Safe options for digital download of SC4 Deluxe

[simphonian 0]

Hello all!!!  I have been away from SC4 for several years and recently wanted to get back at it. I downloaded the Deluxe version from Origin, not knowing about the incompatibility issue with the NAM. I have tried, unsuccessfully, to get the patched version through Origin. My understanding is that the version is not patchable so I can't even install the patch from here on Simtropolis. I also understand that, as a Windows 10 user, the original CD version is not an option. So, my question is: what is a safe site to download a patched(or patchable) version of SC4 Deluxe?  Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give!!!

[rsc204 21,857]

Either GoG or Steam are the most popular choices, they both tend to have a handful of sales in the year that bring the price to about $5. Generally speaking though, only Origin are dumb enough to not patch their digital release. You should push them for a refund stating the game doesn’t include the official patches as your reason. If you are persistent enough, they’ll eventually give you your money back. 

[TheCrybKeeper 301]

On 3/10/2021 at 12:19 PM, rsc204 said:

Either GoG or Steam are the most popular choices, they both tend to have a handful of sales in the year that bring the price to about $5. Generally speaking though, only Origin are dumb enough to not patch their digital release. You should push them for a refund stating the game doesn’t include the official patches as your reason. If you are persistent enough, they’ll eventually give you your money back. 

I am on Steam and have read the users reviews: The Steam version of SC4, from Steam, seems unplayable by many reviewers on Steam, that have Win 10, OS. I am here right now, looking for possible solutions from Simtropolis' community. I have the CD version of SC4 Rush Hour.

  Edited March 21, 2021 by TheCrybKeeper  
More information ready

[Tarkus 6,933]

The Steam version is fine, actually--just needs a little bit of setup beforehand (which the negative reviewers didn't bother to do).  Adding the -CPUCount:1 line is necessary if you're on a multi-core CPU (which most users are now) to prevent CTDs, and for those not comfortable with that, there are launcher utilities around.  It's Version 1.1.641, so it's fully patched (unlike the Origin Store's Version 1.1.610 unpatchable special).

I'd still recommend the GOG version over it, however, since it's DRM-free, and GOG also has the -CPUCount:1 bit already in place on the game's shortcuts right out of the box.

Origin Support had been allowing disc-based users with valid CD keys to redeem those keys with a free digital copy--which, strangely enough, unlike the Origin Store version, is properly patched to 1.1.641.  Allegedly, they've stopped doing that, however.

The issue with the disc version of the game is Microsoft.  SimCity 4 (and many other games from that same time period) used SafeDisc DRM to prevent users from starting the game without the disc in the drive, but Microsoft came to the conclusion that secdrv.sys, the driver file that SafeDisc requires to run, was a "security threat".  As such, they didn't even include it with Windows 10, and issued an update for Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 that disabled it.  No secdrv.sys (or a disabled secdrv.sys) means that the game can't detect the disc and won't start. 

-Tarkus

[City_Slider 2,716]

10 hours ago, Tarkus said:

As such, they didn't even include it with Windows 10, and issued an update for Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1 that disabled it.

But it is possible to Play with CD/DVD Versions and without using CD2. On my Computers are only W7 installed and SC4 works fine on em by mounting CD2. CB posted it somewhere how to do it.

[rsc204 21,857]

11 hours ago, TheCrybKeeper said:

The Steam version of SC4, from Steam, seems unplayable by many reviewers on Steam, that have Win 10, OS.

This comes from Steam leaving support to their customers and sadly the Steam forums are full of misinformation. As Tarkus states, GoG at least adapted their release based on user feedback, to ensure the most common problems wouldn't be an issue.

But contrary to what many people think, it does not matter where you buy the game, the game, it's code and how it works remains identical. What is different it how each is packaged, in short the DRM system in use and how you launch it. Origin's unpatched stupidity is probably not malicious, just what happens when a corporation gets so large, there is no one willing to listen to feedback from customers. The disk is basically a coaster if you have Win10, but those problems aside, any issues you face would be identical regardless of which version of SC4 you were playing.

Making SC4 work well is only loosely connected with Win10, it really comes down to your hardware’s ability to work with the legacy DirectX 7 modes the game was designed for. What I'm seeing from years troubleshooting issues, ATI and NVidia cards and drivers are beginning to move on from supporting these things. For 99% plus of users, SC4 can not only be made to work, but work as well as is possible considering the limitations of a 18-year old release. It's really all down to which graphics card/driver you have, this will affect if SC4 just works out of the box, needs some manual configuration or perhaps more extreme tweaking to support DirectX. As a last resort, SC4 will work on most systems in Software Rendering mode, but this tends to lead to a sub-optimal playing experience.

[watercitymadero 805]

I can recomend the GOG version, because for me is more easy to install, very user friendly, DRM-free (no need to install any patches), it has the -CPUCount:1 by default,very useful (you can change many things) I can opt for to install the game downloading only the individual game installer, or pick the gog launcher and download sc4 from there, but I prefer the individual one because I can manipulate the installation folder, the shortcut, etc. 

But of course, that is my humble opinion. Regards

[TheCrybKeeper 301]

Okay, I am not going to install my CD's. Am going to Gog, I think. Win 10/Duo-core 2.32 - I think?/4 gig RAM/ On board graphics 512(BOOO!)

 

[RobertLM78 1,598]

On 3/21/2021 at 8:11 PM, Tarkus said:

I'd still recommend the GOG version over it, however, since it's DRM-free, and GOG also has the -CPUCount:1 bit already in place on the game's shortcuts right out of the box.

You sold me... i think i'll get a GoG version soon for running on the windows 10 partition.  Then i can finally check out JENX Jupiter Weather
 

[TheCrybKeeper 301]

So far, I like the GOG version. Had to make sure I understood where the files are and where to install plug-ins.

Thank you, everyone! My granddaughter LOVES this game, so had to get it back on this newer PC.

 

[CorinaMarie 29,856]

3 minutes ago, TheCrybKeeper said:

Had to make sure I understood where the files are and where to install plug-ins.

Cool. And just to follow up on that, did you install it as the standalone offline version? (In other words, do not use their Galaxy game manager thinger as it doesn't play well with SC4.)

[TheCrybKeeper 301]

8 minutes ago, CorinaMarie said:

Cool. And just to follow up on that, did you install it as the standalone offline version? (In other words, do not use their Galaxy game manager thinger as it doesn't play well with SC4.)

Uh-oh! Yeah, I did it. I learn as I go, when it comes to Windows 10 and whatever else comes down the 'internet pike'. It does slow down my game play - I installed a few games from GOG and I don't really like the Galaxy thing.

Should I start all over?

You guys may want to treat me like a 13 year old, with an average I.Q. Although I am in my 50's, I couldn't seem to find a way to install the games from GOG, without installing Galaxy.

[Cyclone Boom 17,031]

Glad to hear you've got the GOG version, which is the reputed best digital download SC4 edition.

For the Galaxy client, what this does is provides a library for managing games and making it more connected for some social media aspects also. From what I've heard, updates can be managed from the central interface, and it's meant to be a "hub" in that respect. If not into those aspects (which I know I'd not be either), installing the game standalone is probably the smart move. GOG does make it less obvious how to do this, but see my post here which shows how to find the download link for the installer file.

This does require being signed into your GOG account in order for the download to begin and complete. I did happen to do this just a few weeks ago myself on a new computer, so it should still be available now also this same way. It'd be worth uninstalling SC4 firstly (backup any plugins and regions beforehand just in case), and then reinstall from the standalone installer file. Then the game will be independent from Galaxy and not rely on it at all.

I'm not sure about other games they have (I don't play any), but I'd expect many (if not all) will have the same option. For those games, check your GOG library and see whether they do, and then you may wish to uninstall each one by one, and reinstall those individually. Then at that point Galaxy itself could be uninstalled too.

[OrSpeeder 72]

About DX7 issues someone mentioned.

 

I had a nVidia Optimus laptop, and found out because of it, that nVidia since 2007 or so (so SC4 was only 4 years old then) will outright lie to the operating system and the game when it receives requires using the DX7 API. nVidia since 2007 basically decided DX7 was out of support and so they stopped trying.

I just installed SC4 on a AMD GPU machine, so no idea if it will be buggy or not, but nVidia I know since 2007 breaks stuff in SC4.

[Whte_rbt 1,431]

5 hours ago, OrSpeeder said:

I just installed SC4 on a AMD GPU machine, so no idea if it will be buggy or not

Generally not a problem i've encountered. I have used AMD for over a decade now (price based choice, not some ideological anti-Intel thing), and have not had any real issues. My current lappy is running Ryzen 5 2500U with built in Vega 8 graphics and it works no hassles. The old minitower I had SC4D running on was a crappy 1.6Ghz dual core (E-350 IIRC) and all I had to do was add the usual command switch guff to the shortcut and add the integrated HD6310 to the graphics card list.