WickedWhims

[RUASim21]

3 hours ago, applicationunprocessed said:

Long time listener, first time caller. Hoping to get some sort of "best practice" established for my own sanity.

 

I see people mentioning "just turn off autoupdates, and when there's a patch, switch to offline mode, duh!", but in my experience (with other games, not necessarily TS4, so maybe TS4 is different), usually the game launcher/platform will sassily tell me "there's an update available, go online to get it before we let you play, stupid"

 

That is assuming the EA app itself doesn't update, and "accidentally" wipe out your settings, reverting back to autoupdate=true (which I'm pretty sure is what landed me here, read below)

 

So, let me run a hypothetical by you guys: My PC starts, I go online, go about my business watching youtube or what have you, and unbeknownst to me, an update for both the EA app and for TS4 is pushed. EA app tells me "An update is available".

 

Question 1: If I switch to offline mode & unplug my ethernet after the TS4 update has been announced and the launcher is aware of the update (but not yet installed), will the EA app permit me to play in Offline mode still? My gut instinct says "no", in fact it says "they're probably going to remove offline mode one of these updates"

 

Question 2: In the event that the EA app and TS4 get updated at the same time, and the update is installed despite all of us having "no updates enabled", is there anything we can do to revert back gracefully if we have a saved copy of our installation files? Would we need to backup the current version of the EA app as well? This could be an easy fix with an incremental backup tool to keep X number of old versions, but not if we can't get straight back into Offline mode after restoring the files from backup.

 

I ask you this because when I installed Steam, EA, and TS4 on my new PC, I set everything to "don't update automatically"... and somehow, I don't know when, but that reverted, and now I'm here commiserating with everyone else on 1.108.335.1020 (under duress)

 

At this point, if I have to disable my ethernet adapter to play this game without my three (THREE, ONLY THREE) .TSCRIPT mods from breaking, I will do that. I just need to know if we HAVE to go that far.

 

TLDR: what is the current best practice for BOTH preventing updates AND rolling back to a (previously locally backed up) copy of the games files?

 

Thanks in advance everyone, I'm off to reorganize the GOD AWFUL file structure of my CC folder, here's hoping we can get a good "best practice" down.

 

When the EA app opens, if the game starts to update, stop the update. Then, go to the drop-down menu at the top and select "offline mode."  I will say the one thing I've noticed with EA's app offline is that your game will just shut down somewhere around the two hour mark, so make sure you save regularly, especially if events happen you don't want to repeat. I don't think they will take away offline mode, but they definitely put a deterrent in place.

 

ETA: Go into your settings and turn off auto-updates if you haven't already.

Edited July 30, 2024 by RUASim21

[Country_Boy]

7 minutes ago, RUASim21 said:

I don't think they will take away offline mode, but they definitely put a deterrent in place.

If they do, I'll just go back to using crack version of the game. I find it bad enough that EA forces you to have an internet connection to even play Sims 4. Makes me miss the days of having actual disc copies of our games. 

[simsupremo]

8 hours ago, thaclone said:

no, if you set the EA app to "no auto update" it does not automatically update
and when it does not update, just go "offline mode" and start the game, I am still playing on the old version, without the last pack installed... and yes, with the EA app, every single pack legally aquired.

so by now, everybody should know now, what to to, when there is a big patch coming up.

but still, threatening somebody and leaking private information, because you can't wait a few days for a FREE mod, is just ridicolous

i just did that, but the app does not let me play until i update the game... so what is going on!!

[Oven-toasted-owl]

4 hours ago, Grimurei said:

I dont find the Sims 4 fun with WW, so ill happily wait for the update! 

it's not just the nudity / fucking and stuff it's the extra shift + click menus for me like shift click delete an object can't do that without WW

[Zilvertink]

On 7/28/2024 at 2:05 AM, SpexSIMS said:

I will WAIT for all my favorite mods to be patched before I pull my game out of offline mode and accept updates. I have also backed up my installation, s4s and config/mod directories so I can roll back in case there is a problem. It is always a good idea to READ their blog and find out what has been broken beforehand. I know that some developers (like Khlas) will not patch their content until the WW patch is released. In the meantime, I am collecting updated mods and storing them for when I do decide to update. It certainly will save me headaches in the long run and I can still enjoy my game instead of dealing with last exceptions. The good news is that TURBO is working on fixing WW. Have a little patience and everything will be A-OK!

 

Yes, wise words. I allways do the same. I play in offline mode as long as modders need to get their mods fixed.  Then i look for updates on the mods in my list,. I have 3 folders: Updated, compatible and broken. Here i put the copy of mods in as they get cleared or updated or mentioned as broken. In the meantime i am enjoying my game without problems. Just wait instead of updating a game,, you know that is bound to break the mods you are using and then gettig angry and impatient. And people saying that Turbodriver should update his mod imediately because you pay him. Well he did not force you to pay. His mods are for free but you don't want to wait for new functionalities in game.  That is on you.  I for one hope Turbodriver enjoyed his vacation and i will wait patiently for an update whenever he can. Even if it takes weeks.

 

[Иоланта]

And if someone does not have an origin, but an example of an evil origin and a pirate with automatic updates? No one thinks about it.

[Pako]

Hello I have an exception error with this mod, could You please help me solve it?

 

• Last Module Called: whims_tracker.py
• Last Function Called: _generate_whim_buckets_for_type_and_whimset
• Error message: Exception when applying action <RefreshWhimsLootOp ParticipantType.Actor> for loot loot_Want_Refresh_Reactionary(loot_actions=(<RefreshWhimsLootOp ParticipantType.Actor>,), run_test_first=False, tests=CompoundTestList([])) (AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'guid64'), CategoryID: whims_tracker:1365

 

 

[mikeflint]

12 minutes ago, Pako said:

Hello I have an exception error with this mod, could You please help me solve it?

 

• Last Module Called: whims_tracker.py
• Last Function Called: _generate_whim_buckets_for_type_and_whimset
• Error message: Exception when applying action <RefreshWhimsLootOp ParticipantType.Actor> for loot loot_Want_Refresh_Reactionary(loot_actions=(<RefreshWhimsLootOp ParticipantType.Actor>,), run_test_first=False, tests=CompoundTestList([])) (AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'guid64'), CategoryID: whims_tracker:1365

 

 

Step1: Uninstall the mod

Step2: Wait for the mod to be updated

Step3: Reinstall the mod.

Ur Welcome

[Pako]

20 minutes ago, mikeflint said:

Step1: Uninstall the mod

Step2: Wait for the mod to be updated

Step3: Reinstall the mod.

Ur Welcome

okay, thanks

Edited July 30, 2024 by Pako

[mikeflint]

1 hour ago, Pako said:

okay, thanks

Happy to help

[SpexSIMS]

15 hours ago, applicationunprocessed said:

TLDR: what is the current best practice for BOTH preventing updates AND rolling back to a (previously locally backed up) copy of the games files?

Tin foil hat time --- Windows firewall rules can be used in between updates or you can search online for applications which will do as you wish. I opted for an alternative solution: I play my windows games on Ubuntu (Linux) in a WINE container. I use Firejail to block the insufferable EA launcher from dialing home until I am ready to update. The advantage is you can have a separate WINE instance for each EA game you purchased and can choose which ones can access the internet. 

 

You can try backing up installation folder and configurations to a separate hard drive and copy back over to "roll back" ... in my case, I backup the WINE container that the game is in. When the inevitable update breaks everything, I can delete that container and restore the backup. I lose nothing but a few minutes of my time.

 

Edited July 30, 2024 by SpexSIMS
Sometimes you need to blow out birthday candles using a fire extinguisher... LOL

[Robbsi]

19 hours ago, Mellor81 said:

just keep hold of it on your desktop or something for now and let everything get updated and try it again, theres so many things broken this time not just WW so it could be a good week or 2 before everything gets back to normal

I know. Thanks.

[thaclone]

5 hours ago, Иоланта said:

And if someone does not have an origin, but an example of an evil origin and a pirate with automatic updates? No one thinks about it.

than you are a piece of sh!t for pirating games 🤷‍♂️

[Иоланта]

39 minutes ago, thaclone said:

than you are a piece of sh!t for pirating games 🤷‍♂️

Quote

and this is an insult to a girl, maybe a person doesn't have money, and not to insult her with shit!😠

 

[Shellty_]

1 hour ago, Иоланта said:

and this is an insult to a girl, maybe a person doesn't have money, and not to insult her with shit!😠

Omg the base game is free! There are often discounts for additional packs. If I didn't have any money to discounted content the problems with updating mods wouldn't bother me at all🤦‍♀️

[Иоланта]

I explain for those who did not understand.

Some people play the base game for free, and some do not. Speak for yourself and without interruptions. Who is interested in playing. Thanks for attention.

 

Объясняю для тех кто не понял.

Кому то играть на базовой игре бесплатной, а кому то нет. Говорите самих за себя и без осков.  Кому как интересно играть. Спасибо за внимание.

[Guest]

51 minutes ago, Иоланта said:

I explain for those who did not understand.

Some people play the base game for free, and some do not. Speak for yourself and without interruptions. Who is interested in playing. Thanks for attention.

 

Объясняю для тех кто не понял.

Кому то играть на базовой игре бесплатной, а кому то нет. Говорите самих за себя и без осков.  Кому как интересно играть. Спасибо за внимание.

i speak for everyone here when i say...what?

[Oven-toasted-owl]

56 minutes ago, Иоланта said:

I explain for those who did not understand.

Some people play the base game for free, and some do not. Speak for yourself and without interruptions. Who is interested in playing. Thanks for attention.

 

Объясняю для тех кто не понял.

Кому то играть на базовой игре бесплатной, а кому то нет. Говорите самих за себя и без осков.  Кому как интересно играть. Спасибо за внимание.

I didn't know this was a russian forum

[candy010]

 

yaaay

 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/hey-109029877

Edited July 30, 2024 by candy010

[Snowxx]

4 minutes ago, candy010 said:

 

yaaay

 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/hey-109029877

I'm glad they didn't quit because of those dicks doxxing them. Take your time, Turbo.

[Иоланта]

26 minutes ago, Oven-toasted-owl said:

I didn't know this was a russian forum

Read from above in English

[RUASim21]

18 hours ago, simsupremo said:

i just did that, but the app does not let me play until i update the game... so what is going on!!

 

It says that, but it should send you to a black screen where you see a TS4 icon, that's offline mode and you just double-click to make it run. EA does not make it easy and you have a limited time you can play before the app shuts itself down. 

[applicationunprocessed]

11 hours ago, SpexSIMS said:

Tin foil hat time --- Windows firewall rules can be used in between updates or you can search online for applications which will do as you wish. I opted for an alternative solution: I play my windows games on Ubuntu (Linux) in a WINE container. I use Firejail to block the insufferable EA launcher from dialing home until I am ready to update. The advantage is you can have a separate WINE instance for each EA game you purchased and can choose which ones can access the internet. 

 

You can try backing up installation folder and configurations to a separate hard drive and copy back over to "roll back" ... in my case, I backup the WINE container that the game is in. When the inevitable update breaks everything, I can delete that container and restore the backup. I lose nothing but a few minutes of my time.

 

 

Now this is the kind of aluminum helmet overkill I'm looking for, I didn't realize WINE had come so far in the past 10 years!

 

For Windows, I think this is the best we can do:

1. When everything is working/all mods are updated and compatible and the TS4 version is "good", make a .zip/.7z archive backup of the game files, (just in case)
2. Keep EA App set to "Don't auto update the game" and "don't auto update the app" and "don't start the app on windows login"
3. Keep Steam set to "Don't update this game until I launch it"
4. Block the following EXEs in Windows Firewall, both INBOUND AND OUTBOUND
   1. eadesktop.exe
   2. eabackgroundservice.exe
   3. EACefSubProcess.exe
   4. EAEgsProxy.exe
   5. EAConnect_microsoft.exe
   6. EASteamProxy.exe
   7. EAGEP.exe
   8. EAUpdater.exe
   9. EALaunchHelper.exe
   10. EACrashReporter.exe
5. Create a batch script called "1 - AS ADMIN DISABLE NETWORK.bat", with only one command inside it:
   1. netsh interface set interface "Ethernet" disable
6. In the same folder you created the batch script above, create a shortcut to the TS4 game executable, title it "2 - TS4 ENSURE YOU'RE OFFLINE"
7. Create a batch script called "3 - KILL EA APP AND REENABLE NETWORK.bat" with the following commands in order
   1. @echo off
      echo Ensure EA app is QUIT before continuing
      taskkill /f /im eadesktop.exe
      taskkill /f /im eabackgroundservice.exe
      taskkill /f /im EACefSubProcess.exe
      taskkill /f /im EAEgsProxy.exe
      taskkill /f /im EAConnect_microsoft.exe
      taskkill /f /im EASteamProxy.exe
      taskkill /f /im EAGEP.exe
      taskkill /f /im EAUpdater.exe
      taskkill /f /im EALaunchHelper.exe
      taskkill /f /im EACrashReporter.exe
      pause
      netsh interface set interface "Ethernet" enable
8. Hide all other shortcuts to the game
9. When you want to launch the game, run the 1st .bat file as an admin, then double click the sims shortcut normally, and when done run the other .bat file as an admin
10. EDIT: when you DO actually want to update the game, disable the firewall rules made in Step 4 and launch the EA app normally
11. Understand that this is not technical advice and is closer to "mad science"

*pushes up nerd glasses* if my calculations are correct, doing all this rigamarole will give you control over when the game actually updates, as well as a rollback plan for when it inevitably goes tits up. I'm probably forgetting something here, and this will all probably fall flat when the time comes, but hey it's something.

 

The reason I'm killing my whole network adapter is if I don't, and just do the firewall rules, the EA app somehow knows something is fishy and won't launch the game, and gives me a generic 1000 error code and tells me to go online (even if I was previously in offline mode). I don't need the internet while I'm playing the game, I listen to music offline and if I want youtube I throw it on my smartphone. This will not work for everyone.

 

The reason I am keeping a full offline .7z backup of the game files is because I don't trust Steam to honor my "Please don't update this until I want to launch it" agreement. I'm sure sooner or later, Steam will just kind of "forget" that I set that... seems to happen with all cloud based settings sooner or later, something gets reset to defaults whether malicious or not.

 

The reason I'm putting so much effort into this is... well... I honestly can't say anymore, I don't even like The Sims lmao

 

...But I do love a good fistfight with DRM/Always online B.S., especially when the reward is "build your own playboy mansion"

Edited July 31, 2024 by applicationunprocessed

[Oven-toasted-owl]

Turbo disabled comments and I don't blame him; half of ya'll can't behave

[Anamariesa]

1 hour ago, Oven-toasted-owl said:

Turbo disabled comments and I don't blame him; half of ya'll can't behave

You mean patreon? where only his true and most loyal supporters (paid subscribers) can comment? and they are somehow upset? mm I wonder why. He only make them wait a week, and he blocked the comments when their subscriptions says explicitly they will grant access to all post and discussions from patreon. But oh yes, that people must be wrong, turbo is right he must censor everything even if people are paying for it, he has right.