What is exactly is the CAM

[strier9890 0]

I heard it lets you grow buildings even further but does it give you new buildings... what exactly does it do?

[TekindusT 3,809]

Here's the definition from the CAM details' page in the SC4Devotion LEX: "The Colossus Addon Mod (CAM) extends the number of growth stages for growable (RCI) lots to 15 for residential and commercial, to 10 for industrial and to 7 for agricultural lots". 

Link for Windows installer: https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1008

Link for Mac installer: https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1009

There are lots of CAMeLots (or CAMpatible buildings) in the STEX and the LEX, that will only grow if you have CAM installed. It is a good mod if you like cities full of towering skyscrapers, but I strongly recommend you checking some CAM related threads in SC4Devotion.com, that is the community where CAM is really popular.

[CTMandR 9]

I don't believe the CAM comes with new buildings, otherwise it would be a truly Colossal file to download. The CAM simply extends the number of growth stages, and you can download any CAMpatable building you want.

[edman2012 33]

with the CAM there are many types of buildings that will become available as long you download them. there are several nice nes at sc4devotion.com

[SC4BOY 21]

There isn't any "secret" to the CAM.. the pro's and con's are pretty well spelled out in the doc's for it. In terms of implimentation, if you're used to using custom lots, etc it will not be something you can't do. It is tedious and involves a fair amount of initial effort.. I'd plan on it being 2 or 3 days before you're ready to start confidently with it.. and that assumes you do put some effort into it. And of course it does restrict certain uses of the higher stage lots of non-CAM downloads.. but they aren't a "game stopper".. ie they will work anyways as long as you're congnisant of how CAM works. There are certain mod's that are not compatible with CAM (also spelled out in the doc's) and CAM is in effect a mod of its own. It has some problems, but I'd class them as  minor annoyances only and generally know issues.. if you read the threads on it, you'll see what they are.

On the other hand CAM isn't some panacea that solves your SC4 problems. If you had trouble with the game before, you'll likely have problems afterward. It STILL is SC4 but with a twist. Frankly I find it fun to use, but I could also be perfectly happy playing without it. Other mod's are far more critical to the game such as the nicely thought out simulators now available and the NAM.. especially the core NAM components.

I'd certainly not discourage you from using it, but if you don't like to "fiddle" with stuff or are shy about "specials" or "custom content" you'll likely be unhappy. After all many players, including myself I guess, enjoy fiddling with the game as much as actual play.. hehe

Whatever you decide, happy sim'ing