SimCity 4 Tips

Fullscreen play works fine, but one cannot switch to other programs.  Trying to run the game in a window using the "-w" parameter doesn't currently work properly in OS X as of CX Games 7.1.1.  However, there is still a way to play while being able to access and view your desktop, by pressing Apple+Option+R (Restore Display).  An alternative to this method, as posted by Ken Thomases:

"The Restore Display trick is fine, but I just wanted to point out an alternative: you can configure a bottle to use a "virtual desktop" in a window.  In CrossOver's Manage Bottles window, on the Control Panel, launch winecfg.  In winecfg, select the Graphics tab and enable Emulate a virtual desktop and specify an initial size for the window.  From then on (until you disable that setting) all Windows programs in that bottle will run in a virtual desktop window."

Further details on the Restore Display trick & parameters in general:


Start the game in a resolution smaller than your desktop.  You can use your desktop's resolution if you wish, but keep in mind that, as demonstrated in one of the screenshots here, part of the game's window will be clipped at the bottom.  If you are unsure of what your desktop's resolution is, go to System Preferences, then click on Displays.

To change what resolution your game uses upon starting, you must enter the parameters by running a command.  While in Crossover Games, click Programs > Run Command...

In OS X, enter in the following, replacing USERNAME, BOTTLENAME, and resolution accordingly:

"/Users/USERNAME/Library/Application Support/CrossOver Games/Bottles/BOTTLENAME/drive_c/Program Files/Maxis/SimCity 4 Deluxe/Apps/SimCity 4.exe" -f -CustomResolution:enabled -r1440x900x32

The "-f" flag enables fullscreen.  You can change -r1440x900x32 (width x height x color depth) to whatever you please, but keep in mind the game only accepts standard resolutions (this is nothing to do with Crossover).



Here are some other parameters that can be entered (be sure to separate them by spaces, and exclude quotes):

"-d:software" will enable the software renderer.  This is currently the only reliable way to run the game.
"-intro:off" will disable the introduction video.  Others have reported this as not always working, but the writer can at least attest to its functionality.
"-w" as mentioned before will run the game in a true, moveable window.  However, it is currently broken, displaying only a uniform white.