[BUG] Science Chem lab = No Serums

[Playalot]

Unfortunately today's patch (Update: 03/22/2016 – PC Version 1.16.61.1020 / Mac Version 1.16.61.1220. March 22, 2016) has introduced a bug with the scientists chemistry lab. There appears no option to Synthesise Serums. Only options available are tinker and experiement.

There is a report on EA's bug thread if you want to add a 'me too'.

link to bug report

[Velouria]

Hello people! Here's strange one....First, the information:

*This is a packard bell imedia s3800, windows 10 home, intel core i5 650 3.20 ghz, 8 gb RAM, 64 bits.

*Fully up to date game, with all the packs except for the last two (cinema and gardens).

I had lots of trouble after the 22 march patch installed itself. And I had lots of CC that could be causing the problems. I love my custom content, and I'm a shameless cheater...:-D  Things had really piled up. 
 
It was time for a good spring clean!

-I removed all "script" type mods, leaving only build mode and CAS type items.
-After that I ran Dmitri Malfatto's Mod Conflict detector http://modthesims.info/d/561550, and removed everything that showed up in all the possible categories.
-I ran "repair game" from the origin main page.

Everything runs fine now it seems, except for one odd thing. My scientist career sim who is quite far up (laboratory leader) can no longer make serums on the Chemistry Lab table. The option does not show any more; "Tinker" "Experiment" and "Push the Big Red Button" do.

The sim has 8 recipes in her notebook, but now can't make any of them. She can still work on the Invention Constructor.

So, any suggestions on what else to do?

Thanks for your time and let me know if you need more information!

[Joria]

There is a "fix"/"work around" for this problem.  This according to Crinricht:

Cause

Patch 1.16.61 has broken the chemistry lab for Sims that were in the science career during patching.
Solution

    Quit your job
    Join the career again
    Open the cheat console and type: testingcheats true
    Type: careers.promote scientist
    Repeat 4 until your back on the level you were before

After doing this, you should be able to create a Serum again.

Of course, if you are in a dynasty you would have to get the ok from the Admins to be able to do this and not fail the dynasty.

[Playalot]

Note: I did not post the work around as it causes your sim to lose all their accrued holidays which can be many, many days if your sim has well and truly maxed the career some time ago.

I would suggest waiting this bug out if you do not want your scientist to have to quit his/her job as I am sure that something this game breaking will have an official fix sooner rather than later judging by past fixes from EA.

It will be more difficult for your sim to max this career until the bug is fixed but you can easily progress by sending your sim to work alone. Making serums is not crucial to maxing the career as usually there are enough other tasks available even if you do follow your sim to work. And although making serums is fun and they are useful to game play... it still doesn't warrant the loss of a maxed career and holiday days etc in my opinion.

If you are experiencing this bug, I'd encourage you to follow the link in my first post and add a 'me too' the the bug report.

[Playalot]

@Velouria in this case running a mod conflict report will not solve anything as this bug requires an official dev's fix via a patch.

[Velouria]

Yes, I read there were more people with this problem. The quit/re-enlist trick works, so that's good, and I have given my mod folder a good cleaning, which was long overdue.
Thanks for the help!

[Joria]

Thanks for the link, Playalot!  I did not take the option to quit and cheat because as you said, you lose all those vacation days etc.  Really, there are so many other options while at work with a scientist you can still max this career without the serums.