SimCity 4, original version

[brap 0]

Hi all.

New here,  so do point out anything I do wrong.

Basically, I bought myself the original SimCity 4, a couple of days after release, since I loved the previous three. Yet, I managed to give up on ever getting it to work properly, since it was such a mess...

Now I'm just out of Uni, in between lives (as it were) and would love to make this work, kill some time.

My first small problem was that I've lost CD#1. I have 'acquired' an image; I still have my original CD#2, and my CD key, so it's all good. The only issue is I had to run both Euro and Asian updates to fully patch it, CDs being from different locales (heheh, oops). The original CD#2 is detected in the drive, so I'm not using any unofficial "no-CD" patched exes.

My problem? The game runs like crap. The old inability to scroll bug is still here, even though my card is orders of magnitude faster. It's just... implausibly slow.

Specs:

Athlon 64, 2GHz. Single core.

1GB DDR

ATI X800GTO2 (effectively, X850XT)

Now, having searched at length, I can't seem to find a fix -- besides "use software mode". No, it looks like crap in software mode, and my CPU isn't fast enough to make it properly fluid. So am I missing something fundamental, or will this game simply not run properly on this 3d hardware? I have noted other users saying they have the game running succesfully on X800-series hardware, but I'd like clarification as to whether this is purely in the functional sense...

Also - side note: even in 32bit mode - for other users, is there still *highly* visible dithering on your textures?

Thanks, Ben.

[greyveil 37]

there are several bugs in the original sc4 that in my opinion make it "unplayable" I do recommend rush hour or deluxe, which can be got a very reasonable prices, most the custom content here will not work on vanilla sc4.

as far as the graphics, (the system I use most has a x800 AIW) there are several issues with certain drivers in the ati series with sc4, what driver are you using? what is your display resolution set at? depending on the driver you might try turning anti aliasing off and see if that helps, during scroll there are backing store issues with certain ati drivers but I don't think the fixes were implemented until rushhour.

let me know....

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

Your mixed-mode game is iffy at best.  I have to agree with greyveil, and suggest most strongly that the original SC4 is hardly playable.  The best thing you could do now would be to purchase a legal copy of Deluxe and consign your old game to the big plastic chipper in the sky.

Most of the content here is aimed at Rush Hour/Deluxe.  I also recommend the Network Addon Mod to extend the game even more.

If you leaf through a few of the City Journals, you'll see just how far you can go with this game.  The sky's the limit.

[brap 0]

Originally posted by: greyveil there are several bugs in the original sc4 that in my opinion make it "unplayable" I do recommend rush hour or deluxe, which can be got a very reasonable prices, most the custom content here will not work on vanilla sc4.quote>

Thanks for the reply... so is the 'deluxe' version that much different? Ooh-er.

as far as the graphics, (the system I use most has a x800 AIW) there are several issues with certain drivers in the ati series with sc4, what driver are you using? what is your display resolution set at? depending on the driver you might try turning anti aliasing off and see if that helps, during scroll there are backing store issues with certain ati drivers but I don't think the fixes were implemented until rushhour.quote>

I'm using 6.4, official build, with the control center, at 1280*1024.

I've tried multiple variations on aa/filtering, none seem to make a difference - either to performance, or graphics. The game seems to completely disregard the lot!

I may pick rush hour up, regardless of the absurdity... game seems worth it. With the expansion, on your x800 - can I assume it runs fluidly at said res?

[brap 0]

Originally posted by: N_O_Body Your mixed-mode game is iffy at best.  I have to agree with greyveil, and suggest most strongly that the original SC4 is hardly playable. quote>

Iffy it is... but it seems to work (as far as the patch goes, at least). Hardly playable seems to fit, I'm just hoping they can get 'Spore' right first time.

The best thing you could do now would be to purchase a legal copy of Deluxe and consign your old game to the big plastic chipper in the sky.

Most of the content here is aimed at Rush Hour/Deluxe.  I also recommend the Network Addon Mod to extend the game even more.

If you leaf through a few of the City Journals, you'll see just how far you can go with this game.  The sky's the limit.quote>

So, is the 'deluxe' version going to be patched to a different level - than that of vanilla + expansion? I wouldn't feel quite right about buying the whole thing again, what with it not working and all...

[A Nonny Moose 8,263]

Deluxe = SC4 + RH in a slightly different skin.  Both RH and Deluxe need the Update 1 patch for the region of the game supplied.  You will probably want the night-lights patch found on the BAT download page to get night light textures working correctly too.