Simtropolis Returns!

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

Firstly, welcome back!

As many of y'all know, ST went down on 16 April, 2026 due to a billing error 2 days prior to that. The pathetic host decided to not only suspend the server, but to immediately delete it entirely, including the live site and both daily backups. There was no forewarning or communication about this sent to Dirk.

From initial correspondence with the old host, they claimed the server was merely suspended and data was kept for 6 months. It seemed like the billing issue only needed correcting. However, once Dirk heard back from a higher level support, to our complete shock and dismay it was confirmed the server had been wiped. They offered to restore it if we had backups. But what use were those when they were on the server?! Everything was gone.

A full offline backup was about 187 GB last time CB downloaded it and he had to do it in pieces (due to a very slow internet connection in his teeny, tiny town) and it took several days. This contains all the objects (which are all the files and pictures anywhere on the site including attachments and within the STEX) as well as the board software and the forums. There was also a separate full account backup from 2020, but we didn't need that in the end.

Now, separately, the database is all of the posts in the forums, STEX, omnibus, and so forth. That comes in around 6 GB and is backed up and downloaded more often. However, the offline download was just a fallback which should never be needed since we always had full backups run online every single day. (We never anticipated the host would fucking delete everything on the server!)

Ofc, in hindsight we'd've kept separate online daily synced backups too, even if those come at a cost. Without any local backup, Simtropolis as we know it would be lost forever to the infinite voids of cyberspace. Thankfully this isn't the case, so it could've been much, much worse.

Anyhow, what this means for us now is we have the forums and text of the STEX restored as it was on 28 February, 2026, but all files and pictures (both as forum attachments and in the STEX) are missing from 17 June, 2024 and after.  

We can recover!  (But, we'll need a lot of help.)

 

CB and Dirk have rebuilt the site on a new host.  

There are some nice positives as a result:

• Already an outpouring of support from people on Discord and Reddit. We appreciate the encouragement and support. Thank you!
• We've moved fully away from our old host. They will get nary a nickel from ST anymore ever again (from now till the end of the universe).
• The hardware is at least 10x more capable, and is no more expensive than our old host. (Depending on your internet connection, the site should be more responsive.)
• We've got a much more economical and cleaner home (way less server side clutter).
• We're in more control over the server to manage all aspects of it from the ground up.
• CB has separately purchased a 1 TB storage cloud for online, but offsite daily backups going forwards.
• Future potential to upgrade the IPS board software to a newer version, but we're not in a rush to do this.

However, a few bad things will be immediately apparent when y'all start looking around:

• Any pictures or attached files after 17 June, 2024 are missing.
• Any STEX files added after 17 June, 2024 are gone.
• All avatar updates or changes after 17 June, 2024 are lost.
  ---------------
• All topics have lost any replies after 28 Feb, 2026.
• Any STEX entries added or updated after 28 Feb, 2026 are gone.
• Any STEX downloads history since 28 Feb, 2026 is lost.
• Any new sc4pac tokens since 28 Feb, 2026 are lost (and will need regenerating).
• Any PMs after 28 Feb, 2026 are missing.
• Any members who joined after 28 Feb, 2026 will need to re-join Simtropolis.

 

Initial Recovery Efforts:

Topic Divider Messages

We've added a Topic Divider message to all forum threads which were active as of the last database backup. That's so when reading along now and in the future it'll explain why any given subject might seem disjointed and incoherent if the same peeps aren't able to re-reply.

I know one topic in which I'm now the last to reply and my answer was only partially right. I remember at the time someone replied soon later with the real answer. That's lost, but they might re-state it when they have time. Or it could stay missing. (For that particular topic, I'll reply with what I remember of it.)

So the divider message serves to explain why many topics might seem choppy for a little while. An example can be seen here.

 

Original Image and File Names for Attachments

Since the database info is way more recent than the objects (files and images), we'll often know the name and size of images and files because of their pointer entries in the database, but we won't have the item that points to. So, CB has worked his magic such that a missing pic will show the ST Logo as a placeholder while also showing the original file name for the image or attachment. This will make it easier for peeps to identify and re-upload them.

Note: If your image name originally contained spaces, those will be stripped out in the file name which appears as the Original Pic Name. 

Sample for an image:

^ Original Pic Name: Cori'sWidget.jpg

Sample for a file:
Attachment Missing (Cori's Exemplar Viewer Output - 2026.02.17.09.37.zip)
 

Additionally, you can go to your own list of attachments and find anything missing.

CB plans to add a feature for clicking and re-uploading files directly from that page.

 

STEX Files and Pics  (Needs figured out...)

We have a separate method for recovering STEX files. That'll be a new forum (or topic) or something where anyone can post a linky to the STEX entry and then also attach the missing files and/or pics. We want to be careful here to not duplicate each other's efforts so searching in there first is a good idea.

Then staff (and other peeps recruited to help) will patch up the STEX entries and then move the topic for that item to a Done forum.

Or such. We'll reveal more details once we've figured out a battle plan.

Also we'll be opening a topic where anyone interested to assist can register as a volunteer to help.

 

Your Own Files and Pics

Ofc, any missing STEX entry that you created can be fixed (re-adding files and pics) or recreated (if totally missing) anytime you get a chance. Same for any missing attachments in your posts or elsewhere on the site.

When you repair your own STEX entry there is one additional step needed and that is to delete the message banner. (There's some fancy code in it which hides the download button and displays the File Unavailable message.) See this topic to have staff remove the file message banner after you've restored the missing content.

 

Other Notes:

Restoration Priority  (From CB in Chat)

• 1) STEX Files
• 2) STEX Screenshots
• 3) Attached Files
• 4) Attached Images
• 5) Gallery Images
• 6) Homepage Feature Images
• 7) Member Avatars
• 8) Anything Else

This order we believe makes a suitable priority for what we'll look to restore first. STEX Screenshots are likely going to need uploading from in-game pics, but for some we might be able to salvage using the Internet Archive (but that depends on which files have been saved to there).

 

Closing Words  (for now)

We're very glad to be back. We're also pleased to see y'all back. The past month (and a bit) have seemed like many months, and we've missed ST too. While this has been a setback for the community, the key thing is Simtropolis Has Returned.

We're determined to rebuild our city stronger than ever before.

Oh! One final thing:
We might have to put the site in offline maintenance mode for brief periods as some of the tweaks CB is working on cannot be implemented while the site is live.  

-Cori & CB & Dirk

[Propfam 2,286]

God f-ing finally, ST is back! Hope for the best for all the community. Thanks, Dirk and all of you!

Also, I don't know if SC4D forum would shut down again. @Tarkus, if I may, can I ask about that?

[bbsmitz 21]

What on earth was the host thinking. Absolute idiots.

Thank you guys for your efforts in getting this site back up and running.

[vw_oklahoma 308]

Thank you for your work. I appreciate yall. 

[CaptCity 4,694]

Looks like a second try has been successful... Great to see one of the communities ‘homes’ restored. Hopefully, things will stick. 

Thanks to @Dirktator, @Cyclone Boom, & @CorinaMarie for getting things back up. 

[Tyberius06 12,184]

@CorinaMarie and @Cyclone Boom and @Dirktator
Thank your for your efforts to bring the site back! 

Hm... I wanted to quickly re-upload those two files that I uploaded/updated since June 2024 under my own account (the other stuff comes later - I have all my 3rd party updates archived, I just need to find the time to re-upload them), and I managed to re-add the images, and I saw the files got uploaded, but on the download page the download button remained inactive saying that the file is unavailable. But I can see that the files were uploaded. 

Changing the file name is not helping. 

Ah, @CaptCity
Good that I saw that you posted just before me. How up-to-date are your back-ups?

[tgp1994 21]

Also glad to see the site return! I picked the worst time to do a SC4 play through in April.  I was surprised to see that there were very little in the way of online archives of the site - from what I could tell, the Internet Archive hasn't been crawling the site. Is there a particular reason for that?

[Dirktator 2,310]

Thank you guys for all your support through this!

Big shout out to CB and Cori who worked tirelessly to get things patched together in the back end.

 

[CaptCity 4,694]

On 5/27/2026 at 6:22 AM, Tyberius06 said:

Good that I saw that you posted just before me. How up-to-date are your back-ups?

Hi there... I probably have most things SC4 related up until the site going offline. This would include STEX files and forum attachments. There may be a few things I decided not to download or missed in the forums, but I’m sure I’ve got a very large chunk, both by creator and by chronological order. 

While I have files, I probably don’t have any images I used for things I posted (Club posts, found content, etc.). There weren’t that many and can be easily recreated.

Would be glad to provide any assistance I can with getting things back up when we reach that point. 

[pikachu_SQ 910]

Uploading all hide-and-seek files and images again is so tough for me..

Is there another way? I have all files with same names.

[daltinio 32]

Thank god you are back 

[The Thinker 479]

 It's ALIVE! 

[simmering 2,600]

It is great that ST is back. I will try and restore my content. I have a questions: are there any instructions on how to upload older versions of STEX files?

[TheTimvh1 873]

ST is finally back!  Seriously tho.  You should probably consider suing the former host.

[Propfam 2,286]

7 minutes ago, simmering said:

are there any instructions on how to upload older versions of STEX files?

Manually reuploading files isn't possible for the moment. I tried it with my files and everything related to attachments are write-protected. And nope, you can't DM admins either since the protection is global. I'll wait for CB and Cori.

[lincolnparknick 14]

Thank you so much for all of your hard work!!!!!

[hugues aroux 3,779]

Thanks ... @CorinaMarie @Cyclone Boom & @Dirktator. Well, it looks like I have a bit of work to do in the next few days... but I'm so glad to know ST is back on track.

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

11 hours ago, Tyberius06 said:

I saw the files got uploaded, but on the download page the download button remained inactive saying that the file is unavailable.

That gets fixed when the message banner is deleted. I've done that for that file and the Download button is back. I seem to recall that is an admin only option? Or did we tweak it so Mods can also delete file banners?

Edit: I've updated the first post to add this now:

When you repair your own STEX entry there is one additional step needed and that is to delete the message banner. (There's some fancy code in it which hides the download button and displays the File Unavailable message.) See this topic to have staff remove the file message banner after you've restored the missing content.

 

10 hours ago, pikachu_SQ said:

Uploading all hide-and-seek files and images again is so tough for me..

We have a separate forum started (but still hidden right now) where we will try to figure out the best way to get everything patched up. The idea is that anyone with a mass of files can upload the whole shebang and then Mods and other peeps who volunteer to help can recreate the individual STEX entries.

Or such. We'll be open to suggestions since this'll be a big project.

 

9 hours ago, simmering said:

I have a questions: are there any instructions on how to upload older versions of STEX files?

For your own or for other peeps's files, but which you have interim versions?

I believe for your own you would just do them in sequence as you might've done over days or weeks, but you can just do them one after another in the same day if you like.

This'll be more CB's area of expertise and he's out of town with family today and prolly most of tomorrow.

 

9 hours ago, Propfam said:

Manually reuploading files isn't possible for the moment. I tried it with my files and everything related to attachments are write-protected. And nope, you can't DM admins either since the protection is global. I'll wait for CB and Cori.

Grrr. Sounds like we might still have some permission settings that didn't carry over. I'll leave this for CB when he returns in a day or two. I've just edited this post and successfully re-added the pics. As such we know the board software itself is ok. Let us know what error you are getting and that'll help with troubleshooting.

As for private messages to CB and me for site bugs, let's just keep them in this thread or a new topic in this forum unless it needs to contain confidential info. If you are having trouble with a function which used to work, I feel certain many others will be experiencing the same thing.

[Tyberius06 12,184]

7 hours ago, CorinaMarie said:

Or did we tweak it so Mods can also delete file banners?

Ah this info I did not have. Yeah I deleted the banner on the other file and it made the download button available! Cool. 

[CorinaMarie 29,569]

I've added this as a 2nd announcement, but I'll post it here too.  

The site has been up and down like a yo-yo. Dirk has been troubleshooting it for hours today and indications pointed to potentially faulty RAM on the new server. Within 30 minutes of submitting a ticket, the new host swapped out the RAM. Diagnostics now are looking much better.

Please note that the site might have to go on and offline without notice.

Also, Dirk will turn off the indexing (which is resource intensive) for the short term. This might be for a day or two and means site-wide searching will be inactive, but all members can read and write posts and access all other functions

[simmering 2,600]

@CorinaMarie @Cyclone Boom, FYI: It appears that the Activity tab in the profile view is stuck at the last February post. The list under All Activity>Forums>Posts, however, seems up-to-date.

[SneakyDeaky 1,126]

Back to 2024!? I'm 38 again. Thanks guys!

But please
 

[Jasoncw 11,840]

Wonderful! I know I don't post as much as I used to but Simtropolis has always been at the top of my bookmarks and I visit all the time. I went through Simtropolis withdrawal! But that's what happens when you visit a site almost every day for 20 years and it goes down! Even when I was putting together my BAT archives I kept on trying to go to Simtropolis to look up info about my own BATs. So it's very nice to have the site back up even if it will take some work to get everything put back where it belongs. 

Thanks!! 

[Cyclone Boom 16,851]

Hi all, it's great to be back!

Indeed, alas, there's been a continued bumpy road today...
(Speaking of such, I experienced many potholes on the joyous British roads today, although I'm back earlier than we originally thought.)

The good news is Dirk identified the new server had components which weren't functioning properly, which were brought to light when we went live. As @CorinaMarie confirmed, the host promptly helped by swapping the RAM, and we've also found a couple of CPU cores are faulty. They will be addressed by our new host, who are actively engaged in helping. For now @Dirktator has disabled the faulty CPU cores we believe to be responsible for the database lockup crashes. Due to higher traffic levels, these problems weren't apparent until we fully reopened the site.

So our main priority is solving the current instability. Then in terms of restoring content, we'll be able to fully focus on that once things settle down server side. We'll open a topic for those who'd like to be actively involved with the recovery efforts.

Thanks everyone!

[GBL1999 6]

Congrats on Simtropolis coming back and thank you guys for all your hard work! Some stuff might be lost for the time being, but I'm sure things will be back up to speed in due time.

[AsimPika3172 1,129]

Welcome back Simtropolis into new era!  Too bad old stuffs was gone... I hope will restore it afterwards. Anyway, keep moving forward!  

[Tarkus 6,932]

Having been through webhost-related issues, I know what a pain they can be, though my problematic host (which the SC4D Forums and Wiki are still on--SC4E has thankfully moved) merely forced PHP upgrades on basically no notice and broke our software.  That seems positively delightful compared to getting completely wiped over a billing error, which is unfathomably atrocious.  In any case, I'm very glad and relieved to see ST back to life after all that.

On 5/26/2026 at 8:52 PM, Propfam said:

Also, I don't know if SC4D forum would shut down again. @Tarkus, if I may, can I ask about that?

As announced two days ago, the SC4D Forums are back long-term--the "interim" tag has been removed from the re-opening.

-Tarkus

[Turnstyled 485]

This is fantastic! I don't really like participating in communities...and I have more of a handle on my life now that I've graduated with a bachelor's degree, gotten my student loans relieved through disability, and have only two years left until I can work. I'm just popping in here to state that I looked through my list of attachments from the link that Cori provided. When I take screenshots through the Windows application ShareX, they get automatically placed into my Documents directory. That all gets wiped when I reinstall Windows. 🙁

I have all screenshots taken from SimCity 4 in my SimCity 4 plugins directories, but I probably converted a bunch of those from .pngs to .jpgs. I don't know how much that will help if CB adds that tool to upload missing attachments. If needed, I can recreate certain screenshots that were of File Explorer within Windows.

Edit: On second thought, I might not want to "guess" what was in some of my personal screenshots. I don't want to overexert myself trying to figure things out or to get things wrong.

[kschmidt 6,151]

Very happy Simtropolis is back alive, a month of silence and loneleness. ! Simtropolis ever present on google I searche way around on remaining sites like Toutsimities, Capitall sims and some Japanese sites and SC4Everomore and the old SC4Devotion forums.  Month of posts lost not such a great disaster, Sollent posts are there, Little Asia may add some to future posts, CJ and Galleries there.  This morning uploaded the missing Uk maps, hope they will be accesible soon ! Hope Simtropolis will rise up strong from the bottoms of oblivion !

Sincerely yours,

Kschmidt

 

  Edited May 28 by kschmidt  
update

[HeXy 246]

So good to see you all back 

I'll look at cleaning up my files asap.