Old SC4 info

Since we all know SC5 just completely bombed, I thought I would look up how to play multiplayer SC4. I thought it would be a mod, but it's actually a lot simpler: Dropbox.

Here's what I found on the concept:
[quote]The regions and plugins are located on Dropbox ( http://www.dropbox.com/ ) which allows for real-time sharing of files and folders. This means, when I save a file, the changes that I make are instantly sent to everyone sharing my file through online syncing. When I save a city file, the file is also updated on your PC so you can see my changes. The new shortcut that you created loads the region and plugins independently of your own region and plugins. This means you won’t have to worry about overwriting your plugins or having a super massive cluster of unnecessary plugins in your personal regions.
[/quote]

[b]Instructions:[/b]

If you already have Dropbox installed., skip to the 4th step.

1. Download Dropbox at http://www.dropbox.com/.
2. Install Dropbox. During installation, it will ask whether you have a Dropbox account or not. If you have one, log in with your Dropbox account. If you don't have a Dropbox account, create one.
3. Dropbox will create a folder in your My Documents folder (on XP I guess) or in your user folder (Vista/7, shows up on sidebar on 7 at least), if you didn't change the target folder.
4. Contact me on Steam or in IRC (I'm always on Gamesurge as hooky_). I will ask you for your Dropbox username so I can share the folder with you. [b]IF YOU ADD ME ON STEAM, BE SURE TO POST IN THIS THREAD SAYING SO.[/b]
5. Once you accept the invite, Dropbox will download a folder called "tftvSC4". The time it takes to install will vary.
6. Create a shortcut for SimCity 4 wherever you want it. For me, it doesn't matter as I will just be launching from Steam. The easiest way would be to go to the Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps folder and creating a shortcut from the SC4 exe there. Name your shortcut something like "SimCity 4 - Multiplayer".
7. Right-click on your shortcut in your Desktop and select "Properties". Select the "Target" field. You should see something like this:

   "C:\Program Files\Maxis\SimCity 4 Deluxe\Apps\SimCity 4.exe"

   Place the cursor at the end of this string, right after the right-most quotation mark and then press the space bar once. After the space, type:

   -UserDir:"C:\Users\Your Windows Account\Dropbox\tftvSC4\Files"

   This is how mine is set up; yours might have slight variations in the text however the overall format will remain the same, except on XP. Click Apply and OK.
8. Start the game. If it works, it should load a large region with flat land.

[b]Rules:[/b]
I guess you could say I'm the governor of the region.
1. I will assign you 2 land tiles. All tiles will be equal in size in the regions we use. If you want to expand, you must meet one of the following requirements:

a. Your cities must be at least 75% full.
b. You must have a total population of 2 million in your two cities.

2. Do not build outside of your assigned land without permission.
3. Do not destroy via bulldozing, disastering, or deleting anyone else's tiles. This will result in a ban, unless malicious intent is ambiguous.
4. Do not add plugins without consulting me first. I must approve all plugins. We are, however, going to start [s]vanilla[/s] with NAM.
5. Be sure that when sharing resources that the proper connections remain in place.
8. Please make it look realistic. (This rule can be removed if the majority wants)
9. Please terraform your tile. I don't want to see just flat area.

If anyone has suggestions for regions, please post them here. It would be even easier if we could just take a region we all like.

Text based on this thread: http://sc4devotion.com/forums/index.php?topic=11945.0

Region map (subject to change):
[img]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/31103105/Assorted%20Images/tftvsc4map.png[/img]