US Roads and Traffic Direction

[HawkDawg 12]

I tried to search for the answer to this but maybe I'm using the wrong search terms.

I just got SC4D and can't for the life of me figure out how to get traffic on the proper side of the road for the US.

Any help out there?

[citycowboy 183]

You want RHD (right hand drive) instead of LHD correct?

[HawkDawg 12]

Yes, like we drive here in the US.

[citycowboy 183]

Do you have the disc version, the download version? Did you download it from Amazon or steam?

[HawkDawg 12]

I have the disk version, patched to 640.

[citycowboy 183]

DO THIS BUT OPPOSITE!

THESE ARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RHD TO LHD. YOU WANT OPPOSITE, SO DO OPPOSITE BUT SAME, OK?

 

Part one of two

1. Locate and go to the directory where you have installed SC4, usually it is C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe

2. Within this directory, you will see a folder name English, it should contain a file called SimCityLocale, if it does, you are looking at the correct folder.

3. Now rename this folder from English to UKEnglsh (not a typo!)

 

Part two of two

4. From your START menu, select Run.

5. Type in regedit into the field and click OK.

6. On the left hand directory tree, expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Maxis > SimCity 4 > 1.0

7. Change the Language value by right clicking it and selecting Modify.

8. Leave it as Hexadecimal and enter 13 into the Value Data field. Click OK.

 

With these two major steps complete, your sims will now start driving on the Left! If you wish to switch from the Left to the Right - rename the folder to English in step 3, and enter 1 into the Value Data field in step 8 instead.

[HawkDawg 12]

Got it. I made the changes. Now I'll fire it up and see if it works.

Thanks! Much appreciated!

 

Edit 1: Yep! That did the trick. Thanks again.

[HawkDawg 12]

Well, after I made that change, I noticed this.

So I went back and changed everything back and that text is back to normal.

 

 

[Bombardiere 591]

Ok, you must have a UK/Euro disk version. In that version default English is driving on the left side of the road. Well it was intended for UK market. I have that version and while in general I am happy with LHD I have changed the drive side to the right many times and used the English language setup. I have not noticed that kind of text error. I may be wrong but perhaps you accidentally managed to change into unsuppored language or perhaps chinese mode.

Here is a link to longer explanation and for the language codes:

https://www.sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=3961.0

I have now a GOG digital version and it has a setup option where I can change the language jsut pressing one button. Quite hand when I want to change between US and UK English.

If you like the game, then I would recomend the GOG digital version. No need for the disk and no hassle with the Steam download / control program. If you are patient then sooner or later GOG will have sale and you can pick up a copy for few bucks.

 

[HawkDawg 12]

That might explain why my box looks different than a friend of mine.

I'll have to check out GOG and see how much they want for the US version.

[Linoa06 1,374]

That's odd, when I installed the game (granted that's 10 years ago) I had to choose between UK and US English. If you choose UK English as your language it sets it up with RHD.

[rsc204 21,836]

There is a far easier way to switch between LHD and RHD on the fly that I use a lot when testing mods.

The way SimCity4 works, is to assign the driving side based on the language installed. Since I too have the EU disk, I know for sure the US language LTexts (or localisation) is included in the EU version too.

Before you start, for a given language to work, a SimCity locale file must exist in the correct folder for that language, otherwise it will ignore any instruction to change the defaults. In this case, that means inside the folder:

Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe

...you must have a further subfolder named "English". If this does not exist, create it. Then you need to copy one file:

SimCityLocale.DAT

...from the "UKEnglsh" folder into this new folder.

If the folder & locale file already exist, you should skip this step.

Then, right click the programs shortcut, select properties and have a look in the "Target" box. Add the following to switch to US English and RHD:

-l:"English"

Start the game, you should have RHD.

Conversely, for LHD or UK English. Make sure a folder named "UKEnglsh" exists with a copy of the SimCityLocale.DAT file from the English folder. Then use -l:"UK English" in the target box. Take note of the spelling of these, since one is intentionally incorrect since folder names were limited to 8 characters on some systems, it necessitated the misspelling.

Note that when using a copied SimCityLocale file in this way, the language displayed in game will be the one you copied, not the intended one. So you could set up the game in German, for RHD, but with English text this way. For switching between US and UK English this is a moot point, since the game was never properly UK localised anyway. I suspect the US and UK English files are carbon copies of each other to begin with.

[HawkDawg 12]

@Linoa06 When I installed the game I only had one choice, but I can't remember now which one it was, and that was only a day and a half ago.

 

@rsc204 Thanks for that tip. I'll give it a try. I'm guessing the command line switch eliminates the need for the registry edit. If so, can I do the registry edit and not the command line switch, since I doubt I'll want to change between the two.

The UK Locale dat file is fine with me. I just want the RHD. I do have a friend that has the US version of the Deluxe game. I might ask him to send me his Locale dat file, just to see if there's any difference in the two in game.

 

Here's a shot of my game files.

 

Edit 1: Yeah! That worked just fine with the command line switch. Thanks again.

[citycowboy 183]

The most you're gonna pay for the US version is $19.99 plus tax from Amazon. 

It's a downloadable version. So once you get it, it is saved on your amazon profile, and you can download it to as many computers as you wish. I have it on 6 different computers, and have had it for years. 

[HawkDawg 12]

I'd probably buy it at GOG, but right now even $20. is a lot of money for me. I'm retired and living on Social Security, which isn't a lot. It just barely covers my monthly expenses.

I'm going to try and get a refund from the EBay seller I bought this from, since it didn't say anywhere on the page that it was the UK version. That will put me $15. closer. If not I'll just wait until next month. This months check is already gone, or delegated to upcoming bills and food.

[rsc204 21,836]

Glad you got it working. I can tell you the UK localisation is US English, i.e. not localised. I'm pretty good at spotting these things, having worked localising game text from US to UK English for a number of years. So it should be unnecessary to switch locale files, since it won't change anything much.

In fairness to the eBay seller, it's a long known fact that EA distributed the game in such a manner, often the region a copy is sold in does not match the intended origin. I'm not sure what your complaint would be really, it works the same as a US version.

Once you've set the command switch, you can remove that extra code from the shortcut if you wish. It tells the game to switch, but the change is permanent, unless you use another switch to change the settings once more. It's just a much quicker way of doing it than through the registry.

Not sure why anyone with a working CD copy needs to spend money on a digital version. If it ain't broke and all that... In my case, the digital edition was so cheap on sale that I figured it couldn't hurt to have a digital copy and rest my tired CDs. Since it's working now, I'd just wait for a sale when it should be $5 or under. Usually they have them once or twice a year, for a brief few days, people can buy old games at their real value ;).

 

[HawkDawg 12]

I'm not a fan of Steam. I used to have an account with them but I only had one game - Railworks, now called TS 2015. I didn't buy the game from them though. I was given a copy of it by the developers but I had to register it on Steam to play it. I didn't care for it tough so I uninstalled it and the Steam client. It's been a couple of years since I've logged into Steam so my account may no longer be active.

I'm also not crazy about buying it from Origin either.

Thanks for the info rsc. That helps.

I did go to GOG and put SC4 Deluxe on my wishlist. Maybe they'll let me know when it's on sale. It's currently $19.99

I suppose it would be fair to not bother the EBay seller about this. I was just thinking that the US version might be different than the UK version. I guess that's not necessarily so.

One of my concerns about this digital copy is that it didn't seem to properly patch. The EP1 patch apparently only updated 2 files (SimCity_3.dat & SimCity_4.dat), as seen in the patchlog. There also is no DELUXE.exe or RUSHHOUR.exe in any of my folders and I see no evidence of it updating the SimCity 4.exe, either in the patchlog or in the exe itself as it's showing version 1.1.613.0 and I couldn't find any info on what the SC4Update4BAT did when I ran it, if it did anything.

For whatever it's worth, I'm not new to gaming nor am I a novice or beginner in using my computer - XP SP3.

Quote

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   PATCH  Version 6.50 - RTPatch(R) Professional - Software Update System

                    DOS/16-bit Windows/32-bit Windows Edition

       (C) Copyright Pocket Soft, Inc., 1991-2002.  All Rights Reserved.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

----- Processing Patch File -----

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'DELUXE.exe'

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'Graphics Rules.sgr'

 

    Writing New File    

    Verifying - Passed!

    Deleting Old File

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'RUSHHOUR.exe'

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_1.dat'

 

warning wpt0036: Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was

               found. No update done since file contents do not match.

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_2.dat'

 

warning wpt0036: Old File not found. However, a file of the same name was

               found. No update done since file contents do not match.

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_3.dat'

 

    Writing New File    

    Verifying - Passed!

    Deleting Old File

 

Applying MODIFY File Patch for 'SimCity_4.dat'

 

    Writing New File    

    Verifying - Passed!

    Deleting Old File

 

 

----- Patch File Processing Complete -----

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

-        Results of Application of Patch File       -

-----------------------------------------------------

File Patches Applied ......................... (   3)

 

   Files Modified .................. (   3)

   Files Renamed. .................. (   0)

   Files Added ..................... (   0)

   Files Deleted ................... (   0)

   Temporary Files Processed........ (   0)

 

File Patches Skipped: New Files Up-To-Date.... (   0)

 

File Patches Ignored: Old Files Missing....... (   0)

                      Old Files Invalid....... (   4)

-----------------------------------------------------

Total File Patches Processed ................. (   7)

-----------------------------------------------------

 

[rsc204 21,836]

Yeah, looks like you are right that the patch hasn't updated properly, but I suspect the explanation of that is linked to your previous troubles.

You need to match the version of the EP1 patch you install with the version of the game you have. Thus if you downloaded the US one, you will likely find that you need the EU one instead. Once that runs successfully, the second patch for BAT night lights should run without a hitch, since there is one for all regions.

Make sure you've not updated or modified any of the SC4 files before starting this process. If you have, that file will fail the integrity checks and not be updated. If you are unsure (sucks I know), you may need to uninstall/re-install SC4 before trying the patch process once more.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

You have to have the right version of the EP1 patch.  The one most sites have is for the American continent game.

If you can get the digital game, this problem goes away as both the EP1 patch and the nightlights (BAT) fix have been applied and the old Safe disk DRM stuff removed.  I got mine from GamersGate several years ago when my CDs died a death of too many scratches.

I really feel for you, my friend.  I've been retired now on Canada Pension and the supplement for 18 years now, and I completely understand your situation.

[Holy cow: My music channel just cut out and the police posted an amber alert.  Some idiot stole a car with a baby in the back seat.  The new alerting system seems to work fine.]

[Indiana Joe 1,750]

You'll have to un-install and re-install the game now and start from scratch.  Make sure to copy your saved cities and plugins.

If the UK version of the EP1 patch won't work for you after re-installing, it's probable that the Ebay seller gave you a cracked game.  At that point, to save further headaches, I would refund it if I were you and just buy it from a proper retailer.  Then you can get the U.S. version as well.

Sometimes Steam and GOG put it on sale for $4.99.

[HawkDawg 12]

The game came still shrink wrapped, but that doesn't mean anything.

I got the patch from EA - http://www.ea.com/simcity-4-deluxe

I downloaded the North American patch. I guess I should have downloaded the European patch, now that I know I probably have the UK version.

I just started with the game so losing any saves is no big deal. I didn't like the way they were going anyway.

I'll uninstall and reinstall it, get the right patch and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the help folks. Much appreciated.

[HawkDawg 12]

Well there ya' go. Knowing which version of the game you have and getting the right patch works wonders.

Both patches ran successfully this time.

Again, I want to thank everyone that posted in this topic for all the help and advice they gave. Now I can install the NAM and CAM and finally start building some decent roads.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Take your time with those big packages.  NAM first, and use the custom installer to select the parts you want to tackle.  Shotgunning in the whole thing makes for a very confusing set of menus.  Take some serious learning time with it.

CAM is also a huge package but it doesn't have quite the protracted learning curve.  After many years, I am still learning things from the NAM.

[HawkDawg 12]

NAM custom installer? I didn't see that. I just got the NAM at this link - https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=851

I've watched a few videos with NAM installs, like haljackey's and Strictoaster's, and yes - you're right. It does add a gaggle of stuff, but if it's too overwhelming I can uninstall it. Actually, I have a partition on my hard drive that was just nothing but free space (I use it to grab more space from if any of my partitions get too full). Now it holds back-ups of my current SC4 installation, including the stuff in My Docs folder, so I can always revert back to that.

I've played through the tutorials a couple of times already and have started on a region a friend of mine made. He's a member and lot contributor here - thegrindre. It's a small region.

I really don't like the way default roads lay out on hills and I believe the NAM will give me the sloping monorail, I believe it is, to fix that. Plus some good looking road and train stuff.

Actually, at this point I'd be happy with better, smoother curves and better road/train slopes. I could probably get by just fine without all the extra stuff, for now anyway.

If I can get that without all the other stuff, please point me in the right direction.

Then again, I just read that the NAM fixes the path finding algorithm in the game . That would be a plus.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

I think the same installation set up is used for both Windows and MAC (I might be wrong), but when you install the NAM you do get several choices, one of them being custom, which lets you choose what features you want.  The installer can be run whenever you like to add or delete features.

[HawkDawg 12]

Ah! OK! I haven't tried to install it yet so I wasn't aware of that.

Thanks!

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

Depending on you feel about your playing skill, you might want to install only the controller which is the fix for the whole traffic network and see how the game behaves after that.  If you install it in a working city it may take up to a Sim-year for all the fixes to take effect.

[HawkDawg 12]

I haven't tried to install it yet but I've decided to run the custom installer for now and see what happens.