How to Launch and Run SimCity 4 on Windows or Linux (UHD Support)

Comprehensive instructions on two different methods of launching SC4 Deluxe with UHD support on modern systems. Additionally, the guide offers further optimization steps and bug fixes for Windows and Linux. The instructions are detailed, ensuring ease of use for players wanting an optimal gaming experience.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, a big thank you to all the community members who have made it possible to run SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition on modern hardware. The original version of this guide is located in the Discussion forums here:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/24780/discussions/0/1471967615838569110/.

This guide aims to be easy to follow and is built upon the collective knowledge and experience of the community.

First Step - Setting Game Options (Two Methods)

Method 1: Using Launch Options via Steam


1. Open Steam:
Open your game library in Steam and locate SC4.

2. Access Launch Options:
Right-click on the game in the library and go to 'Properties'. In the 'General' tab, find and click on 'Set Launch Options'. This might be slightly different for you based on your steam client version.

3. Enter Command Line Switches:
In the launch options dialog, input your preffered command line switches for performance and resolution (example below).

-intro:off -CustomResolution:enabled -r3840x2160x32 -CPUCount:1 -CPUPriority:high -Cursors:fullcolor

You can probably guess what most of these switches do. To set a custom resolution make sure you have -CustomResolution:enabled, and you can replace the -r3840x2160x32 with whatever resolution you wish to use - this is set for 3840 x 2160 @ 32bit color (4k).

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Method 2: Using the Custom SC4 Launcher (Alternative)
SC4 Launcher Download Link:
https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/35395-sc4-launcher-steam-version/


1. Download the Launcher:
Download the SC4 Launcher from the provided link. Extract and run the MSI installer to install the launcher.

2. Locate the Game Executable:
The launcher will ask you to locate the SimCity 4.exe file. This is usually found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps.

3. Setting up Game Options:
After starting the launcher, you can customize some hidden game options. Create a new profile and edit it with your settings, resolution, etc. Be sure to select DirectX hardware render mode, only change to Software if that fails. There is also an option for "Recommended Settings".

Additional Optimization Steps

4GB Patch Link:
https://ntcore.com/?page_id=371

Download the 4GB Patch from the provided link. Run the program and when prompted, locate the SimCity 4.exe file, usually in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps. Once it patches, you're done with it.

SC4Fix.dll Download Link:
https://community.simtropolis.com/files/file/30883-sc4fix-third-party-patches-for-sc4/

To further optimize the game and fix bugs, etc- download and extract the SC4Fix.dll file from the link provided. Place it in your Documents\SimCity 4\Plugins folder.

Advanced - Using dxWrapper

SimCity4 Deluxe Edition was written for DirectX 7 / DDraw, which is obsolete and mostly no longer supported by modern hardware. However, there is a tool called dxWrapper which converts all of the DX7 calls into DX9/10+ calls, making it more stable and better for our times.

Go to the github page here to acquire dxWrapper:
https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/releases

Learn about how to use it most effectively here: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Configuration.


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Quick Instructions:

• Download the dxwrapper.zip from here: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/releases, and unzip it to a folder.
  
• Determine which .dll file is needed for the game and the settings you choose, such as ddraw.dll, dsound.dll or winmm.dll.
  
• Copy the .dll files from the 'Stub' folder plus the dxwrapper.dll and dxwrapper.ini files into the game's installation directory, next to the main executable file. This will usually be in steamapps/common/Sim City 4 Deluxe/Apps/
  
• Open up the dxwrapper.ini file in a text editor and enable the settings needed for the game.

Note: Try the options under the [Compatibility] section first. For many games these are all that are needed. See the Configuration (link here: https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/wiki/Configuration) for details on the options.

Linux Instructions

Run the game in Proton Experimental. Download and add the SC4Fix.dll fix as described above. The 4GB Patch cannot be added in Linux, therefore after you add your command line switches as seen above, type the following AT THE BEGINNING of your switches:

PROTON_FORCE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE=1

^This will have the same effect. dxWrapper is NOT needed.

Conclusion

Congrats!

You're ready to launch SimCity 4 Deluxe in high resolution hardware mode.

If you installed the launcher, Run it and select the profile you made earlier and click "Load".

If you experience any issues (or success), please post here.
Good gaming!

[Eselain]

Thank you very much! Method 1 worked super well for me.

[UncleUncle]

Okay, I updated the guide a little bit. Included some more instructions in the dxWrapper bit, and made the links a little bit more friendly for Steam so that it's less likely to reroute you back to itself (links should work better). If you still can't make sense of dxWrapper, let me know. I'm actually using Linux so I don't require it atm.

If you can't get it working at UHD, a quick fix to get the game running is to try slightly lowering the resolution until it does work, try 2160x1440.

[Lucent Beam]

I did everything according to the instructions. I patched it, added a dxwrapper, added a plugin, and wrote a launch command. My game on Win11 GTX1070 does not run in 4K resolution. Can anyone tell me what the problem might be? Can you show your ini configuration file dxwrapper? Who knows, you can somehow increase the interface and sharpness? Thank you!

Я сделал всё по инструкции. Пропатчил, добавил dxwrapper, добавил SC4Fix плагин, прописал команду запуска. У меня игра на Win11 GTX1070 не запускается в разрешении 4К. Кто может подсказать, в чём может быть проблема. Можете показать свой ini файл конфигурации dxwrapper? Кто знает, можно как-то увеличить интерфейс и резкость? Спасибо!