Getting Started on futurecity.org project

[javapop 0]

This is the first time we have used SimCity, and well.... had a hopefully basic questions about getting set up initially. 

I figured out how to open the medium city; but was wondering if we have 3 students working on a city, can they be shared? or elements of the city?

Thanks for any assistance!

[Hamish 1,369]

Im not too sure what you mean. However, I'll state this, and hopefully this is what you are meaning.

I am under the impression that simcity does not work well trying to share cities between 3 computers. The problem with trying to share cities over 3 computers is that every time someone wants to use the city they will have to get the newest file from the other computers, if they don't, then the changes made to the city by the last person will not be in there city, so the ideas that they lastly introduced to the city will be lost. Its generally not that well practiced to share cities between computers because it is hard to maintain the most current city, but also because of custom content.

I don't know if you want to allow the students to download add-ons. Personally, the custom content that our community has created has greatly extended the life of simcity, and I don't think any of us would still be playing it if it wasn't for custom content. If you are worried about viruses, then don't be. Anything downloaded from this site is clean, there is a huge amount of people downloading these everyday, and anything out of the ordinary is either taken down or locked within about 10 mins from receiving a warning from the users.

Having plugins though and trying to share cities between computers is where it gets difficult. Every time you use the most current city you will also have to make sure that you get the most current version of the plugins folder, which can get well past 1GB when you realise how much great stuff there is.

If by sharing the cities you mean on one computer, then this is quite do able, and actually the easiest way to do this. This would mean that you wouldn't have to move cities around, or plugins folders, and its actually very easy to maintain the most current version of any city. I would suggest doing it this way.

Its up to you how you would split the city so that the students could use them. My first impression would be that you could split each tile into three, however it would be harder to run the city this way. So just letting them use the city and edit the city would be the best way.

For more city building concepts visit the The Omnibus.

For downloads visit The STEX. (the best download is the NAM, check it out here for Macs or here for windows.)

Hopefully I answered your question. If not, then feel free to ask again.

[javapop 0]

I think ultimately, we just need one city, and as each student works on it at home, and bring in at each meeting. We can then decide which one has the strongest potential. Thanks for the advise, I'll have to check about add-ons, as I'm not sure on those.

There are some guidelines we are supposed to follow; but I am sure they allow you to get creative with it all!

Thanks again!

[javapop 0]

Oh, one additional question, I download a STEX file.... how do I install it?

[His Divine Hand 244]

Since this is in the Mac section, I'll assume you are playing on a Mac, which leaves you two choices: Inside the SC4 folder in your applications folder (assuming that is to where you installed SC4), within the SC4 folders there should be a folder named SimCity 4 Data, and inside that a folder named Plugins. Everything goes in there. There is a second folder inside your Documents folder, which can also be used. If using a Windows machine, it is the folder located in your Documents folder (the folder titled Plugins) that you want.

[Hamish 1,369]

And also, remember to always read the read-me as there might be certain installation requirements. For example it might need some more files to be downloaded or only some of the files in the download should be installed at one time.