Issue with controls on Mac

[Alexey]

Hi,
I have issue with Mac version of the game on MacOS Monterey. The controls on low bar doesn't seem to work. I can't change speed, zoom and even open menu to exit. Can't get through tutorial because of that.

[thosepointsdope]

Same here, on Macbook Pro 2021 16'

[MGB]

It's possible Monterey introduced some changes that affect SC4, all I can say is it works with Catalina. It's worth trying a lower resolution, perhaps there is some problem with clicking the UI elements with particular resolutions. In terms of the game's design, it was never intended to be used as some of the very high resolutions you can theoretically make use of.

Another potential workaround is learning the keyboard shortcuts, which will do many of the things you might want.

Option + 1/2/3 will change the speed of the game. Option and whatever the key to the left of 1 is pauses (assuming a US Keyboard layout in use).
Numbers 1-6 will show zooms 1 through 6,
F8 opens the menu to quit a city whereas F12 opens the menu to Quit the game.

There are many other shortcuts too, although I do realise this UI (assuming you can't use any of it) is not really optional.

[MGB]

Originally posted by BrandonLAN:

Found a solution, although you have to use Windowed mode, add "-d:Software -Intro:off -CPUCount:1" to SimCity 4 Steam "properties" launcher options,

Launch options don't work on a Mac, these are Windows-based commands which a Mac has no way to process. For example, did the intro stop appearing?, nothing I've tried could rid me of them.

Likewise the -CPUCount:1 is not necessary, nor is using a software renderer, although I assure you they aren't being invoked. For example Hardware will still be selected under Renderer where you set the resolution in-game.

and enable "In a window" in the Simcity 4 Aspyr launcher options. In the games display option I found that the resolution "1280x1024" worked the best for the Windowed Mode for me personally. The UI & Controls on the lower bar work now.

So likely use of Windowed mode was the solution for you. This doesn't mean you can't use full screen mode, you may simply need to use a different resolution. On my system I am offered the following modes:

- 2560x1440 (2k)
- 2048x1152
- 1920x1080 (FHD)
- 1280x720

If you have a very high-res screen, you might have to use a lower resolution than the native one to play SC4. I'm running at 2k without problems, but that's already beyond what the game was intended to support.

I believe the options you'll see depend on both your hardware and the options you get under System Preferences / Displays. The simplest thing would be to try each one and see which work. There is no method to force the resolution for the Mac version that I am aware of, so you're stuck with what's offered to you.

I wish full screen mode worked, but until it gets patched, this is the best option to get the game working. Let me know if any of you guys have any questions or suggestions.

Well I've bad news for you, Aspyr's record for fixing problems is... they don't. Seriously I wouldn't expect any fix or assistance from them here. This is likely a case of modern hardware causing compatibility issues for an old game. But the worst effect is probably that you have to use a lower resolution than your monitor could support.

[MGB]

The launch options don't work for Mac users, that's really the main takeaway here. So if you are saying you used one to fix a problem, I'd be very interested in knowing how?

Like I said these commands are passed to Windows and parsed by DirectX, the emulation used for DirectX on the Mac port isn't able to parse these commands. Anyone can confirm this for themselves, add a command and watch as it's ignored. For example:

-d:Software

Is supposed to switch to Software Rendering. But if you launch SC4 on a Mac with that command, goto the Graphics Options in game and you'll notice Hardware is still selected.

Likewise -Intro:off is supposed to disable the Intros, trust me I know this doesn't work! So desperate was I to find a solution, I re-encoded the video files to 1 second clips so at least they zoom by instead of being a constant annoyance.

The intention in pointing this out isn't to question what you do or don't know, but if the idea is to help others, then it's important that the information given is correct.

[AmyFisher]

I’m having the exact same issue. I bought the game today after not playing for years and man, the inability to zoom is especially frustrating on Mac.

[thosepointsdope]

I deleted my comments because MGB is correct here. Thanks MGB I prob fixed Windowed mode by setting 1280x1024. For us Macbook PRO 2021 M1 Pro/Max users, Windowed mode works. Other Mac's also might be in this same boat. Lets keep the discussion going on this since Aspyr wont.

[MGB]

Honestly, I suspect the issue is a direct result of the notch, it's very unlikely Aspyr considered that and I assume like in iOS before, apps need to be designed to handle the notch correctly. I do know of users who can play without problems using M1 Macs, so I don't think there is a more general issue with Rosetta II going on.

[tantegitti]

Just had the same issue, using a Macbook Pro 2020 running Monterey. Lower res showed no problems, switched to the highest and Mayor and Options menues no longer work which makes it unplayable and also prevents me from switching back to a lower resolution. Currently reinstalling..