[Ended] SC4 Deluxe now on sale at GoG

[rsc204 21,857]

As the title says, GoG have their spring sale and are offering SC4 for under $5/£5/5€. So if you need a digital copy of SC4, now's a good time to get a DRM-Free version from IMO the best SC4 vendor.

https://www.gog.com/game/simcity_4_deluxe_edition/

[PaleoCardio 150]

Does the GOG version require the EP1 update installed?

[APSMS 1,893]

All non-Origin versions of the game sold digitally come completely patched, GOG.com included.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

This is great news, thanks for the heads up!
 

12 minutes ago, PaleoCardio said:

Does the GOG version require the EP1 update installed?

From all reports, unlike Origin, the GOG version comes fully updated (version 1.1.641.0). It should also run fine on all supported versions of Windows (including 10), as this doesn't use the SafeDisc protection utilised by the original CD based version.

So no, don't worry about need to install either the EP1 or nightlights patch.

  Edited March 7, 2017 by Cyclone Boom  
2 answers for the price of one!

[PaleoCardio 150]

7 minutes ago, Cyclone Boom said:

From all reports, unlike Origin, the GOG version comes fully updated (version 1.1.641.0).

That is great! Thanks for the information, some of the older information out there can get confusing when these great updated deals come out. Thanks.

[rsc204 21,857]

The GoG version is fully patched, DRM-Free and comes with the -CPUCount:1 switch by default. Making it the easiest to use version of SC4 available.

Once you've downloaded it, there are no restrictions on installing the game. If you ever need to re-download if for any reason, you can do that too.

For all of these reasons, it's the version I'd recommend to anyone. Would I pay 20€ for a 14 year old game... not a chance in hell. So whilst it's on sale, I'd grab a copy at the price it should probably be all year round.

[DomoTheRussian 68]

I have it on Steam for a few years. The only problem I have is that I can't get SC4 launcher to work with Steam EXE, whatever the hell they did. Sould I consider buying on GOG?

[rsc204 21,857]

It's your money, but I wouldn't. There is nothing that you can't do without SC4 Launcher, expect perhaps the auto-save feature. For everything else a series of command switches can be used instead. But if the launcher is something you find indispensable, perhaps paying a small sum to replace it works for you.

[DomoTheRussian 68]

 

1 minute ago, rsc204 said:

It's your money, but I wouldn't. There is nothing that you can't do without SC4 Launcher, expect perhaps the auto-save feature. For everything else a series of command switches can be used instead. But if the launcher is something you find indispensable, perhaps paying a small sum to replace it works for you.

I had no problems running the game without it. But it's just I never managed to get it even work on my copy. 

[rsc204 21,857]

But that's kinda my point, if you don't need it, why would you re-buy the game to make it work?

[jaredh 195]

Do these versions require the BAT patch to be applied?

[rsc204 21,857]

1 hour ago, rsc204 said:

The GoG version is fully patched

So no, it doesn't.

[jaredh 195]

When did the BAT become a "patch"?

[rsc204 21,857]

1 hour ago, jaredh said:

Do these versions require the BAT patch to be applied?

38 minutes ago, jaredh said:

When did the BAT become a "patch"?

I assumed by this you mean the 640 or NiteLighting patch? That is indeed a patch, necessary for custom BATs to show lights in game.

Now, if you mean the SC4BAT application, used for making SC4 models, once more I can confirm this works with the GoG version.

In fact, only the Origin version is known to prevent install of SC4 BAT. In fact, it seems possible that once more the same Origin version could also be unpatched/unpatchable for the base EP1 and NiteLighting patches too. So basically the lesson from that is, avoid the Origin version like the plague.

 

[Jasoncw 11,940]

I actually needed this after updating to windows 10 and the origin version not working for BATing. 

I also picked up SC3K digitally for $2.49.  

[Prophet42 1,503]

I would highly recommend to anybody to get the GOG version.  It is not "entangled" up with Origin or Steam DRM.  Also, it works great on Windows 10 or 7 (I have tried both).

[a2205 1]

wow nice one.

i should buy this one

this simcity is the best imo

the mods are pretty nice too

[SecretMbr_735754 2,158]

I've installed 4 products over a year from Gog.com and have detected no security or bug issues associated with any of them in Win 8.1 or 7.    Cyberspace used to be a lot more civilized place, using new products today is like going into battle with a thousand potential hostiles, but so far I'm convinced Gog.com is a friendly.

I'm running 2 computers, Win 7 with SC3K installed and operating, and Win 8.1 with SC4 installed and operating, both in Win XP(3) mode.

[glazert 89]

I decided to take advantage of this offer. However, it only seems to download the right-hand drive version of Sim City 4, even though GoG recognised that I was in the United Kingdom and I was charged in UK pounds. I seem to remember that there is a way of working round this, but it is a definite nuisance for me, so I thought I would give a warning here. If anyone has the link to how to switch to left-hand drive I would be grateful if you would point me to it.

[rsc204 21,857]

9 minutes ago, glazert said:

However, it only seems to download the right-hand drive version of Sim City 4

Actually, this is yet another area where GoG excel but other vendors fail. Yes by default you get US English (as with most digital versions), but included is a special tool to change languages.

Goto the install directory, find the application "Language Setup.exe" and run it. Tell it you want UK English, you'll have LHD when it's done.

[richman1975 0]

I bought this and the game works great.  Question though, where do I install the mods downloaded from Simtropolis?

[CorinaMarie 29,856]

2 minutes ago, richman1975 said:

Question though, where do I install the mods downloaded from Simtropolis?

In the Plugins folder under the SimCity 4 Deluxe (or whatever the exact name is) folder under your Documents folder.

[glazert 89]

3 hours ago, rsc204 said:

Actually, this is yet another area where GoG excel but other vendors fail. Yes by default you get US English (as with most digital versions), but included is a special tool to change languages.

Goto the install directory, find the application "Language Setup.exe" and run it. Tell it you want UK English, you'll have LHD when it's done.

Thanks, that is very helpful. I'm afraid that it didn't occur to me that drive side would be considered to be a 'language" issue. I tend to follow George Bernard Shaw: " England and America are two countries separated by the same language "

[PaleoCardio 150]

42 minutes ago, CorinaMarie said:

In the Plugins folder under the SimCity 4 Deluxe (or whatever the exact name is) folder under your Documents folder.

I have the GoG version and I actually ended up with 2 separate folders. One under My Documents, and One under GOG/Simcity4. I load my regions in the my documents folder (first one) but for some reason my plugins folder with my mods in needs to be in the second folder. Does anyone else have this problem/happening?? 

Everything works fine, it is just weirdly split for some reason. 

[glazert 89]

1 hour ago, glazert said:

Thanks, that is very helpful. I'm afraid that it didn't occur to me that drive side would be considered to be a 'language" issue. I tend to follow George Bernard Shaw: " England and America are two countries separated by the same language "

Well, I followed your suggestion rsc204 (and, yes, I did remember to save my selection) but unfortunately it didn't work - I still have right-hand drive. I noticed that on reopening Language Setup.exe that no radio button showed it was selected. Has anyone succeeded in changing to Left-hand drive? If so, what can I be doing wrong?

[rsc204 21,857]

2 hours ago, glazert said:

Thanks, that is very helpful. I'm afraid that it didn't occur to me that drive side would be considered to be a 'language" issue. I tend to follow George Bernard Shaw: " England and America are two countries separated by the same language "

SC4 has always handled LHD/RHD based on the language, since that relates to the region you are most likely to be playing from. I'm guessing you need to add the following command line switch then (Shortcut - Right Click / Properties end of Target line):

-l:"UK English"

But... for that to work, you need to have the SimCityLocale.DAT file in a folder "UKEnglsh" (note not a typo/error). I've put more complete instructions in a tutorial here:

PS - I use LHD with the GoG version, so this definitely works.

[glazert 89]

1 hour ago, rsc204 said:

SC4 has always handled LHD/RHD based on the language, since that relates to the region you are most likely to be playing from. I'm guessing you need to add the following command line switch then (Shortcut - Right Click / Properties end of Target line):

-l:"UK English"

But... for that to work, you need to have the SimCityLocale.DAT file in a folder "UKEnglsh" (note not a typo/error). I've put more complete instructions in a tutorial here:

PS - I use LHD with the GoG version, so this definitely works.

Thanks. I will try the command line switch as you suggest (I have already checked that GoG has included a "UKEnglsh"). The fact that you use LHD with GoG gives me hope.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

Just a quick heads up...

According to this official post, GOG's Spring Sale ends tomorrow at 23:00 UTC / 18:00 EST, including the offer with SC4.

Or for anyone else, here's a quick countdown:

[glazert 89]

On 10/03/2017 at 8:09 PM, rsc204 said:

SC4 has always handled LHD/RHD based on the language, since that relates to the region you are most likely to be playing from. I'm guessing you need to add the following command line switch then (Shortcut - Right Click / Properties end of Target line):

-l:"UK English"

But... for that to work, you need to have the SimCityLocale.DAT file in a folder "UKEnglsh" (note not a typo/error). I've put more complete instructions in a tutorial here:

PS - I use LHD with the GoG version, so this definitely works.

Well, that didn't work for me either, so I ended up editing the registry entry (once I had found it). I found this thread over on SC4Devotion helpful in doing that:

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

[rsc204 21,857]

7 hours ago, glazert said:

Well, that didn't work for me either

I'm sorry but it doesn't make sense why it wouldn't work. This is not unique to the GoG version, it's how SC4 works. I can only guess you were not doing things right, not to mention, you must run SC4 from the shortcut you are adding the command line to, or it won't be activated.

Are you sure you didn't leave an old copy of SC4 installed when you installed the GoG version? Because last I checked, it doesn't have the same registry entries, so if you found them, that suggests to me you've altered them for the disk copy. There is simply no "Maxis" tree inside HKLM\Software with the GoG install. I only bring it up, because having two copies of SC4 installed can easily cause conflicts and problems (like the command switches/language changes failing to work). Now there is the possibility that parts of your game are running from one install and parts from another.

Installing the GoG or other digital versions does not remove or overwrite any previous install. You must uninstall the previous version of SC4 before installing a digital copy. So if you find you have more than one copy installed, the only safe fix is to uninstall all of them and start over.

Bear in mind also, a new install necessitates once more modifying all these things (assuming they were changed previously):

• installation of the I-HT fix.
• Setup of the 4GB Patch (Run the NAM installer and it will handle this for you).
• Setting up any command line switches you previously used. (such as for custom resolutions etc).
• You'll also need to once more edit the Graphics Rules / Video Cards .SGR files if they were modified before.