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Difference between revisions of "SimCity 3000"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
m
(23 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
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{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | SimCity }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | SimCity }}
 
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20021208081942/http://simcity3000unlimited.ea.com/us/guide/
 
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20021208081942/http://simcity3000unlimited.ea.com/us/guide/
|steam appid  =  
+
|steam appid  = 2741560
 
|gogcom id    = 2086050016
 
|gogcom id    = 2086050016
 
|hltb        = 8558
 
|hltb        = 8558
 
|lutris      = simcity-3000
 
|lutris      = simcity-3000
 
|strategywiki = SimCity 3000
 
|strategywiki = SimCity 3000
|mobygames    = simcity-3000
+
|mobygames    = 69
 
|wikipedia    = SimCity 3000
 
|wikipedia    = SimCity 3000
 
|winehq      = 4086
 
|winehq      = 4086
 
|license      = commercial
 
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = In May 2000, the game was re-released under different names in different regions, such as '''''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''''' (in North America and Oceania), '''''SimCity 3000 Deutschland''''' (Germany), '''''SimCity 3000 Korea''''' (South Korea), '''''SimCity 3000 UK Edition''''' (UK and Ireland) and '''''SimCity 3000 World Edition''''' (other countries), among others. This added, among other things, East Asian and European building sets, additional terrain colors and vegetation types, a snapshot feature, additional music, an improved version of the Building Architect Tool (a pseudo-3D design tool based on cubes), four additional disasters (such as locusts and space junk), additional landmarks (like the Seoul Tower and Helsinki Cathedral), new reward buildings, thirteen scenarios (along with an editor based on Microsoft Access) and a new FMV intro.
 +
 +
|current state    = To run on modern systems, the retail version requires [[#Compatibility fixes (retail version only)|available compatibility fixes]] to resolve rendering issues, while the digital versions come with their own tweaks.
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
 
{{GOG.com links|2086050016|simcity_series|for game series}}
 
{{GOG.com links|2086050016|simcity_series|for game series}}
 +
{{mm}} [https://steamcommunity.com/app/2741560/discussions/ Steam Community Discussions]
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Line 44: Line 53:
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc | Original: {{DRM|SecuROM}} for the original version | | Windows, Mac OS }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc | Original: {{DRM|SecuROM}} for the original version | | Windows, Mac OS }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, key | Unlimited: {{DRM|SafeDisc}} | | Windows, Linux }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail |  | Disc, key | Unlimited: {{DRM|SafeDisc}} | | Windows, Linux }}
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | simcity_3000 | DRM-free | Unlimited Edition. |  | Windows}}
+
{{Availability/row| GOG.com | simcity_3000 | DRM-free | Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes. |  | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | / | Microsoft Store, Origin |Included exclusively with {{Store feature|Xbox Game Pass}} as part of its version of EA Play. | | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Origin |  | Origin | Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes. Included with {{Store feature|EA Play}}.<br>Currently available only from within the EA App. |  | Windows }}
 +
{{Availability/row| Steam | 2741560 | Steam | Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes. Included with {{Store feature|EA Play}}. |  | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
{{ii}} [https://archive.org/details/Simcity3000Demo Demo]
+
{{ii}} A free demo version is available from [https://archive.org/details/Simcity3000Demo Archive.org].
 +
 
 
===Version differences===
 
===Version differences===
{{ii}} In May 2000, the game was re-released under different names in different regions, such as '''SimCity 3000 Unlimited''' (in North America and Oceania), '''SimCity 3000 Deutschland''' (Germany), '''SimCity 3000 Korea''' (South Korea), '''SimCity 3000 UK Edition''' (UK and Ireland) and '''SimCity 3000 World Edition''' (other countries), among others. This added, among other things, East Asian and European building sets, additional terrain colors and vegetation types, a snapshot feature, additional music, an improved version of the Building Architect Tool (a pseudo-3D design tool based on cubes), four additional disasters (such as locusts and space junk), additional landmarks (like the Seoul Tower and Helsinki Cathedral), new reward buildings, thirteen scenarios (along with an editor based on Microsoft Access) and a new FMV intro.
+
{{ii}} The '''''Unlimited / World Edition''''' release includes additional building sets, terrain elements, music, disasters, buildings, scenarios and a snapshot feature.
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
*The latest [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3745/7/ patch] (v1.1) updates the base game and adds the Building Architect Tool. It is already implemented in Unlimited/World Edition.  
+
{{mm}} The latest patch for the base game is v1.1, which adds the Building Architect Tool, available from [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3745/7/ Patches-Scrolls] and [https://www.gamefront.com/games/simcity-3000/category/official-patches-183 GameFront]. It is already implemented in Unlimited/World Edition.  
*A hotfix for the French version of the World Edition is [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3746/7/ also available].
+
{{mm}} A hotfix for the French version of the World Edition is also available on [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3746/7/ Patches-Scrolls] and [https://www.gamefront.com/games/simcity-3000/file/simcity-3000-world-edition-patch-for-the-french-release GameFront].
*The latest patch for the Linux version of Unlimited/World Edition is [https://www.patches-scrolls.com/dl.php?file=sc3u-2.0a-x86.run&ref=ps here].
+
{{mm}} The latest patch for the Linux version of Unlimited/World Edition is available on [https://www.patches-scrolls.com/dl.php?file=sc3u-2.0a-x86.run&ref=ps Patches-Scrolls].
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game with the -intro:off [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>[http://www.noprivilege.com/cg/sc3ku/introoff.html Computer Gaming: How to turn off the intro movie]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game with the {{code|-intro:off}} [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]]|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.noprivilege.com/cg/sc3ku/introoff.html|title=Computer Gaming: How to turn off the intro movie|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Linux Python Installer===
 
===Linux Python Installer===
 
{{ii}} Requires the CD of Loki Software's Linux port.
 
{{ii}} Requires the CD of Loki Software's Linux port.
The following python script allows you to install the game into the modern Linux system much easier, which can be found [https://github.com/tetration/Simcity_3000_Linux_Installer here]. Works only with Ubuntu and Debian or any distribution based on these two.
+
The following Python script allows you to install the game into the modern Linux system much easier, which can be found [https://github.com/tetration/Simcity_3000_Linux_Installer here]. Works only with Ubuntu and Debian or any distribution based on these two.
  
 
===Compatibility fixes (retail version only)===
 
===Compatibility fixes (retail version only)===
Use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/699-simcity-3000-compatibility-fixes/ compatibility fixes] to fix issues with interface frame rates on modern versions of Windows.
+
{{mm}} Use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/699-simcity-3000-compatibility-fixes/ compatibility fixes] to fix issues with interface frame rates on modern versions of Windows.
 
 
Alternatively, you can use [[dgVoodoo 2]] and set its FPS limiter to 45 FPS.
 
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
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|gog galaxy                = false
 
|gog galaxy                = false
 
|gog galaxy notes          =  
 
|gog galaxy notes          =  
|origin                    =  
+
|origin                    = unknown
 
|origin notes              =  
 
|origin notes              =  
|steam cloud              =  
+
|steam cloud              = true
 
|steam cloud notes        =  
 
|steam cloud notes        =  
 
|ubisoft connect          =  
 
|ubisoft connect          =  
 
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
 
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
|xbox cloud                =  
+
|xbox cloud                = false
 
|xbox cloud notes          =  
 
|xbox cloud notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 113: Line 124:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = incomplete
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
|widescreen resolution notes= See [[#Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]] and [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/simcity-3000/en WSGF entry]
+
|widescreen resolution notes= See [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/simcity-3000/en WSGF entry] (requires hex editing).<br>If using the Unlimited/World Edition, GOG's [https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018687573-Simcity-3000-Unlimited-widescreen-support?product=gog modified executable] can be used instead.
 
|multimonitor              = hackable
 
|multimonitor              = hackable
 
|multimonitor notes        = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/simcity-3000/en WSGF entry].
 
|multimonitor notes        = See the [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/simcity-3000/en WSGF entry].
Line 123: Line 134:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
|windowed notes            = See [[#Windowed|Windowed]].
+
|windowed notes            = Run the game with the <code>-w -r###x###</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]], inserting the desired resolution.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.sc3000.com/knowledge/showarticle.cfm?id=0067|title=Running SimCity 3000 in a window - SC3000.COM|date=May 2023}}</ref> Requires running in [[Windows Compatibility Mode#Reduced color mode (Windows 8)|16-bit color mode]] (for retail versions, use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/699-simcity-3000-compatibility-fixes/ compatibility fixes] to apply this).
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
Line 144: Line 155:
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
===[[Glossary:Windowed|Windowed]]===
 
{{ii}} The game must be running in [[Windows Compatibility Mode#Reduced color mode (Windows 8)|16-bit color mode]] (use the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/699-simcity-3000-compatibility-fixes/ compatibility fixes] to apply this).
 
 
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game with the <code>-w -r###x###</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]], inserting the desired resolution.|ref=<ref>[http://www.sc3000.com/knowledge/showarticle.cfm?id=0067 Running SimCity 3000 in a window - SC3000.COM]</ref>|fix=
 
}}
 
 
===[[Glossary:Widescreen resolution|Widescreen resolution]]===
 
{{ii}} GOG had released a [https://support.gog.com/hc/en-us/articles/360018687573-Simcity-3000-Unlimited-widescreen-support?product=gog modified executable] file on their support page to enable widescreen resolution. Only works on the Unlimited edition. See [https://www.wsgf.org/dr/simcity-3000/en WSGF entry] for original game fix.
 
  
 
==Input==
 
==Input==
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|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Ambient Sound and Sound Effects.
 
|separate volume notes    = Music, Ambient Sound and Sound Effects.
|surround sound          = unknown
+
|surround sound          = true
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|surround sound notes    =  
 
|subtitles                = n/a
 
|subtitles                = n/a
Line 231: Line 233:
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
|eax support notes        = DirectSound3D, EAX.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000524085328/http://www.vortexofsound.com/techhelp/gm_sc3.htm Games help:SimCity 3000 - Vortex of Sound (retrieved)]</ref> Possibly A3D.<ref>[http://www.game-over.net/review/jan99/simcity/ SimCity 3000 (c) Maxis review - GameOver]</ref>
+
|eax support notes        = DirectSound3D, EAX.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000524085328/http://www.vortexofsound.com/techhelp/gm_sc3.htm|title=Games help:SimCity 3000 - Vortex of Sound (retrieved)|date=May 2023}}</ref> Possibly A3D.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.game-over.net/review/jan99/simcity/|title=SimCity 3000 (c) Maxis review - GameOver|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 
|royalty free audio      = always on
 
|royalty free audio      = always on
 
|royalty free audio notes =  
 
|royalty free audio notes =  
Line 294: Line 296:
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
  |language  = Portuguese
+
  |language  = Polish
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
  |notes    = Retail only.
+
  |notes    = Retail only. Translation only for the original version of the game.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
  |language  = Brazilian Portuguese
+
  |language  = Portuguese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
  |notes    = Retail - [https://web.archive.org/web/20000510191650/http://ea.com.br/ EA Brasil]
+
  |notes    = Retail only.
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
  |language  = Polish
+
  |language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
  |notes    = Retail only. Translation only for the original version of the game.
+
  |notes    = Retail only; [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3175571289 download for digital releases].
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 330: Line 332:
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
  |notes    = [https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/simcity_3000/files/3547.html Unofficial translation for unlimited by «7 Wolf»].
+
  |notes    = [https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/simcity_3000/files/3547.html Unofficial translation for Unlimited by 7 Wolf].
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |fan      = true
 
}}
 
}}
Line 338: Line 340:
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
  |notes    = Retail only. [http://traducciones.clandlan.net/index.php?page=download&file=AS/SimCity_3000_tradu_DLAN.zip Download].
+
  |notes    = Retail only; [http://traducciones.clandlan.net/index.php?page=download&file=AS/SimCity_3000_tradu_DLAN.zip download for digital releases].
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 352: Line 354:
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
===Retail version of Unlimited edition won't start===
+
===Scrolling is too fast===
{{Fixbox|description=This is caused by SafeDisc failing to run on modern versions of Windows. Unpacking the SC3U.exe executable with a SafeDisc (likely V1) unpacking tool will fix the issue.|ref=|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game at the desktop resolution with a high/widescreen resolution patch|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/solution_fast_scrolling_in_simcity_3000/post8|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
+
# Ensure that the game has been modified to run in [[#Video|high/widescreen resolutions]].
{{ii}} Installing a no-CD patch will also fix this issue
+
# In the game's video options, set the resolution to the desktop resolution.
}}
 
 
 
===Missing music in Unlimited edition===
 
The Unlimited edition is missing the track "SIM Broadway". Tracks "Concrete Jungle", "City of Dreams" and "SimCity 2000 Theme" are all disabled in {{Code| AUDIO.ini}} file.
 
 
 
{{Fixbox|description=Use [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2415-simcity-3000-unlimited-re-composed SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Re-composed]|fix=
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
{{Fixbox|description=Get missing tracks|ref=<ref>[https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/how_to_get_the_missing_simcity3000_music How to get the missing SimCity3000 Music]</ref>|fix=
+
{{ii}} This may also be caused by modern CPU speeds being much faster than the game expects.
#Obtain the installation CD for the original game, or download the [https://archive.org/details/Simcity3000Demo demo].
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use a utility to slow down either the CPU speed or to cap the game's frame rate.|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/solution_fast_scrolling_in_simcity_3000/post1|title=gog.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
#Go to {{file|<game-installation-disc-folder>\Res\Sound\Music}}.
+
# Alternatively, use [[dgVoodoo 2]] and set FPS limiter to 45 FPS.
#Copy {{file|3KG2.XA}} to {{file|{{p|game}}\Res\Sound\Music}}.
 
#Open {{file|AUDIO.ini}} in {{file|{{p|game}}\Res\Sound}} with a text editor.
 
#Search for "SIM Broadway" and remove the {{code|;}} at the beginning of the line.
 
#To enable "Concrete Jungle", remove {{code|;}} at the beginning of the line.
 
#To enable "City of Dreams", change {{code|0x01}} to {{code|0x14}}.
 
#To enable "SimCity 2000 Theme", change {{code|0,0,0,1}} to {{code|0,1,0,1}}.
 
#Launch the game and head into the Preferences.
 
#Look for a track in the list and play one to see if it works.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
===Scrolling is too fast===
+
===Music not playing (retail version)===
{{Fixbox|description=Run the game at the desktop resolution with a high/widescreen resolution patch|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/solution_fast_scrolling_in_simcity_3000/post8</ref>|fix=
+
{{ii}} The retail version of the game may have difficulty reading the game's CD or disc image, where the music files are located.  
#[[#Widescreen resolution|Install a high/widescreen resolution patch]]
 
# In the game's video options, set the resolution to the desktop resolution.
 
{{ii}} The GOG.com patch only works with the Unlimited edition of SimCity 3000. Use the WSGF entry's hex edit instructions for the retail release.
 
}}
 
  
{{Fixbox|description=This may be caused by modern CPU speeds being much faster than the game expects|ref=<ref>https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/solution_fast_scrolling_in_simcity_3000/post1</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Copy missing tracks from original CD to game installation folder|fix=
# Use a utility to slow down either your CPU speed or to cap the game's frame rate
+
#Insert the installation CD to a disc drive.
 +
#Copy {{folder|\Res\Sound\Music}} from the disc to {{folder|{{p|game}}\Res\Sound\}}.
 +
#Launch the game, then head into the Preferences.
 +
#Look for a music track in the list, then play one to see if it works.
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 417: Line 404:
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|mac os x powerpc app  =  
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
 
|macos intel 32-bit app = unknown
|macos intel 64-bit app = unknown
+
|macos intel 64-bit app = false
|macos arm app          = unknown
+
|macos arm app          = false
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|macos app notes        =  
 
|linux 32-bit executable= true
 
|linux 32-bit executable= true
 
|linux 64-bit executable= false
 
|linux 64-bit executable= false
|linux arm app          = unknown
+
|linux arm app          = false
 +
|linux 68k app          = false
 +
|linux powerpc app      = false
 
|linux executable notes =  
 
|linux executable notes =  
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = true
 +
|mac os 68k app        = false
 +
|mac os executable notes=
 +
}}
 +
 +
===Restoring missing music tracks in Unlimited edition===
 +
{{ii}} The Unlimited edition is missing the track "SIM Broadway". Tracks "Concrete Jungle", "City of Dreams" and "SimCity 2000 Theme" are all disabled in {{file| AUDIO.ini}} file.
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2415-simcity-3000-unlimited-re-composed SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Re-composed]|fix=
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Copy missing tracks from original CD or demo to game installation folder|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gog.com/forum/simcity_series/how_to_get_the_missing_simcity3000_music|title=How to get the missing SimCity3000 Music|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 +
#Obtain the installation CD for the original game, or download the [https://archive.org/details/Simcity3000Demo demo].
 +
#Go to {{folder|\Res\Sound\Music}} in the disc's content.
 +
#Copy {{file|3KG2.XA}} to {{folder|{{p|game}}\Res\Sound\Music}}.
 +
#Open {{file|AUDIO.ini}} in {{folder|{{p|game}}\Res\Sound}} with a text editor.
 +
#Search for "SIM Broadway" and remove the {{code|;}} at the beginning of the line.
 +
#To enable "Concrete Jungle", remove {{code|;}} at the beginning of the line.
 +
#To enable "City of Dreams", change {{code|0x01}} to {{code|0x14}}.
 +
#To enable "SimCity 2000 Theme", change {{code|0,0,0,1}} to {{code|0,1,0,1}}.
 +
#Launch the game, then head into the Preferences.
 +
#Look for a music track in the list, then play one to see if it works.
 
}}
 
}}
  

Revision as of 21:54, 16 April 2024

SimCity 3000
SimCity 3000 cover
Developers
Maxis
Linux Loki Software
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Re-release Sold Out Software
Release dates
Windows February 1, 1999
Mac OS (Classic) July 1999
Linux October 31, 2000
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Point and select
Genres Building, Simulation
Themes Contemporary
Series SimCity
SimCity 3000 on HowLongToBeat
SimCity 3000 guide on StrategyWiki
SimCity 3000 on MobyGames
SimCity 3000 on Wikipedia
SimCity
Subseries of Sim
SimCity (1989) 1989
SimCity 2000 1994
SimCity 2000 Network Edition 1996
SimCopter 1996
Streets of SimCity 1997
SimCity 3000 1999
SimCity 4 2003
SimCity Societies 2007
SimCity (2013) 2013

SimCity 3000 is a singleplayer bird's-eye view and isometric building and simulation game in the SimCity series.

In May 2000, the game was re-released under different names in different regions, such as SimCity 3000 Unlimited (in North America and Oceania), SimCity 3000 Deutschland (Germany), SimCity 3000 Korea (South Korea), SimCity 3000 UK Edition (UK and Ireland) and SimCity 3000 World Edition (other countries), among others. This added, among other things, East Asian and European building sets, additional terrain colors and vegetation types, a snapshot feature, additional music, an improved version of the Building Architect Tool (a pseudo-3D design tool based on cubes), four additional disasters (such as locusts and space junk), additional landmarks (like the Seoul Tower and Helsinki Cathedral), new reward buildings, thirteen scenarios (along with an editor based on Microsoft Access) and a new FMV intro.

To run on modern systems, the retail version requires available compatibility fixes to resolve rendering issues, while the digital versions come with their own tweaks.

General information

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series
GOG.com Support Page
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Original: SecuROM DRM for the original version
Windows
Mac OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
CD key
Unlimited: SafeDisc DRM[Note 1]
Windows
Linux
GOG.com
DRM-free
Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes.
Windows
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store
Origin
Included exclusively with Xbox Game Pass for PC as part of its version of EA Play.
Windows
Origin
Origin
Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes. Included with EA Play.
Currently available only from within the EA App.
Windows
Steam
Icon overlay.png
Unlimited Edition. Includes compatibility fixes. Included with EA Play (Steam).
Windows
SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows Vista and later (see above for affected versions).
A free demo version is available from Archive.org.

Version differences

The Unlimited / World Edition release includes additional building sets, terrain elements, music, disasters, buildings, scenarios and a snapshot feature.

Essential improvements

Patches

The latest patch for the base game is v1.1, which adds the Building Architect Tool, available from Patches-Scrolls and GameFront. It is already implemented in Unlimited/World Edition.
A hotfix for the French version of the World Edition is also available on Patches-Scrolls and GameFront.
The latest patch for the Linux version of Unlimited/World Edition is available on Patches-Scrolls.

Skip intro videos

Run the game with the -intro:off command line argument[3]

Linux Python Installer

Requires the CD of Loki Software's Linux port.

The following Python script allows you to install the game into the modern Linux system much easier, which can be found here. Works only with Ubuntu and Debian or any distribution based on these two.

Compatibility fixes (retail version only)

Use the compatibility fixes to fix issues with interface frame rates on modern versions of Windows.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Game\SC3.cfg[Note 2]
<path-to-game>\Game\sc3.ini[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2741560/pfx/[Note 3]
It's unknown whether this game follows the XDG Base Directory Specification on Linux. Please fill in this information.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\Cities\[Note 2]
Mac OS (Classic)
Linux
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2741560/pfx/[Note 3]
Cities (*.sc3) can be saved anywhere; this is the default location.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
GOG Galaxy
Origin
Steam Cloud
Xbox Cloud

Video

General settings.
General settings.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
See WSGF entry (requires hex editing).
If using the Unlimited/World Edition, GOG's modified executable can be used instead.
Multi-monitor
See the WSGF entry.
Ultra-widescreen
See the WSGF entry.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Run the game with the -w -r###x### command line argument, inserting the desired resolution.[4] Requires running in 16-bit color mode (for retail versions, use the compatibility fixes to apply this).
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS
120+ FPS
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Music, Ambient Sound and Sound Effects.
Surround sound
Subtitles
No speech
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
DirectSound3D, EAX.[5] Possibly A3D.[6]
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
US and UK English variants exist.
Dutch
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Retail only.
Korean
Retail only.
Polish
Retail only. Translation only for the original version of the game.
Portuguese
Retail only.
Brazilian Portuguese
Retail only; download for digital releases.
Russian
Retail only. Translation only for the original version of the game.
Russian
Unofficial translation for Unlimited by 7 Wolf.
Spanish
Retail only; download for digital releases.
Swedish

Issues fixed

Scrolling is too fast

Run the game at the desktop resolution with a high/widescreen resolution patch[7]
  1. Ensure that the game has been modified to run in high/widescreen resolutions.
  2. In the game's video options, set the resolution to the desktop resolution.
This may also be caused by modern CPU speeds being much faster than the game expects.
Use a utility to slow down either the CPU speed or to cap the game's frame rate.[8]
  1. Alternatively, use dgVoodoo 2 and set FPS limiter to 45 FPS.

Music not playing (retail version)

The retail version of the game may have difficulty reading the game's CD or disc image, where the music files are located.
Copy missing tracks from original CD to game installation folder
  1. Insert the installation CD to a disc drive.
  2. Copy \Res\Sound\Music from the disc to <path-to-game>\Res\Sound\.
  3. Launch the game, then head into the Preferences.
  4. Look for a music track in the list, then play one to see if it works.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Linux
Mac OS (Classic)

Restoring missing music tracks in Unlimited edition

The Unlimited edition is missing the track "SIM Broadway". Tracks "Concrete Jungle", "City of Dreams" and "SimCity 2000 Theme" are all disabled in AUDIO.ini file.
Use SimCity 3000 Unlimited: Re-composed
Copy missing tracks from original CD or demo to game installation folder[9]
  1. Obtain the installation CD for the original game, or download the demo.
  2. Go to \Res\Sound\Music in the disc's content.
  3. Copy 3KG2.XA to <path-to-game>\Res\Sound\Music.
  4. Open AUDIO.ini in <path-to-game>\Res\Sound with a text editor.
  5. Search for "SIM Broadway" and remove the ; at the beginning of the line.
  6. To enable "Concrete Jungle", remove ; at the beginning of the line.
  7. To enable "City of Dreams", change 0x01 to 0x14.
  8. To enable "SimCity 2000 Theme", change 0,0,0,1 to 0,1,0,1.
  9. Launch the game, then head into the Preferences.
  10. Look for a music track in the list, then play one to see if it works.

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, 98
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 166 MHz
System memory (RAM) 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 230 MB
Video card (GPU) DirectDraw compatible
2 MB of VRAM


Notes

  1. SafeDisc retail DRM does not work on Windows 10[1] or Windows 11 and is disabled by default on Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 when the KB3086255 update is installed.[2]
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).
  3. 3.0 3.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:

References