I am a newbie dolt, who bought a used Sims 3....

[Hurleyslegacy]

Now, that I have realized that I can't play the online games...I am wondering if I can play offline and still be able to purchase the expansion packs? Would they work with what I have, such as it is? ...Or should I just call it a day and fork out the cash for the new game and start over? *sigh*  Thanks!

[Twinmum]

Not sure what you mean by you can't play the online games. Sims is a game that is played off line. The exception is when you add Showtime, you can Sim-port your Sims to other people's games.
As for the expansion packs, there shouldn't be any reason you can't add them and play them.

[Saltypaws]

Do you mean that since the game is used, the code has already been entered and you can't play it?  I thought once the key code has been entered you cannot re-enter it again.  Not sure if you cannot enter it on the same computer or a different computer.  I know when I lost my base game for sims3, I used my mom's key code, but also had all of the expansion packs after that, but it was different computer.

[Wiry]

Do you mean that since the game is used, the code has already been entered and you can't play it?  I thought once the key code has been entered you cannot re-enter it again.  Not sure if you cannot enter it on the same computer or a different computer.  I know when I lost my base game for sims3, I used my mom's key code, but also had all of the expansion packs after that, but it was different computer.

You can use the same code up to I think three times, no questions asked.
I think what this person is saying is they can't register the game because someone else already did, which means they can't use ANY of the online features like gifting, or the store (I think).

Yes, you can get all the expansions and play them, though. They will work exactly as they say on the tin, minus the online components which are minimal and really don 't add that much to the game 

[Hurleyslegacy]

Thank you all so much....that is what I meant...that the game has already been registered...I can't use features like making my own patterns...for example. I am definitely not a computer whiz...so excuse my terminology in tryi g to explain it. If it were orthopedics...I would be on it. Thank you for having pity on me! Much appreciated!!!!

[kikipetie]

It has to be more than 3 times, I am sure , cause I have started over more times than I can count.
And about the registration, a friend gave me her base game and I had to use her log in info to get to the shop, but when EA gave me Late Night (a long story      ) I registered that and other expansions in my own name, so that took care of the registration problem  LOL

[MoonsAreBlue]

It has to be more than 3 times, I am sure , cause I have started over more times than I can count.
And about the registration, a friend gave me her base game and I had to use her log in info to get to the shop, but when EA gave me Late Night (a long story      ) I registered that and other expansions in my own name, so that took care of the registration problem  LOL

I agree here. I have re-installed a ridiculous amount of times and I've had no problem. The base game alone has been on at least five different computers.

I just tried to download Create-A-Pattern, and it made me log in, but I don't know if you have to have a game registered to download it. I've never used CAP though, so I'm really unfamiliar with it. As far as just playing the game goes, you should have no problem.

[Wiry]

I agree here. I have re-installed a ridiculous amount of times and I've had no problem. The base game alone has been on at least five different computers.

I just tried to download Create-A-Pattern, and it made me log in, but I don't know if you have to have a game registered to download it. I've never used CAP though, so I'm really unfamiliar with it. As far as just playing the game goes, you should have no problem.

Hm. I figured it was three times because I have an awesome memory, I have used the codes for WA and AMB twice each before, this is the third usage. I tried to install them on my brother's laptop the other day and it denied it due to it having already been used.

[MoonsAreBlue]

Hm. I figured it was three times because I have an awesome memory, I have used the codes for WA and AMB twice each before, this is the third usage. I tried to install them on my brother's laptop the other day and it denied it due to it having already been used.

Maybe it gets denied after is gets registered? I just checked my profile on the official site and I signed up for an account just after I bought the game. I know I registered it because I got the free simpoints that came with the base game back then. So maybe it gets declined for some other reason? I've had no issue with it being installed or downloaded from Origin.

I had it on my first laptop, my second one, my replacement for my second one (Samsung broke the original while it was being repaired), my third laptop, and now my desktop. I also had it on my boyfriend's laptop and I think it was on my sister's for a while. So... that's 7 computers! That was over a period of three years though, so maybe declining installation is a new thing?

[Seabody]

Maybe it gets denied after is gets registered? I just checked my profile on the official site and I signed up for an account just after I bought the game. I know I registered it because I got the free simpoints that came with the base game back then. So maybe it gets declined for some other reason? I've had no issue with it being installed or downloaded from Origin.

It denies it if you enter it incorrectly. I once mistook a K for an X, I think, it rejected me about ten times before I reread it slowly and triple checked the code.