The Store

[Havisham]

I need to vent. The Sims 3 Store is driving me crazy! I like the game, but the store is just awful. To know I payed around $50 for the Sims 3 Generations, which pretty much turned out to be a Stuff pack with less Stuff and a bit of added features like Bachelor parties, essentailly just a party, and that the Store encourages you to spend more money on half of its official content just irks me to no end. Haven't we invested enough into the games? I don't see how holding out on content in the actual game just to sell it individually for a higher cost later shows any respect or decency towards the fans. Does anyone else have a problem with this? Or at least notice it?

[Artimis]

I hate it, it wants me buy stuff while I am playing the game. IT SHOWS ME THEM AND IT IS JUST AWFUL!!!

[Anniversary]

The store is entirely optional. I'm not sure why people feel so deserving of the content available on the store.

the Store expects you to spend tons of money on half of its official content

Though this wording, "expects you" and "official content" makes me think maybe people see "This content is officially by EA" and think "Well, that means my game isn't complete if I don't own it." which is just silly.

If you don't want to buy something on the store, don't buy it...The store exists as a build-your-own stuff pack, basically. Build your own, and be done with it. You're not missing out on content, just different shapes of things you already have in the base game, right? :)

[whiterider]

Turn off the in-game store and forget it exists. Seemples.

(But yes, while DLC is on the rise, TS3 DLC is the most overpriced DLC I have ever seen)

[lisfyre]

When they first announced that I vowed NEVER to have it turned on. I haven't ever turned it on so I have no idea what's being spammed. I delete the contents of Featured Items folder before and after each game session because the game regenerates it all over again, it's 10MB+ of useless junk. So you don't like it.. turn it off. Simple as that.

[Esmeralda]

You're not missing out on content, just different shapes of things you already have in the base game, right? :)
Not if it's 'Premium Content', which adds extra gameplay that is not already in the game - that's the only Store stuff I buy (that and Lunar Lakes, and I only bought that because I wanted the sci-fi rabbitholes, although admittedly it turned out that I love the world itself too, because I'm just a big sci-fi nerdette). But really, I think the 'Premium Content' should have been included in the expansion packs rather than make everyone pay for it separately.

But as for the non-Premium stuff, you're right - you can get equal or better quality equivalents here on MTS for free.

[Kestie Freehawk]

Pinned to the top of the forum is a freebie link topic. I have a lot of stuff but most of it was free from Dr Pepper or T-mobile. I think they are using those as free items in the store now. I also got 40 dollars in store credit for registration, and was conservitive with it. I got the Vaindeburger set which has a super high confort setting and leather matches everything. Thats pretty much all I use. I find that when I am decorating I tend to put things in for confort level anyway so it makes it hard to use any new item because I dont want the house to be less confortable. I know thats probably wrong but I paint everything with a home style sheet so it makes it easier to pick items. There are a couple of dressers with 3 paint channels that I use that are lesser value, and one desk, but the rest is almost always the same with different paint and wood. I know thats probably worng but *shrug* who has the money for all that store stuff.

[Elphiron]

Now, you could get angry OR play them at their own game. I can't believe that you'd want EVERYTHING the store has to offer, so keep your eye on the one or two things that you're interested in, wait until they go down in price, things often go into a sale or get reduced after a while PLUS they do timed freebie offers as well. Then use the free sim points that you get for registering the game and the expansions on-line to buy the things you want! Ta da, no money spent. One point to you, None to EA. :)

[sierrakusterbeck]

The store's optional. EA isn't forcing you to hand over your debit card and purchase everything they have in the store. Yeah, everything there is ridiculously overpriced (considering the things they're selling are some pixels for a video game), but you don't have to buy any of it.

[zigersimmer]

Shop selectively and wait for sales/daily dealios.

[ksstrek]

I have bought things from the store, but am selective in what I buy. My favorite thing that I bought from the store was the baby swing. You put your baby or toddler in it and their motives increase. they are happy and go to sleep. Of course if your parent sim delights in turning the swing to fast mode, your baby and toddler will get a nauseated moodlet and will cry and be fussy.

[Havisham]

My main issue isn't that there's Sims 3 content I want to buy, it's that they are barely putting much content into the packs and then putting items that should be in the game onto the Store to purchase. The idea of the Store itself doesn't disgust me, it's that the company is trying to make as much money as possible and sacrificing game quality to achieve it. Which especially sucks because they (the games) cost $50 dollars and aren't delivering.

[ksstrek]

Well, there is that. It does seem that the swing should have been included in Generations.

[rian90]

Whose to say if the store didn't exist we would get all the stuff offered there in EPs or SPs? They might simply not make additional stuff. If you can afford it and like to add things to your game but are afraid to try CC, then the Store is a great place. Yes, it is expensive, but some people can afford it. I can't afford a Mercedes or a Porsche, but I certainly love to see them on the road...so I hope they will always be available to someone. :)

[justin1010]

I'm one of those who likes the concept of the store simply because it offers many ways for players to customize their games and is great for those who prefer EA made items over custom content. That and the store offers a lot of variety in terms of items, clothing, and haircuts.

On the other hand, the store is, sadly, far too overpriced. The very idea of charging over 20$ for a set of furniture is just unacceptable, and it seems that EA is intent on squeezing every last penny out of its customers. Yeah the store is optional, and that's fine, but it's also not fun knowing you're missing out on a lot of great content simply because you cannot afford to purchase it...and EA wonders why there are so many pirates :rolleyes:

[Anniversary]

it's that they are barely putting much content into the packs and then putting items that should be in the game onto the Store to purchase

Do Stuff Packs actually have less content than they did with Sims 2? or is this just conjecture?

Personally I'd rather have 50 themes thanks to the store than being stuck with 5 themes because of stuff packs. More selection.

[ButchSims]

I think some of the sets on the store are great, but I don't think they would have done so well as a stuff pack or expansion. I really wanted to do an Alice In Wonderland themed game, just for fun, and thanks to my job selling Dr. Pepper in it's cafeteria I got over thirty items for free, most of them fitting the theme I was looking for. Then I was able to snag both the Through the Spyglass set and the Las Vegas set for cheap, during a daily deal. All total, I got over a stuff packs worth of items for about 5-8 dollars (I didn't even have to pay for the Dr. Pepper bottles, since I work in a huge hospital, and just let it be known to every unit to save the caps.) Should these items have been in a stuff pack? Probably not. Yes they were exactly what I was looking for, but they are a very specific set. If I hadn't wanted them, I would have never gotten them. And that's why the store is a good thing, for me. I can pick and choose what, if any, items i purchase. If a set comes out, and the only thing I like about it is a single outfit or hair, I can just buy that instead of being stuck with a bunch of items I would never use. And they have had some great deals, you just gotta watch for them. But the whole thing is a bit moot, anyway, since the store does exist, it obviously does very well, and the prices are what they are. And it isn't just the Sims, or EA, that sells extra items or DLC. It seems to be the way gaming in general is heading. Bottom line is, as a corporation, the sad truth is the only legal obligation that companies have is to make a profit for their shareholders.

When they first announced that I vowed NEVER to have it turned on. I haven't ever turned it on so I have no idea what's being spammed. I delete the contents of Featured Items folder before and after each game session because the game regenerates it all over again, it's 10MB+ of useless junk. So you don't like it.. turn it off. Simple as that. Change the featured Item folder's permissions, and make it Read Only. That way those junk pics can't even be placed in the folder, and it saves the headache of constantly having to deal with it.

[Havisham]

Do Stuff Packs actually have less content than they did with Sims 2? or is this just conjecture? .

This isn't a Sims 2 comparison, we all know what that leads to! :)

I also agree that the Store is great for specific sets, like Alice in Wonderland or Medieval or whatever floats a person's boat, and add uber amounts of variety. I'm okay with the idea of the Store, I'm upset with it's execution.

I just think it's ridiculous, especially since there is no other way to "earn" SimPoints, that I know of at least. They might as well call them pennies. It would make much more sense if there were ways you could earn the SimPoints in small amounts for earning accomplishments or completing challenges or something, but with an option to buy them in large amounts if you so choose. Optional buying.

Everyone has their own opinion, and you guys have pointed some things out that make me appreciate what the store offers, but it's the manner in which it's "offering", or selling, them that aggravates me.

[eskie227]

Well, I do view the store as having optional buying. There is nothing they sell that is required to play TS3 or any of its EPs. If you want some new sofas and don't like the content you can find at places like MTS, you're free to optionally buy some sofas from the store. The price, in SimPoints or in dollars or other currency, is based on what EA thinks they're worth. You either agree, and buy it, or disagree, and don't buy it. I won't even get into the ethics of not being able to afford it somehow entitling you to pirate their stuff.

The fact is, the only stuff I find interesting in the store are the premium content items, as they (are supposed to) come with some functionality. I do object to the poor programming that EA feels is somehow OK when asking you to buy these items, which seem to either not function as described, or conflict with other items EA offers. What's worse, IMHO, is that they take forever to fix the issues, if they even get around to it. They've got your money, so why rush a fix out? And that's the attitude that makes me avoid spending money in the store. As a customer who has spent, by now, several hundred dollars on the base game, EPs, SPs, a few worlds (what was I thinking?), and some store content, I don't appreciate being treated as an annoyance, just because I'm a tad pissed that the content I bought doesn't work right in their game.

[zigersimmer]

My main issue isn't that there's Sims 3 content I want to buy, it's that they are barely putting much content into the packs and then putting items that should be in the game onto the Store to purchase. The idea of the Store itself doesn't disgust me, it's that the company is trying to make as much money as possible and sacrificing game quality to achieve it. Which especially sucks because they cost $50 dollars and aren't delivering.
I actually see a lot of store items that I would like to buy. The problem I have is the items I want are far too frequently not available individually but part of a bundle that costs $50 and there is only one item in the entire bundle I want. And, no, I'm not going to pay $50 to buy one virtual item. Bundles are a great idea for people who want to buy a whole bunch of stuff at a bulk price, but they just don't work for me.

[Artimis]

Turn off the in-game store and forget it exists. Seemples.

(But yes, while DLC is on the rise, TS3 DLC is the most overpriced DLC I have ever seen)

How do you turn the in-game store off? And does any one know what this store content patch thing is? I keep clicking read notes but no page!!

[Exx]

I really like stuff from the store, some of the items are much better than the ones we get is EPs and SPs but they are waaaaaaaaaaay too overpriced!

[Belzader]

How do you turn the in-game store off? And does any one know what this store content patch thing is? I keep clicking read notes but no page!!

Most online features are turn off able under options, also if you don't use any off the online stuff, block TSW3.exe from accessing internet in firewall, it won't create any files in Featured Items then.

The store content patch is mainly fixes to store items which have "special" moddlets or interactions.

[batsbats]

I like the concept of the store even though I agree that it is waaaaay over-priced. However, I'm a person who never buys stuff packs because there is always so much objects I don't like within the pack. Being able to choose precisely what I want to buy is therefore a great addition for me when I want new stuff and clutter.
Even though it is very pricy, I don't consider having spent a single euro on a store item simply because I pay with my phone. I never use all of my (phone) credit so at the end of the month, it just vanishes and gets replaced with a new credit, it doesn't add up (sorry for not being very clear, I'm not even sure phone credit is the correct word :( ).
So instead of simply letting my previous month's phone credit go, I buy simpoint with it... so it is kind of like I was getting simpoints for free.

[LadyLollerskates]

There are uhm... "unconventional" ways of getting store items...

[jenieusa]

How do you turn the in-game store off? And does any one know what this store content patch thing is? I keep clicking read notes but no page!!

the store patches fixes the compadibilty issues with premium content...or at least for me it did.....no more mod for the spell book.....provided you do not delete the ccmerged file in the DCbackup folder....

[Kestie Freehawk]

There are uhm... "unconventional" ways of getting store items...

But those ways are not always stable and reliable. The Sims 2 store only had content in it that would eventually be in stuff or expansion packs. I was never tempted by it because I would get it eventually anyway. I like that better.

[ViolettaVie]

This isn't a Sims 2 comparison, we all know what that leads.
Even so, I think it is relevent. If you say that you think EA is using the store to skim us on content, that should have been added to the game, its EPs and SPs, then wouldn't it stand to reason what would give you that impression? Did EA give us more or less content with Sims 2? If EA is giving us the same amount of content in Sims 3 that we got with Sims 2 base game, its EPs and SPs, then it can't be said that EA is withholding content, but rather we are getting what is to be expected.

I don't really know one way or the other. And like others have said, I do like that I can pick and choose content via the Store instead of buying a SP that I might not fully use. I also like that with the Store, there are various themed set that just don't fit into a SP or an EP, but I am not deprived of having them if I choose.

[Havisham]

if EA is giving us the same amount of content in Sims 3 that we got with Sims 2 base game, its EPs and SPs, then it can't be said that EA is withholding content, but rather we are getting what is to be expected.

I believe the Sims 2 expansion packs are beside the point, but I do think they added more new objects and stuff than the Sims 3 expansion packs. In my opinion, the Sims 3 expansion packs did not add many different objects, hair styles, and clothing choices, which are on the Store for purchasing or you can get a different set with the Stuff Packs for an overpriced fee. So I didn't get what I expected out of the packs, and to add to that, the Sims 3 should be an improvement of past games, or at least expand on them, which the game does in other ways (talking interactions, open-world, etc.) but not in this topic. And my expectations aren't astronomically high, I simply expect to get my money's worth, which I haven't with the Expansion packs so far in this topic.

Now I took it into account.

I'm not going to beat a dead horse here, but I personally believe the Store and the Expansion packs are a bit of a rip off. Based on the feedback I've gotten, I'm one of the few if not only people dissatisfied with the lack of content and the Store. Yeah, you get specific sets. Yeah, you get to browse and choose. But it's still something that's taking more money to offer content that should have been included in the expansion packs, considering the expectations and price.

I won't use the Store, or buy the expansion packs for what they are worth now. End of the problem.

[ViolettaVie]

I completely understand what you are saying and in some ways I do agree. Unfortunately, I think that this is the direction certain game companies seem to be headed. Yes, I believe we should get more for the amount of money we pay and there is nothing wrong with high expectations. But you have people who like the Store and those who don't. Those who will pay for DLC and those who share in the spoils. EA obviously sees this as a lucrative course and I don't seem them changing their direction anytime soon. Remember the Sims 2 Store hadn't been online since the beginning of Sims 2. Back then we got a taste of where EA was going with an online store. With Sims 3, the Store was up and running when the game hit the market. EA know people will buy, especially if you give them options. And the Store is a great option to pick and choose what you want, just sadly way overpriced.

[virgalibabe]

The store is ridiculously overpriced. With the money you're able to buy one world and a venue in the store, you are able to buy an entire EP. Does that seem reasonable to you?

[Elphiron]

I like the way they've cleverly done it all in 'Sim points' so you don't really think about how much money it all is. It's very tempting just to, say, buy £20 worth of points to buy the odd premium content items now and again and not even realise how much you're spending. It's ludicrous. If it actually said: Lucky Palms, £10! I guarantee most people would think "what? I don't think so!"

[SmexySims2]

The Store bothers me a lot, but some of the content there is actually pretty cool. I've only ever used it when I got free simpoints from buying a game, but I think they've stopped doing that now that the store is popular.
But to be honest, the thing that irks me about the store the most is the process of downloading things from there onto the game. It is an unnecessarily difficult and long process that needs getting used to. When I play sims on separate computers (my parents are divorced so I play at both houses) it is a pain to download the things onto my computer.
Maybe it's just my lazy side speaking an I'm being too dramatic about it, but it drives me nuts. So much that I've stopped downloading my already-bought content... :rolleyes:

[dream_operator23]

Personally, I'd rather that they just did away with SPs altogether and just put all of the extra content that isn't in EPs in the Store. The reason being is that while SPs are a better value monetarily, I'd do better just picking and choosing what I want out of the SP than buying the whole thing since there is always a lot of stuff I never use (especially a lot of the hair and clothes). But then there are always some things that I want in the SP so I end up getting a bunch of stuff I never use. At least with the Store I can pick exactly what I want. If I really love a whole set I'll get the whole thing, but I usually just like one or two outfits or objects out of the set, so it is nice to be able to only pick what I'll actually play with in the game. I think that the SPs are an outdated concept that worked great in the Sims2 before there was a Store and I wonder if they will even have them in the Sims 4 or if all extra content will go in the Store.

Case in point...I really didn't like anything about the Katy Perry SP EXCEPT for the really nice decorative candy jars and displays that would have looked so nice in a candy store. I ended up not buying the pack, because even I have my limits where I am not going to buy a whole pack of stuff I really dislike for thirty dollars to get like four little items. If those little candy jars had been in the Store though (along with everything else in the KP pack), I would have bought them up.

[Eeria]

doesnt really bother me cuz i can go on the web and download free custom content that looks 10xs better anytime.

[BloodyScholastic]

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7421/katy.jpg

That 'mystery bag' offer reminds me Pet Society Facebook game.
AAAAAAND it's *inspired from* Katy Perry stuff, again.

[TheLB]

How the store gets me, though, is that I'm very much an impulse shopper, so the instant I see a new clothing set I'm like OOOH SHINY without even thinking about if I'll ever use this. The amount of money I've spent in the store is horrendous, and I guarantee you about half of all the things I bought I use regularly. So exercise caution and critical thinking before you buy things in the store. And wait for sales. Take my word for it.

Unfortunately DLC is the name of the games industry right now, so don't expect it to change anytime soon. As long as people are buying, EA will continue to sell virtual hairstyles for $30. It's all way overpriced, even moreso if it's "premium content", which more often than not adds about nothing to your game, despite the EXTRA GAMEPLAY that it says it has. That windchime? Once you've heard it once, you've heard it five hundred thousand times. And believe me that shit gets old really quick.

So I guess what I'm getting at is that it sucks, but you really don't need anything from the store, despite what the store tells you.

[Gowienczyk]

Honestly, I was appalled when I saw the shiny "buy items for over-valued prices" option, but I've come to terms that the gaming industry seems to be going the way of micro-transactions as much as I loathe it. I can't stand it in MMOs, but I can see it's viability there, but this is a Sims game and the whole concept seems to gut the faithful fanbase in and out until they are dry. I don't know why EA decided it was a good idea to allow purging more cash from people who buy 40-60 dollar expansions packs each time. But eh, iunno.

[StardustX]

I don't see how holding out on content in the actual game just to sell it individually for a higher cost later shows any respect or decency towards the fans.

It's EA. They don't care about respect or decency. They want your money. :lol:


I don't like the store, or most of the items IN the store. Not only because it's ridiculously overpriced, but because fan-made items (like worlds, hair, etc.) are almost always much, much nicer looking. And free. Free is good.

I only ever bought anything from the store because I got free points for registering my game... I would only consider buying items from the store if I could buy a certain number of points rather than their ridiculous set prices. And even then, I probably wouldn't.
But unfortunately, more and more companies seem to be doing that so I can't imagine it going away.

The store sucks, but no one makes you buy from it and you can definitely enjoy the sims all the same without it. *nods* You just have to learn to ignore it.

[jayroo]

The store has aggravated me lately because the daily deals, which aren't ever more than 45-50% off ever, have been on the same ones on rotation for the past couple of days now. If I see Ultra Lounge or Mid Century crap one more time... Another issue I have is that they will put something on sale and then follow up with the thing that was on sale going on sale again in a compilation set sale. The whole system for what items seem to go on sale and when comes across as very random or incredibly ingenious in causing one to waste sim points. Heck, sets that I've bought in compilation don't show up as owned when viewed separately!

[Le Carrera]

Even though I have it disabled in the options, I'm still seeing Store spam popping up in my game... argh.

IMO, the whole concept of DLC is just a huge money grab, personally I prefer only having to purchase a game once. I am against the entire idea of EA's "Store", and DLC in general.

Though Bioware already ticked me off with their idiotic anti-piracy stuff; I was unable to play a game that I'd already paid a small fortune for because of a problem with my account on their website. To say I was very, very displeased would be an understatement.

And... I'll just leave it at that.

[HarVee]

Even though I have it disabled in the options, I'm still seeing Store spam popping up in my game... argh.

IMO, the whole concept of DLC is just a huge money grab, personally I prefer only having to purchase a game once. I am against the entire idea of EA's "Store", and DLC in general.

I agree with the DLC statement. What happened to the days when a video game was full of content, and they only seemed to cost $10 brand new?

Nowadays we all just pay more for less.

[simpangu]

it's just sooo easy to hit buy and in like 2 seconds its in your inventory argh i've been tempted by it before, but i know i can find much better things made by players

[jesusismyairbag]

thats ea for you, they're greedy and most people bite.

[annoellyn]

I like the store content; i buy a lot of it. For me, I love the content and I don't mind splurging on points for some really nice stuff. I know Lucky palms cost 10 dollars but I wanted it, same with sunlit tides. Very well-done worlds, totally worth my money. And sim points don't expire, so I like that I can throw some extra money on it and buy a few items here and there when something catches my eye.

Annie

[mangaroo]

I know Lucky palms cost 10 dollars

I must have missed a sale (which wouldn't be hard, because I don't stalk the store). Lucky Palms "standard" version is 2450 SimPoints, which is...well, say you had 0 points right now. You would buy a bundle of 5000 points for $40 or two bundles of 2040 points + 1000 points for $30. Either way, you have leftover points, so the world costs either $20 or $24 (U.S. dollars, 'cause other money is just confusing to me).

So far, my belief that >$20 IS too much to ask for a new game world has kept me from splurging. Especially when player-developed worlds are willing to include material from multiple EPs, while EA is restricted to using basegame + new items in the world set.

[niconiconico]

But to be honest, the thing that irks me about the store the most is the process of downloading things from there onto the game. It is an unnecessarily difficult and long process that needs getting used to.

That's one thing that bugs me the most about the Store. I have a terrible internet connection (ah, satellite), and things from the store tend to time out after only about 30 seconds. (It hates high latency, and my connection tends to usually be 1200ms.) I've only been able to download one thing that I bought, after splurging on about $40 of points, and wound up having to hit "download" several times over just to get the free stuff. If they had a way to download it like you can from the Exchange, that would be much better, and I would be more inclined to buy from them, but not if I can't even get everything I paid for.

That, and the price of items, but people have already gone over that in this thread.

[RoseCity]

I'm afraid to know how much money I've spent in the Sims 3 store on pixely things in the past 3 years (although I haven't purchased as much recently) One thing I won't buy anymore are the store hairs unless they start showing them front and back in game. And I think $24.50 is too much for a world, so I'll have to do without Lucky Palms and Sunlit Tides unless they go on sale.

[ButchSims]

Don't like the store? don't use it. EA won't get your money that way. But it's no different that when you buy Xbox points, or whatever PS3 uses as currency. I don't understand why people are so surprised that EA actually SELLS a product. They are a business. That is what they do. No one has to buy anything if they don't want to. I turned off the store, and blocked the Featured Item folder, etc, and it has very little presence in my game at all.

[RoseCity]

^
I think everyone knows they don't have to use the Store.

[kennyinbmore]

doesnt really bother me cuz i can go on the web and download free custom content that looks 10xs better anytime.

I couldn't agree more. I've never even been tempted to buy something from the store. There are too many good free content makers out here

[bassoon_crazy]

I couldn't agree more. I've never even been tempted to buy something from the store. There are too many good free content makers out here

But now there is Premium Content.

And even without that, it's still annoying. You spend hundreds of dollars on an individual installment of The Sims, and now with The Sims 3, you still can't say you have a complete game officially if you buy all of the EPs/SPs.

Fortunately, I just don't care that much anymore. But back in The Sims 1 and The Sims 2, I had to have every EP, because I wanted a complete game. I hate to refer to myself as one of those 'collectors', but that's kind of what I was. Nowadays, I couldn't afford to be one if I wanted to, and that's with a job, which I didn't even have back then.

Although there are amazing CC creators out there, sometimes EA just makes things that I really like the look of. There are a few hair styles that EA has released on the store that I wouldn't be able to do without, for example. And on top of that, you have Premium Content, which I'm afraid CC just can't deliver on that count.

[Sunshine021]

I really don't understand EA's logic behind the store, or any of their marketing practices, for that matter.

"Hai guyz, let's charge $70 for the basegame, $40 dollars for each expansion pack, and $35 for each new stuff pack. Oh yeah and on top of that, let's break it off in their ass and put all sorts of sooper dooper neato thingies in ze store for them to buy, and charge $50 for that, tooooo. It'll just be awesome, you guyz."

:faceslap:

I mean, do they not realize that a lot of The Sims demographic are young adults who are mostly too broke to afford all of that? Or young tweens and teens who usually have to beg their parents to buy the game for them? Or just the fact alone that the economy still isn't that great, and most people still only have enough money to put toward food and utilities and all that? :| My biggest complaint about TS3 has always been that it's too expensive. I don't care how high quality of a game it is, make the price reasonable and you won't have so many people pirating your shit (which seems to be EA's biggest complaint, gee I wonder why). I'm just gonna go there and say, even when The Sims 2 was still being made and in it's prime, I never remember the prices for EPs and SPs being as high as they are for TS3. If they ditched the store and crammed everything into the respected EPs and/or SPs, I might be able to see the higher prices, but no. I love TS3 as much as the next guy, but it's true that they do give us a half completed game most of the time, only so they can make more money out of people who don't even have it. It's stupid, and quite frankly, a sad commentary of how corporations in America work these days (but that's a whole other debate, right there).

Sometimes I read threads like these, and it makes me hope that The Sims 4 will be a gigantic failure, just to spite EA. I really don't want to see such a great franchise crash and burn into zillions of bite sized pieces, but at the rate EA's going, despite the solid EPs they do have coming up (just going by the titles alone, frankly), they almost deserve it.

Not to mention, think about how outrageous the prices are in the store, and how often a lot of the store content breaks. :| It's like the people working on TS3 have never used a brain cell in their life, or never designed a game before. Amateurs, all of them. My cat could fix up parts of TS3 better, and she's a derp that spends most of her day sitting around licking tape. :faceslap:

I swear... I do love a lot parts of TS3, but sometimes I see some of the things that EA does and it makes me wonder if they're on some kind of drugs. Like, the sketchy, low end crap that may or may not be laced with something. And yes, I know this turned into a full fledged rant, I'm cranky. *grumblegrumble* -_-