Steam or GOG?

[kirsch.s928 3]

Hello,

I recently purchased SimCity 4 through Origin, a mistake I quickly remedied by requesting a refund after I was unable to install an old favorite, NAM. I'm now torn between Steam and Gog. Will one or either work?

[CorinaMarie 29,876]

1 minute ago, kirsch.s928@gmail.com said:

I'm now torn between Steam and Gog. Will one or either work?

Yep. Either will be fine since both are fully patched. Many peeps do prefer Gog as it has no DRM whatsoever and can be installed as a standalone program. (Don't use their Galaxy thinger.)

On the other hand, many peeps like Steam cause it keeps track of how many hours they've played. So, your choice really. (I personally recommend Gog.)

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

Both the Steam and GOG versions are compatible with custom content.

The GOG version is primarily recommended for a few reasons:

1. Being fully patched and ready to play, unlike the Origin edition which as you've found is known to be unpatched and is unpatchable.
2. Completely free of DRM which means it can run independently from the client applications like Steam uses, and also without ever needing an internet connection. As Cori said, there is something called "GOG Galaxy", but this can be bypassed by an option to install the game directly (as my post here explains).
3. By purchasing from the above link, Simtropolis receives a small sales commission from the purchase price, helping towards site maintenance costs.

 

[jeffryfisher 2,176]

1 hour ago, Cyclone Boom said:

By purchasing from the above link, Simtropolis receives a small sales commission from the purchase price, helping towards site maintenance costs.

That's reason enough -- Go GoG!

[kirsch.s928 3]

I took a chance and got it from GoG. I had just never heard of them before. I think I found my new favorite go-to site for games. New fan right here!

 

[DragonofRobare 0]

If I buy the game off GOG, would you recommend using the SC4 Launcher or would it not be neccesary? 

[CorinaMarie 29,876]

1 hour ago, DragonofRobare said:

If I buy the game off GOG, would you recommend using the SC4 Launcher or would it not be neccesary? 

I have the GOG version and I don't need or use SC4 Launcher. Ofc, I know how to set all the start up switches myself. Afaik, there wouldn't be any harm to using the Launcher.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

1 hour ago, DragonofRobare said:

If I buy the game off GOG, would you recommend using the SC4 Launcher or would it not be neccesary? 

I imagine some people like using the launcher program for convenience of setting the startup switches with them all in one place to choose from.

As I remember, the GOG version comes with the -CPUcount:1 command built into the game's shortcut, and so the same method is used as with the original disc based version. Each command (as this article documents) can be added when separating each after a space and beginning with a hyphen. What the launcher does is allows these to be set via a user interface, which then instructs SC4 to use them upon startup.

It's really a personal preference, and either way you choose you'll be good to go.