Regions

[staedtebauer1 0]

Hi,

after finishing my exams I had the need to play games at least some weeks. I installed SimCity4 Deluxe. Last SimCity I played was 2000.

It's fun and all but I remember having Cities with millions of citizen in 2000. In Simcity 4 I seem to get stuck at about 200 000. Depends on how much space the map got. At some point I always run out of room. It's mainly Indrustrie which takes up space.

Now I read about regions and how you can connect your cities, the only thing I got to work so far is selling water or waste. From City to City.

I want to know if you can make like, one big Industrial City with very low citizen and then connect it via highway and train/tram to another reagion which houses the workes that commute to the industrial city?

I noticed having big cities connected speeds up the progress of a new city massivly you get big buildings almost instantly but I havent found out how to control the regions, can I do that with tax?

Been looking for turials but most of the hits I get searching for simcty 4 and regions are "how to create your own region"

Thanks

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Welcome to the conversation.

If you got your game from an on-line source you can ignore the rest of this paragraph; however, if you have it on CD, you need to pick up two updates so that anything you download from here will work. The first thing is to register your game on EA's site. After you do so, in the right hand frame you will find a link to the EP1 update, which is a fix for bugs. There is also a link to the BAT download page. You don't need the BAT, but you do need the BATupdate which has a link on the same page. This patch allows night lights on BATted buildings.

There are other goodies on the EA site, and you probably will want the lot editor. Open that page and download the two plugins named BldgProps_Vol1 and _Vol2. These props or properties are often used in lots on the STEX without notice. Do not download this lot editor. Instead, go to the BAT page and download the lot editor from there. The lot editor allows you to make new lots by rearranging existing lots, adding props and changing buildings. This is why you need the BldgProps downloads.

Later, when you are ready, you could download the BAT as well. To use it you need the gmax package available from TurboSquid. The BAT is a gmax game pack. The Building Architect Tool gives you the ability to make your own buildings and props. However, there is a steep learning curve, and you might not want to do this right away. There is a superb tutorial in the Omnibus called "BAT Essentials"

Warning: the users exchange on the EA site is corrupt. It is unmoderated and it has viruses, Trojans and plagiarized lots which may harm your game.

Landmarks are OK on that site, as there is no user content.

Yes, you can do what you suggest. You can have an Industrial city with a few grunts (R$) connected to a Commercial/Residential city and this works quite well. Sell power to the C/R city, sell water to the Industrial City, and make a garbage deal with the Industrial city, which should have waste to energy plants and/or landfills. Any Sims looking for jobs in Industry from the C/R city will commute if the distance is not too far. You can improve this considerably by downloading the Network Addon Mod. To get the full information on this, look here.

This version is very different from SC2000. A large city (tile) can have millions of Sims, living in high rise towers and working in the same. To get a picture of some of this, look at the Computer Journals section. You can set any goal you like, and when you have achieved it, choose another. Huge megalopolises are not necessarily a goal, but one thing is sure. You must keep your city's income in the black. You can't win this game, but you can lose by going bankrupt.

If you need more information, ask us. The only dumb question is one that doesn't find a voice.

  Edited June 21, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[staedtebauer1 0]

Hi,

thanks for the links. I got Simcity 4 Deluxe on 2 CDs I thought it would be up to date since it is in the value games package. Is there some way to check which version my simcity4 is?

I managed to create two Cities one without any industrie and one industrie only which is covered about half in industrial area. About 60 000 industry Jobs.

My other city got about 110 000 residents and 10 000 commercial jobs.

A few problems. This kind of setup doesnt seem to lead to a stable demand of residential/commercial area in my residential city. The display is dancing like crazy when running game at max speed going to full demand and full negative demand within seconds. This results in my citizen number beeing not stable going up and down 10 000 in seconds. I got many half used grey or empty houses in black which are in constant change from full to empty. How do I get rid of that?

In the industrial city I get complaints about smog all the time, how do I turn this off?

In the residential city I got huge stable demand for the cheapest commercial area but I dont want to waste space with those small commercial buildings. How to fullfil that demand? Build another connected city with big cheap commercial areas?

My citizens dont seem to like to move from city to city in Underground, they like to use the car/Bus and Train. How can I boost Underground efficiency? I dont want to cover space up with railroads.

I got big demand for high tech industrie in both Cities. I want to keep the Hightech Industrie in my industrie City also. I created areas for high tec industrie which is used but also used by the other two polluting industries and they kinda "drive the hightech industrie out" of these spaces I made especially for high tech industrie. Are there ways to only allow hightech industrie in specific areas? I dont want to tax the other two industries because they leave when I set them to 15%s so they dont grow new buildings.

  Edited June 21, 2011 by staedtebauer1  

[CaptCity 4,673]

Hi,

thanks for the links. I got Simcity 4 Deluxe on 2 CDs I thought it would be up to date since it is in the value games package. Is there some way to check which version my simcity4 is?

If you bought Deluxe and did not get any of the game updates, then you probably have version 1.1.610.0. You can check this by looking at the properties of the game's exe file in the C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps folder (for Xp). You will need to update as per Nonny Moose's post above. There is no updated CD version of the game.

A few problems. This kind of setup doesnt seem to lead to a stable demand of residential/commercial area in my residential city. The display is dancing like crazy when running game at max speed going to full demand and full negative demand within seconds. This results in my citizen number beeing not stable going up and down 10 000 in seconds. I got many half used grey or empty houses in black which are in constant change from full to empty. How do I get rid of that?

This could be due to running the game at cheetah speed. Slow down and let things calibrate and equalize. Also, if I understood your previous post, you have a city that is totally industrial providing industry jobs. You will need to flip between the cities periodically to keep the game updated.

In the industrial city I get complaints about smog all the time, how do I turn this off?

Industry does produce pollution. If you have an entire city of industry, it will, of course have a lot if it is mostly dirty industry. There are items available for download that reduces this if you're interested. Just search the STEX for "pollution" or something similar.

In the residential city I got huge stable demand for the cheapest commercial area but I dont want to waste space with those small commercial buildings. How to fullfil that demand? Build another connected city with big cheap commercial areas?

I got big demand for high tech industrie in both Cities. I want to keep the Hightech Industrie in my industrie City also. I created areas for high tec industrie which is used but also used by the other two polluting industries and they kinda "drive the hightech industrie out" of these spaces I made especially for high tech industrie. Are there ways to only allow hightech industrie in specific areas? I dont want to tax the other two industries because they leave when I set them to 15%s so they dont grow new buildings.

The type of industry and commercial lots that will grow usually depend on the conditions of the game at the time and whether their are adequate levels of workers and customers to populate them. Things happen and need to be satisfied in a certain order in the game for progress to take place. You might want to check of some of the articles in the Omnibus Reference and Tutorial sections.

My citizens dont seem to like to move from city to city in Underground, they like to use the car/Bus and Train. How can I boost Underground efficiency? I dont want to cover space up with railroads.

In the un-modded game, Sims will take the shortest distance to their jobs. To get them to use a certain route, it will need to be laid out so that it is the "preferred" route.

[staedtebauer1 0]

Thanks but that didnt realy answer my quesion about turning off the advisors warning about pollution or how the stop industries building in my high-tec industrie areas.

I just installed http://simcity.ea.com/update/exe/EP1/UPDATE_SKU2_TO_P1_B638.EXE maybe that changes some things.

If I run the game on normal speed that citizen coming and going still happens.

  Edited June 21, 2011 by staedtebauer1  

[CaptCity 4,673]

Thanks but that didnt realy answer my quesion about turning off the advisors warning about pollution or how the stop industries building in my high-tec industrie areas.

Ah... Misunderstood what you meant. You can try to turn off the urgent messages by unchecking the Urgent Advice Dialogs option in the Game Optoins menu. Also, you can't really zone "for" high-tec. How are you trying to differentiate or specify a "hi-tec" area?

I just installed http://simcity.ea.com/update/exe/EP1/UPDATE_SKU2_TO_P1_B638.EXE maybe that changes some things.

Then the only other update you need is the SC4Update4BAT patch which will allow night lights to be visible in custom content created by the BAT (you do not need the BAT for this). It is available on the BAT page of the EA site.

[staedtebauer1 0]

Aaaah cool thanks man that'll help alot because that window pops up all the time.

Ok I'll check that BAT file, I cant register on the simcity site somehow tried every combination of serial, with - without - S for 5 5 for S doesnt want my serial code. Wrote them an email.

[jacksunny 741]

You can also download the BAT update here. It is the one titled Sim City 4 Buildings Update 14.4 MB

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

If you really want to shut the advisors up, run in hard mode. You only get 100,000 Simoleons to start, which is not enough, so you will need to download the extra cheats dll file. This is explained in the thread above. The quick explanation of this file is that it unlocks all the programmers' debugging commands. The one you will want to use is moolah.

First, download and unpack the file, and place it directly under the plugins folder in C:\Documents\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Plugins. Do not use a sub-folder here, as it needs to load first. Any other plugins should be in folders that show their origin.

The syntax (method of writing) of moolah is:

CTRL+Xmoolah <number>RETURN

Where:

CTRL+X open the command box at the upper left of your screen

moolah is the command word followed by one space

<number> the amount that will replace the balance in your treasury

and RETURN sends the command to the game.

Example: CTRL+Xmoolah 2000000RETURN

Changes the balance in the treasury to 2,000,000 Simoleons. It is not additive, it replaces the number.

There is an already enabled command in the game: dollyllama issued in the command box will convert the advisors into llamas. This is an Easter Egg of sorts, and a kind of developer gag having to do with the Llama song, which you do not want to hear.

If any of this or anything else bothers you, just ask.

[jacksunny 741]

Thanks but that didnt realy answer my quesion about turning off the advisors warning about pollution or how the stop industries building in my high-tec industrie areas.

Ah... Misunderstood what you meant. You can try to turn off the urgent messages by unchecking the Urgent Advice Dialogs option in the Game Optoins menu. Also, how are you differentiating or specifying a "hi-tec" area?

I believe they mean "How do I stop dirty industries from growing in my high-tech industry areas?"

Getting the game to grow High-tech industry is difficult, never mind trying to get it to stay there and prevent the other industries from growing in. To grow, High-Tech industry requires several things:

• Well educated Sims
  
• Little or no pollution
  
• Short freight trips
  
• Low taxes
  

If you want to grow High-tech industry in your city, you probably don't want to zone dirty industry in that city. You should zone the dirty industry in a neighbouring city and then make a connection so your Sims can get to and from work.

Then you want to make education your top priority. Ensure that your entire city has access to schooling for all ages. That means elementary schools, high schools, colleges, and libraries. Fund them well.

The game has 3 types of pollution: air, water, and radiation. You don't have to worry about radiation too much, just don't build Nuclear Power Plants. Air pollution can be avoided by making lots of trees and parks. As your city progresses, you will start to see air pollution being made from cars. This is why you will have to invest in Mass transit. Subways are good for intercity commuting, but can be expensive. GLR and Elevated Rail are also good, but take up space. Again, plan ahead!!! Water pollution can be avoided by building a water treatment plant and building water sources away from development.

Zone your industrial areas near the edges of your city, or have easy access to the edges of your city. High-Tech industry won't grow if the freight trips are too long, so plan this wisely.

When you think your city is ready for High-Tech industry, set the taxes so dirty and manufacturing won't grow. Set the unwanted industry tax rates to a high amount and the High Tech to something low. Then as you get development, slowly raise the High Tech Industry taxes to generate an income from them. Also remember that High Tech needs water!!!

Hope this helps.

Jack

[EyeofMobius 27]

If you really want to shut the advisors up, run in hard mode. You only get 100,000 Simoleons to start, which is not enough..."

100,000 is enough it just takes a long time to develop since you may end up only zoning one farm or row of houses at a time.

But to our original poster, you needn't worry about having little commercials filling up spaces. Eventually you will rezone that space and it will be easy enough to sprout it into highrises. Just get used to the fact that it is hugely limiting yourself by demanding that the buildings pop up and must never change. you will also be leveling plenty of development to keep your infrastructure up with you population. As you play you can just cram things into a point and then squeeze some efficiency in to cram more stuff in.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Well, admittedly, I don't like penny pinching so I do use the moolah command to give my cities an immediate boost. This just saves fooling around with something small at the start, and allows enough freedom to put in some style immediately.

[ShadeSigma 16]

Idk really I do the isocity thing (such as making one style of city). Where most players I know messed up is that when they make a Dirty-I city they try to upgrade their first residential to a R$$ based town. For your first city I think you should just leave it as a R$ city--basically a ghetto. You can build some M-I there and Cs$, Cs$$, NO Co$$ or Co$$$. I save the mid neighbor for that. The method works for me but it can be hard at points. I battled little unemployment problems probably from zoning too fast, but I just zoned more jobs and that was settled.

You do use taxes to control your city, the tax option isn't there for no reason. For my first city, I tax R$$ and R$$$ at 20%, keep R$ at 9% to insure that they won't build R$$ and R$$$ at all. If you build R$$ and R$$$ early then you will quickly run into unemployment problems. You can get away with that more on R$$, but R$$$ will give a headache because all the houses will go black. Commercial zones love avenues so zone them near there. Don't zone bunches of commercial early because its useless. Everyone works in factories and some R$ make enough to own their businesses sooner. I don't care what you saw on youtube, zone low-dense first. When you feel its time to go taller, get water supply but go slow with it. Don't run pipes through the city. Yeah you will get money but with a bigger city there's always more problems. If you're going tall go slow.

When demand for M-I and HT-I raises, increase Dirty-I to 20% so they won't grow in your city. Go to a naked neighbor city and raise taxes for for all residents except R$$. Zone residents to the outskirts so they can get to work easily. When I do the R$$ city it anchors R$ and helps R$$$. If you get your R$$ city going you will be great. It's okay to zone a few different residents in a city just don't go overboard or it will be hard to find jobs. You can also use power from your Dirty-I city too. The plus side is you can choose any polluter you want because no one will live there. Connect powerlines through neighbor cities.

It is important to build schools in the R$ city. So when the young sims grow up, they more likely will become R$$. But your taxes in your R$ city is 20%. Well guess what--go to the neighbor city and the demand for R$$ will increase because A: It's cheaper to live there. B: They're jobs will be closer to them. Its a win-win. The advantage of a R$ city is they don't cry about pollution (Maybe the advisers do). But I got a heart so I put in a few parks to keep the air under control. You can make a lot of money in a R$ city. Just don't expect anything great because they are 3rd level society. A R$$ city you can't go wrong if you surround them with jobs. They are a little more picky about the environment but its a manage. Meanwhile, a R$$$ city drives me crazy. You have to have be barfing High Tech-I or your R$$$ city will go nowhere. High Tech erects Commercial Office a lot. If you have a neighbor city with nothing but High Tech then you're in good shape and you will see skyscrapers in no time if you zone right and keep air pollution in check.

I'm not an expert by far on this so correct me if I posted something odd. I learned a lot just from people on here. But as far as this goes it worked perfect for me. I had a great region going with over a half-million people. My CPU HDD fried so it's back to the beginning. If you get the "No bootable disk" line, it's time to pick a graveyard for your CPU. Of course I'm never getting in bed with Acer again. I opened my CPU up and found some questionable manufacturing in there. But that's a different story though. LOL