SC4 and Steam

[Bundy_77 8]

Like many I have re-purchased SimCity 4 Deluxe off STEAM,

Also many of us seem to being having difficulty running the game through modern system's, I, luckily, have had little or no problem's.

So after doing the looking around, I thought I'd post a few thing's here.. enjoy.

 

If you have STEAM,

 

 TRY NOT TO USE THE SC4 LAUNCHER"S

 

I'm not saying they will, BUT, they can cause CTD (Crash To Desktop),

 

 

Evan with the launcher's you still have to sign into STEAM (which continues to run)

You now have two(2) OS running simultaneously and will slow your system down

 

 

It's a lot easer just to use the command line prompts (set launch option's) button in the properties tab for your game,

(right click SimCity 4 Deluxe in your library) and let STEAM launch the game in it's own OS

For example this is how I run it on my Twin core 1.8mhz laptop, I use different setup again on my PC....

 

-CustomResolution:enabled -r1366x768x32 -f -intro:off -CPUCount:1

 

 

The following options are added to the launch
 

-CustomResolution:enabled

 

Enables Custom Resolutions,

 

-r1366x768x32

 Edit to match the resolution you want;

where WWWW is screen width, HHH is screen height, and BB is colour depth (16 or 32)

 

-f

Enables full screen (Conversely -w enables windowed mode)

 

-intro:off

turn's the intro off

 

-CPUCount:1    

only use's one(1) of two(2) available

 

With these added I have had no trouble playing on modern system's, so why not do it yourself

and the launchers do the same thing anyway they just add it in there for you, how much do you trust them

 

Here is a reference to all of the command line options you could add to your launch options

 

Command Line Options

 

-w

Windowed Mode - To change back to full use -f (I believe this needs a -r command after it to make sure it works, it is advised to add -r800x600x32)

 

-d:Software
Software Rendering Mode - Use if launching in hardware mode fails

 

-audio:off

Turns all the audio output off

 

-r[W]x[Y]x[Z]

Where:

WxY is a resolution (without using -CustomResolution:enable the screen resolution has to be either: 800x600, 1024x768, or 1280x1024)

Z is colour depth (32 or 16)

-Intro:off

Turns the introductory splash screen and video off, instead taking you straight to the game

 

Options for the More Advanced User

-CustomResolution:enabled

Enables custom resolutions including the 16:9 ratio

 

-d:DirectX/Software/OpenGL

Change the rendering mode of the game, either using DirectX or OpenGL libraries or software rendering

 

-CPUCount:X

Where x is the number of the processors your computer has.

 

-CPUPriority:low\

CPUPriority lets other processes (programs) use the processor more when the game isnt in use.

Or set to high to give priority

-IgnoreMissingModelDataBugs:on/off

Off (default) shows all missing models as brown boxes.

On just doesn't show anything for them at all.

-BackgroundLoader:on/off

On (default) loads all the none visible models in the background, whereas Off doesnt

-l:english

Change english to a language to change the language (well duhh) only works if you have the language sets.

Valid languages are: English, German, UK English, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese.

 

Options for the SUPER Advanced User
Warning: Not all effects are fully known by community.

-AllowMultipleInstances

Allows the player to launch additional application instances after the first one. By default, an attempt to run a second instance of the app will merely call forth the first instance of the application.

 

-Cursors:disabled/bw/color16/color256/fullcolor
Sets the color depth of the game cursors. Some hardware doesn't like some cursor color depths.

 

-CustomCursors:disabled

Disables the use of application-supplied versions of standard system cursors such as the arrow or hand cursor. Normally, the customized application-supplied versions are used.

 

-ExceptionHandling:off

Disables application exception handling, which provides for safer shutdown of the app in case of a crash.

 

-gp

Enables game pausing when you switch to another application. This is useful for if you go away from the game and you want it to sleep while it is in the background. This is a stronger form of the -CPUPriority command line option.

 

-IgnoreMissingModelDataBugs:on/off

If enabled, then the system does nothing when requested to display an object for which there is no graphical representation. By default this option is disabled and objects that are missing a graphical representation are drawn as a large "package" that suggests you can download the graphics for this object from the SimCity web site or similar.

 

-IME:enabled/disabled

Enables application-supplied IME (input method editing) for Asian systems. If disabled, then the default operating system IME will take control. By default, IME is enabled. If it is disabled via this command line option, you'll probably want to run the app in windowed mode (-w) in order to take advantage of the OS-supplied IME GUI.

 

-RenderProp:,value -RenderProp:" value"

Forces a render property to be set. See documentation on render properties for a discussion of them. You can use this command line multiple times on a single command line.

 

-Restart

This is an internal command line used to indicate that a prior instance of the app launched the current instance while it was shutting down. This causes the current instance to wait for the previous instance to fully exit before proceeding. This is useful for automatic app restarting during certain operations.

 

-UserDir:path

Specifies the directory where the users game directory is. If the default subdirectories of "Regions\", "Plugins\", and "HTTPCache\" arn't found, then it creates an instance of, (in the case of Regions, it copies the default set over). The default game data directory defaults to being the same directory as the game installation directory. Quotes are necessary if the path name has spaces. Make sure there is a "\" on the end of your path or it creates directories like "testPlugins\" and "testRegions\"

 

-WriteLog:on/off

If On, this causes the app to write a log file that describes the user's system configuration. The file is named "computer-config-log.txt" and is placed in the same directory as the program executable.

 

-CodePage:id

Sets the code page portion of the locale for the C runtime library. Normally, the code page is determined by the language the application runs in (see the -l command line option)

 

-ConfigLog:server | off

Sets the destination of where to write the computer configuration log specified by the -WriteLog command line option. By default, the server is "studiotech.max.ad.ea.com"

 

Enjoy....

 

 

EDIT:

 

Thanks to ' A Nonny Moose ' on SC4 Devotion

 

 

https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=3683.msg113280#msg113280

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

The simple solution to both Steam and Origin who are both essentially DRM suppliers, is to acquire the game from a regular vendor such as Amazon or GamersGate.  With the latter two you get an installable download, which you can keep, with no strings attached and the standard installation set up that has been used for years.  Interestingly, you get the same software, version 1,1,641.

 

A full description of all the options has been posted for a very long time here.

[Bundy_77 8]

@ moose

 

 Thank's had trouble finding anything... oh well now you can find it in 2 places, should make it easyer.... 

 

SC4 was the first game I  brought through steam, as I had it on my system from CIV5 and a few other's I paid $$$ for and just wanted to try it out

 else Amazon is definitely a better option.

[Turjan 1,048]

If you have STEAM,

 

 TRY NOT TO USE THE SC4 LAUNCHER"S

 

I'm not saying they will, BUT, they can cause CTD (Crash To Desktop),

 

Just saying: I have the Steam version of the game, and I use SC4 Launcher. It works just fine. You can force that ATI card fix that way, which isn't an option with standard start-up parameters like the ones you listed.

 

I'm also not sure why this harping on Steam comes up every time a technical question regarding the Steam version comes up. Chances are that, if you have a technical question regarding the Steam version, you already have that version. Also, people who buy the Steam version of games probably already have tons of games on that service, so any comment in that regard is pretty much moot at that point. You basically ask people to buy the game a second time. That's not exactly helpful.

[Bundy_77 8]

my bad wrong quote....

 

 

 

 

 

tried to paste from a discussion I was having else where... sorry

 

will edit..

 

what I meant to say to your quote was that, I removed Stem from my start up list/schedule so as not to tie up the 'puter on start up

 I just start steam when I need to

 

whether you have SimCity locked to one(1) CPU or ten(10) you still have Two(2) Operating systems (OS's) running on the one program.

[Turjan 1,048]

whether you have SimCity locked to one(1) CPU or ten(10) you still have Two(2) Operating systems (OS's) running on the one program.

 

I have absolutely no clue what you refer to. Steam is not an operating system. If you have bought a Steam version, Steam has to be up and running during start-up of SC4.

 

The launcher just hands over a few arguments to the program and then says bye. It's nothing that runs in the backgound.

 

As you want to give advice to Steam users, I'm a bit baffled here.

[Bundy_77 8]

 

whether you have SimCity locked to one(1) CPU or ten(10) you still have Two(2) Operating systems (OS's) running on the one program.

 

I have absolutely no clue what you refer to. Steam is not an operating system. If you have bought a Steam version, Steam has to be up and running during start-up of SC4. The launcher just hands over a few arguments to the program and then says bye. It's nothing that runs in the backgound.

 

As you want to give advice to Steam users, I'm a bit baffled here.

 

 

WELL... when I run SC4 through STEAM on my laptop, if I close steam SC4 Shuts down, so it obviously need's to be running in some form...

 

 

I'm not give advice.. I simply posted a way of running the game with out using the launcher's as I have friend's that have had trouble...

 

---

Keep it friendly.

-timmie

[Turjan 1,048]

WELL... when I run SC4 through STEAM on my laptop, if I close steam SC4 Shuts down, so it obviously need's to be running in some form...

 

Regarding the point that Steam has to be running, I never claimed otherwise, either.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

my bad wrong quote....

 

 

 

 

 

tried to paste from a discussion I was having else where... sorry

 

will edit..

 

what I meant to say to your quote was that, I removed Stem from my start up list/schedule so as not to tie up the 'puter on start up

 I just start steam when I need to

 

whether you have SimCity locked to one(1) CPU or ten(10) you still have Two(2) Operating systems (OS's) running on the one program.

Surely not!  The operating system you are running (Windows, probably) owns the machine.  Are you saying Steam runs a virtual operating system within that, or is it just a DRM monitor (which is a program, by the way).  Basically, Steam is totally unnecessary when running SC4.

[Turjan 1,048]

 

 Are you saying Steam runs a virtual operating system within that, or is it just a DRM monitor (which is a program, by the way).  Basically, Steam is totally unnecessary when running SC4.

 

EA must have decided to use the Steamworks CEG with Simcity 4 on Steam. This means that you have a custom SimCity4.exe for each buyer, and this custom exe checks whether your steam.exe is running. If you try to close down Steam while running SC4, steam.exe will ask you to shut down SC4 first. Which means it's a DRM function in this specific case. It's definitely no operating system. It's an overlay program, very practical for co-op gaming, but without function besides DRM in the case of SC4.

 

Whether Steam games have DRM or not on Steam is the decision of the publisher. I guess Steamworks CEG is popular with publishers as they can use it for free.

[timmie 988]

Please keep the discussion limited to the technical aspects of SC4 and Steam. This is no general discussion about Steam, DRM and EA.

-timmie

[maximan11 11]

So, should I buy SC4 via steam or amazon? 

[Cyclone Boom 17,016]

So, should I buy SC4 via steam or amazon?

 

It's a personal preference really. Steam is more of a dedicated games retailer, whereas Amazon deal with a much wider range of products.

But one thing worth noting on the Amazon page is this statement:

 

Downloading: Currently, this item is available only to customers located in the United States and who have a U.S. billing address.

So if you're from Australia, I guess there could be issues here. The last thing you want is to purchase it, and then find it won't download due to regional restrictions.

 

Also, although I don't have first-hand experience with them, I've heard GamersGate is a good alternative to both of these. They might be worth considering.

But otherwise, in your situation, I think Steam is probably the safe bet.

[maximan11 11]

 

So, should I buy SC4 via steam or amazon?

 

It's a personal preference really. Steam is more of a dedicated games retailer, whereas Amazon deal with a much wider range of products.

But one thing worth noting on the Amazon page is this statement:

 

Downloading: Currently, this item is available only to customers located in the United States and who have a U.S. billing address.

So if you're from Australia, I guess there could be issues here. The last thing you want is to purchase it, and then find it won't download due to regional restrictions.

 

Also, although I don't have first-hand experience with them, I've heard Gamersgate is a good alternative to both of these. They might be worth considering.

But otherwise, in your situation, I think Steam is probably the safe bet.

 

Thanks a lot Cyclone! That could really be a serious factor...

 

Bundy, we're in the same boat, would you suggest I use Steam also?  

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

The simple solution to both Steam and Origin who are both essentially DRM suppliers, is to acquire the game from a regular vendor such as Amazon or GamersGate.  With the latter two you get an installable download, which you can keep, with no strings attached and the standard installation set up that has been used for years.  Interestingly, you get the same software, version 1,1,641.

 

A full description of all the options has been posted for a very long time here.

Amazon is US/Canada only, so that option is out of the question. I use the Steam version and it's fine.

[Bundy_77 8]

 

 

 Are you saying Steam runs a virtual operating system within that, or is it just a DRM monitor (which is a program, by the way).  Basically, Steam is totally unnecessary when running SC4.

 

EA must have decided to use the Steamworks CEG with Simcity 4 on Steam. This means that you have a custom SimCity4.exe for each buyer, and this custom exe checks whether your steam.exe is running. If you try to close down Steam while running SC4, steam.exe will ask you to shut down SC4 first. Which means it's a DRM function in this specific case. It's definitely no operating system. It's an overlay program, very practical for co-op gaming, but without function besides DRM in the case of SC4.

 

Whether Steam games have DRM or not on Steam is the decision of the publisher. I guess Steamworks CEG is popular with publishers as they can use it for free.

 

 

O.K.; O.K. My bad...

 

Calling it an O.S. wasn't the best call on my behalf, I just thought it would be easier to explain in  this way if a user wasn't that up to date,

So, should I buy SC4 via steam or amazon? 

 

 

The simple solution to both Steam and Origin who are both essentially DRM suppliers, is to acquire the game from a regular vendor such as Amazon or GamersGate.  With the latter two you get an installable download, which you can keep, with no strings attached and the standard installation set up that has been used for years.  Interestingly, you get the same software, version 1,1,641.

 

 

If  you cant get a Hardcopy, I would try Amazon or simular as you get the product with out the catch..

 meaning once you bye it you can do what you want with it

 

But that is only my opinion, It doe's pay to shop around

 

I have no trouble using STEAM and you get the communities and workshop's to boot, (no workshop for SC4)

 I'm not a big byer of game's through STEAM, But I do use it a fair bit with hardcopy games that offer support or install STEAM O.T.B

and I have heard some horror stories, but I shouldn't speak on their behalf.

 

Not a YES... but not a NO either

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Actually, my copy came from GamersGate.  I am surprised you can't get SC4 from Amazon.uk or other international sites.

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

Actually, my copy came from GamersGate.  I am surprised you can't get SC4 from Amazon.uk or other international sites.

I was too, to be honest. Had to settle for GamersGate, Steam or Origin and I felt Steam best suited my use.

[Bundy_77 8]

 

Actually, my copy came from GamersGate.  I am surprised you can't get SC4 from Amazon.uk or other international sites.

I was too, to be honest. Had to settle for GamersGate, Steam or Origin and I felt Steam best suited my use.

 

 

I was expecting a larger community with Steam  and the lack of a workshop really was surprising, to be honest,

after all with the amount of Fan-Based Content -Sites- Community's, one would almost expect a workshop,... at least.

 

At the end of the day,(wether it be from a hard disk or a digital download from supplier X), as long as it plays, it's good ... right??

 

This all brings me to a New yet different Question,...

 

 The NEW Console,.....http://steamconsole.com/

 

 One would assume any game he/she currently has on Steam would be available to be played,

 

I'm sum-what interested if not  intriguingly amused as to where this will take us and our City's, If not the community's.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

What additional documentation came with your "steam console"?  Undocumented software is generally worth what you get with it.

[Bundy_77 8]

What additional documentation came with your "steam console"?  Undocumented software is generally worth what you get with it.

 

 I don't have a console, In fact I don't think they have been released yet,....

 

Valve intend to release it as part of the Next Gen Console thing to compete against PS4 / Nxt-X-Box / WiiU,

But it's basically a hardcore gaming only PC, Compacted into a console and running next version STEAM as an O.S., on new top-of-line hardware

(click the link)

 

So any game (ie: SimCity XX) playable or available on steam can be played from the comfort of your sofa or Lay-Z-Boy on your 71inch Plasma.

 

If you meant the game on STEAM, it came with all standard documentation, plus a few more read-me.....

[MandelSoft 2,770]

I think there's no Workshop on Steam for SimCity 4 because at the time modding started, there was no Steam. When Steam came along, I think this community already had established itself for over five years.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I didn't mean a physical console.  If you want to see the Windows console just run cmd in your run box.  Windows is really just a very sophisticated version of DOS 6.  Whenever you launch a program it issues a console command to start it.

 

Believe me, you have a console.

[NCGAIO 562]

...  Windows is really just a very sophisticated version of DOS 6.  ....

 

 

Wow! ... That seems a bit strong, is not it?

 

I guess it was not meant to sound like a criticism but it is good to remember that everything always has an origin to explain ....

 

 

Look at the scenario from the customer's standpoint. You bought programs X, Y and Z. You then upgraded to Windows XP. Your computer now crashes randomly, and program Z doesn't work at all. You're going to tell your friends, "Don't upgrade to Windows XP. It crashes randomly, and it's not compatible with program Z." Are you going to debug your system to determine that program X is causing the crashes, and that program Z doesn't work because it is using undocumented window messages? Of course not. You're going to return the Windows XP box for a refund. (You bought programs X, Y, and Z some months ago. The 30-day return policy no longer applies to them. The only thing you can return is Windows XP.

 

See that even the own Simcity owed ​​something to this old concern of compatibility  Microsoft that is now missing to allow the survival of the S.O. nowadays

 

 

I first heard about this from one of the developers of the hit game SimCity, who told me that there was a critical bug in his application: it used memory right after freeing it, a major no-no that happened to work OK on DOS but would not work under Windows where memory that is freed is likely to be snatched up by another running application right away. The testers on the Windows team were going through various popular applications, testing them to make sure they worked OK, but SimCity kept crashing. They reported this to the Windows developers, who disassembled SimCity, stepped through it in a debugger, found the bug, and added special code that checked if SimCity was running, and if it did, ran the memory allocator in a special mode in which you could still use memory after freeing it.

 

souce: How Microsoft Lost the API War

by Joel Spolsky

[Bundy_77 8]

And this has what to do with running SimCity on with STEAM??

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

It's a side issue.  Someone at Valve (owns Steam) decided that the standard structure for the game didn't suit them, so they invented their own set up to conform to their DRM requirements even though SC4 is not a DRM game.  Origin pulled the same trick.

 

This little bit of corporate stupidity invalidated a lot of post-release stuff.  The installer for the BAT is the most glaring example.  Some people just don't care about post-release products.  They have a standard release protocol and will use it regardless of any other issues.

[Bundy_77 8]

Oh now I see, sorry wasn't paying attention in class

 

And so true