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How to get a functional Launcher in Linux
By AttackiePrime
Step by step guide to get The Sims 3 launcher to function for mod installation and store purchase installation in the linux environment. (Directions based on Manjaro distro)
   
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Created by
AttackiePrime
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Category: Modding or Configuration
Languages: English
Posted
9 Aug, 2020 @ 10:36pm
464 Unique Visitors
19 Current Favorites
Guide Index
Overview
Step By Step Instructions: Functional Sims 3 Launcher (Manjaro Distro) 
Notes 
Comments
Step By Step Instructions: Functional Sims 3 Launcher (Manjaro Distro)
1. Install Sims 3, go into properties for the game in steam and force it to use Proton 4.2 Then launch the game where it will crash, this will make Steam create the prefix for the game. Reboot after this step.

2. Navigate to your prefix folder “ ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/ ”

3. Open a terminal in this folder (Right click, Actions) and paste this command to download latest winetricks script “ wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Winetricks/winetricks/master/src/winetricks ” Close terminal afterwards.

4. Download “ NetFx64.exe ” from following url and place the file in the pfx folder “ https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=6523 ”

5. In new terminal use “ WINEPREFIX=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/ ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Proton\ 4.2/dist/bin/wine64 uninstaller ” and get rid of any dotnets you find (leave Microsoft Visual C++)

6. Reboot and open terminal and use “ WINEPREFIX=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/ winetricks dotnet20 ” This will install dotnet20 so follow the prompts when it comes up (if this does not open a prompt then you don’t have winetricks installed and need to install it from your package manager)

7. Use “ WINEPREFIX=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/ wine ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/NetFx64.exe ” and when prompted, repair install.

8. Open terminal and use “ WINEPREFIX=~/.steam/steam/steamapps/compatdata/47890/pfx/ winecfg ” Set Default Settings to windows XP.

9. Reboot and hit play for Sims 3 in steam, the launcher should stick around now!
Notes
I'm really new to linux environment, found a guide that made no sense to me nor my much more advanced linux using friends so I took an entire day and grinded this out until I could delete all the changes and reproduce it every time.

the guide I had found, as unhelpful as it was, at least gave me hope that I'd figure this out so I could share it with other linux users who love this game as much as I do.

please message me if you need help or contribute directions for other linux distros
6 Comments
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dalphee4 27 May @ 2:15pm 
hey, thank you! any ideas on how to get this to work on the steam deck?
twink gaming 1 Apr @ 8:20am 
Just wanna say a big thank you to this guide, this was the only guide that made the TS3 launcher work on Linux.

Unfortunately the main purpose that I got it working for (installing worlds seamlessly) didn't work as any time I'd try to drop EA worlds in the downloads folder, it would crash upon loading the CC thumbnail. This is a noted issue with Proton and the Sims 3 launcher, you can find the issue being tracked on github: github(.)com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/2502

What worked for me was assosciating Sims3packs with the Launcher and installing them that way, without having to see the thumbnail of the Sims3pack. This is how I got all my worlds properly working.
kianalvane 30 Apr, 2024 @ 2:14pm 
I specifically installed Manjaro to follow this guide for The Sims 3. Unfortunately after following it the game doesn't start because it goes into error.

Before specifically installing Manjaro I also followed this guide on EndevourOS (always Arch-based distro) and also on Arch itself, but nothing. After the procedure, the launcher always fails, or at most remains as it was before carrying out the steps in the guide: it does not download the packages from the exchange site.

It is also true that almost 3 years have passed, and Manjaro today is also different from the Manjaro of almost 3 years ago, since it is more updated.

At least I gave up on enabling that function, even though it would be very convenient for me, given that I have various packages on the Sims 3 exchange that I would like to use. For me for now, if I want to use those packages it is to stay (unfortunately) on Windows 11.
Aoi Blue 9 Dec, 2021 @ 12:02pm 
As a note, you can now get a half-functioning launcher without this. (It will load without crashing now). It still crashes if you try to upload or download something, unless you install .net.

A fully functioning one is still in the works. As a note the winetricks installs are being reworked for .Net 6 being open source. However, there are issues with old games like this that require the legacy .Net Framework which includes some non-free licensed stuff.

I wish Microsoft would release a freeware license binary framework for those under terms of "Free for use for running legacy programs designed for Microsoft Dot Net versions 5.0 and Prior".

I also wish someone would port .Net 6.0 to wine as an alternative to wine-mono, since .Net 6.0 is now an open source license that would permit it.
AttackiePrime  [author] 7 Oct, 2020 @ 10:15am 
Protontricks --gui is a much better option to install dotnet20. I was able to do both of these in manjaro without any issues. However Protontricks works more often
[Linux] JSVRamirez 5 Oct, 2020 @ 5:11am 
Helpful to note that this only works in a 32-bit environment. dotnet20 won't install under a 64-bit wineprefix