Difference between revisions of "SimCopter"
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}} | }} | ||
− | + | {{Introduction | |
− | {{ | + | |introduction = |
− | + | ||
+ | |release history = | ||
+ | |||
+ | |current state = The game requires a [[#Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows|workaround for installing on 64-bit systems]]. It lacks a framerate limiter or Vsync, which causes a lot of bugs and physical glitches with framerates above 60 FPS. | ||
+ | }} | ||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
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{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }} | {{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
− | {{ii}} | + | {{ii}} A free demo version is available on [https://archive.org/details/SIMCOP8 Archive.org]. |
− | |||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
− | ===Official | + | ===Official patches=== |
{{mm}} [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3759/7/ Patch 1.02] adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration. | {{mm}} [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3759/7/ Patch 1.02] adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration. | ||
{{--}} The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows. Additionally it removes the "easter egg event". | {{--}} The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows. Additionally it removes the "easter egg event". | ||
− | ===Unofficial | + | |
+ | ===Unofficial patches=== | ||
{{mm}} [http://simcopter.net SimCopterX] patches the game to prevent crashing on modern CPUs, along with bypassing the CD DRM checks. It also provides optional settings such as higher-resolutions modes. | {{mm}} [http://simcopter.net SimCopterX] patches the game to prevent crashing on modern CPUs, along with bypassing the CD DRM checks. It also provides optional settings such as higher-resolutions modes. | ||
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{{Fixbox|description=Install with the SimCopterX patcher|fix= | {{Fixbox|description=Install with the SimCopterX patcher|fix= | ||
# Insert the CD or open/mount the disc image file. | # Insert the CD or open/mount the disc image file. | ||
− | # Copy | + | # Copy all contents of the disc to the preferred path. Avoid spaces in the path (e.g. {{folder|D:\Games\SimCopter}}). |
− | # Download the SimCopterX patcher and the | + | # Download the SimCopterX patcher and the version 1.02 patch from [http://krimsky.net/patchers/scx_dl.html krimsky.net]. |
− | # Replace the original | + | # Replace the original {{file|SimCopter.exe}} in the {{folder|SIMCOPTER}} folder with the patched version. |
− | # Run SimCopterX, click on "Patch Game", select | + | # Run SimCopterX, click on "Patch Game", select {{file|SimCopter.exe}} and then click on "Install Game". |
− | # Select | + | # Select the preferred resolution and window mode and click on "Dispatch!" to apply the settings and start the game. |
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
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# Copy the contents of disc somewhere temporarily. | # Copy the contents of disc somewhere temporarily. | ||
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/111-installshield-3-32-bit-generic-installer/ InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer]. | # Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/111-installshield-3-32-bit-generic-installer/ InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer]. | ||
− | # Extract the new installer into the | + | # Extract the new installer into the {{folder|setup}} folder. |
− | # Run | + | # Run {{file|setup32.exe}} and follow the steps. |
}} | }} | ||
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}} | }} | ||
− | {{Fixbox|description= | + | {{Fixbox|description=[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Limit the framerate]] to 60 FPS.|fix= |
− | |||
− | |||
}} | }} | ||
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|minOS = 95 | |minOS = 95 | ||
− | |minCPU = Intel Pentium | + | |minCPU = Intel Pentium 75 MHz |
|minRAM = 16 MB | |minRAM = 16 MB | ||
|minHD = 15 MB | |minHD = 15 MB |
Latest revision as of 21:17, 3 January 2024
Developers | |
---|---|
Maxis | |
Publishers | |
Electronic Arts | |
Release dates | |
Windows | October 31, 1996 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase |
Modes | Singleplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | First-person, Third-person |
Genres | Simulation |
Vehicles | Helicopter |
Themes | Contemporary |
Series | SimCity |
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 |
SimCopter is a singleplayer first-person and third-person simulation game in the SimCity series.
The game requires a workaround for installing on 64-bit systems. It lacks a framerate limiter or Vsync, which causes a lot of bugs and physical glitches with framerates above 60 FPS.
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail |
- A free demo version is available on Archive.org.
Essential improvements
Official patches
- Patch 1.02 adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration.
- The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows. Additionally it removes the "easter egg event".
Unofficial patches
- SimCopterX patches the game to prevent crashing on modern CPUs, along with bypassing the CD DRM checks. It also provides optional settings such as higher-resolutions modes.
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\[Note 1] |
- Config files require a hex editor to read and are not easy to interpret.
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\My Saved Cities\*.sc2[Note 1] |
Video
Graphics feature | State | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | SimCopter is locked at a display mode of 640x480 256 colours. This can be unlocked with SimCopterX which supports additional resolution modes. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | Create a shortcut with the command line option -w and enable reduced color mode (8-bit 256 color) in the compatibility settings. Using Alt+↵ Enter to change from fullscreen to windowed causes major graphical issues, but it works fine the other way round. |
||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
High-fidelity upscaling | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | Frame-rate is uncapped, however running the game above 120 FPS may cause it to speed up and/or crash. See Game crashes | ||
High dynamic range display (HDR) |
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | ||
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | ||
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support | Joystick deadzone can be set using Tweaker program on disc. | |
Full controller support | ||
Controller remapping | ||
Controller sensitivity | ||
Controller Y-axis inversion |
Controller types |
---|
XInput-compatible controllers |
---|
PlayStation controllers |
---|
Generic/other controllers |
---|
Additional information | ||
---|---|---|
Controller hotplugging | ||
Haptic feedback | ||
Digital movement supported | ||
Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | Sliders for Game and Radio volume. Ability to turn off radio commercials and DJ. | |
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
EAX support | A3D 1.0[1] | |
Royalty free audio |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Japanese | Japan only. |
Issues fixed
Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows
- The original disc release uses a 16-bit installer.
Install with the SimCopterX patcher |
---|
|
Install with a modified 32-bit installer[citation needed] |
---|
|
Game crashes
- The game often runs too fast on modern CPUs and must be slowed down.
Slow down the game internally |
---|
Use SimCopterX which slows the game down internally through a patch. The patcher also comes with optional settings such as higher-resolution modes. |
Limit the framerate to 60 FPS. |
---|
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Glide | 2.1.1 | Only available after installing the 1.02 patch and activated via the command line option -v . This mode is experimental and so the HUD and some other features are missing, with a number of graphical glitches also present. Supported by nGlide. |
Software renderer |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows |
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | ||
Operating system (OS) | 95 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 75 MHz | |
System memory (RAM) | 16 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 15 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | SVGA video card 512 KB of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details).
References
- ↑ SimCopter user review - Amazon.com - last accessed on May 2023