To install this update, please start your game and use the “Updates” tab in your Launcher.

This game update includes:

Base Game Updates

· You can now collect Memories of significant moments in your Sims’ lives in the new Scrapbook. Custom Memories can also be created using the Capture This Moment tool. All Memories can be uploaded and shared on TheSims3.com and Facebook!

· You can now adjust the lifespan length for each individual phase of life that a Sim goes through via the Options menu.

· Live Mode

o Sims can now ask other Sims out on dates!

o Sims will now be given a Romantic Reputation based on their social interactions in the local dating scene.

· Create a Sim

o Body hair can now be applied on male Sims, from head to toe!

· Build/Buy Mode

o Players can now use the Catalog Filter in Build and Buy Mode to sort Content from different installed Expansion Packs and Stuff Packs, as well as content from The Sims 3 Store.

World Adventures

· Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features

Ambitions

· Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features

Late Night

· Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features

Generations

· Additional bug fixes and polish to existing features

Before installing an Update for The Sims 3, an Expansion Pack, or a Stuff Pack, it is a good idea to run through the following checklist to ensure your game continues to work smoothly.

If you have any questions about the below steps, please visit the Technical Support forum on the official Sims 3 community found at this URL: http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/forums/show/10.page

Step 1: Disable Custom Content

Custom Content is all Sims content that did not come from an official The Sims 3 Update, The Sims 3 Store, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack. Custom Content is created by 3^rd Party Developers that are not regulated by Electronic Arts or The Sims 3 Development Team and may not work with new updates. Custom Content may cause the game to behave unexpectedly or not function entirely.

To disable your custom content, undo whatever you did to install this content to get your game back into an unmodified state. If you placed it in a Sims 3 directory folder, move it to a new folder that is outside your Sims 3 file directory. Your Sims 3 file directory can be found using the paths listed below:

Windows File Directory: C:\Documents and Settings\USER\My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3

Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/

Once you have installed the official update you may re-enable your custom content. If you experience problems, disable it again until the 3^rd party developer updates their content to work with the official Update, Expansion Pack, or Stuff Pack.

Step 2: Back Up your Save Files

It’s always a good precaution to back up your save files before installing an Expansion Pack, Update, or Stuff Pack. To do this, copy the “.sims3” folders found in the Saves folder onto your desktop or another file directory.

Your Sims 3 Saves folder can be found using the paths listed below:

Windows File Directory: \My Documents\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Saves

Mac File Directory: User/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims/Saves

After the Update is installed, run the game to verify your saves still function correctly.

Step 3: Let the Update Complete Entirely

Updates can sometimes be rather large and may take a while to download and install completely. Cancelling the update before it has completed may cause unexpected problems, so it is always best to let it finish entirely. Do not close the Launcher until you have confirmed the update is completely installed, as this will cancel the update.

The Sims can be a funny old game at times - as you exert ultimate control over your Sims’ personalities and actions, who knows what can happen next? Whether it's a mid-life crisis or a scandalous affair, ghostly hauntings or simply a friendly chat with The Grim Reaper, there's always something funny going on. Whether it's light or dark humour is another matter entirely...

The Sims and EA are excited to be the main sponsors of the UK's longest-running and most established new act comedy competition, Gilded Balloon’s So You Think You're Funny !

Previous winners of So You Think You’re Funny include successful artists Peter Kay, Rhona Cameron, Lee Mack and most recently James Kirk, with the judging panel including some of the biggest names in comedy!

The So You Think You’re Funny competition launches on 23rd May, with the first of a series of UK showcases of new acts on the comedy scene.  The showcases will select finalists to appear at a series of heats during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the grand final will take place on Thursday 25th August at the famous Gilded Balloon venue.  Throughout the selection process, the acts and audience will be able get their hands on exclusive Sims goodie bags and prizes and there will be the chance to play the game at the Gilded Balloon venue during the Fringe.

Come and join in the fun on The Sims UK Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/thesims3uk) and the So You Think You're Funny Website (http://soyouthinkyourfunny.co.uk/) for more information on how you can get involved over the coming months!