Let me introduce myself.

[YannickSHE 0]

Hello Simtropolis community members,

I just joined Simtropolis, it's my first post, and I'd like to say that this is easily one of the best communities online.

I'm a SimCity fan since the first one came out back in the very early 90s, and SimCity 4 has to be the best so far. I read few city journals on here, and let me tell you ... some people here are professionals (and I'm jealous!!!) .

But I will let myself some time to become good. I've been very good at every SimCity so far and I want to learn SC4 the good way. So I figured that Simtropolis was the best place to get support, ideas and feedbacks.

I bought SC4 back in 2004 when it came out, and my computer at that time was acting crazy with the game, couldn't go over 250,000 inhabitants, computer became slow and it was frustrating. So I stopped playing.

Now I got myself a brand new computer, bought SC4 Deluxe (I wanted to have that Rush Hour expansion pack!!).

Few questions before I start playing. I want to start smoothly. I don't want to rush anything. I know the basics of the game, so that's okay. I basically want to know which mods I need to have my game complete. There's thousands of mods to download and I get myself lost in it.

I don't want hundred of mods, just the necessary ones. Once I'll get started, then I'll download some additional mods that I want. I don't want to screw up my files, I want my mods to be in the right folders, and I tend to be confused with all this. Once I'll get how to manage all this, there won't be any problem.

Is there any "beginner's kit" that I can read that is easy to follow? Any community members wants to give me advice on how to start it clean?

Also, there's so many things to read and download onto this site, that I find myself confused. What are the essentials to read? Which section is more important than the other for a beginner?

I thank you in advance for everything and I look forward of creating a City Journal in the upcoming months, but not before making myself comfortable with the game.

I want to start a region with nice small cities, farming communities, light residential areas, lots of greenery and a perfect transit system. Once the region will be big enough, of course, I want a big downtown where all the sims will make business and make the region their lives.

Thanks and long live Simtropolis.

YannickMtl

[sim1234 62]

Welcome to Simtropolis YannickMtl! I hope you have a great time here!

It's a matter of opinion on what's essential but I would download the NAM (Network Add On Mod) which adds many more transport options to your game. It can be found here for the PC or here for the Mac.

I would also download one of cycledogg's terrain mods for much more realistic terrain in game, they can be found here and also one of Pegasus's great water mods which can be found here.

For advice on official updates and what files to download from the Official Sim City 4 website and more information, take a look at Greyveil's great "Getting Up And Running" Thread which can be found here.

I would also visit the New Members Information forum which tells you the best way to get started on the site, it can be found here.

Hope this helps.

[rhino120 2]

Hi YannickMtl, welcome to ST!

I'm sure you will love it here...it's an incredible site, full of great custom content, useful information, and friendly people.

The first thing you should read if you haven't already are the forum rules here.   Not that you've done anything wrong yet, but it will save you possible heartache later on.

There are a couple of mods that will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the game.  Firstly, the NAM (Network Addon Mod) for some great changes to the transportation system for the game.  Just make sure to read the readme carefully and follow the instructions.  Another great mod is the Bridge Height Mod, which will change the way the game draws bridges, making it much more realistic.  And another is the Additional God Mode Terrain Tools.  The title says it all   Obviously there are many more, but these are some good beginning ones.

There are also some great custom content on the STEX as you're probably aware of.  This is not an all-inclusive list, but check out uploads by Simgoober, NDEX, Barbyw, Cobb32118, Deadwoods, and Pegasus.  There are alot of others who upload fantastic things, these are just the ones I remember off the top of my head.  You're right too, as you download, use some type of organization to the content or you'll never be able to find stuff later on.  I organize by author, with seperate folders for props and mods, but whatever works for you.

Finally, check the Omnibus for some good tutorials for beginners.  You can also find some helpful information by searching through the forums, especially the City Journals.  Sometimes the city journal authors will explain certain techniques they are using and if you see something that strikes your interest, ask them about it.  I don't know of anyone who doesn't enjoy talking about how they did something unique

Anyway, I've rambled for a while but this should get you started.  If you have any questions feel free to PM me or any other member (I think its safe to say that most of them will be willing to help you)

rhino

[Camaron 1]

Welcome to the site. Good luck with your SC regions.

[Fred_Ginger 1]

Welcome to ST YannickMT, I'm sure you'll enjoy the site as much as the rest of us! Both Sim123 and Rhino120 gave you some great advice and links - the only thing I would add is to reiterate what Rhino 123 said "...as you download, use some type of organization to the content or you'll never be able to find stuff later on." A lot of stuff comes with installers if you are on a PC, so that helps with the organization. The other thing is install one or two things at a time so you can verify no conflict/problems. Most of the custom content is tested but you never know... The other thing is pay close attention to the 'readme' it will tell you if you need anything to make the download work (called dependencies). After you get more comfortable with the game again I would suggest you d/l the BSC farm packs and the mod that suppresses the Maxis farms, I think you'll like the diversity of these and they contribute to new rewards.

[Constantina 5]

Yes, we have another new member. Welcome to the community. Enjoy the site!

Look out for regular members at ST including me, sloppet, Voar Tok and sim1234. Oh, don't forget Boggy1 and Glenni.

[YannickSHE 0]

Thanks everyone for the great replies! I will follow your advice on the first modds to download, I will read the readme files to make sure everything is installed properly. I look forward reading this web site in depth to acquire knowledge and useful tips.

If I have technical questions or gameplay questions, I'll be sure to ask em here since people are so nice!

Cheers everyone.

[YannickSHE 0]

Okay I did download all patches and landmarks from the official SC4 website. That's done.

I downloaded the NAM as well, extracted it, and it was added onto another Sim City 4 sub-folder I have which is not the main plugin folder where all my sc4 files are.

So basically I have 2 plugin folders, 2 different places. Should I move all plugins into the main plugin folder; or leave it as it is?

Also, in the readme, it says to pick/use only 1 dat file for every category. Well, I don't have sub-folders in my NAM folder. I have a bunch of dat files, with readme files. Do I remove some of the dat files there or keep it intact as it is?

Thanks.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Unless you have a Mac, the NAM has an installer that lets you pick your options.  Multiple folders inside plugins is a very good idea, and it is OK.  The game reads the whole structure looking for its stuff (only).  The folder structure allows users to selectively remove specific items if necessary and to help keep them organized if there is a revision.

If you have a Mac, then yes, you need to pick one and only one .dat of each type.  If you don't do this, you will wind up with the last one loaded.

Downloads should not be made directly to  plugins.  You should have a separate structure so that any inspections and special instructions can be followed without risking your existing stuff.  I keep mine on my desktop as My Downloads.

[Bookworm 1]

Hi there, welcome to ST! There are loads of great things on the STEX, and besides what was already suggested, you really should download whatever strikes your fancy. I'd recommend some of Simgoober's lots, Ill_Tonkso's BATS, and anything by the BSC or NDEX.

[paperboy15 4]

Right, Constantina. Stay away from Sloppet!

[jacqulina 162]

welcome to simtropolis i know you will have fun

[YannickSHE 0]

Thanks. I'm already having a good time. I read a lot of CJs last nite, spent more time on this site than actually playing the game! lol

But you guys are very good. I've seen some unbelievable pics of cities and I just wish I could detail my city like that. I mean .... I know where the mods are, I could download them and try, but there's so many puzzles, I get lost in it ... lol

Anyway ... like I said earlier, I'll give myself time ... I'll just build neighborhood after neighborhood, one by one, and see what I can create ...

But the more mods I install, the more my computer slows down ... it's very frustrating. I can't play with closest zoom, takes forever for things to develop ....

I have basic questions about the game ....

1 - When you start a region, do you actually start 2 or 3 cities at the same time right away? Do you put garbage, power and dirty industry in 1 city, then make connections right away to the neighbors? I need sims in that dirty city for it to make money?

2 - Do you actually spend couple of hours creating your region first, with all grown-up trees seeded or you wait for the trees to grow?

3 - When a city start, I have the habit to play with light residential and commercial, with medium industrial ... but since we have to put garbage and power, I don't know if I should right away del with my neighbor dirty city?

4 - Trains ... so confusing .... do I put passenger and freight stations on the same railway line? Or should I create a train line for the industrial AND a train line for my residential/commercial?

5 - What's up with the white arrow when you place a building? Does it have to face a street? I know that parks are not necessary to face streets, but for train stations, schools and everything else; does it have too?

6 - Should I start with 3 or 4 medium maps, and then once things are going well, then I attack my large maps?

I know these questions might seem ridiculous, but I need to know.

Thanks.