Running Simcity 4 D. On Linux! (Ubuntu)

[7johncor 0]

So heres the deal, I want to exclusively run Ubuntu on my laptop. Ive considered dual booting, and will use it as a last resort. But I like having everything in one place. I know it is possible to play Simcity 4 Deluxe on linux, using software called wine. But I would like to know if anyone has had any success with it. Also my biggest concern is being able to download files for the game(buildings, regions, Nam, etc.) I know all of these files are meant to be used with windows, so what I would like to know is, is it possible to download and use the files off of the stex on linux? And if so, how can a accomplish this;) Please be gentle if there is already a post on this somewhere else, I did some searching and couldnt come up with anything. Im not very computer savvy, so if you could explain the process to me as you would explain the birds and the bees to a teenager that would be much appreciated!! Thanks again everyone!

[catty-cb 4,412]

try this topic, its quite old and some of the links are missing

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/topic/21952-how-to-run-simcity-4-on-linux/page__view__findpost__p__598602

a more recent Linux topic is this one

https://www.simtropolis.com/forum/topic/44209-linux-and-all-that/page__view__findpost__p__1166573

  Edited August 3, 2011 by Cathy  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I've been running on UBUNTU for about four years now. Nothing to it. If you are going this route, I hope you are good with consoles, because it is the best way to run this.

First, all the plugins are just files, and not executables, so they all work, no sweat. Some of the programs associated with SC4 by player/authors may have difficulties if they are using an interpretive language like Python. But even this can be overcome.

If you are not an operating system type, like me, you should stick to the official release of wine (1.2.1). I am using 1.3.25 at time of writing. In any case, the command lines don't change.

Here is my script:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" wine C:\\PROG\~FBU\\Maxis\\SIMC\~ZMW\\Apps\\SimCity\ 4.exe -intro:off -d:software -CustomResolution:enabled -r1280x1024 &>~/sc4.log

date

The date commands are just there so I can know how long I've been playing. Of course your user name will replace mine in the env directive. wine sets up a phony file system to fool the programs and even has a registry. I use XP decor, and everything works fine. Wine uses a forced 8.3 file layout with the standard compressions. After installing, you can lift it into your script as I did.

The purpose of the file sc4.log is to have something to send in to winehq if you have a bug. They will always ask for console output, and this is it.

There is one trick in installing from disk. When the installer asks for the second disk, you need to eject disk1 from the operating system. Changing it manually doesn't work. the easiest way to do this is to open the console and type

eject;exit

then load the other disk, wait for it to show on your desktop, and click OK on the installer.

Things like the NAM installer will run under wine and find the windows pseudo set up. Just right click on the file and open it with the windows program installer.

If you are loading from STEAM, this will require further experimentation.

  Edited August 3, 2011 by A Nonny Moose  

[DefStar 1]

I've been running on UBUNTU for about four years now. Nothing to it. If you are going this route, I hope you are good with consoles, because it is the best way to run this.

First, all the plugins are just files, and not executables, so they all work, no sweat. Some of the programs associated with SC4 by player/authors may have difficulties if they are using an interpretive language like Python. But even this can be overcome.

If you are not an operating system type, like me, you should stick to the official release of wine (1.2.1). I am using 1.3.25 at time of writing. In any case, the command lines don't change.

Here is my script:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" wine C:\\PROG\~FBU\\Maxis\\SIMC\~ZMW\\Apps\\SimCity\ 4.exe -intro:off -d:software -CustomResolution:enabled -r1280x1024 &>~/sc4.log

date

The date commands are just there so I can know how long I've been playing. Of course your user name will replace mine in the env directive. wine sets up a phony file system to fool the programs and even has a registry. I use XP decor, and everything works fine. Wine uses a forced 8.3 file layout with the standard compressions. After installing, you can lift it into your script as I did.

The purpose of the file sc4.log is to have something to send in to winehq if you have a bug. They will always ask for console output, and this is it.

There is one trick in installing from disk. When the installer asks for the second disk, you need to eject disk1 from the operating system. Changing it manually doesn't work. the easiest way to do this is to open the console and type

eject;exit

then load the other disk, wait for it to show on your desktop, and click OK on the installer.

Things like the NAM installer will run under wine and find the windows pseudo set up. Just right click on the file and open it with the windows program installer.

If you are loading from STEAM, this will require further experimentation.

Hey mate, I was hoping you might be able to help. I am running Lubuntu 11.10 but I am a linux $%&^!! I followed the instructions you gave via the seminar posted on the newsboard on this site, but after a few mins of what looked like a successful install I get the message "Error Message: A Debugger Has Been Detected: Unload the Debugger and Try Again". A google search reveals this page <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812759> telling me to take various steps which Im not sure apply considering Im running Wine.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I've been running on UBUNTU for about four years now. Nothing to it. If you are going this route, I hope you are good with consoles, because it is the best way to run this.

First, all the plugins are just files, and not executables, so they all work, no sweat. Some of the programs associated with SC4 by player/authors may have difficulties if they are using an interpretive language like Python. But even this can be overcome.

If you are not an operating system type, like me, you should stick to the official release of wine (1.2.1). I am using 1.3.25 at time of writing. In any case, the command lines don't change.

Here is my script:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" wine C:\\PROG\~FBU\\Maxis\\SIMC\~ZMW\\Apps\\SimCity\ 4.exe -intro:off -d:software -CustomResolution:enabled -r1280x1024 &>~/sc4.log

date

The date commands are just there so I can know how long I've been playing. Of course your user name will replace mine in the env directive. wine sets up a phony file system to fool the programs and even has a registry. I use XP decor, and everything works fine. Wine uses a forced 8.3 file layout with the standard compressions. After installing, you can lift it into your script as I did.

The purpose of the file sc4.log is to have something to send in to winehq if you have a bug. They will always ask for console output, and this is it.

There is one trick in installing from disk. When the installer asks for the second disk, you need to eject disk1 from the operating system. Changing it manually doesn't work. the easiest way to do this is to open the console and type

eject;exit

then load the other disk, wait for it to show on your desktop, and click OK on the installer.

Things like the NAM installer will run under wine and find the windows pseudo set up. Just right click on the file and open it with the windows program installer.

If you are loading from STEAM, this will require further experimentation.

Hey mate, I was hoping you might be able to help. I am running Lubuntu 11.10 but I am a linux $%&^!! I followed the instructions you gave via the seminar posted on the newsboard on this site, but after a few mins of what looked like a successful install I get the message "Error Message: A Debugger Has Been Detected: Unload the Debugger and Try Again". A google search reveals this page <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812759> telling me to take various steps which Im not sure apply considering Im running Wine.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Yes, set the wine level to at least XP. At windows '95 or '98 the game thinks you are trying to trace it. Also, make sure the wine debugger is off.

I've had a script change, by the way, to account for a new display and some CPU switching problems. I also picked up the digital version of the game. Here's my new script for 11.10:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" \

wine "C:/Program Files/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" \

-intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 -d:software \

-CPUcount:1 &>~/sc4.log

date

And for 12.04 due to the wine change to the basic Vista decor:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" \

wine "C:/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" \

-intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 -d:software \

-CPUcount:1 &>~/sc4.log

date

I have tested this completely on Ubuntu 11.10, and 12.04 (beta). Runs the same on both. But do watch on a reinstall because of the new "Program Files (x86)" directory, especially the space before the bracket. Its a Windows thing to separate 32- and 64-bit files. It is another reason why I am not in love with the marching morons at Redmond.

[DefStar 1]

I've been running on UBUNTU for about four years now. Nothing to it. If you are going this route, I hope you are good with consoles, because it is the best way to run this.

First, all the plugins are just files, and not executables, so they all work, no sweat. Some of the programs associated with SC4 by player/authors may have difficulties if they are using an interpretive language like Python. But even this can be overcome.

If you are not an operating system type, like me, you should stick to the official release of wine (1.2.1). I am using 1.3.25 at time of writing. In any case, the command lines don't change.

Here is my script:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" wine C:\\PROG\~FBU\\Maxis\\SIMC\~ZMW\\Apps\\SimCity\ 4.exe -intro:off -d:software -CustomResolution:enabled -r1280x1024 &>~/sc4.log

date

The date commands are just there so I can know how long I've been playing. Of course your user name will replace mine in the env directive. wine sets up a phony file system to fool the programs and even has a registry. I use XP decor, and everything works fine. Wine uses a forced 8.3 file layout with the standard compressions. After installing, you can lift it into your script as I did.

The purpose of the file sc4.log is to have something to send in to winehq if you have a bug. They will always ask for console output, and this is it.

There is one trick in installing from disk. When the installer asks for the second disk, you need to eject disk1 from the operating system. Changing it manually doesn't work. the easiest way to do this is to open the console and type

eject;exit

then load the other disk, wait for it to show on your desktop, and click OK on the installer.

Things like the NAM installer will run under wine and find the windows pseudo set up. Just right click on the file and open it with the windows program installer.

If you are loading from STEAM, this will require further experimentation.

Hey mate, I was hoping you might be able to help. I am running Lubuntu 11.10 but I am a linux $%&^!! I followed the instructions you gave via the seminar posted on the newsboard on this site, but after a few mins of what looked like a successful install I get the message "Error Message: A Debugger Has Been Detected: Unload the Debugger and Try Again". A google search reveals this page <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812759> telling me to take various steps which Im not sure apply considering Im running Wine.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you!

Yes, set the wine level to at least XP. At windows '95 or '98 the game thinks you are trying to trace it. Also, make sure the wine debugger is off.

I've had a script change, by the way, to account for a new display and some CPU switching problems. I also picked up the digital version of the game. Here's my new script for 11.10:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" \

wine "C:/Program Files/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" \

-intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 -d:software \

-CPUcount:1 &>~/sc4.log

date

And for 12.04 due to the wine change to the basic Vista decor:

#!/bin/bash

date

env WINEPREFIX="/home/john/.wine" \

wine "C:/Program Files (x86)/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" \

-intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r1920x1080x32 -d:software \

-CPUcount:1 &>~/sc4.log

date

I have tested this completely on Ubuntu 11.10, and 12.04 (beta). Runs the same on both. But do watch on a reinstall because of the new "Program Files (x86)" directory, especially the space before the bracket. Its a Windows thing to separate 32- and 64-bit files. It is another reason why I am not in love with the marching morons at Redmond.

Thanks for your response. I just got back to this after being tied up with other things recently. I apolgise for asking such a stupid question but how do I disable the debugger? The commands I have found elseware have not been recognised.

Also, I am trying to install from a mounted ISO. Is this likely to cause issues?

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

The wine debugger is off by default. It depends what's on the ISO. If you have copied both disks back-to-back, you still have to fool it into believing there are two disks. And you will still have to have the play disk in your drive unless you have the digital version.

I have given up on this, and purchased a copy of 1,1,641 from GamersGate. This now installs straight from my hard disk in about five minutes, and no play disk is required. If you purchase from GG, be sure to capture the install files by following the instructions carefully (they tell you how) or the install files will be released at the end of the install.

I have tons of hard disk (1.8 TB) and I only use 44.1 GB which includes a lot of development stuff and a huge set of music files, backups and, of course, the installs for SimCity4.

One of the problems I see coming up for purchasers of the new SimCity (5? '13?) is whether wine will run the Origin demon as well as the game. (Yes, I said demon, not daemon). There doesn't seem to be a problem with SC4 launching its security daemon.

If it does, I expect the Origin program will have lots of trouble trying to access the file system. Heh!

It shouldn't be able to see more than the simulated C: drive.

Current version of wine on this decor (Ubuntu 11.10) is 1.5.2. Runs fine in software mode. Hardware rendering still suffers from the inability of the wine software to handle more than one graphics back buffer.

  Edited April 23, 2012 by A Nonny Moose