Haven't played for four years or so

[BlackFrancis 4]

Hello,

I used to come to Simtropolis a long time ago.  When I bought SimCity4 deluxe edition, it was already old and here I am all this time later, wanting to play it again.  Originally I bought it to pass the time after surgery.  Now I want to pass the time because I'm unemployed in this unfortunate economic climate.

Anyway, sorry to say I've forgotten almost everything.  I've gotten a new computer since I last played and needed to reinstall.  I migrated all my bookmarks over but few of them work.  Good to see that this site is still around.  I remember it as a friendly place.

Okay so I've just installed the game.  I've done nothing else...it started up on its own after installation.  Seems to work okay with 64 bit Vista.  What I've got now is essentially a supercomputer so I actually look forward to playing the game to see if it's faster!

After I have all the patches from Maxis, what else do I need to get from here?  I seem to remember some must-haves or the game wasn't even playable.  There was a transportation mod or two.  Like I said, I barely remember anything from that time (surgery, pills, you know) and it's sort of overwhelming to come to a site like this and see all that's available.  Don't know what I need or what I don't.  

Any advice at all that you could give me would be greatly appreciated. 

[jotauveefe 24]

Welcome BACK!

[LivingInThePast 364]

I kind of feel the same way you do, except my computer's motherboard screwed up soon after I restarted, rendering graphical problems on the screen. So now I'm BATting to pass the time. Get the latest version of NAM, for starters. I did.

[JakeMD 107]

Originally posted by: BlackFrancis

Hello,

I used to come to Simtropolis a long time ago.  When I bought SimCity4 deluxe edition, it was already old and here I am all this time later, wanting to play it again.  Originally I bought it to pass the time after surgery.  Now I want to pass the time because I'm unemployed in this unfortunate economic climate.

Anyway, sorry to say I've forgotten almost everything.  I've gotten a new computer since I last played and needed to reinstall.  I migrated all my bookmarks over but few of them work.  Good to see that this site is still around.  I remember it as a friendly place.

Okay so I've just installed the game.  I've done nothing else...it started up on its own after installation.  Seems to work okay with 64 bit Vista.  What I've got now is essentially a supercomputer so I actually look forward to playing the game to see if it's faster!

quote>

The only thing you might have to worry about is changing the graphics renderer to software, because simcity 4 sometimes doesn't recognize newer graphics cards.

After I have all the patches from Maxis, what else do I need to get from here?  I seem to remember some must-haves or the game wasn't even playable.  There was a transportation mod or two.  Like I said, I barely remember anything from that time (surgery, pills, you know) and it's sort of overwhelming to come to a site like this and see all that's available.  Don't know what I need or what I don't. 

quote>

What is a MUST HAVE is the Network Addon Mod (NAM) which essentially overhauls the games transportation networks.  The Rural Highway Mod is a popular plugin for the NAM.

Some popular BATers you may remember are SimGoober, Ill tonkso, Pegasus, Bixel, and JasonCW. Some you may not remember are AutiVino, Simfox, SimHoTToddy, and a few others.  You might like their stuff that is on the STEX.

Some other recommendations are to have a terrain mod to make your cities look better.  Custom mapping was kicked off, and you can find some information on that here, in the OmniMaps -- Mapping and Terraforming Information section of the Omnibus.

If you have any other questions you can PM me or ask them here.

[Faded Glory 13]

I also enjoy madhatters BATs. Supurbly executed and each download comes with multiple lots. Plus, he speciallizes in small town buildings (perfect for me since I've never gotten a city pass the 150000 population mark). Also, welcome back and hope you get a job soon!

[earwax_man 18]

CAM is also a good addon from SC4Devotion if you're looking to have a diverse skyline. The plopable9000 is also a good addon for demand.

[BlackFrancis 4]

Thanks everyone. This game may be unplayable, though...random crashes to desktop.

[Loney 22]

Originally posted by: BlackFrancis

Thanks everyone. This game may be unplayable, though...random crashes to desktop.quote>

That happens to everyone. SC4 did not have a debug code (reduces the amount of crashes) since EA needed to cut down it's system usage. Just remember to save frequently.

[BlackFrancis 4]

Thanks again to everyone. For some reason it crashed to desktop constantly at first, but it hasn't done it in a while now. I've started downloading some content and still not problems.

I used to use the terrain editor, though. Now I'm on 64-bit Vista and it just will not work. I've tried everything out there. So if I may bother you guys again, is there an alternative to the terrain editor? I can't even download other people's maps without it, much less make my own. And you know how it is doing it one city at a time.

Thanks

[BlackFrancis 4]

And by terrain editor I mean the terraformer application, not the in-game tools.  Just to be more specific. 

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Welcome back, and so sorry to hear that you lost your job.

Anyway, some things that people haven't mentioned are the various tram stops, as the NAM includes trams but no stops, and Smoncries Hole Digging Lots. These help when trying to build tunnels & sunken highways.

[tungston 19]

Originally posted by: BlackFrancis

Thanks again to everyone. For some reason it crashed to desktop constantly at first, but it hasn't done it in a while now. I've started downloading some content and still not problems.

I used to use the terrain editor, though. Now I'm on 64-bit Vista and it just will not work. I've tried everything out there. So if I may bother you guys again, is there an alternative to the terrain editor? I can't even download other people's maps without it, much less make my own. And you know how it is doing it one city at a time.

Thanksquote>

Since Vista comes with DirectX 10, you will need some DirectX 9 files.  There is a list to them in the SC4 Terraformer readme.

[BlackFrancis 4]

Thanks...I tried the direct x downloads and it just will not work.  I have given up on the terraformer and mapper. 

[Cob92 360]

Only the NAM is absolutely necessary. Everything else is personal preference.