Tag: Sims 4

DiP_STAGED error when trying to update The Sims 4

Published on by BluebellFlora2 Comments

The DiP_STAGED error that can show up when trying to patch your game seems to be caused when a user tries to update the game in a different user account on their Mac than the one where the game is installed to. Let me explain:

  1. You have two Applications folder available to you when you are logged in on a Mac:
    1. Macintosh HD/Applications (the system Applications folder)
    2. Macintosh HD/Users/[your user account]/Applications (your specific user Applications folder)
  2. Origin will normally install by default to Macintosh HD/Applications
  3. The Sims 4 will normally install by default to Macintosh HD/Users/[your user account]/Applications
  4. If you are logged into a different user account on your Mac to the one that the game is installed to, you will still be able to play it as Origin is installed in the System Applications folder and the game is played through Origin. However, if you try to update the game in the different user account you will probably encounter the DiP_STAGED error.

Solution:
Make sure you are logged into the user account the game is installed to and update the game there. Occasionally this issue can completely break the game and unfortunately the only answer is to completely uninstall and reinstall the game.

Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle is not compatible with the Legacy Edition

Published on by BluebellFlora1 Comment

In news that should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack which is due to be released on the 5 June is not available for Mac users running the Legacy Edition. If you are running the Legacy Edition save yourself the money and grief and don’t pre-order it or buy it when it is released. Nothing you do will make it work on your machine. There is no fix or workaround. If bundles are available and they include Eco Lifestyle, you will not be able to run it. The system requirements are very clear on the Origin site and state that a Metal supported Mac is required. For those still living under a rock, Legacy Edition is for Mac users whose Macs do not support Metal.

OS: Metal required. Mac OS® X 10.11 (El Capitan)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz Processor or better
RAM: At least 4 GB RAM
HARD DRIVE: At least 15 GB of free space with at least 1 GB additional space for custom content and saved games
VIDEO: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680, AMD Radeon RX 560 or better
INPUT: Keyboard and Mouse
ONLINE REQUIREMENTS: Internet connection required for product activation.

Sims 4 showing as Finalizing in Origin

Published on by BluebellFlora2 Comments

The Sims 4 received a major update for Mac users in April. Not in terms of game content but changes to the way it is installed to comply with Apple’s notarisation terms for Catalina, enhancing the security of your system. As a by-product of the notarisation you may now see a greyed out Finalizing option under the game in your Origin games library when you install content, install a patch, or repair the game:

This is normal and is the OS checking that the download in Origin is all safe and ok to run. It can show as finalizing for any length of time, depending on your Mac hardware. The more powerful your CPU, the quicker it will complete the checks. You may notice the fans ramping up in your Mac during this process, that is normal as it is using a significant amount of CPU so is in need of sufficient cooling during the process. Occasionally the button doesn’t change and seems stuck on finalizing. Don’t panic if this is the case! Try the following to fix it:

  • Quit Origin and reload it. It may now say Play.
  • Click on the white cog that says Settings when you hover your cursor over it and choose repair:
  • Load your game by double clicking on the Sims 4 app in your Applications folder, as you would normally load any other app. This will automatically launch Origin and then the game. Remember you have two Applications folders, the system one and your user account one. By default Origin currently installs the game to your user Applications folder unless you have changed the setting. The locations can be found here:
    • Macintosh HD > Applications (your internal drive may have a different name but by default it is Macintosh HD)
    • Macintosh HD > Users > [Your User Account] > Applications