how to add Dragon Valley?

[MellowTigger]

I understand that Dragon Valley is not available on Steam. I'm not clear, though, if it's possible to add it to my Steam library Sim 3 game after purchasing it separately at TheSims3.com. If I buy it at the website, then how do I include it in my Steam game?

I assume that I have to download the add-on world separately, save the files into the local computer filesystem in an appropriate Steam directory, and also register a registration key from EA with Steam so that when my Steam game launches then it doesn't complain about the add-on? Has somebody actually done it and can confirm that it works? Can you elaborate on the actual steps required?

I don't want to spend the money without knowing that it works.

[cruinne]

All content purchased at The Sims 3 Store works the same: You download it to your Launcher's folder (Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 3 > Downloads), then start the launcher and click the "Downloads" button. There you tick the item and click "Install".

(Generally, this is fairly automatic in that when you click the "Download" button in the Store, it asks to start up your Launcher and from there you only need to click "Install" once it's finished downloading.)

There's no messing about with registration keys or anything if you buy it from the Sims 3 store.

If you buy it on disk, you need to log into the Sims 3 Store, go to My Page > My Account > Register, and put the key from the disk in there. You then go to the store and download it from there (as above).

[igazor]

The underlying misconception, and it's a common one, is that EA store worlds are like Expansion Pack worlds. They aren't, they are like other forms of store content like clothes, furniture, lots, and premium sets (bakeries, casinos, basketball games, etc.) that only need to be Launcher installed into the TS3 user game folder in Documents. Steam doesn't need to "know" about such content like it does with the Packs, it all loads during startup separately from the base game and once installed properly you will see the store worlds having a presence in InstalledWorlds in the user game folder in Documents (not in the Program files like the Expansion Pack worlds).

Other content that comes with the store worlds, like clothing, Build/Buy mode parts, the Renaissance Fair, and baby dragons, end up in ebc bundles within DCCache just like other store content once the Launcher is finished installing them.