UPDATED January 29^th, 2011

Q - Where can we find the "optional" Map Inventory List that you strongly recommend we submit with the computer disk?

You can download the map inventory list from the Forms Section of this website.  

Q - Is only one copy of the SimCity software and License provided? What if students are working on multiple computers?

The Idaho Regional Future City Competition provides each team with only one copy of the software. Additional copies of the software can be purchased through the Future City website for $7.50 (including shipping by UPS ground) by clicking on "Purchase the software via the EWeek Shop." link.

Q - What is the average City file size?

2-4 megabytes

Q - When you save the game file where does it save to?

When you first download the software, a folder named Sim City 4 will automatically be created on your hard-drive. Your game will be saved under MyDocuments\SimCity4\Regions\MediumCity.

Q - Where is the Sim City 4 Deluxe registration code located?

This code is on the back cover of the game manual. There is no registration code needed for the MAC version of Sim City 4 Deluxe.

Q - Can we download the building creator from the Sim city website for our competition city? And is using the tutorial (or starter) city and working on that one allowed, or is that considered a shortcut, which would result in disqualification?

You are not allowed to download the building creator from the SimCity website, this also includes any "starter cities" that have roads, buildings, power, etc already built into the model. The point of the exercise is for the kids to layout their city and keep it running. That being said, you are allowed to use one of the predefined starter regions (i.e. San Francisco, Timbuktu, New York....) These regions just give you the topography of that landscape which is nice because water bodies and mountains are already formed so that you don't have to work from scratch.

Q - In the scoring of the simcity, the forms only have to list tax rates for industrial, commercial, residential. In the game, it's broken down even further (Low Wealth Residential, Med Wealth ....). Do they all need to be below 8%, or do they just have to average 8%?

The "broken down" tax rates must all be 8% or lower not the average. However, the only place that this is scored is in the students' Computer Evaluation Sheet and it's only worth 2 points. So if you're kids find it more beneficial to charge more in taxes they'll lose out on the 2 points, but it'll bring in more money to spend.

Q - When scoring the SimCity, will all the regions be used to calculate the score, or must one region be selected as their city?

From a scoring standpoint the kids will have to pick their city (individual region box) to be judged and this is the only file you need to submit. indicate that when submitting the file.

Q - What size city do we need to create?

Teams must download a medium starter region for their computer design portion of the competition.

Q - Is a video card necessary to play the game?

Yes, most PCs now come with video cards built in. If yours does not you need to purchase one that has at least 32 MB of memory.

Q - Can you do a "save as" several times on one game to have multiple copies to practice with?

No, if you want to practice you will have to create several different cities.

Q - How Do I Save a Sim City 4 Deluxe region and transfer it to another computer.

When you save a Sim City 4 Deluxe region the game automatically creates a folder named Sim City 4 Deluxe on your C drive. That is where all your game files will be stored. If you want to move your region to another computer you must do the following.

1. Go to your C: Drive

2. Open "Program Files" folder

3. Open "Maxis" folder

4. Open "Sim City 4 Deluxe" folder

5. Open "Regions" folder

6. Right click and copy the region file you wish to transfer.

7. Paste the region file onto your flash drive

Now insert your flash drive into the computer you want to transfer the game files to and follow these directions.

1. Go to "My Documents" folder (For Windows XP operating systems; if you are using an older version of Windows, then go to "Program Files").

2. Open the "Sim City 4 Deluxe" folder

3. Open "Regions" folder

4. Save your region into the "Regions" folder.

5. Now open the SimCity 4 Deluxe game and click the "Regions View Options" Icon, then click "Load Regions".

You should now see your region, open it up and you're ready to play.

Q - How should I save my city?

The Nationals recommendation is to submit your entire region, via either CD or DVD. If you submit the cities alone, any metrics that are dependent upon neighborhood deals - income, expenses - will change when the city is loaded into another region.

Even if the city is loaded in paused mode, the program is smart enough to notice that the surrounding cities are not there. If teachers want to keep size down, they can submit their main city and the connecting surrounding cities, but I doubt any region is going to be bigger than 210 MB, which is the size of a mini CD, and I know they will be smaller than a 640 MB (74 min) or 700 MB (80 min) CD.

It is preferable for you to email the file to judging@futurecityidaho.org.
If you cannot email the file, please save it to a CD and mail to:

HDR c/o Meghann Donley
412 E Parkcenter Blvd # 100
Boise, ID 83706-6659.

Do not forget that submitted files must be received by the deadline to avoid any late penalties.

Q - In the rules it says we need to have two connections to another city. What does this mean?

When attempting to make your 2 connections to other cities, Nationals says if your city has any neighbor deals, they need to include the connecting cities. If they don't include these connecting cities, they will lose that data and it will affect the income / expenses in their budget.

If your city doesn't have neighbor deals, including the connecting cities is not important. What is important is that you show that you have 2 connections. In this case it can be a road that leads off the edge of your city. When you do this and query the road at the point of exit, a dialogue box will say that this is a connection to a neighboring city.

a.) Simple Solution: To fulfill the requirements of this question all you have to do is show that you have 2 connections leading off the edge of your city. It could be a road, train, subway, etc that leaves your town and ends at the boundaries. When you do this and query the road at the point of exit, a dialogue box will say that this is a connection to a neighboring city.

b.) Complex Solution: If your want your city to be more in depth and have "neighboring deals" with other cities you will have to create these additional cities in connecting regions. When submitting your SimCity file, you will have to submit all files (minimum of 3) and designate one of the cities to be the "Official Scored City." If you don't submit files for all of your connecting cities with neighboring deals, SimCity4 is smart enough to realize that they're not there and your "Official Scored City" will lose all neighboring deal data which will effect the income/expenses portion of the city's budget.

Q - How do I Change my City Name in SimCity4?

While in your city file, press CTRL+X and type whererufrom . This will reset the name of your city to the given value inside the brackets.