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Difference between revisions of "SimCopter"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{stub}}
 
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
−
|cover        = SimCopter Coverart.jpg
+
|cover        = SimCopter cover.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Maxis}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Maxis}}
Line 9: Line 8:
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 31, 1996}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 31, 1996}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | First-person, Third-person }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Simulation }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | Helicopter }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Contemporary }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | SimCity }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|hltb        = 8563
 +
|strategywiki = SimCopter
 +
|mobygames    = 973
 
|wikipedia    = SimCopter
 
|wikipedia    = SimCopter
 
|winehq      = 4874
 
|winehq      = 4874
 +
|license      = commercial
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|SimCity}}
 
  
−
'''Key points'''
+
{{Introduction
−
{{++}} Game works on modern systems (see [[#Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows|Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows]]).
+
|introduction      =
 +
 
 +
|release history  =
 +
 
 +
|current state    = The game requires a [[#Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows|workaround for installing on 64-bit systems]]. It lacks a framerate limiter or Vsync, which causes a lot of bugs and physical glitches with framerates above 60 FPS.
 +
}}
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Line 23: Line 43:
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | | | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} A free demo version is available on [https://archive.org/details/SIMCOP8 Archive.org].
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
−
===Patches===
+
===Official patches===
−
{{mm}} [http://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3759/30918 Patch 1.02] adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration.
+
{{mm}} [https://www.patches-scrolls.de/patch/3759/7/ Patch 1.02] adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration.
−
{{--}} The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows.
+
{{--}} The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows. Additionally it removes the "easter egg event".
 +
 
 +
===Unofficial patches===
 +
{{mm}} [http://simcopter.net SimCopterX] patches the game to prevent crashing on modern CPUs, along with bypassing the CD DRM checks. It also provides optional settings such as higher-resolutions modes.
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|game}}\}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{--}} Config files require a hex editor to read and are not easy to interpret.
 
{{--}} Config files require a hex editor to read and are not easy to interpret.
Line 38: Line 62:
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\My Saved Cities\*.sc2}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\My Saved Cities\*.sc2}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|wsgf link                  =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
 
|widescreen wsgf award      =  
Line 49: Line 73:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    =  
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
 
|widescreen resolution      = false
−
|widescreen resolution notes= SimCopter is locked at a display mode of 640x480 256 colours.
+
|widescreen resolution notes= SimCopter is locked at a display mode of 640x480 256 colours. This can be unlocked with [http://simcopter.net SimCopterX] which supports additional resolution modes.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 59: Line 83:
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = hackable
 
|windowed                  = hackable
−
|windowed notes            = Create a shortcut with the [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line option]] <code>-w</code> and enable reduced color mode (8-bit 256 color) in the compatibility settings. Using Alt + Enter to change from fullscreen to windowed causes major graphical issues, but it works fine the other way round.
+
|windowed notes            = Create a shortcut with the [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line option]] <code>-w</code> and enable reduced color mode (8-bit 256 color) in the compatibility settings. Using {{key|Alt|Enter}} to change from fullscreen to windowed causes major graphical issues, but it works fine the other way round.
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed        = false
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
 
|borderless windowed notes  =  
−
|anisotropic                = unknown
+
|anisotropic                = false
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
 
|anisotropic notes          =  
−
|antialiasing              = unknown
+
|antialiasing              = false
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
−
|vsync                      = unknown
+
|upscaling                  = false
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 +
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
Line 72: Line 99:
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps notes              = Frame-rate is uncapped, however running the game above 120 FPS may cause it to speed up and/or crash. See [[#Game crashes|Game crashes]]
 
|120 fps notes              = Frame-rate is uncapped, however running the game above 120 FPS may cause it to speed up and/or crash. See [[#Game crashes|Game crashes]]
 +
|hdr                        = false
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind                = false
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          =  
 
|key remap notes          =  
Line 88: Line 117:
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = unknown
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  = Joystick deadzone can be set using Tweaker program on disc.
 
|controller support notes  = Joystick deadzone can be set using Tweaker program on disc.
Line 98: Line 129:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
−
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =  
 +
|other button prompts     = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
−
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    = Sliders for Game and Radio volume. Ability to turn off radio commercials and DJ.
 
|separate volume notes    = Sliders for Game and Radio volume. Ability to turn off radio commercials and DJ.
Line 123: Line 182:
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              = true
 
|eax support              = true
−
|eax support notes       = A3D 1.0<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KV2UL3C9Z4OW/ SimCopter user review - Amazon.com]</ref>
+
|eax support notes         = A3D 1.0<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KV2UL3C9Z4OW/|title=SimCopter user review - Amazon.com|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 +
|royalty free audio        = unknown
 +
|royalty free audio notes  =
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{L10n|content=
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = English
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    =
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Japanese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = true
 +
|notes    = Japan only.
 +
|fan      =
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 129: Line 209:
 
===Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows===
 
===Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows===
 
{{ii}} The original disc release uses a 16-bit installer.
 
{{ii}} The original disc release uses a 16-bit installer.
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
 
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Install with a modified 32-bit installer}}
+
{{Fixbox|description=Install with the SimCopterX patcher|fix=
 +
# Insert the CD or open/mount the disc image file.
 +
# Copy all contents of the disc to the preferred path. Avoid spaces in the path (e.g. {{folder|D:\Games\SimCopter}}).
 +
# Download the SimCopterX patcher and the version 1.02 patch from [http://krimsky.net/patchers/scx_dl.html krimsky.net].
 +
# Replace the original {{file|SimCopter.exe}} in the {{folder|SIMCOPTER}} folder with the patched version.
 +
# Run SimCopterX, click on "Patch Game", select {{file|SimCopter.exe}} and then click on "Install Game".
 +
# Select the preferred resolution and window mode and click on "Dispatch!" to apply the settings and start the game.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Install with a modified 32-bit installer|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
 
# Insert the CD.
 
# Insert the CD.
 
# Copy the contents of disc somewhere temporarily.
 
# Copy the contents of disc somewhere temporarily.
−
# Download the [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/111-installshield-3-32-bit-generic-installer/ InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer].
+
# Download the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/111-installshield-3-32-bit-generic-installer/ InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer].
−
# Extract the new installer into the <code>setup</code> folder.
+
# Extract the new installer into the {{folder|setup}} folder.
−
# Run <code>install32.exe</code> and follow the steps.
+
# Run {{file|setup32.exe}} and follow the steps.
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 
===Game crashes===
 
===Game crashes===
−
{{Fixbox|1=
 
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Slow down CPU speed}}
 
 
{{ii}} The game often runs too fast on modern CPUs and must be slowed down.
 
{{ii}} The game often runs too fast on modern CPUs and must be slowed down.
−
# Use a CPU slowdown utility, such as CPU Grabber.
+
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Slow down the game internally|fix=Use [http://simcopter.net SimCopterX] which slows the game down internally through a patch. The patcher also comes with optional settings such as higher-resolution modes.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=[[Glossary:Frame rate (FPS)#Frame rate capping|Limit the framerate]] to 60 FPS.|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 153: Line 245:
 
|opengl versions        =  
 
|opengl versions        =  
 
|opengl notes          =  
 
|opengl notes          =  
−
|glide versions        = 2.1.1  
+
|glide versions        = 2.1.1
−
|glide notes            = Only available after installing the [[#Patches|1.02 patch]] and is strictly experimental. As such the HUD and some other features are missing, with a number of graphical glitches also present. Supported by [http://www.zeus-software.com/downloads/nglide nGlide].
+
|glide notes            = Only available after installing the [[#Patches|1.02 patch]] and activated via the [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line option]] <code>-v</code>. This mode is experimental and so the HUD and some other features are missing, with a number of graphical glitches also present. Supported by [https://www.zeus-software.com/downloads/nglide nGlide].
 
|software mode          = true
 
|software mode          = true
 
|software mode notes    =  
 
|software mode notes    =  
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable      = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
−
}}
+
|windows arm app        = unknown
−
 
+
|windows exe notes      =  
−
===Middleware===
+
|macos intel 32-bit app =  
−
{{Middleware
+
|macos intel 64-bit app =  
−
|physics          =
+
|macos arm app          = unknown
−
|physics notes    =
+
|macos app notes       =  
−
|audio            =  
+
|linux 32-bit executable=  
−
|audio notes      =  
+
|linux 64-bit executable=  
−
|interface        =  
+
|linux arm app          = unknown
−
|interface notes  =  
+
|linux executable notes =  
−
|input            =  
 
−
|input notes     =  
 
−
|cutscenes        =  
 
−
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
−
|multiplayer      =  
 
−
|multiplayer notes=  
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 188: Line 276:
  
 
|minOS    = 95
 
|minOS    = 95
−
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium/75Mhz
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 75 MHz
 
|minRAM  = 16 MB
 
|minRAM  = 16 MB
 
|minHD    = 15 MB
 
|minHD    = 15 MB

Latest revision as of 21:17, 3 January 2024

SimCopter
SimCopter cover
Developers
Maxis
Publishers
Electronic Arts
Release dates
Windows October 31, 1996
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives First-person, Third-person
Genres Simulation
Vehicles Helicopter
Themes Contemporary
Series SimCity
SimCopter on HowLongToBeat
SimCopter guide on StrategyWiki
SimCopter on MobyGames
SimCopter on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
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

SimCopter is a singleplayer first-person and third-person simulation game in the SimCity series.

The game requires a workaround for installing on 64-bit systems. It lacks a framerate limiter or Vsync, which causes a lot of bugs and physical glitches with framerates above 60 FPS.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Windows
A free demo version is available on Archive.org.

Essential improvements

Official patches

Patch 1.02 adds a better flight model and experimental 3Dfx acceleration.
The patch comes in a 16-bit installer executable and so cannot be installed natively on 64-bit Windows. Additionally it removes the "easter egg event".

Unofficial patches

SimCopterX patches the game to prevent crashing on modern CPUs, along with bypassing the CD DRM checks. It also provides optional settings such as higher-resolutions modes.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\[Note 1]
Config files require a hex editor to read and are not easy to interpret.

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\My Saved Cities\*.sc2[Note 1]

Video

Graphics feature State Notes
Widescreen resolution
SimCopter is locked at a display mode of 640x480 256 colours. This can be unlocked with SimCopterX which supports additional resolution modes.
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Create a shortcut with the command line option -w and enable reduced color mode (8-bit 256 color) in the compatibility settings. Using Alt+↵ Enter to change from fullscreen to windowed causes major graphical issues, but it works fine the other way round.
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.
High-fidelity upscaling
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Frame-rate is uncapped, however running the game above 120 FPS may cause it to speed up and/or crash. See Game crashes
High dynamic range display (HDR)

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Joystick deadzone can be set using Tweaker program on disc.
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion
Controller types
XInput-compatible controllers
PlayStation controllers
Generic/other controllers
Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Sliders for Game and Radio volume. Ability to turn off radio commercials and DJ.
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
EAX support
A3D 1.0[1]
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
Japanese
Japan only.

Issues fixed

Installing on 64-bit versions of Windows

The original disc release uses a 16-bit installer.
Install with the SimCopterX patcher
  1. Insert the CD or open/mount the disc image file.
  2. Copy all contents of the disc to the preferred path. Avoid spaces in the path (e.g. D:\Games\SimCopter).
  3. Download the SimCopterX patcher and the version 1.02 patch from krimsky.net.
  4. Replace the original SimCopter.exe in the SIMCOPTER folder with the patched version.
  5. Run SimCopterX, click on "Patch Game", select SimCopter.exe and then click on "Install Game".
  6. Select the preferred resolution and window mode and click on "Dispatch!" to apply the settings and start the game.
Install with a modified 32-bit installer[citation needed]
  1. Insert the CD.
  2. Copy the contents of disc somewhere temporarily.
  3. Download the InstallShield 3 32-bit Generic Installer.
  4. Extract the new installer into the setup folder.
  5. Run setup32.exe and follow the steps.

Game crashes

The game often runs too fast on modern CPUs and must be slowed down.
Slow down the game internally

Use SimCopterX which slows the game down internally through a patch. The patcher also comes with optional settings such as higher-resolution modes.

Limit the framerate to 60 FPS.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
Glide 2.1.1 Only available after installing the 1.02 patch and activated via the command line option -v. This mode is experimental and so the HUD and some other features are missing, with a number of graphical glitches also present. Supported by nGlide.
Software renderer
Executable 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) 95
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 75 MHz
System memory (RAM) 16 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 15 MB
Video card (GPU) SVGA video card
512 KB of VRAM


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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).

References

  1. ↑ SimCopter user review - Amazon.com - last accessed on May 2023