also 32-bit and will work with The Sims 4 Legacy Edition.
GP07 StrangerVille is officially the very last pack released for Windows 32-bit.
The Sims 4 Ideas Corner
- 👕 [CAS] Male content | 💰 §1 Million Lifestyle | ♂️ Man lifestyle for The Sims | ♻️ Content from The Sims
- 🔨 [Build/Buy Mode] Ideas | 📱 Ideas from The Sims FreePlay | ✈️ Vacation : Gameplay update | 🥦 New meals
The Sims 4 General DiscussionLeaving this link here, as you can read the details and FAQ in there - hopefully that will help clarify any questions >> https://answers.ea.com/t5/Game-Information/The-Sims-4-Update-on-Supported-Systems/m-p/7629115#M11425
Race Against the Clock: Can your elder sim turn back the clock before their time runs out?
Here's the direct link to the article for those who may not be able to open it without Twitter.
https://www.platinumsimmers.com/articles/the-sims-4-update-on-supported-operating-systems/
In the AHQ thread Simburian posted is a link to Apple's site where you can check whether your Mac supports Metal.
Someone posted this on a Discord I'm in might be helpful here.
It sure is as some may have to dig deep to come up to standard meaning some may have to buy an new system and some may not if they are able to use what they currently have by adding more memory and changing to an 64 bit OS.
ETA: Nvm, just checked and I'm in 64
Yes, it does
For people who aren't still on 32-bit systems, I believe it's very good news. Development will no longer be constrained by having to meet performance standards on a 32-bit system. I'm hoping this means good things to come for complex systems and world size, for example.
For people who are stuck on a 32-bit system for now, it's not good news. Whatever they have when the Legacy game comes out is what they'll be staying with. For them, Sims 4 will have ended development; they won't be able to buy packs that come out after this change happens. That is likely to include *new* mods or mod updates as well. Their current mods and CC will continue to work, but it's unlikely that mod and CC developers will make new content that works with the Legacy base once the regular base patches again. It sounds very much like whatever current bugs they have, they will also be stuck with. Hopefully, for their sake we'll see some major bug fixes before June! On the plus side, when they are able to replace with a 64-bit system, they'll be able to download the updated game from Maxis and carry on.
For people who think they're getting Sims 5 soon or who "need" it, I'm pretty sure this is bad news. It's a good sign that Sims 4 development is planned for a considerable-length future.
@Chazzzy I copied this from the article:
How do I know if I have a 32-bit system or a 64-bit system?
If you are on Windows 8 or 10, you can press the Windows key + I, go to System, then go to About. Under device specifications you can see your system type
Well two and a half years at least. We know this already, and the elimination of 32bit support was probably planned just as far in advance. Unlikely the announcement today will affect the long term plans they announced almost a year ago. I mean unless you are just reiterating, or authenticating the “three more years of content” I really just don’t see your point.
ETA- regardless I think it’s good news overall. No reason they should be forever limited by old hardware, especially when they’ve had the capability to do more since 2015. I can’t begin to assume what 64bit-only packs will entail, but if that means something as simple as a lift on the small world size it would be a benefit. I don’t suppose this will mean they will immediately come out with complex packs that exceed what they could do with 32bit, but time will tell.
It's definitely good, I really doubt anyone here is playing on a Pentium 4, regardless, if you have a 32-bits processor the chances are really high that your PC can't run The Sims 4 anyway.
Now they don't have to be constrained by the lowest of the low end when thinking of new content, and if they are going out of the way to drop support for 32-bits, then they are planning on taking advantage of this.
Thank you for the confirmation!
They now don't need to focus on having it to make run on 2 GB RAM anymore
There's a few things you need to know (don't know about Mac)
So, for people stuck on a 32 bit OS. WHY are you stuck ? Do you only have 2 GB of RAM ? If you're unsure about all this, feel free to come over to AHQ, give us your specs and we can help you out figuring out the best way to go. There's also a Mac forum for those of you concerned about that:
Please do not send me PMs/post on my wall if you're looking for help. I can't attend to those. You can find me at AnswerHQ.
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