The Sims 3/Patch 8

The 8th patch 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.

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
 * Magicians re-enabled.