Monday, June 15, 2009

Sims 3 and Microsoft .NET Framework

Sims 3 logo

If you've read our latest BrickGamers LEGO® Gaming Comic, you'll notice we poke fun at Sims 3, or rather, the users (or players) of Sims 3 - which could be you! Are you one?

Microsoft .NET Framework logo

Anyway, since this is BrickTech, this is more about what goes on BEHIND Sims 3, in particular, Sims 3 requires Microsoft's .NET Framework (specifically version 2.0), a software framework that needs to be installed on Microsoft Windows XP operating systems but comes as a part of Microsoft Windows Vista (version 3.0) and of course, the RC (Release Candidate) of Microsoft Windows 7. But did you know you don't have to install the latest version of .NET to play Sims 3?

While the latest version of .NET is 3.5 Service Pack 1 (250MB), with .NET 4 Beta 1 in the works, Sims 3 was designed with .NET 2.0. This means if you're running Sims 3 on Vista or Win7 RC (yes it works!), the installer (or you) won't have to install any .NET versions, but if you're using XP, the installer will put in .NET 2.0, unless you've already installed .NET 3.0 or 3.5.

However, .NET will slow down your XP since it's adding a whole new software framework to an OS. Even version 1.0 and 1.1 of .NET needs to be installed on XP - it doesn't come with it. So the wise thing to do is to upgrade or run Vista (or even Win7 RC) instead, as it comes with .NET already. Of course you don't have to do this if you're not playing Sims 3 (or any other game or software which requires .NET). However, if you are, you're better off running the speedier Win7 RC or the slow Vista, rather than the slower XP with .NET.

4 opinions:

Anonymous said...

This kinda helped me, but it got me more confused. Okay so i put in the sims 3 dvd and then click install, and all the "Microsoft .NET framwork" windows pop upand disapear, and reapeat doing that until i take out the CD. and i have currently 3.0 and above. But as you said, it was based on 2.0 - Does that mean i need to get Microsoft .NET framwork 2.0 onto my computer?

Brick World said...

Since you have .NET 3.0 installed, you don't need 2.0 - 2.0 is the minimum requirement. Meaning if you had 1.1, you will have to upgrade to 2.0 before Sims 3 can run on WinXP.

tuaris said...

The Sims 3 does not need the .NET framework to run. Simply re-point your shortcuts to C:\Program Files\Electronic Arts\The Sims 3\Game\Bin\TS3.exe

Then be sure to uninstall that .NET framework from your system

Jack said...

but you need the .net to run the sims3 launcher...to install all the addons and stuff...