What the store offered
The Sims 3 Store was an online marketplace for exclusive content not available in retail expansion or stuff packs. It launched alongside The Sims 3 in June 2009 and received monthly content updates through August 2014, when EA confirmed in its July 2014 Community Blog that the final set had been released. Players could browse and buy content on the TheSims3.com website or through the in-game Shop Mode, accessible from a shopping bag icon in the game menu.
The store used a virtual currency called SimPoints. Bundles started at 1000 SimPoints for $10 USD, and registering The Sims 3 online awarded 1000 bonus SimPoints. SimPoints were non-refundable, non-transferable, and expired after 24 months of account inactivity.
Content categories
Store content spanned several categories. Sets were themed collections of Build/Buy and Create a Sim items, typically released on Thursdays, with prices ranging from free to $72 USD. Worlds were full pre-populated neighborhoods priced at 2000 to 2500 SimPoints each, with 11 worlds released over the store's lifetime. Venues were pre-made community lots ready to drop into any town. Individual hairstyles, outfits, furniture, and architectural items rounded out the catalog, which grew to over 5000 Buy/Build and Create a Sim items.
Premium content
Premium Content items went beyond cosmetics by adding gameplay features, custom animations, and moodlets. EA described the category as letting Sims "Look Better, Live Better, or Play Better." Highlighted examples included an archery range, a bakery oven, a jewelry workstation, and items that let Sims learn and cast spells. The roulette table introduced a visible Gambling skill tracked through the Skill Journal.
After the final update
The store remained open after August 2014 so players could still access and download previously purchased content. SimPoints did not carry over to The Sims 4, so players were encouraged to spend remaining balances. The store continued operating alongside The Sims 3's broader ecosystem of patches and expansion packs that SimGoodie has covered over the years.