Yet another way to install SC4:RH on Mac

[dcpatrick 0]

Hi there,

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Background:

Every now and then people complain about Simcity 4 for Mac is slow compared to the PC one. I personally tried the universal binary of SC4 and also the SC4 on a virtual pc under parallels. The impression was that the PC one is more responsive and faster in computing/finding path. The UB patch is just a beta and not supported by Aspyr.

On Mac when it comes to virtualisation, Parallels, Vmware and Crossover are the big names that worth mentioning. I didnt try Vmware on my own and I bet the end result of installing SC4 on it would be similar to that on Parallels. Crossover however has the lowest overhead, due to the fact that the bottle it create to accomodate a Windows application is just a slice of windows, ie Crossover only install the essential files to mimic a Windows environment. RAM usage, disk space usage and CPU usage are the overheads I am talking about.

Long before trying to install SC4 on Crossover, I had an experience of playing Counterstrike on Mac. While my laptop, Macbook Core Duo pretty sucks thanks to the intel integrated graphics, the gaming experience was "okay". I have nearly nothing to complain except for the lowish framerate. There was no graphic glitches whatsoever.

A few days ago, Crossover sent me an email that Crossover Games was release. Then, it comes the idea to virtualise Simcity on Mac.

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Installation:

I spents hours to figure out how to run the installer properly. I left the hard copy of the game in my home country. And there are only the image files of the game in the external hard disk. MDFs and CueSheets. Okay! It doesnt matter if you have image or not.

1)The most important thing is that you have a copy that you can install on Windows.

2)Then copy everything from Disk 1 to a folder, let say "SC4 Install". I assume you do it in Windows. Copying from a hard copy on Mac may or may not work. I didnt try that out.

3)Do the same thing with Disk 2. And you now have a folder with the files from the two discs

5)Create a Windows XP bottle in Crossover Games.

6)Copy the folder "SC4 Install" to C:\Program Files in the bottle.

7)Run setup.exe by using Crossover Games --> Program --> Run Command

8)Download patch 1.1.638 and place it under "Program Files", install the patch using Run Command.

9)Download 1.1.638 No-CD patch. Go search for it. Rename the original exe before overwriting with the No-CD patch.

10)Go to Crossover Games Menu --> Program --> Run Command . Point to Simcity 4 Rush Hour/Deluxe .exe. Add the appropriate commands behind the file path. For example,

"/users/me/......../Simcity 4/App/Simcity 4 RH.exe" -introff -CustromResolution:Enabled -r1280x800x32

11)Save the command and try running SC4 if you wish.

12)Go to Crossover Games Menu --> Program --> Reveal in Finder. You should have the Simcity 4.app which is created by Crossover and another which you create yourself. Right click both of them and show their contents. Open Info.plist(double click).

13) Under Root/CrossoverHelperCommand, copy the string with the custom command to the same string of the .app created by Crossover. Save the plist Drag the Edited .app to the Dock.

14)Done. Dont tell me you are not playing SC4 on Mac after all these steps.

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Game Play

-On the macbook, hardware rendering gives glitches, while software mode runs just as fast but without major glitches.

-Remember NAM, CAM etc have seperate versions of Mod, for PC and MAC respectively.

[rossfromfriends 0]

Hey. I was just about to try the pc version using Crossover, although I don't have this new "Crossover Games". Can I update my Crossover version to "games" or do I have to buy a whole new Crossover program. That would really annoy me, as I've only recently (last month or so) purchased Crossover for Mac. It's too bad that Simcity 4 for Mac was just a half-assed release.

[dcpatrick 0]

Hi there,

You could first give it a try with Crossover Mac. I haven't tried Crossover Mac because the release of Crossover Games gave me the idea to make the PC version work under OSX.

As far as I know, with your Crossover account provided that you have a Crossover Mac 6.0 subscription, you are allow to register Crossover Games free of charge.

Good luck!

[buddydog98825 0]

Hi, I had a question. I have a macbook, and i installed everything (Crossover Games, SimCity4 Deluxe), and it works; however, when I play it the map flickers (so that you only see the purple grid through the ground). Is there anything that can be done to fix this?

Also, the screen is full screen (so there are parallel bars on the side) , is there any way to change it to wide screen?

[Hamish 1,369]

Hold down option while starting up the game. A window will pop up, from there you can change the resolution of the game. This might sort out your other problem. If not, then try changing the graphics settings.

[GoaSkin 2]

Hasn't Crossover Games the Safedisc copy protection implemented? That is bad, if you need to crack it because no one has written a no-CD crack for version 1.6.40 (BAT update). That means that crossover games is no solution to get night-lighting working.

On linux, it can be installed with CEDEGA without any complicated installation procedure. Transgaming has also a framework to run windows games on OSX called CIDER but it is sold as OEM only. To install the game using CIDER, you need another game that comes with CIDER to run itself.

[toxicpiano 125]

Originally posted by: GoaSkin Hasn't Crossover Games the Safedisc copy protection implemented? That is bad, if you need to crack it because no one has written a no-CD crack for version 1.6.40 (BAT update). That means that crossover games is no solution to get night-lighting working.

On linux, it can be installed with CEDEGA without any complicated installation procedure. Transgaming has also a framework to run windows games on OSX called CIDER but it is sold as OEM only. To install the game using CIDER, you need another game that comes with CIDER to run itself.

quote>

The spore creature editor for mac os x is made using cider (as is all recent EA games for mac). You can get it free.

[skya 0]

Hi everyone,

I have been debating for some time weather to get SC4 Deluxe for Mac or for PC. I have a MacBook Pro with a 2 duo core processor. I finally decided to go with the PC version and use Crossover. I went out and bought it last night. I came home and I tried this method out. It took me a little time to understand everything, but I eventually was able to do everything in the instructions and understand what I was doing.

The only step that was a little unclear to me was step 13. But I think I did it right. Anyway, when I launch SC4 I get a black screen with a white cursor, but it goes no further and I can't make it back to my desktop, so I have to reboot.

I also changed my resolution to 1280x800 but is there some way that I am supposed to turn off the intro? (see step 10)

Maybe I am missing something or not doing something right. Is there anyone out there who can help me. I am so excited to play SC4.

Here are the specs for my computer:

Model Identifier: MacBookPro3,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 2 GB

GeForce 8600M GT

VRAM (Total): 256 MB

Ram: 1GB

Thanks a bunch!

[jjakucyk 0]

I've had some problems getting the game to run at all through Crossover when hardware rendering is turned on. You might try setting the game to software rendering by setting up the "run command" as such (change the file paths and resolution as required):

/Users/you/Library/Application Support/CrossOver Games/Bottles/winxp/drive_c/Program Files/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/simcity 4.exe -CustomResolution:enabled -r1680x1050x32 -intro:off -d:Software

[skya 0]

Hi. Thank you. I finally got it to run properly using the no cd crack version of the .exe