Sims 3 Store Items not showing in game

[James2112]

A general question for anyone who has installed store items. 

After downloading and installing store items through the launcher, and then checking the installed items tab, some items show as cardboard box like icons. 

They will not show up in game. Initially, they install and show up fine. Eventually they start vanishing.

 

This happens to me with the following...

(FREE) Grahams Pet Swap Shop. This did work at some point, assigns a role sim to the cash register in the shop and all.

(Registered with valid KEY) Katy Perry's Collectors edition stuff. Eventually all items vanish from in game, and turn to those box icons in the installed items section in launcher. 

The icon in the downloads section looks fine and the icon appears showing it as installed. Again, it installed fine the first time, then eventually no longer shows up.

(Registered with valid KEY) EP5 Pets registration gifts. It only has two items and not a big deal but eventually they vanish. Same thing happens as the others.

 

I just finished uninstalling and clearing these things through the launcher. 

Cleared caches and then re-downloaded and reinstalled and they are fine again, but that wont last long from my experience with these specific items. 

 

I think it is beyond a corrupt or damaged DCCache database problem.

I have two folders in my downloads folder with package files titled as 'ChallengeData". Seems to have to do with the store. 

And other things to seem to have to do with the store and license info elsewhere in the Sims 3 folder structure.

 

 

I have a few other items from the store that work fine and always have. 

Ambitions registration bonus careers stuff. 

Late night registration bonus stuff. 

Island Paradise registration bonus stuff (but I didn't download that as not really into fruit basket hats LOL !!)

 

Anyone else have issues with these or other items ? Or the store in general ?

 

One work around might be to extract the packages and just add them into the mods/packages folder.

But before going down the road of adding yet more stuff to my packages folder, I would ask what others may have done to figure this out. 

 

 

[landess]

I wish I could help here - but - I have never bought anything from the store. I have 'found' store content elsewhere, and found a page that unlocks the content so it all works properly since EA has some sort of 'drm' that requires store items/sets/packs to be installed through the launcher, resulting in unlocking said CC. How it works is beyond me. Simple things like singular objects I usually convert to packages. Other things which have specific scripts tied to them and/or large packs like worlds and lots I will still use the launcher, since it probably places files in multiple places.

 

The term - decrapping is used when a 'store item' is unlocked and uploaded - ready to use. Other objects may be made available without this step and may work partially, while missing 'objects' that only appear during use. In the base game these would be like the fork that appears in a sims hand when eating dinner.

 

There is also a page which offers a tool the player can download and it will unlock store items/packs as if they were legitimately purchased/installed.

 

I understand enough to know about the locked features store items may have if they require new animations, or other items made by players which use animations/etc. that were originally made for something else. Sometimes this CC needs new animations if the player doesn't have the object they were originally attached to, or sometimes the CC will only required a reference to use something already in game. An example of the latter would be an exercise bike I have - it needs the animation for regular bike riding - so it includes a reference in the package to tell the game to use said animation when a player directs a sim to use it. Another would be a 'punching bag' I have which uses the animations/etc. that were originally made for the martial arts training dummy.

 

I also have a rock climbing object - but since that was originally from the store only - I needed to unlock it so it would use the proper animations and flag the athletic skill.

 

Lot's of player made CC (sims3packs) only appears as a box if using the launcher since this is nothing more than a 'default Icon' the game uses if it can't find one made by the creator of the sims3pack. Same as the icons in CAS - someone has to make these.

 

Be aware the launcher never works like it should. You mention the DCCache, how many do you show in that folder? The launcher will only 'merge' packages up to a certain size - then it starts a new 'merged package'. I uploaded a detailed .txt file explaining how to rename the files so the launcher will read it if trying to remove content from the launcher created files as it only reads the first one. I have several myself.

 

I will remove any sims3packs from the downloads folder after using the launcher to install them. Not sure if that would affect how the launcher displays these, or if that would also affect removal - I really hate using any of the EA tools myself so I avoid it whenever possible. There is also another folder with files (packages) created by the launcher from the sims3packs with gibberish names of numbers and letters. These are what remain of the conversion/merging process and are also useless - taking up storage memory. There IS one file in there called CC something - that should always be left alone.

 

Since you have an active EA account - have you 'tried' asking on the official forums? I would assume all those players use the store, and may have information to share if you don't turn up anything useful with a search.....

 

 

http://www.moreawesomethanyou.com/smf/index.php?topic=21330.0

 

https://downloadsims.wordpress.com/how-to-install-ea-store-files/

[James2112]

@landess Thanks for the reply. 

 

I had read through a few of your posts this last month or so which was helpful and clued me in to some 

of the CC I was missing out on. I did download the Unblock TG utility but as far as I could tell, it is only needed 

for store CC that has been 'hacked" ?

 

Until recently, all of my store content has been acquired with sim points or was free for registering some of the expansion packs. 

 

After doing the rebuild this year (and having consistent internet) Sims 3 did a auto update to 1.69, thus origin. 

It has been fine really, and the only way I could get my hands on Late Night was through origin. Though I since 

have acquired 2 copies (but with the sims 3 starter pack, thus origin).

 

I don't even mind the store feature showing up as items to buy while in CAS or BUY mode. 

I still have 3000 sim points waiting for, what I don't know. One of the Worlds I suppose.

 

I am thinking I installed something from ATS (the massage table stuff) or perhaps one of the items from

here https://freesims3downloads.tumblr.com/ and that is when the problem started. Although I had already 

downloaded the Unblock TG Utility, the things I downloaded and installed suggested no intervention was needed. 

Specifically The Fairie Outdoor Living Set and the Lunar Lakes World. Both of these installed fine and nothing changed as

far as login or store function.

I downloaded others as well but did not install them as of yet. In part because I was unsure if they needed the 'fix' that is 

mentioned. Some Worlds suggest they need it, others not.

I ran the Unblock utility on some of the other Worlds from that link, compared the file sizes etc... but as far as I can tell 

the Worlds I downloaded did not need any 'fix' as other Worlds mentioned needing. 

 

However, I have downloaded the 'fix'.... a ccmerged file (instructions say to place the file in overrides folder and also in the

DCBackup folder, replacing but not overwriting the file already there). But I will do some further reading first. 

From what I get out of the instructions, I don't have any store content that needs it.

 

As for the community over at sims3.com.... Some of the posts date back to 2009 and generally it is a ghost town. 

Although every now and then there is a bit of info to research further. Much of it however is unsolved problems 

people have with origin/serial numbers and the usual.

 

Anyways, I have rambled enough. I'll keep at it and get it sorted sooner or later 

[JoshQ]

As far as I remember furniture, objects and clothes without additional functionality can be ‘decrapified’ to remove the DRM and then converted into a .package which beats relying in the piece of junk known as the sims 3 launcher (only needs clearing the caches after adding / removing sfuff).

 

There’s three utilities for that: ‘decrapify.exe’ to remove the drm (which is just a simple file check there’s no personal information included or anything remotely sophisticated), and ‘Sims3Pack Multi Installer’ to convert a sims3pack to package (I think this one can be downloaded from modthesims), finally there’s ‘Compressorizer Redux’ which can do both and more.

 

I did a quick search but I only got invalid links so hopefully your google-fu is better than mine or if you need it I can attach my copies.

 

[Guest]

I have absolutely no idea how it works, but I downloaded the world Bastport 2 over the summer. It's from a Russian modder. It is FULL of store items that seem to work 100%, so I imagine it can be done somehow. Also understand this is a HUGE world, over 2.5GB. It included ballet barre, gambling tables, rock climbing wall, and several other items.

 

Perhaps google sites ending in ".RU"? Very different mindset regarding hacking and sharing. )))

[James2112]

I have avoided any store content that has been included with other downloads mainly because of the horror of people packing CC (with a lot or a sim for example).. 

And potentially some store CC that has been messed with. Though I would happily install anything at all in mods/packages if everything is individual packages, in a zip or something, but not as a sim3pack file as eventually something will go wrong. 

 

So far I used Delphys multi extract on the Katy Perry set, and renamed all the package files. I added the 3 package file items that 'went bad' in the DCCache, to the mods folder and now they show up in the BUY mode. 

I did the same with Grahams Pet Swap Shop. Most of the stuff installed properly through the launcher, but it wasn't installing the actual Pet Shop Lot, and 4 items were not showing up in BUY mode. So after extracting the package files and renaming them, I put the lot in my Library folder and it is good to go. Placed in a world and the game assigned a role sim 

to work the cash register. The 4 items don't show up though, in BUY mode, or when buying from the shop, even though I put the 4 package files in the mods folder. 

 

Spoiler

 

So I decided to use the functions of Origin to update the game... It did something, but not sure it actually updated. The version number in the launcher is the same.

Then I chose to do a repair... 

 

And great news.... could use a dramatic drum roll here...

Usually the Launcher defaults to the welcome button and associated window contents. In that window is usually a Sims 4 ad, Above it is a login. 

Well, no ad, and no login now, 

 

The expansion pack management has not changed. 

 

The Downloads section now contains the login button. 

The Installed Content section now also has a login.... 

But I can't login now hah !

 

Oh and also, now I can't download anything from the Sims 3 Store LOL !!!! 

 

Great update they did there lol !

 

Whelp ! 

 

I'm just posting this info for humour at this point. 

 

Time to backup my user folder and rebuild it, for curiosity sake. At least I have a good idea of when it stopped working properly and what might have caused it, if it turns out to be CC related anyhow.

 

And seeing we all like pics... I tried setting KW Privacy to Default, which I had never used before. Usually use the exhibition setting. I wasn't sure what to expect, was hoping the sims would try to find privacy, but nope.... The guy in red and riding hat (Appaloosa Plains World from Pets) is a paparazzi and still, the sims are "this couch looks like a good place to have sex with the boss for a job performance gain"...  And also, my sim is the blonde. Any time I have tried this 'KW Bribe Boss' feature, it is the boss who does the work on my sim ?

[James2112]

Backed up the Sims 3 user folder and had the game rebuild it. Really don't know what files handle login info but it is working again.

Slowly began installing through the launcher, the 'legal' store items and Registration Freebies.

So far they all installed fine and everything shows up as it should. The store items that you can buy (CAS or Buy mode) are also showing up

while in game so I made a backup of the DCCache and DCBackup folders prior to installing anything else. 

Also backed up anything that looked related to login info. 

 

Next is to start installing the more questionable store content, the Faerie Outdoor set, Lunar Lakes, Hidden Springs and Lucky Palms which I downloaded from 

here... https://freesims3downloads.tumblr.com/ . I am not using the 'fix' that is mentioned on the site as it doesn't seem to be required for anything I am installing. 

 

We will see how it goes. 

[landess]

On 1/30/2021 at 8:28 AM, James2112 said:

Hidden Springs and Lucky Palms

 

On 1/30/2021 at 8:28 AM, James2112 said:

not using the 'fix'

 

 

I'm curious if the gambling table will work properly for you then? While I had the table show up - I got black boxes showing over the table when the game was supposed to display the cards being dealt and played. As with previous posts - Hidden Springs has the massage table iirc - and the items (like Cards for poker) need to be unlocked to show - such as the hot stones, acupuncture needles, etc. The 'fix' did what it what supposed to and everything is 'good' now.

 

>The Gambling objects ARE a part of a special download option which IS separate (fucking EA Greed!) as the Lucky Casino from Lucky Palms. "Would anyone buy the world without the Casino?" Separating it and acting like a 'responsible company' not forcing kids to use gambling objects is cringe worthy from the lockbox kings of the internet.

[James2112]

7 minutes ago, landess said:

 

 

 

I'm curious if the gambling table will work properly for you then? While I had the table show up - I got black boxes showing over the table when the game was supposed to display the cards being dealt and played. As with previous posts - Hidden Springs has the massage table iirc - and the items (like Cards for poker) need to be unlocked to show - such as the hot stones, acupuncture needles, etc. The 'fix' did what it what supposed to and everything is 'good' now.

 

>The Gambling objects ARE a part of a special download option which IS separate (fucking EA Greed!) as the Lucky Casino from Lucky Palms. "Would anyone buy the world without the Casino?" Separating it and acting like a 'responsible company' not forcing kids to use gambling objects is cringe worthy from the lockbox kings of the internet.

Aha Ok, I understand better now what the fix would do. Previously I had installed a user venue that included the massage table, shower and sauna. 

I have no idea where that uploader got the objects from. 

Later I installed the table from ATS along with a mod from MTS as ladySmoks mentioned assigning a role sim, which worked.

At that point I only had used the romantic massage option so had no idea of any extra bits that might be missing.

Then I installed Hidden Springs (without the fix) from the download I posted.

And only then did I try the other table options and saw the extra bits were present, but no idea if that would be the case if I had just installed Hidden Springs (without the fix).

 

This time I will be installing hidden Springs (no fix) first, without the other downloaded venue or the stuff from ATS. 

I know it does contain the table, shower and sauna but I will check if it includes all the extras (acupuncture etc..). 

 

And I will make note of what happens with the casino table for Lucky Palms without the fix.

[landess]

55 minutes ago, James2112 said:

without the fix

 

I'm still unclear on the nomenclature concerning 'fix' and unlock - although I understand the concepts.

 

My first success was using the 'decrapify' mod from MoreAwesomeThanYou which solved the issues I had for a long time with the 'pizza oven' included with Monte Vista. Since I was using a world version from a source other than the Store, I had a functional world, but objects like the oven would be missing the objects used during the animation of cooking: Sims throwing invisible pizzas into the air, and holding an invisible pizza spatula(?) when placing and retrieving food items while using the oven.

 

After grabbing Lucky Palms and Casino I had the above mentioned issues with the gambling/poker table. This is what prompted me to look into the decrapifying stuff to begin with. As the black boxes were MORE than distracting - I may have let empty hands/invisible cards go, but those annoying boxes - just NO!

 

Afterwards I found out about the program to 'unlock' the features and my understanding of the situation came full circle. I had long suspected EA had some way to mess with users acquiring store content outside the store, yet given how the mod system works, wasn't sure how they would handle this. Now it's pretty clear - They 'lock' certain features/animation updates somehow. I guess they didn't figure people would be able to duplicate the process they use. People have always been good at defeating security.

 

As for the fix vs unlock: I'm guessing it's the same thing being done different ways.

 

>I have no idea what kind of effect mixing fixed/unlocked/store bought(EA unlock) would have though. Hopefully it's all the same and everything falls into place.......

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Gotta 'love' EA - I just now saw this: I'm surprised EA doesn't sell the poker chips separate ? https://store.thesims3.com/setsProductDetails.html?scategoryId=14061&index=0&productId=OFB-SIM3:64896

 

Spoiler

 

 

[Guest]

On 1/31/2021 at 12:03 PM, landess said:

Gotta 'love' EA - I just now saw this: I'm surprised EA doesn't sell the poker chips separate

Again, and yes, there is some unwanted things, but the Bastport 2 world also has both of these items... and they work. )))

[BulleCore]

Hi there, I was thinking about this topic, because I've found the origin version similar to the one I have lost. I've installed it and I'm currently doing my best to put everything perfectly as it should be when I'll play after I've finished to install it. I'm trying to place every worlds of the store, after a good decrap so that's what I'm doing: I install each world I've found there and there (undecrapified before dl and decrapified before going into the launcher)  one by one with the launcher. I Uninstall the objects and I keep only the world. Between each installation I go into my Electronic Arts The sims 3 folder in my documents to suppress the cache files, in order to have the cleanest configuration to install the next one.

Separately I've downloaded the whole store content in packages ( named by collection etc) and I'm preparing myself to select each item I want in the game and to compress them collection by collection, keeping the archive with the whole game intact in another hard drive (external one) .. I'm not sure if I can or if I must decrapify also the packages... In 2010 it wasn't recommended, and now I see there and there that it is ! I hope it will help btw.

Best Regards.

 

I edit: reason, there are items that seem impossible to uninstall once the world is installed I'm trying to find an issue!