Fixing/Recovering Saved Game - Saved Game Not in Game Launcher or Corrupted

[Saltypaws]

In mine when I went to recover my games, I do not have anything with x's in front of it and I also have legacy files that I didn't name, but I do know this, I am not messing with any files or folders, the only thing I will do is try to recover and so far so good.  I do appreciate the info on how to recover and did turn down my graphics, that seemed to help so far and I really cannot tell the difference, as long as it keeps it from crashing.

[HelenP]

I *think* that the '.legacy' folder may be made the first time you open a vanilla game after installing WA.

For example you have a game called Jones 1 that you started with vanilla Sims3, so in the saves folder you have a file called Jones 1.sims3 and a file called Jones 1.sims3.backup.  Now you install WA and re-open Jones 1. As far as I know the game saves your original Jones 1.sims3 as a folder called Jones 1.sims3.legacy and as soon as you save your game makes a new folder called Jones 1.sims3.  Your second save will generate the backup folder to go with the others.

[zamxus]

I'm going to use as much detail as I can. And try to help you isolate the problem so you can help me.

I recently started playing the Sims 3 after a long time of having it on my shelf completely uninstalled. I missed the feeling of power that came with controlling their lives. After installing the most recent updates, I began playing and toying with new features and even some .package files from modthesims. Occasionally, an unimportant save would disappear. Giving me the outline of an uncreated family and my town name. The town would load instantly before saying that the game was unable to load the files. Recently, I made a game of myself and my friends and allowed things to take their course. (I won't give you the extreme details here). They began as teens (using the testingcheats, I deleted the adult they were with after they moved into a good house). And I made their needs static as I found micromanaging their bladder and hunger and the like was too much of an annoyance. I used the cheats to make the Sim me die of starvation. My "best friend" received the Oh My Ghost! opportunity and revived my sim. I then moved them out and deleted the human left to watch the Ghost me. Soon my sim-ghost started a relationship, moved in with his Romantic Interest, had her break up with her boyfriend. And Married her. They had a Ghost-Baby and I closed the game when they were all home. I saved the game approximately 7 or 8 times in total. Now, when I attempt to load it; I get the outline of the uncreated family, and when I hover over the file it reads "*town name* This file could not be read. It may have expansion pack data which is not available anymore". I have not installed any expansions, nor do I own any. All the tips say to delete the folder and rename the backup. I've done this many times and IT DOES NOT WORK. Now, I come to you. And seeing your capability I hope you can help me. This is by far my favorite save file and I do not want to risk changing a single thing in the story progression. Please help me.

[Metropolis Man]

zamxus, welcome to the forums. Just a quick heads up — please read the forum rules in my sig, especially the one concerning mods. Do not discuss mods. Do not mention specific mods. Now that that's all out on the table given the fact that you did mess with some internal files, that could very well be the source of your problem. I'm not a techie, so hopefully someone else can assist you.

[Pam]

Welcome to our Forum, zamxus.

I agree with Metro that the cause of your problem could very well be the mods you have installed.  They can cause wicked damage to your game.   I suggest that you create a new topic for your problem rather than putting it here in this instruction thread.  You can get some specific help that way.  When you do, please do not mention the name of the site where you got the mods.  I'll remove your post from this thread once you've got a new thread started.  Thanks!