Digital Downloaders: Where do you download your Sims games from?

[jeanamariex3]

I am a digital collector (aside from TSM Pirates and Nobles, KPST, and Pets being my only physical copies), and always have been, even with Sims 2. This isn't meant for a survey or anything, I just want to gather information for future reference, as to where you get the best deals, etc. I just want to know what your experiences, preferences, etc. This isn't referring to illegal methods either, and this doesn't apply to disks.


I have done Amazon, Origin, and now Direct2Drive, (I think GameFly owns them?). Typically, I do Origin, because it's right there, on the launcher, and I can simply register right there. It's organized, so I never worry about losing the product codes/registration keys. On rare occasions, when Amazon offers it for half the price, I will purchase from them. I heard about direct2drive from Carl, a while back, but I'm a bit iffy about it at best. I purchased a TS2 game I really missed playing with my cousins a while back, and the bummer is that for some reason, if I were to do Apartment Life or Free Time during my need to relive certain features, it didn't recognize Bon Voyage. So I'm a little worried about purchasing future expansions from Sims 3, thinking it won't recognize the GameFly installed purchase.

I hope this isn't too frivolous for discussion, again, so sorry if it is, I just want to hear feedback from other digital downloaders, in regards to Sims games, and where the best place to download from, legally.

Like I said, this applies to digital downloads only. 

[Lasnien]

All of my Sims 3 games are through Origin now, though I bought everything up to Generations from Steam during their summer sales last year. My Sims 2 expansions are/were mostly through Direct2Drive. I think Free Time and Apartment Life I got through Origin/EA because I couldn't get them from D2D at the time. I don't really shop sales for Sims 3 anymore, since I'm an impatient simmer and need to have all the expansions as soon as they're released.

[Gameactive]

Well, I have a bit of an interesting story on the matter.

I purchased a Sims 3 + Pets bundle when it was on sale at Steam. I then intended to get them during sales times on Steam, until I realized Steam doesn’t know how to install store content into the game. I found details on another thread at these forums on redeeming codes at the official site and re-downloading through Origin. So now, when there’s a sale on Steam, I purchase it there and redeem my code at the site, then stop the Steam one from updating so I could download the same thing on Origin. Tricky, but it works. And I can now use as much store content as I can afford. (Which isn’t much, by the way.)

[lvrugger]

I'm on a Mac so I can't use Origin. I started with Gametree, but my bank started tacking on a fee for foreign transactions. Then I switched to Amazon. I have registered all my games on the Sims site, and they are available on Origin to download if I get a PC. I may just get one just for simming so I can do my work on the Mac and Sim on the PC at the same time. I would think that if you bought from D2D and registered on the Sims site you should be able to get the games from Origin if you can't get them from D2D later.

[sharpsiren]

I also had to go the Amazon route. I wish Origin worked for Mac. But Amazon was very helpful.

[SabrinaFaire]

Origin here.

BTW for Mac users, Origin will likely be offering a Mac client fairly soon as they have said that SimCity will be available on the Mac and downloadable. Not sure when though.

[Vegangeekgirl]

I use Origin, at first I bough the discs because the only shop that offered download it here in Sweden took a great deal more money for their downloads than getting the disc. I tend to lose things and really like to be able to play without using a disc.

[jeanamariex3]

See, I tend to lose valuable games too, and I have great AT&T wireless service, and I like to take advantage of the awesome internet service I have. I remember looking for my old favorite, Roller Coaster Tycoon, (the only other game I got into besides the Sims), and I couldn't find it, to which I found out, we gave it away to my younger cousins, over two years ago. 

I typically have gone for Origin, and found it to be the easy route, as I will never have to worry about finding the copies later. I still think to myself, "Why is my favorite EP and SP both physical?" So I know I will have to really keep an eye on them, as they're my most valuable copies.  I'm currently looking on Amazon for a price cut on SN, so I can get my pea shooter.

[PiaPie]

I use Origin as well.  They usually have some good sales on Thanksgiving weekend.

But I know that Origin lets you enter you physical game codes and download them through Origin as well.

Best Buy has a great sale this week (9/9 - 9/15) - all expansion packs are $15, while Supernatural is $25.  No sales on the stuff packs though.

They offer download as well, but I don't think they integrate with Origin, so I opted for the physical copy (free shipping too).

[sims96fan]

I still think to myself, "Why is my favorite EP and SP both physical?" So I know I will have to really keep an eye on them, as they're my most valuable copies.

Did you know that once you register your Sims 3 games on www.thesims3.com, you will also have access to those games via digital download on Origin?  I have all physical copies for the EPs because I prefer them, but if I ever lost my discs, I can re-download them from Origin's digital downloads for free any time.