Commands to run Simcity 4

[huzman 445]

I'm looking for adding to the SC4.exe, the files for eliminating the intro, the CPU=1 thing, and a couple other things. I think that should have it's own thread.

Thank you all.

[matias93 7,535]

I remember that there is a thread for that on SC4D, but I think there isn't one here on ST. I'll answer here and then to split both posts to a separate thread on the technical forum.

This is what I use, a batch file:

Spoiler

@ECHO OFF
::Script for running SC4 and saving a backup of an specifical region 0.2 beta::
::(cc)2017. matias93. CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 international.
::please post improvements on http://community.simtropolis.com/forums/topic/70802-matias93-unexpected-mod-workshop/

::CONSIDER this batch file assumes that the user has 7zip adequately configured to run from a command line. If that is not the case, the respective lines wont run at all.
::CONSIDER the paths should be adjusted to the configuration the end user uses, including changes to the region name and the folder path.

::Creates a backup of the unmodified region on a safe place
7z a -t7z "D:\docs\Documentos\SC4 Stuff\Backups\Ciudad del Lago-current.7z" "D:\docs\Documentos\SimCity 4\Regions\Ciudad del Lago\*"

::activates the Secure Drive driver. This is not needed on Windows XP or Vista, nor on unpatched Windows 7, they run secdrv normally.
sc start secdrv

::starts the game
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r1366x768x32 -Intro:off -gp -CPUCount:1

::game is running

::when game is closed, stops Secure Drive
sc stop secdrv

 

In any case, the only part you need is this one:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe" -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r1366x768x32 -Intro:off -gp -CPUCount:1

Please note the parts of the command:

• -f makes the game to run on fullscreen mode. If you want it to run in windowed mode, use -w. Once one of this commands have been used, they persist to the next game sessions, unless the other is added.
• -CustomResolution:enabled allows to run the game on resolutions different from the ones on the game graphics settings, bot in windowed and fullscreen mode.
• -r1366x768x32 indicates the specific custom resolution. In this case, the native resolution of my monitor. For fullscreen mode, it is heavily recommended to use the native resolution. The number 32 at the end is the colour depth; unless in a very slow computer, it should always be 32 bits.
• -Intro:off stops the game from showing the introduction video, reducing the loading time (nonetheless, the video can be stopped manually by pressing Esc).
• -gp makes the game to pause when is minimised, avoiding to overload the system with game processing and game disasters happening when one is not looking it. As a trade-off, sometimes the game colours can be changed in weird ways when suspending the PC; in that case, minimising and maximising the game resolves it.
• -CPUCount:1 makes the game to run on only one (and the first) core of a multi-core processor. This is needed to avoid frequent CTDs due to the fact that the game code wasn't done to manage multi-threading. I've been unable to make this work adequately with anything but the first core.

 

Edit: splitted thread. @huzman, check here!

  Edited May 5, 2017 by matias93  
ping

[huzman 445]

MATIAS93 : Muchas gracias, camarada. But I don't understand the hidden contents. Is it a (dos) *.bat ?
Sorry for the bold type.

[rsc204 21,867]

I'd say that was the case. But another way is simply to add the commands (which start with the - character) to the end of the Target Line of your shortcut. Just right click the shortcut to SC4, select Properties and you should see it.

[huzman 445]

21 hours ago, matias93 said:

In any case, the only part you need is this one:

I was talking about the "hidden contents" by matias93.

 

5 hours ago, rsc204 said:

Just right click the shortcut to SC4,

Yeah I know how add those (-) commands, but like I said in my first post : Where are they ? Are they in a file or what ?

[matias93 7,535]

The first, hidden code is the script of a .bat file. The second one would work as a .bat too, but you can also copy it and paste replacing the route of the link icon on your desktop. Either way it works.

[huzman 445]

 

1 hour ago, matias93 said:

Either way it works.

Ah so... that's what I suspected and I'm grateful for your input.