SC veteran with noob questions

[Defecto 44]

Hey guys, new here. Been checking this site for a couple of days now and often find myself spending hours just reading threads so figured I'd sign up.

I'm ashamed to say this as I've been playing Sim City since the very first one (I own SC, SC2000, SC3000 and SC4) but while I now have the ability to actually post too there are a couple of stupid questions I'd like to ask.

I've had SC4 since it got released but never really really played it untill last week. So I'm kind of a newbie to this game.

First question. It seems like nearly everyone on these forums is playing SC4 with the Rush Hour update, is this correct? How much does it add to the game?

Second question. All these custom objects (what are they called again BAT, etc etc?) are they only usable if you have the Rush Hour expansion? Are they difficult to install?

Anyway, I'm back to reading the awesome threads on these forums. And trying to get the hang of this region play. So far I had been treating the different cities in this region as seperate cities with accidental connections through roads, highways etc. But reading these story threads made me realize I've been doing it totally wrong so time to add some suburbs!! (500.000 people in the region and it looks like shite now).

[PhilsCafe 8]

Welcome to Simtropolis. You don't have to be ashamed for asking questions. That's why we're all here, isn't it?

Q1: Yes , it's true. Quite a lot of people here have the RH expansion or Sim City 4 Deluxe. It adds some new transportation networks and a road quiery tool. But it also gives you the opportunity to install all of the fantastic BATs you mentioned.

And this leads to Q2: A lot of these BATs (actually nearly all of them) are only running on SC4 Rush Hour. The Installation is easy. Read the readme files featured in the .zip archieves.

- Phil

[Ma8thew 77]

BATS will only work if you have Ruchhour installed.

[fonsdespons 0]

hmm, I just found out that BAT files only work if you have rushhour. What kind of files work when you just have SC4 and nothing else?

[xiziz 11]

To clarify, Rush Hour is what more like what Maxis & Will Wright wanted Sc4 to be from the start, and prices should be down low now, you might even be able to get it second hand.
but it is a MUST BUY! in my oppinion anyway, BAT's beeing one of the major advantages, but it also adds more networks, The groundmotorway for an example.
As for the added U.Drive it, some people think its a great deal of fun, its kind of a Sim Copter addin in the game, exept its not in full 3d.

Answer to first quiestion, Rush Hour makes Sim City 4, its not sc4 without it.
Answer to second question, There are BAT's(Buildings modeld by fans), Lot's(Buildings composed out of on or more Maxis made buildings(or props like fences), Maps, Modds(one of the more interesting, adding new stuff, changing the textures, so you can have coral seas, snowy mountains, gorgeous forests and so on.)

Hope that was some help, and feel free to ask more

BTW: I started out just like you, every tile was a different city, now i play regionwise, as my CJ's proove ^^

Cheers
//Sim

[Defecto 44]

Thanks so much guys, brilliant answers. I ordered Rush Hour aswell, should be in in 2 or 3 days.

[Defecto 44]

Got Rush Hour yesterday. Installed some of these custom files, which are awesome

However I'm looking for these modds that you mentioned before. I can't find them on the menu to the left (only All Files, Lot Files, BAT Files, Prop Files, 3DS Files, Textures, Maps, Upload). Maybe I'm just being stupid (or lazy) but where can I find these modds?

[tcx 170]

Hi, you can find the link at the end of the left menu, Modding files is the link.

[Defecto 44]

Right, I just noticed. Stupid me, talk too soon. Thanks

[kmoh4346 2]

Good luck and happy gamming!! All of these people here are friendly so asked away if you have anymore question!

[Defecto 44]

Well, I ran into another question....

I just downloaded a map to start a new region, but it has snowy hilltops. I believe I have to download some kind of modd for the snow to appear?

I did a bit of searching around on the forums and I found something about artic terrain modd but that sounds like the whole terrain will turn into snow?

Hope someone can help me out with what to search for, or maybe even a link?

Many thanks in advance!

Please use edit post button, Compromise.

[Defecto 44]

And with that comes another question, or more a problem...

I've downloaded the pre-rendered Mahari map, and installed it like was explained on the pre-render thread on these forums.

However I still have the same problem as I had when I tried to render a map myself. Once it's opened it shows just as flat grassland without any water at all, I'm probably doing something wrong but I cant figure out what.

Anyone else able to point out my stupidity?

Please use edit post button, Compromise.

[T Wrecks 10,209]

1) The arctic terrain mod indeed has an option to turn all your terrain to snow. However, there's a readme inside which tells you which files to install for which effect. (oops, so many 'whiches'! ) In fact, AFAIR you can even choose between various snow levels. It rocks!

2) Sorry, I've never had that problem.

[at0micfly23112 0]

<<-----Edited----->>

Alougth you are new here please don't hyjack others threads for your own questions. Please search and if you still have not had your question answered start your own thread, Compromise.

[Defecto 44]

Must be my mistake, but am I not using my own thread? I'm not really going offtopic on this thread either, they are still basic $%&^! questions.

On quite a few forums moderators request to open up as few threads as possible especially if the subject of the post is applicable to the thread name. But if you wish differently on the simtropolis forums, then I appologize.

Edit: My bad, misread/misunderstood the previous post. <-- I think you are right there, Compromise.