The Sims 3 has been out since 2009. Trust me, I just double-checked the back of my box copy. Regardless, EA obviously isn't ready to let this installment go without further milking growth, meaning plenty more Sims 3 expansions and DLC in 2013. Yet The Sims 3 has come a long way since it began over three years ago.

And here is a reminder of just how far. A list of patch notes taken from various Sims 3 updates over the years has been circulating the Internet (Tumblr, more specifically), and what better way is there to reminisce about a game as long-lived as this? Especially when its patch notes include things like "Tourist NPCs can now be impregnated."

• A faint line is no longer visible on the heads of babies.
• Fish are no longer duplicated in the fridge when moving homes.
• Sims can no longer “Try for Baby” with the Grim Reaper.
• Sims who are on fire will no longer be forced to attend graduation before they can put themselves out.
• Children and Teens can no longer die from motive failure while on a Time Out.
• Pianists will no longer continue playing pianos that have been detonated.
• Sims will no longer receive a wish to “Skinny Dip” with Mummies.
• Pregnant Sims can no longer “Brawl.”
• Sims can no longer WooHoo in the Elevator with a Sim who is on a different floor.
• Fixed an issue that caused Sims to leave their Toddler inside a bar at closing time.
• The Grim Reaper will no longer be prevented from reaping souls due to band affiliation.
• Kleptomaniac Sims can no longer steal Subway stations from lots.
• Fixed a tuning issue so that Sims now vomit at acceptable levels.
• The magical laundry bear Abracadabra will no longer block Sims from moving after disappearing
• Tourist NPCs can now be impregnated.

Reading through these, some of you might think it's all a hoax. Well, let me assure that these are quite real. The Grim Reaper "Try for Baby" fix, for instance is from Patch 1.4, while the Tourist entry comes from a later update following The Sims 3: World Adventures. Heck, if you have never patched your copy, a whole lot of these can still be experienced firsthand.

Once you're done laughing, go ahead and read it over again. Enjoy the rest of your Friday.

Image was taken from the hilarious Master Marf blog.