I really hope that for the sake of the community, this has been fixed!

I managed to do it a second time, so I don't think it was just a fluke. If it truly is fixed, I hope it stays that way!

@AndreaJEP: Looks like you were right! It's all over Twitter and Tumblr today that EIG is working again. It's a miracle!!!

I just tested EIG again for someone on Reddit (it worked fine just a few days ago) and sure enough...EA broke EIG again. Now it just opens the launcher. Luckily, this batch file still works: https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?p=3622222

There's only one appropriate response to this "wonderful" turn of events:

I think the problem for me is that the EA app quietly uninstalls Origin when it updates?? I got my EIG working for a while by having Origin and EA App both installed (and not opening Origin). Now, I see Origin is secretly uninstalled and it WON'T install, even after I uninstalled EA App. So, EA fully killed Origin ... and .. CAW? I'm super sad!!

ETA: The batch file works to get my world open; BUT, while simply looking around map, EIG crashed!! It used to run super well on my computer, so this is hugely dismaying seeing how easily/fast it just crashed. I'm just "glad" I didn't waste time editing an actual lot before the crash. *sigh*

As of right now, the batch file did not work for me. It just started up TS3 instead of EIG. But...clicking the EIG button in CAW did work. Go figure

So, is EIG working again through CAW, or...?

EA has not fixed it, but many players have workarounds. Today, I finally found a workaround for my *second* EIG break in as many months! Be warned, though, the creator of this patch for Origin included rude/adult language: https://twitter.com/p0358/status/1718383467866595838

I've seen many modders do this nowadays. One modder earlier this year not only had the F word but added a link to a porn site as a joke and out of spite. I don't see the point (no one from EA is going to see it), and it reflects poorly on the community, anyway.