Running speed

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Notwithstanding the fact that you have the smokingest hot machine in existence, there are reasons not to run this game flat out.  Like many simulations this game has a gear shift, and you should learn not to use overdrive unless you don't care what happens in your little neighborhoods.

Turtle - Slow as a ...  Are you a turtle?  The game thinks that's where you should start as it is the default.  If you are new to the game, or want to take some thinking time without going to pause, this is a good gear to be in.

Rhino - Lumbering along.  This is the speed I use when I am not doing anything except enjoying the game.  Things are not instant, but it is fast enough.  You also get some think time about what to do about problems like transit jam ups, ratings, where things should really be, and so on.

Cheetah - But these animals can only do this for about 600 yards.  And so should you.  Why run flat out?  You don't have to create the megalopolis of all time in one session.  This is a leisure pass time, not an FPS.  There is no way to win, only lose.  You run so fast you don't get a chance to enjoy all the neat graphics that have been put in the game, you just see buildings springing up, and causing problems.  "Slow down!  You're goin' too fast.  Y'got t'make this moment last."  The only time I use cheetah mode is if I need something to develop quickly.  I don't usually run for more than two or three Sim-months in cheetah.  I can't keep up with it properly and there is little enjoyment, only satisfaction of completion of something.  This is a game.  You can save your position, so what's the rush?

[Decaf Table 0]

I personally only run the game on Turtle speed, I NEVER use any of the faster modes. I honestly don't think there is a need, as it's a simulation game, I try to keep it reaslistic and have the pace slow and steady, like in real life. I try to enjoy all the little bits and pieces the game has.

[joshriddle 29]

When I am doing stuff, I set it to the turtle speed. When I have zoned out a new neighborhood and don't have anything better to do I set it to cheetah.

[Bplax15 2]

The problem with turtle is it takes forever to turn profits even if you have a large positive budget. I start at turtle as i set up everything else, but once i have the 50k people and a good budget i speed it up to make sure i have sufficient funds.

[Tysons4 68]

i start paused, and once everything is zoned and im ready to add power i change speeds

once ive added my power i move to cheetah.. i only run this for about a year, everything is usually developed and i then change speeds again

the next speed i run at is rhino... i use this speed for upgrading busy streets to roads... 3 months is a long time and thats about the amount of time it takes sims to use new networks i then shift gears

i use turtle to refine my networks, plop civic structures and view my sims day to day lives

i usually save to region as the clutch before changing gears

[DahMayorDefacto 1]

A long time ago, i always played on cheetah.

Now, i can't install the game, so i had to buy a new one... it's coming anytime now... i might try to run on rhino...

I didn't even know that traffic jams could be caused by people going to school and that there's gnomes in the game...

[SC4BOY 20]

I've probably never seriously run in cheeta mode.. haven't even turned it on more than a few times in nearly 10 years just "goofing".. rarely even often in rhino.. I'm never in a hurry with sc4.. there is no reason to hurry to an undefined point..

[Tonnakin 2]

I pause the game when I need to fully concentrate in something big or important, e.g. laying puzzle pieces, upgrading networks with wider ones, etc.

I use turtle speed when I need to build something quite easy and small, e.g. upgrading density of Residential, Commercial or Industrial areas, upgrading networks without needing more space (like from street to road), etc.

I use rhino speed when I have nothing to do but to watch the development.

I use cheetah speed when I have nothing or very little mods and custom stuff in my plugin folder, as I lag as hell if I use  this speed with a full plugin folder. I also get a very high chance of a CTD to occur due to all the ingame processes.