Update on modding

[RorciaK 0]

@citiesxlfan42 - this game is still alive ? except MCs failure? this is a MC game.. dont follow ur thought there. But i guess by ur tagname i take it ur pro citiesxl lol.

@warrior - i posted my thoughts in the wrong forum , i dont use mods/cheats at all in any genre, so the availability of so many out for sc4 and more coming means nothing to me. But " plus it is much cheaper than CXL and there's no on going cost... Simcity 4 = more functionality for less money = no brainer! " good point.

So i ask is there somewhere i can play SC4 demo or a light version somewhere?

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

such changes are currently under development and should take the simple form of a separate folder in which modified files could be added for solo and ignored when playing online.quote>

Common sense reigns supreme!

Huzzah!

[USA_Pride 49]

I think Monte Cristo doesn't like it because it doesn't involve them getting our money. Perhaps they should strip more features out of the single player in the next patch, or perhaps they should further make Omnicorp trades in single player unfair in an attempt to make people who already paid for a game subscribe to a monthly-fee service for the ability to play it.

[jeremy12 0]

Originally posted by: USA_Pride

I think Monte Cristo doesn't like it because it doesn't involve them getting our money. Perhaps they should strip more features out of the single player in the next patch, or perhaps they should further make Omnicorp trades in single player unfair in an attempt to make people who already paid for a game subscribe to a monthly-fee service for the ability to play it.quote>

If you read some of their posts its sounds like they are thinking of opening more up over time to SP, once theres better and greater stuff to the people who pay monthly.... like handy-downs but thats what you get not paying the subscription on a subscription based game

[Ocram's Razr 963]

I am glad that they stopped cheating in the Planet Offer but I am even happier that they will be working heavily on the Solo Mode to add a sandbox mode and a "mod folder."

[warrior 169]

Sorry I know this is Off topic but I can't leave it : )

Simcity 4 mods are not cheating, well there are a few, but many mods are just fixing things that were either not correct in the original game or simple weren't there. For Example, the CAM (Colossus addon mod) adds extra stages to your buildings, in the normal game you'd get to stage 9 (or somewhere around that number) buidling, which is a small skyscraper, but with CAM it adds on stages up to 15. So it exapnds how much you can play the game. The NAM on the other hand gives you a lot more transportation ooptions, and fixes some bugs in the original game. For example the RHW uses a network that was in the original game but was turned off.

Jonathan

[moaku 74]

I've learned to be carefull with what MC says and I personnally now thinks their actions speak much more than their words... Officially announced things takes an eternity to get it to the game, so imagine about what mathew said here that is "not to consider as an official announcement" ? Do you really want to wait 2 years to mod the game? Do you really think you'll enjoy it that long without modding ? So, until some of what he said "to calm down the angry mobs" become reallity, I will simply not count on it... and stay with my "out of date" but moddable version, at least until we have a better solution...

A french proverb would perfectly match my point since this issue... "On n'est jamais mieux servi que par soi-m

[dedgren 830]

Why does none of this surprise me?

David

[morriswalters 16]

Why is it that the cheaters who took the mods and used them online don't get the heat here?

[USA_Pride 49]

Originally posted by: morriswalters

Why is it that the cheaters who took the mods and used them online don't get the heat here?

quote>

I'm upset about them blocking them in solo mode.  Solo mode needs to be fixed because the maps are resource limited and the only way to get more resource in solo mode is to trade.... with OMNICORP at a horrible rate.  I get barely any money for the stuff I give to them and have to pay extra for the stuff I need.

[cheuk18me94 0]

I am using unlimited money mod so I can't update

It is to reduce the freedom of playing the game that is not good.

[moaku 74]

Here is a little thing that SHOULD (not tested under 392/393) work and make everyone happy until mc gets a better solution...

And since it only affects OFFLINE game, this file shound never be "restricted" by MC... just have a try...

Create the file:

Data\design\script\tradingandtokens\offlineomnicorpprices.data and fill it with:

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices = TradingHouse.OfflinePrices or {}

-- these are the default prices that are used when there is not a specific price specified for this ressource

TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuyUnitPrice = 250

TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuySellPrice = 100

function TradingHouse:SetOfflineOmnicorp(_Name, _UnitSellPrice, _UnitBuyPrice)

local ID = TradingLogic:GetTokenID(_Name)

if (ID == -1) then

LOG_ERROR("Trying to set Unknown token : "..(_Name or "nil"))

return

end

if (math.floor(_UnitSellPrice) ~= _UnitSellPrice) then

LOG_ERROR("Trying to set a non integer sell price for token : "..(_Name or "nil"))

return

end

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name] = TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name] or {}

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name].SellPrice = _UnitSellPrice

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name].BuyPrice = _UnitBuyPrice

end

quote>

This will "Scrooge" Don Madalf preparing his greedy mind for xmas and makes him want to help people instead of scamming them.

Feel free to edit TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuyUnitPrice and TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuySellPrice to fit your needs, but don't edit the rest of the file.

Hope this helps "honest cheaters" (offline cheaters).

Have fun !

[JakeMD 107]

thread read.

[kricek1 0]

Well, there is no "designs" folder and all the sub folders below the Data folder in the path (at least in my instatlled game). So, i created the path, created the file and nothing happened (i'm using the 1.0.3.3933 version).

Am i doing something wrong?

[moaku 74]

you probably created a wrong filename / foldername it's "design", not "designs"... anyway you did the right thing, the folder structure to this file does not exists in a "fresh install" data\ directory, that's why you have to create it and be carefull while creating... and also because I was too lazy to pack a "ready to unzip" mod and attach the .zip with my post

Once the correct file is created at the correct place, Omnicorp should offer *much* better prices in solo mode... you sell to omnicorp at an higher price you buy from them... so basically this should help on all cash / ressources issues for sandboxing solo mode... So, it''s a kind of "manual virtual sandbox" since you still have to accept contracts to activate it...

[kiwispanker 1]

Originally posted by: sthudig

Thanks for the update...I see maybe a ray of hope here, and I agree with everything you just posted. I agree a separation of Solo and PO in a more profound way is definitely a good way to go. I am also catching hints that you are re vamping the solo mode entirely, which the game sorely needs. I'll keep a closer eye on whats going on now. Sandbox is good, but I would also like something with an economy that I can adjust in difficulty, yet still have all my buildings unlocked.

quote>

sthudig: there's a checkbox in the options menu that allows you to unlock all (or at least most) buildings.

i agree that a sandbox is needed in solo. on planet mode, i spent a whole day and a bunch of money to develop a highway system that looks quite less than par (*hint at MC for improving the highway system - I know this has been talked about before). experimenting to get a feel for the game is essential when working with a new game, especially one without a grid.

i'm also glad that MC has shown that they still care about solo mode. i was just about to shelve this game - well not exactly cuz I don't have a box, but metaphorically speaking.

[ifurkend 0]

This is inconvincible. Why didn't they separate the game into 2 applications for solo and PO mode? This way they can just disable the cheating in PO program without affecting the solo players. Now the solo players have to wait for the official MOD accessibility update indefinitely, considering MC's attitude toward the solo mode.

It's just... sad.

[CZAR ALEKSANDER 0]

this endless dam debating is no good for solo player mod, I have had a long talk with Czar and the playes of our group since can not play the Planet Offer thing, now MC has taken the fun out pf playing Cities Xl for myself.

thank you

Czarina Aleksandria

[craigio86 12]

Originally posted by: moaku

This will "Scrooge" Don Madalf preparing his greedy mind for xmas and makes him want to help people instead of scamming them.

Feel free to edit TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuyUnitPrice and TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuySellPrice to fit your needs, but don't edit the rest of the file.

Hope this helps "honest cheaters" (offline cheaters).

Have fun !

quote>

Thanks for this, I've used it successfully.

I hope what Matt from Monte Cristo said was genuine.  I'm the type of player who just wants to build eye-candy cities.  For this reason alone, Cities XL blasts Simcity out of the water for me.  I don't want a game that takes months to master and entire days of my life to balance and being able to use modd files in Cities XL brought me that.

 

[mr. d 0]

Originally posted by: moaku

Here is a little thing that SHOULD (not tested under 392/393) work and make everyone happy until mc gets a better solution...

And since it only affects OFFLINE game, this file shound never be "restricted" by MC... just have a try...

Create the file:

Data\design\script\tradingandtokens\offlineomnicorpprices.data and fill it with:

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices = TradingHouse.OfflinePrices or {}

-- these are the default prices that are used when there is not a specific price specified for this ressource

TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuyUnitPrice = 250

TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuySellPrice = 100

function TradingHouse:SetOfflineOmnicorp(_Name, _UnitSellPrice, _UnitBuyPrice)

local ID = TradingLogic:GetTokenID(_Name)

if (ID == -1) then

LOG_ERROR("Trying to set Unknown token : "..(_Name or "nil"))

return

end

if (math.floor(_UnitSellPrice) ~= _UnitSellPrice) then

LOG_ERROR("Trying to set a non integer sell price for token : "..(_Name or "nil"))

return

end

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name] = TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name] or {}

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name].SellPrice = _UnitSellPrice

TradingHouse.OfflinePrices[_Name].BuyPrice = _UnitBuyPrice

end

quote>

This will "Scrooge" Don Madalf preparing his greedy mind for xmas and makes him want to help people instead of scamming them.

Feel free to edit TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuyUnitPrice and TradingHouse.DefaultOmniBuySellPrice to fit your needs, but don't edit the rest of the file.

Hope this helps "honest cheaters" (offline cheaters).

Have fun !

quote>

Ok, I'm a complete freakin idiot..... how do I create this file??

[moaku 74]

ok, ok... you win...

Here is a "Ready to unpack in Cities XL\Data" version for "complete freakin idiots""

scrooge_omnicorp.zip

[mr. d 0]

Yay!!! says the Complete freakin idiots!!!!

[deltaboy37 0]

Will there be an update to this mod for the 1.04 patch? I am just now hearing about this and can't get this to work. Please help.

[moaku 74]

No, there won't. If I publish an update to make it work, the update will be restricted in next patch... I published the sandbox to test their reaction about that... to see if they were sincere when saying that they can't allow modding since it allows online cheating... This sandbox was NOT affecting online play at all... so, the conclusion is easy... another lie from MC to "win time" and "appear to be nice guys"... they don't care about cheats, they just don't want mods... adding goofy restrictions as they learn something is doable instead of developping usefull things or a solution that would have been easier to setup that these restrictions... One more time , their actions speaks more than their words Good point, since I believe more in what I see that in what I ear about...

if you're not happy with that, send complains to MC (maybe if enough ppl email them they will hear us and stop treating us as fools) about their approach in modding restriction, or stay in a version that is not that restricted... There still are ways to do it, but one thing is certain, I won't publish any mod now and keep them for me until MC stops their "catch the modder" game... I'm tired to see each mod I do "restricted" after only a few days...

To Planet Offer Subscribers: Do you realize that you're actually paying MC developpers to restrict players modifications right now ? that they prefer adding restrictions to things that everyone wants but them (modding) than adding / modifying important features in the game ?

To PO subscribers that are about to not renew their subscription: Don't forget to delete your cities before your account expires if you're sure to never resubscribe again... If you leave your cities on a planet, it would help MC pretend they have more subscribers than they have

Anyway, the biggest battle for modding is still yet to come... I'm sure it's not the last time that MC will try to refrain modders... even after their "mods folder" is finished...

[mr. d 0]

Originally posted by: moaku

 or stay in a version that is not that restricted... ...quote>

Great.... 

 So is there a way to go back to a previous version that's pretty easy for us "less than computer geniuses"?

[moaku 74]

yes there are 2 ways...

1) Uninstall the game and reinstall it, watching carefully to stop updates after 383

2) Go to C:\Users\Your username\App Data\Local\Monte Cristo\Cities XL\download (path may vary... this is the path for Win7 and Vista... see other threads to find the path for XP if needed.

- Copy all patches exe until the one that ends with "383" in the filename to where you have installed Cities XL

- Edit your Version.cfg and set your version to 1 0 0 297 instead of 1 0 4 410

- Run all the patches in the order, starting from the first one (297_to_something)

- STOP AT 383 if you have copied more patches than needed

Now this applies for both methods, to stay under 383 once you're in...

- Create a shortcut to launch the game offline (see thread "Cities XL Tweaks" if needed)

- If you can't create the shortcut for any reason OR still want to use the launcher, re-edit your Version.cfg and make version number match the lastest version to avoid update (warning: this would have to be done at each update)

Do NOT play online with a downgraded version. Server may or may not let you in, but if you're in, you'll probably be considered as a cheater / hacker and be banned from servers... to play online, use an up to date version.

If you want to play both, BEFORE downgrading your game, just duplicate your game folder and keep the duplicata somewhere... So, you'll have an "up to date" version and a "moddable" one

Oh, and make regulary a backup of your "patches" exe files... just in case one day MC decides to delete them to "prevent" downgrade... so you'll still have them somewhere to do the "bad thing"

Have fun

[mr. d 0]

Thanks moaku....

I'm actually getting a lot better at this! ;P

[alexbieiniek 0]

i'm not resubscribing to online. What a waste of money in my opinion. What am i honestly paying for?

I used the mods on this site on solo mode to figure out this game and you guys just take it away and make me suffer. Not worth my whatever dollars.

[rujagorn 0]

Without mod, no one can really make a realistic looking city.

For hardcore city builder fan, it's the only reason we bought the game.

[masochist 111]

moaku - Your mod was designed specifically for SP.  I think the reason they blocked mods for both SP and PO is because their were trainers that worked with both.  I don't know how easy it is to block a trainer from only PO that was designed to be used for both modes, but obviously it had to be taken out. 

MC said they were trying to better split SP and PO; the least we could do is trust them just a bit.