Difference between revisions of "SimCity 4"
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{{++}} [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]] and [[#NAM: Network Addon Mod|NAM: Network Addon Mod]] are both highly recommended. | {{++}} [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]] and [[#NAM: Network Addon Mod|NAM: Network Addon Mod]] are both highly recommended. | ||
{{++}} Enable most fixes by using the [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]]/[[#Combined launch options|Combined launch options]], and then enabling [[#Video settings|Borderless fullscreen windowed]]. | {{++}} Enable most fixes by using the [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]]/[[#Combined launch options|Combined launch options]], and then enabling [[#Video settings|Borderless fullscreen windowed]]. | ||
− | {{--}} The [[# | + | {{--}} The [[#OS X and Intel CPU major flaws|OS X port]] suffers many problems. |
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
Line 110: | Line 110: | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | === Skip intro videos === | + | ===Skip intro videos=== |
{{Fixbox|1= | {{Fixbox|1= | ||
{{Fixbox/fix|Target line to skip intro videos}} | {{Fixbox/fix|Target line to skip intro videos}} | ||
Line 122: | Line 122: | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | === [[Windowed]] === | + | ===[[Windowed]]=== |
{{Fixbox|1= | {{Fixbox|1= | ||
{{Fixbox/fix|Target line to set windowed mode}} | {{Fixbox/fix|Target line to set windowed mode}} | ||
Line 133: | Line 133: | ||
{{Input settings | {{Input settings | ||
|key remap = hackable | |key remap = hackable | ||
− | |key remap notes = See [[ | + | |key remap notes = See [[#Remapping|Remapping]]. |
+ | |acceleration option = unknown | ||
+ | |acceleration option notes = | ||
|mouse menu = true | |mouse menu = true | ||
|mouse menu notes = | |mouse menu notes = | ||
+ | |invert mouse y-axis = n/a | ||
+ | |invert mouse y-axis notes = | ||
|controller support = false | |controller support = false | ||
|controller support notes = | |controller support notes = | ||
+ | |full controller = unknown | ||
+ | |full controller notes = | ||
+ | |controller remap = unknown | ||
+ | |controller remap notes = | ||
+ | |invert controller y-axis = unknown | ||
+ | |invert controller y-axis notes= | ||
|touchscreen = unknown | |touchscreen = unknown | ||
|touchscreen notes = | |touchscreen notes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | === | + | ===Remapping=== |
Hotkeys and similar key bindings are stored in plaintext KEYCFG files in simcity_1.dat. A tool like [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ilive-reader/ Ilive Reader] must be used to edit these. | Hotkeys and similar key bindings are stored in plaintext KEYCFG files in simcity_1.dat. A tool like [http://sourceforge.net/projects/ilive-reader/ Ilive Reader] must be used to edit these. | ||
Line 162: | Line 172: | ||
==Issues unresolved== | ==Issues unresolved== | ||
− | === | + | ===OS X and Intel CPU major flaws=== |
{{--}} Major flaws when operating on computers by Apple using Intel processors. | {{--}} Major flaws when operating on computers by Apple using Intel processors. | ||
{{--}} Aspyr released a beta of a patch to fix the problems in 2007, but the patch was never finalized and many bugs remain. Some have a serious impact on playability, including frequent crashes if a city exceeds 95,000 population, flawed display of the water surface, frequent blurring or replacement of objects with random other objects, and an inability to significantly accelerate the vehicle in driving mode that prevents many gameplay features from being unlocked. | {{--}} Aspyr released a beta of a patch to fix the problems in 2007, but the patch was never finalized and many bugs remain. Some have a serious impact on playability, including frequent crashes if a city exceeds 95,000 population, flawed display of the water surface, frequent blurring or replacement of objects with random other objects, and an inability to significantly accelerate the vehicle in driving mode that prevents many gameplay features from being unlocked. | ||
− | {{--}} | + | {{--}} OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) can render the game completely unplayable, even with the 2007 patch. Running the Windows version in [[Wine]] or a Virtual Machine generally gives a more convenient and reliable result. |
− | === Integer overflow === | + | ===Integer overflow=== |
An integer overflow bug is also present in the game. Under certain conditions, the Junior Sports Program and Parks and Recreation expense items will be a negative value - thus adding to the end of month balance instead of reducing it. | An integer overflow bug is also present in the game. Under certain conditions, the Junior Sports Program and Parks and Recreation expense items will be a negative value - thus adding to the end of month balance instead of reducing it. | ||
==Issues fixed== | ==Issues fixed== | ||
− | === Crashes on multi-core systems === | + | ===Crashes on multi-core systems=== |
{{Fixbox|1= | {{Fixbox|1= | ||
{{Fixbox/fix|Single CPU affinity|ref=<ref>http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Sim-City-4-Crashing this tutorial]</ref><ref>http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Sim-City-4-Crashing this tutorial</ref>}} | {{Fixbox/fix|Single CPU affinity|ref=<ref>http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Sim-City-4-Crashing this tutorial]</ref><ref>http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Sim-City-4-Crashing this tutorial</ref>}} | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | === Industrial high-tech (I-H) missing jobs === | + | ===Industrial high-tech (I-H) missing jobs=== |
{{--}} Every I-H lot in the game does not offer high wealth jobs even though it creates a demand for high wealth residents. | {{--}} Every I-H lot in the game does not offer high wealth jobs even though it creates a demand for high wealth residents. | ||
{{Fixbox|1= | {{Fixbox|1= | ||
Line 232: | Line 242: | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | === Error message: "Could not initialize graphics card" === | + | ===Error message: "Could not initialize graphics card"=== |
SimCity 4 may crash on startup while reporting an error that claims that SimCity 4 was unable to initialize the graphics card, this may occur when using a hardware-accelerated rendering mode and a non-standard resolution. Changing the rendering mode to "software" or changing the resolution to one of the supported resolutions (800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200) should resolve this issue. | SimCity 4 may crash on startup while reporting an error that claims that SimCity 4 was unable to initialize the graphics card, this may occur when using a hardware-accelerated rendering mode and a non-standard resolution. Changing the rendering mode to "software" or changing the resolution to one of the supported resolutions (800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200) should resolve this issue. | ||
− | === Details disappear when scrolling === | + | ===Details disappear when scrolling=== |
{{--}} On some AMD/ATI graphics cards users may find that scrolling the view will cause entities and details to temporarily disappear, including lots appearing completely empty until scrolling stops. | {{--}} On some AMD/ATI graphics cards users may find that scrolling the view will cause entities and details to temporarily disappear, including lots appearing completely empty until scrolling stops. | ||
{{Fixbox|1= | {{Fixbox|1= | ||
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{{ii}} Be sure your installation of SimCity 4 is updated to the latest version. Updating it afterwards will remove the fix. | {{ii}} Be sure your installation of SimCity 4 is updated to the latest version. Updating it afterwards will remove the fix. | ||
{{++}} This fix removes outdated compatibility options that impair performance. | {{++}} This fix removes outdated compatibility options that impair performance. | ||
− | # Open the file GraphicsRules.sgr in the game's root | + | # Open the file GraphicsRules.sgr in the game's root folder in any text editor. |
# Search for the line <code>stringMatch cardIdentity "*7?00*"</code> | # Search for the line <code>stringMatch cardIdentity "*7?00*"</code> | ||
# Modify the line so it reads <code>stringMatch cardIdentity "*Radeon 7?00*"</code> | # Modify the line so it reads <code>stringMatch cardIdentity "*Radeon 7?00*"</code> | ||
Line 249: | Line 259: | ||
Alternatively, this can be resolved by installing the [http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/54082-simcity-4-launcher-updated-140b-r7/ SC4Launcher Utility.] Once installed, run the launcher and navigate to the 'Hardware & Audio' tab. Enable the option 'Force Draw on Scroll' by checking the tick box. This should resolve the issue completely and will remain fixed regardless of whether the game is started with this custom launcher or through running the normal SimCity 4 executable. | Alternatively, this can be resolved by installing the [http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/54082-simcity-4-launcher-updated-140b-r7/ SC4Launcher Utility.] Once installed, run the launcher and navigate to the 'Hardware & Audio' tab. Enable the option 'Force Draw on Scroll' by checking the tick box. This should resolve the issue completely and will remain fixed regardless of whether the game is started with this custom launcher or through running the normal SimCity 4 executable. | ||
− | == Other information == | + | ==Other information== |
− | === Retail patches === | + | ===Retail patches=== |
{{ii}} EA hosts [https://www.ea.com/simcity-4-deluxe one all-encompassing update] that includes all patch fixes for all versions of the game. | {{ii}} EA hosts [https://www.ea.com/simcity-4-deluxe one all-encompassing update] that includes all patch fixes for all versions of the game. | ||
{{++}} Retail versions can be registered on Origin through the CD key. | {{++}} Retail versions can be registered on Origin through the CD key. | ||
− | === Duplicate cities moved === | + | ===Duplicate cities moved=== |
{{--}} If two or more copies of the same city exist in the Region folder upon starting SimCity 4, the game uses only one version and the other city copies are either deleted or automatically moved to the Downloads folder. | {{--}} If two or more copies of the same city exist in the Region folder upon starting SimCity 4, the game uses only one version and the other city copies are either deleted or automatically moved to the Downloads folder. | ||
{{--}} SimCity 4 determines which file to use by sorting the city file names alphabetically and taking the first entry. | {{--}} SimCity 4 determines which file to use by sorting the city file names alphabetically and taking the first entry. | ||
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{{ii}}The game also recognises Czech, Hebrew, Greek and Russian, however no official translations were ever released and no community translations have been made, possibly due to lack of compatible font sets. | {{ii}}The game also recognises Czech, Hebrew, Greek and Russian, however no official translations were ever released and no community translations have been made, possibly due to lack of compatible font sets. | ||
− | == Mods == | + | ==Mods== |
{{ii}} Mods may require dependencies. | {{ii}} Mods may require dependencies. | ||
− | === Mod resources === | + | ===Mod resources=== |
{{mm}} [http://www.simtropolis.com Simtropolis] - a very active modding community, hosts the [http://community.simtropolis.com/files/category/1-simcity-4/ ST/Exchange] (SimTropolisEXchange). | {{mm}} [http://www.simtropolis.com Simtropolis] - a very active modding community, hosts the [http://community.simtropolis.com/files/category/1-simcity-4/ ST/Exchange] (SimTropolisEXchange). | ||
{{mm}} [http://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/ SC4 Devotion] - a very active modding community, hosts the [http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/Default.htm LEX] (Lot Exchange). | {{mm}} [http://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/ SC4 Devotion] - a very active modding community, hosts the [http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/Default.htm LEX] (Lot Exchange). | ||
{{mm}} [http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/25918-all-you-can-modify-in-simcity-4-poll-inside/ Thread listing all possible settings and customisations] | {{mm}} [http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/25918-all-you-can-modify-in-simcity-4-poll-inside/ Thread listing all possible settings and customisations] | ||
− | === Mod recommendations === | + | ===Mod recommendations=== |
{{mm}} [https://sites.google.com/site/sc4modds/ sc4modds] - full list of mods from [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/ /r/SimCity] community. | {{mm}} [https://sites.google.com/site/sc4modds/ sc4modds] - full list of mods from [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/ /r/SimCity] community. | ||
{{mm}} [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/comments/102cuf/awesome_essential_sc4_mods_updated/ Reddit thread - September 17, 2012] | {{mm}} [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/comments/102cuf/awesome_essential_sc4_mods_updated/ Reddit thread - September 17, 2012] | ||
{{mm}} [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/comments/orbt2/the_super_ultimate_awesome_essential_sc4_mod/ Reddit thread - January 22, 2012] | {{mm}} [http://www.reddit.com/r/SimCity/comments/orbt2/the_super_ultimate_awesome_essential_sc4_mod/ Reddit thread - January 22, 2012] | ||
− | === [http://www.wiki.sc4devotion.com/index.php?title=Colossus_Addon_Mod Colossus Addon Mod (CAM)] === | + | ===[http://www.wiki.sc4devotion.com/index.php?title=Colossus_Addon_Mod Colossus Addon Mod (CAM)]=== |
{{ii}} A significant and popular mod developed by the community at [http://sc4devotion.com SC4 Devotion]. | {{ii}} A significant and popular mod developed by the community at [http://sc4devotion.com SC4 Devotion]. | ||
{{++}} Rewrites and improves how cities and regions grow by including more 'lots' or building transition stages, and increases population density. | {{++}} Rewrites and improves how cities and regions grow by including more 'lots' or building transition stages, and increases population density. | ||
− | {{++}} Compatible with [[#NAM:_Network_Addon_Mod|NAM: Network Addon Mod]] - when installing CAM, select 'no traffic simulator'. <ref>http://www.wiki.sc4devotion.com/index.php?title=Colossus_Addon_Mod#NAM_.2B_CAM</ref> | + | {{++}} Compatible with [[#NAM:_Network_Addon_Mod|NAM: Network Addon Mod]] - when installing CAM, select 'no traffic simulator'.<ref>http://www.wiki.sc4devotion.com/index.php?title=Colossus_Addon_Mod#NAM_.2B_CAM</ref> |
− | === Tools === | + | ===Tools=== |
* [http://www.thehobbykingdom.com/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=3621 SimCity 4 Auto Saver] - autosave program for SimCity 4 that will automatically save your game while you play, superseded by the [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]]. | * [http://www.thehobbykingdom.com/forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=3621 SimCity 4 Auto Saver] - autosave program for SimCity 4 that will automatically save your game while you play, superseded by the [[#SC4Launcher|SC4Launcher]]. | ||
* [http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=731 SC4Terraformer] - this is a widely used tool that can render custom maps designed and built within the program. | * [http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=731 SC4Terraformer] - this is a widely used tool that can render custom maps designed and built within the program. |
Revision as of 07:30, 11 January 2014
Developers | |
---|---|
Maxis | |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
Release dates | |
Windows | January 14, 2003 |
macOS (OS X) | June 20, 2003 |
SimCity | |
---|---|
Subseries of Sim | |
SimCity (1989) | 1989 |
SimCity 2000 | 1994 |
SimCity 2000 Network Edition | 1996 |
SimCopter | 1996 |
Streets of SimCity | 1997 |
SimCity 3000 | 1999 |
SimCity 4 | 2003 |
SimCity Societies | 2007 |
SimCity (2013) | 2013 |
Key points
- Poorly optimised, but fixable on modern Windows PCs.
- SC4Launcher and NAM: Network Addon Mod are both highly recommended.
- Enable most fixes by using the SC4Launcher/Combined launch options, and then enabling Borderless fullscreen windowed.
- The OS X port suffers many problems.
General information
- sc4modds - full list of mods from /r/SimCity community.
- /r/SimCity
- Simtropolis Forum
- Steam Power Users' Forum
Availability
- It is recommended to only use Deluxe version which includes the Rush Hour expansion pack, as this has the highest compatibility with mods and other fixes.[1]
- Retail keys can be redeemed on Origin.[2][3]
Essential improvements
Launching game on modern systems
SC4Launcher
- Launcher utility that can be installed.
- Combines autosaving (customisable intervals), renderer choice (DirectX, Software, OpenGL), CPU priority, single CPU affinity, widescreen resolution, windowed, skip intro videos and an ATI/AMD graphics card fix into a single launcher program.
Combined launch options
- Single line of code to be added to 'Target' field of the shortcut or to Steam launch options.
- Combines widescreen resolution, windowed, single CPU affinity, skip intro videos.
Instructions |
---|
NAM: Network Addon Mod
- Extensively reworks of the road system, improves traffic simulator, path-finding and performance.
Game data
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/24780/pfx/[Note 1] |
- Beware of issues when using multiple duplicate cities.
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Steam Cloud |
Video settings
Skip intro videos
Instructions |
---|
Widescreen resolution
Instructions |
---|
Windowed
Instructions |
---|
Input settings
Remapping
Hotkeys and similar key bindings are stored in plaintext KEYCFG files in simcity_1.dat. A tool like Ilive Reader must be used to edit these.
Audio settings
Issues unresolved
OS X and Intel CPU major flaws
- Major flaws when operating on computers by Apple using Intel processors.
- Aspyr released a beta of a patch to fix the problems in 2007, but the patch was never finalized and many bugs remain. Some have a serious impact on playability, including frequent crashes if a city exceeds 95,000 population, flawed display of the water surface, frequent blurring or replacement of objects with random other objects, and an inability to significantly accelerate the vehicle in driving mode that prevents many gameplay features from being unlocked.
- OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) can render the game completely unplayable, even with the 2007 patch. Running the Windows version in Wine or a Virtual Machine generally gives a more convenient and reliable result.
Integer overflow
An integer overflow bug is also present in the game. Under certain conditions, the Junior Sports Program and Parks and Recreation expense items will be a negative value - thus adding to the end of month balance instead of reducing it.
Issues fixed
Crashes on multi-core systems
Instructions |
---|
Instructions |
---|
Instructions |
---|
Poor performance on modern systems
- Running SimCity 4 on modern systems may result in large performance problems.
Instructions |
---|
Industrial high-tech (I-H) missing jobs
- Every I-H lot in the game does not offer high wealth jobs even though it creates a demand for high wealth residents.
Instructions |
---|
Error message: "Could not initialize graphics card"
SimCity 4 may crash on startup while reporting an error that claims that SimCity 4 was unable to initialize the graphics card, this may occur when using a hardware-accelerated rendering mode and a non-standard resolution. Changing the rendering mode to "software" or changing the resolution to one of the supported resolutions (800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200) should resolve this issue.
Details disappear when scrolling
- On some AMD/ATI graphics cards users may find that scrolling the view will cause entities and details to temporarily disappear, including lots appearing completely empty until scrolling stops.
Instructions |
---|
Alternatively, this can be resolved by installing the SC4Launcher Utility. Once installed, run the launcher and navigate to the 'Hardware & Audio' tab. Enable the option 'Force Draw on Scroll' by checking the tick box. This should resolve the issue completely and will remain fixed regardless of whether the game is started with this custom launcher or through running the normal SimCity 4 executable.
Other information
Retail patches
- EA hosts one all-encompassing update that includes all patch fixes for all versions of the game.
- Retail versions can be registered on Origin through the CD key.
Duplicate cities moved
- If two or more copies of the same city exist in the Region folder upon starting SimCity 4, the game uses only one version and the other city copies are either deleted or automatically moved to the Downloads folder.
- SimCity 4 determines which file to use by sorting the city file names alphabetically and taking the first entry.
- If you have copies of cities in your region folder, e.g. "City - TEST 1.sc4" "City - TEST 2.sc4", then only "City - TEST 1.sc4" will be kept, and "City - TEST 2.sc4"either get deleted or will be moved to the Downloads folder
Launch options
More parameters can be found via this link. Please be aware that if you use the -UserDir parameter, changes made in any ingame options may not be saved properly.
Change language
- Language choice determines display language and which side of the road cars drive on.
- Supported languages sets include:
- English and Spanish (North American version)
- UK English, French, German, Spanish, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese and Swedish (European version)
- Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese (Chinese version)
- Korean (Korean version)
- Japanese (Japanese version)
- Thai (Thailand version)
The availability of these sets depends on where the game was purchased, or where the purchaser's billing address states in the case of Digital Distribution.
Instructions |
---|
Instructions |
---|
- The game also recognises Czech, Hebrew, Greek and Russian, however no official translations were ever released and no community translations have been made, possibly due to lack of compatible font sets.
Mods
- Mods may require dependencies.
Mod resources
- Simtropolis - a very active modding community, hosts the ST/Exchange (SimTropolisEXchange).
- SC4 Devotion - a very active modding community, hosts the LEX (Lot Exchange).
- Thread listing all possible settings and customisations
Mod recommendations
- sc4modds - full list of mods from /r/SimCity community.
- Reddit thread - September 17, 2012
- Reddit thread - January 22, 2012
Colossus Addon Mod (CAM)
- A significant and popular mod developed by the community at SC4 Devotion.
- Rewrites and improves how cities and regions grow by including more 'lots' or building transition stages, and increases population density.
- Compatible with NAM: Network Addon Mod - when installing CAM, select 'no traffic simulator'.[4]
Tools
- SimCity 4 Auto Saver - autosave program for SimCity 4 that will automatically save your game while you play, superseded by the SC4Launcher.
- SC4Terraformer - this is a widely used tool that can render custom maps designed and built within the program.
- SC4DataNode - this is a tool that checks your plugins folder, analyzes it, and tells you if any mods are missing dependencies.
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 98, ME, 2000, XP | |
Processor (CPU) | Pentium III 500 MHz or equivalent | 1 GHz or faster |
System memory (RAM) | ||
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 1 GB hard drive space | |
Video card (GPU) | DirectX 7.0 compatible 32 of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (24780) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.
References
- ↑ http://community.simtropolis.com/topic/25419-faqs-and-download-links-for-nam-rhw-and-nwm/#entry685177
- ↑ http://answers.ea.com/t5/Miscellaneous-Issues/SimCity-4-Register-retail-copy-of-Sim-City-4-with-Origin/td-p/280612
- ↑ http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29867965&postcount=274
- ↑ http://www.wiki.sc4devotion.com/index.php?title=Colossus_Addon_Mod#NAM_.2B_CAM