How to get The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection for free

Following EA’s announcement that it will be ending support for The Sims 2 and would be giving away all of the game’s expansions to players who already own a copy of the game, the company has made The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection available completely free for anyone to download and keep until 31 July. Here’s how to get The Sims 2 for free.

Also read: The Sims 4 release date & rumour round-up.

And: 14 games you should be most excited about in 2014 & 2015

1. Get Origin (it’s free)

To get your hands on The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection for free, you’ll first need to download and install Origin, EA’s digital distribution software, if you haven’t done so already. See also: Game reviews

Click here to download the EA software and follow the instructions provided, then move on to step 2. 

2. Sign up to Origin

If you’ve never used Origin before, you’ll need to create a free Origin Account to use the Origin software you’ve just downloaded. It’s quick and easy to create an Origin Account, and you can do so here.

3. Log in

Once you’ve signed up and downloaded and installed the Origin software, you’ll need to launch the Origin application and log in using the account details you just created.

4. Redeem your game

Go to the ‘Games’ tab in the Origin menu (right at the top of your screen) and click ‘Redeem Product Code.’

A pop up box will appear. The code you’ll need to enter is I-LOVE-THE-SIMS. You don’t need to have a code from a box or manual like it says, simply type I-LOVE-THE-SIMS into the box, as shown below.

If you’ve already registered for Origin, you can skip straight to step three, or visit the Origin code redemption page online using the same redemption code in the ‘Product Code’ field.

Unfortunately for Mac users, The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection only works on Windows.

You’ll need to redeem your code by 31 July at 10AM PDT, which is 6PM BST for those in the UK.

You’ll now be able to download and install The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection at any time by going to My Games in the Origin app and clicking on The Sims 2. The collection includes all of The Sims 2 expansions and stuff packs, as listed below.

The Sims 2 The Sims 2: University The Sims 2: Nightlife The Sims 2: Holiday Party Pack The Sims 2: Open for Business The Sims 2: Family Fun Stuff The Sims 2: Glamour Life Stuff The Sims 2: Pets The Sims 2: Seasons The Sims 2: Celebration Stuff The Sims 2: H&M Fashion Stuff The Sims 2: Bon Voyage The Sims 2: Teen Style Stuff The Sims 2: FreeTime The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff The Sims 2: Apartment Life The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff.

See also: Sony PlayStation TV hands-on review

UPDATE: It seems that many of you are experiencing some issues with The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection. EA is aware of many problems and is working to fix them. You can find out more about the different issues and what’s being done about them over on EA’s Origin forums.