Editing SimCity 4

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = SimCity 4 cover.jpg
| developer = [[Maxis]]<br/>i5works<small> (Mac OS X)</small>
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]<br />[[Aspyr]]<small> (Mac OS X)</small>
| producer = Kevin Hogan<br>Sean Decker
| designer = Joseph Knight<br />Michael McCormick
| programmer = Paul Pedriana
| artist = Ocean Quigley<br>David Patch
| writer = Dorothy Bradshaw<br>Tom Bentley
| composer = [[Jerry Martin (composer)|Jerry Martin]]
| series = ''[[SimCity]]''
| engine = 
| released = '''Microsoft Windows'''{{vgrelease|NA|January 14, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |last=McNewserson |first=Newsey |date=2003-01-10 |title=SimCity 4 Soon |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/10/simcity-4-soon |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402175206/https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/10/simcity-4-soon |url-status=live }}</ref>|EU|January 17, 2003<ref>{{Cite news |date=2003-01-17 |title=What's New? |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47243 |access-date=2023-04-02 |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402175206/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-47243 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}'''Mac OS X'''{{vgrelease|NA|June 27, 2003<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-06-27 |title=Aspyr releases SimCity 4 for Mac OS X |url=https://macdailynews.com/2003/06/27/aspyr_releases_simcity_4_for_mac_os_x/ |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=MacDailyNews |language=en-US |archive-date=April 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402175207/https://macdailynews.com/2003/06/27/aspyr_releases_simcity_4_for_mac_os_x/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| genre = [[City-building game|City-building]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]<br>[[Mac OS X]]<!-- This article is about a game which was released in 2003; one version for Mac; one for Windows. SimCity for iOS e.t.c. and other operating systems are not relevant here. -->
}}

'''''SimCity 4''''' is a [[city-building game|city-building]] [[Construction and management simulation games|simulation]] [[Personal computer game|computer game]] developed by [[Maxis]], a subsidiary of [[Electronic Arts]]. The game was released in January 2003 for [[Microsoft Windows]] and in June 2003 for [[Mac OS X]]. It is the fourth major installment in the [[SimCity|''SimCity'' series]]. ''SimCity 4'' has a single expansion pack called [[SimCity 4: Rush Hour|''Rush Hour'']] which adds features to the game. ''SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition'' contains the original game and ''Rush Hour'' combined as a single product.

The game allows players to create a region of land by [[terraforming]], and then to design and build a settlement which can grow into a [[city]]. Players can zone different areas of land as [[commerce|commercial]], [[Industrial sector|industrial]], or [[residential area|residential]] development, as well as build and maintain [[public services]], [[transport]] and [[public utility|utilities]]. For the success of a city, players must manage its [[finance]]s, [[natural environment|environment]], and [[quality of life]] for its residents. ''SimCity 4'' introduces night and day cycles and other special effects for the first time in the ''SimCity'' series. External tools such as the Building Architect Tool (BAT) allow custom third-party buildings and content to be added to the gameplay.

''SimCity 4'' was praised for being the first game in the main ''SimCity'' series to primarily use a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] engine to render its graphics, following the implementation of 3D graphics in ''[[SimCity 64]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64DD]]. It received widespread acclaim, won several awards, and was one of the top ten selling PC games of 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=8649 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080210043635/http://forum.pcvsconsole.com/viewthread.php?tid=8649 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 2008-02-10 | title= The NPD group reports annual 2003 U.S. video game industry driven by console software sales | publisher = [[NPD Group]] | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> However, it was criticized for its difficulty and its demands on computer performance.

==Gameplay==
{{in-universe|date=September 2024}}
===Regional gameplay===
[[File:SimCity 4- Rush Hour region view.jpg|thumb|300px|A collection of neighboring cities, as seen in the game's regional view]]
As with previous ''SimCity'' titles, ''SimCity 4'' places players in the role of a [[mayor]], tasked with populating and developing tracts of lands into [[City|cities]], while fulfilling the needs of fellow [[The Sims (video game)|Sims]] that live in the cities. Cities are located in regions that are divided into [[wikt:segment|segment]]s, each of which can be developed. The player has the option of starting the city in a segment of any of three area sizes. In real measurements, the smallest has a length of one kilometer on a side, and the largest has a length of four kilometers on a side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sc4ever.com/knowledge/showarticle.cfm?id=1103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080220175230/http://www.sc4ever.com/knowledge/showarticle.cfm?id=1103|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-20|date=2003-06-17|access-date=2008-06-18|title=Creating regions in ''SimCity 4''|last=Quigley|first=Ocean|author2=Robinson, D.B. |publisher=SC4EVER.com|work=Knowledge Base|quote=A small city is a kilometer on a side}}</ref> The size of a region and its layout of segments can be changed in a [[Raster graphics|bitmap]] file provided for each region.

Neighbor cities play a larger role than in the previous versions of the game. Neighbor deals can be established where a city can exchange resources such as [[water]], [[electricity]] and [[Waste management|garbage disposal]] with other cities for money. Players may develop several inter-dependent cities at the same time, eventually populating the entire region.

===Game modes===
Upon selecting a specific segment in a region, the gameplay is divided into three "modes": god mode, mayor mode, and MySim mode. Mayor and MySim modes become available after establishing a city. God mode is available before establishing a city and afterwards, albeit with fewer functions. Obliterating the city resets the map and reactivates all functions in God mode.

====God mode====
God mode allows players to design or [[terraforming|terraform]] a selected tract of land where the city will be built and permits players to trigger [[disaster]]s, including [[tornado]]es and [[earthquake]]s among several others. Players can select an area where a disaster will occur and even control the direction of certain disasters. Most terraforming tools are disabled after the city is named and founded. The player still has some terraforming tools made available in mayor mode, although they become very limited and expensive, and they can still trigger disasters at will.

In addition to these abilities, god mode also gives the player tools to reconcile the borders of the cities, so as to fix any discrepancies created during the terraforming process, and a day/night cycle adjustment, so that one can make it always day, always night, or alternate between day or night in accordance with the in-universe game clock. Both the ability to reconcile the city edges and the ability to modify the day/night cycle are available even once the city has been established.

====Mayor mode====
[[File:EntireSimcity4.jpg|thumb|300px|A densely populated city, including third-party modifications]]

In mayor mode, city building is conducted. Several advisors may give advice to the player on how to best manage a city. Players can build [[Transport|transportation networks]], which include [[road]]s, [[street]]s, [[Avenue (landscape)|avenues]], [[highway]]s, [[railway]]s, [[Rapid transit|subway lines]], and [[bus station]]s, draw out building zones, construct civic buildings, and adjust city funding and tax rates. Players can also terraform and plant trees in this mode, but in a much smaller scale than in god mode and costing money.

Zones are planned building plots that are empty at first but then populated by buildings depending on the type and density of the zone.  Areas of land can be [[Zoning|zoned]] as [[Residential area|residential]], [[Commerce|commercial]] or industrial areas in various densities where the city will begin to grow. [[Agriculture]] is a separate industrial zone-type, unlike previous versions of ''SimCity'', enabling farms to grow regardless of high [[Real estate appraisal|land value]], so long as demand exists for agriculture and agricultural zones have been provided. Zones are now automatically aligned towards roads and most buildings must be adjacent to a road in order to function properly; streets are automatically created when zoning on large tracts of land.<ref name="Kramer 55">{{cite book|last=Kramer|first=Greg|title=SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition: Prima's Official Strategy Guide|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/simcity400greg/page/55|chapter-format=PDF|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=2003-08-31|page=[https://archive.org/details/simcity400greg/page/55 55]|chapter=Chapter 7: Developer Types and Occupancy|isbn=978-0-7615-4328-2|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref>

Buildings are classified into several [[wealth]] levels, zone types, and building size stages, which are affected by the region's population and the city's condition. The game simulates [[urban decay]] and [[gentrification]] with buildings deteriorating and refurbished accordingly. Buildings originally constructed for occupation by higher wealth tenants can now support lower wealth tenants in the event surrounding factors forces the current tenants to vacate the building; this allows certain buildings to remain in use despite lacking its initial occupants.<ref name="Kramer 55"/> Buildings and lots can be constructed on [[slope]]s.

Civic buildings can be constructed that need constant funding to work properly, such as [[school]]s, [[hospital]]s, [[park]]s, [[police station]]s, [[jail]]s, and [[fire station]]s. These buildings come in two or more sizes compared to the single, universal types that were used in previous games. Settlements also need [[Public utility|public utilities]] such as electricity with more or less polluting and more or less expensive types of power stations, water pumps, water purification plants, and [[waste management]] services. Facilities that had previously provided citywide coverage, such as [[Education|educational facilities]] and [[Medicine|medical facilities]], have been modified to provide more limited coverage, as it has been with police stations and fire stations in previous ''SimCity'' titles.<ref name="Kramer 200–203">{{cite book|last=Kramer|first=Greg|title=SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition: Prima's Official Strategy Guide|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/simcity400greg/page/200|chapter-format=PDF|publisher=[[Prima Games]]|date=2003-08-31|pages=[https://archive.org/details/simcity400greg/page/200 200–203]|chapter=Chapter 17: Utilities|isbn=978-0-7615-4328-2|access-date=2008-10-28}}</ref>

Funding can be adjusted for individual buildings rather than having to change the funding to all buildings, allowing users to specify how much money should be spent to supply a service in accordance to the local population. Maintenance expenses for public utility facilities will increase as they age. The maximum output of facilities also decreases as they get older, with the rate dependent on the facility's percentage of its capacity being used and level of funding.<ref name="Kramer 200–203"/> <!-- To fit into the article's topic, these statistics refer to the original SimCity 4 release only, this does not include Rush Hour. -->
{{Clear}}

====MySim mode====
MySim mode enables players to create user-defined Sims, who will live and work in the city the player has created. When moving a Sim into a city, the player can choose from a selection of characters or import others from ''[[The Sims (video game)|The Sims]]''. Sims can be killed by certain disasters or catastrophic events, leave the city if conditions are unfavorable, or die of old age.  After they die, their "child" sometimes takes over for them by taking their name, house, and job.

===Building designs===
Buildings in ''SimCity 4'' are based on four distinct architectural styles, which can be selected individually or simultaneously for buildings to be built from. The earliest era is based on early office towers from [[Chicago, Illinois]], in the 1890s, the second era    encompasses an [[Art Deco]]-based set from [[New York City]] based on the 1940s, the third includes a modernist/international style based on buildings from [[Houston, Texas]] in the 1990s, and the final is a modern European architecture based mostly around Germany in the 2000s. There are a number of buildings based on those found in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], including the [[Shell Building (San Francisco, California)|Shell Building]] (appearing as "Wren Insurance"),<ref name="Shell Building">{{cite web | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118743 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040617153345/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118743 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = June 17, 2004 | title= Shell Building | publisher = [[Emporis]] | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> [[450 Sutter Street]] (appearing as "Vu Financial"),<ref name = "450 Sutter">{{cite web | url = http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118820 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040618050417/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=118820 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = June 18, 2004 | title= 450 Sutter | publisher = [[Emporis]] | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> and the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Building also known as [[140 New Montgomery Street]] (as "The Galvin Corp").<ref name="140 New Montgomery">{{cite web | url = http://www.emporis.com/buildings/118764/140-new-montgomery-street-san-francisco-ca-usa | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150221001829/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/118764/140-new-montgomery-street-san-francisco-ca-usa | url-status = usurped | archive-date = February 21, 2015 | title = 140 New Montgomery | publisher = [[Emporis]] | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> The May Company store (now [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art|LACMA]] West) in Los Angeles appears as "Dennis Department Store." The game also includes famous landmarks from various cities, such as the [[Empire State Building]] from New York City.

==Development==

===Graphics===
Unlike its predecessors, which used an engine based on 2D [[Isometric video game graphics|isometric graphics]] and [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]], ''SimCity 4'' primarily uses a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] engine to render its graphics. The landscape and moving props such as vehicles are modeled as fully [[Polygon (computer graphics)|polygonal]] and rotatable 3D objects. Small buildings and props are drawn as flat images, which are pasted onto [[Sprite (computer graphics)#Billboarding|billboards]]; polygons with their [[surface normal]] facing into the camera. Larger buildings are modeled using a hybrid approach; a simple polygonal model defines the shape of the building, then [[Texture mapping|textures]] are added to create detail such as doors, windows and rooftop clutter.

Although a 3D engine is used, the camera in ''SimCity 4'' is restricted to a fixed [[Trimetric projection|trimetric orthographic projection]] for performance reasons.<ref name="trimetricview">{{cite web | url = http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc4_retrospective.php | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100411080445/http://simcity.ea.com/about/inside_scoop/sc4_retrospective.php | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2010-04-11 | title= SimCity Retrospective Pt III -SimCity 4, Rush Hour, and the Web | publisher = [[Maxis]], [[Electronic Arts]] | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> Additionally, a simulated city can now be seen at nighttime as well as during daytime. The time of the day does not affect the gameplay.

===Audio===
The game includes over three hours of background music in [[MP3]] format, ranging from three to eight minutes in length.<ref name="spotify">{{cite web | url= https://open.spotify.com/album/1iY0oI5KShRWxWniHVgg9l | title= SimCity 4 - Spotify | date= March 5, 2007 | publisher= [[Electronic Arts|EA Games]] | access-date= May 14, 2019 | archive-date= May 14, 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190514030718/https://open.spotify.com/album/1iY0oI5KShRWxWniHVgg9l | url-status= live }}</ref> The music is divided between that used in region mode and god mode, and that used in the city view in mayor mode and MySim mode. In addition, the game has a facility for players to use their own music in the game, also divided between the two views. The music, largely composed by [[Jerry Martin (composer)|Jerry Martin]], was also released separately as a soundtrack.<ref name="discogs">{{cite web| url= https://www.discogs.com/Jerry-Martin-Music-From-SimCity-4/release/888422| title= Music From SimCity 4 - Discogs| website= [[Discogs]]| access-date= May 14, 2019| archive-date= July 2, 2018| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204630/https://www.discogs.com/Jerry-Martin-Music-From-SimCity-4/release/888422| url-status= live}}</ref>

==Add-ons and modifications==

===Maxis releases===
Following ''SimCity 4''{{'s}} release, several add-ons and development kits were made available on its official site.

New landmarks, including [[Rockefeller Center]], the [[Brandenburg Gate]], and [[Stonehenge]] were made available online.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-06-21 |url=http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/landmarks/index.php? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304054243/http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/landmarks/index.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-03-04 |title=Building & Prop Downloads |publisher=[[Maxis]] }}</ref> Later, landmarks were primarily used to demonstrate the capability of [[Gmax]] and the Building Architect Tool (BAT) around the time of the BAT's release.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-06-21|url=http://simcity.ea.com/community/events/bat_chat_2_05_04.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116143205/http://simcity.ea.com/community/events/bat_chat_2_05_04.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-01-16|title=Will Wright Chat Transcript |publisher=[[Maxis]]|date=2004-02-05 }}</ref>

The Terrain Generator tool allowed users to create maps based on any of the [[Contiguous United States|48 contiguous United States]]. The maps are based on data collected by the [[United States Geological Survey]].<ref name="Map generator and USGS">{{cite web|url=http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/terrain/terrain_01.php? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310090849/http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/terrain/terrain_01.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-03-10 |title=Cool Stuff: Terrain Generator |publisher=[[Maxis]], [[Electronic Arts]] |access-date=2008-06-18 }}</ref>

The Building Architect Tool (BAT) is a suite of tools developed for producing custom buildings. The suite consists of three applications: The Building Architect game pack for [[Gmax]], which enabled users to [[Rendering (computer graphics)|render]] Gmax models into ''SimCity 4'' [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] or props to be imported into the LE; an updated version of the LE; and the standalone Plug-in Manager, which enables users to modify simulation properties for new lots. Several modified versions have been released that have, in effect, served as bug fixes for various problems that had not been discovered before the initial release. First released in February 2004, it enabled the modding community to produce custom buildings and props for ''SC4''. ''SimCity 4''{{'s}} Building Architect Tool is similar in function to [[SimCity 3000#BAT|''SimCity 3000''{{'s}} Building Architect Tool]] and [[SimCity 2000|''SimCity 2000''{{'s}} Urban Renewal Kit]]; however, previous programs of this kind were created from scratch by Maxis and used completely different interfaces. The ''SC4'' BAT required a third-party application ([[Gmax]]) to function and was never bundled with ''SC4''{{'s}} or the ''Rush Hour'' expansion pack, as ''SimCity 3000 Unlimited'' had with its own BAT.

The Lot Editor (LE) is a tool which allows users to edit or design lots for ''SimCity 4'' using available props. Because it was released several months before the BAT as a stand-alone version, users at the time were only capable of producing lots that consisted of built-in props from ''SC4''. The BAT provided users with an updated version of the LE, which rendered the original LE utility [[Obsolescence|obsolete]]. However, the old version is still made available in the official site.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2008-06-21|url=http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/loteditor/loteditortool_02.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303182002/http://simcity.ea.com/coolstuff/loteditor/loteditortool_02.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-03-03|title=Lot Editor FAQ |publisher=[[Maxis]] }}</ref>

===Third-party content===
In addition to official tools, third-party programs were released for further accessibility in editing ''SimCity 4'' contents, potentially allowing users to change the nature of the game itself. Following the release of the Lot Editor and the "BAT" (Building Architect Tool), the majority of add-ons in circulation consist of user-created content; most are buildings and lots, including real-life landmarks, chain stores, extra houses, etc., while others include cosmetic changes for terrain, flora, custom vehicles and modifications in the game's behavior. Some even fundamentally change the mechanics of the game (for instance, by introducing multi-function transportation networks and stations, or by modifying the distance Sims are willing to walk in order to reach transit or their jobs). In some cases, both the skills of lot building and modding are combined, producing lots that are capable of affecting a city in a variety of ways. Some third-party content is only available to those with expansion packs or another mod.<ref name="Third Party Content">{{cite web | url = http://www.simtropolis.com/omnibus/_/simcity-4/reference/for-the-eager-yet-overwhelmed-newcomer-r204 | title = For the Eager, Yet Overwhelmed Newcomer | publisher = Simtropolis | access-date = 2011-09-22 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120320071652/http://www.simtropolis.com/omnibus/_/simcity-4/reference/for-the-eager-yet-overwhelmed-newcomer-r204 | archive-date = 2012-03-20 }}</ref>

==Reception==
===Sales===
In the United Kingdom, ''SimCity 4'' sold over 100,000 units during the first half of 2003. This made it the United Kingdom's third-best-selling computer game for the period, or eighth across all platforms. At the time, Kristan Reed of [[GamesIndustry.biz]] wrote that its performance proved "you can still have big hits on PC".<ref name=summer2003>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030812221201/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=1780 | url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=1780 | title=UK Charts 2003: Summer Report | author=Reed, Kristan | date=June 11, 2003 | work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date=August 12, 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=January 22, 2019 }}</ref> By the end of the year, British sales of the game had reached 105,000 units, which made it 79th-biggest seller across all platforms that year.<ref name=smashhits>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407090740/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=3101 | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz:80/content_page.php?section_name=ret&aid=3101 | title=UK Charts 2003: Smash Hits | author=Reed, Kristan | date=March 11, 2004 | work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]] | archive-date=April 7, 2004 | url-status=dead | access-date=February 17, 2019 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> The game later received a "Gold" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=goldelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319031650/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3943 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3943 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Gold |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its ''Deluxe'' edition earned a "Silver" award from ELSPA,<ref name=silverelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221154943/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3942 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3942 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Silver |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> for at least 100,000 sales.<ref name=gamasutrasales />

===Reviews and awards===
{{Video game reviews
| 1UP = B+<ref name="1UP.com review" />
| GSpot = 8.1/10<ref name="GameSpot review" />
| GSpy = 75/100<ref name="GameSpy review" />
| IGN = 9.2/10<ref name="IGN review" />
| rev1 = ''[[Inside Mac Games]]''
| rev1Score = 7.25/10<ref name="InsideMacGames review" />
| GR = 85.23%<ref name="Game Rankings review" />
| MC = 84/100<ref name="Metacritic review" />
| award1 = [[IGN]]: {{nowrap|Editors' Choice<ref name="ign editors choice">{{cite news|access-date=2008-06-23|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2003_Feb_18/ai_97779694|title=IGN Announces January ''Editors' Choice'' Awards; Editors Honor Best New Game Releases|publisher=Business Wire|date=2003-02-18|archive-date=January 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117055928/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2003_Feb_18/ai_97779694/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| award2 = Parents' Choice Foundation: {{nowrap|[[Parents' Choice Award]]<ref name="parents choice award">{{cite web|access-date=2008-06-23|url=http://simcity.ea.com/about/awards/awards.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308064255/http://simcity.ea.com/about/awards/awards.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-03-08|title=SimCity Team Receives Prestigious Parents' Choice Gold Award  |publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] }}</ref>}}
}}

Shortly after its release, the PC version of ''SimCity 4'' garnered mainly positive reviews, gaining 84/100 from [[Metacritic]],<ref name="Metacritic review">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/simcity-4/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = ''SimCity 4'' (pc:2003): Reviews | publisher = [[Metacritic]] | access-date = 2008-06-18 | archive-date = October 26, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121026114920/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/simcity-4 | url-status = live }}</ref> and an 85.09% overall score from [[GameRankings]].<ref name="Game Rankings review">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561176.asp?q=SimCity%204 | title = ''SimCity 4'' review compilation | publisher = [[GameRankings]] | access-date = 2008-06-18 | archive-date = September 9, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120909021821/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/561176-simcity-4/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

The game got a 9.2/10 rating at ''[[IGN]]'', calling it a "major evolutionary step in the series".<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/382/382583p1.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20030117225246/http://pc.ign.com/articles/382/382583p1.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 17, 2003 | title = ''SimCity 4'' review | publisher = IGN | author = Blevins, Tal | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref> The review commented that the addition of the region view mode adds more depth to ''SimCity 4'' and that the gameplay has a "more accurate representation of city planning and maintenance" than of previous titles in the ''SimCity'' series.

The game scored an 8.1/10 rating at ''[[GameSpot]]'', stating that the game had a "sleek, attractive interface" and "great audio"; it added however that ''SimCity 4'' was "rather rushed" and that the MySim mode "seems like an afterthought." The review concluded that it was a "complex and detailed strategy game," "though not as polished as it could have been."<ref name="GameSpot review">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/simcity4/review.html |title=''SimCity 4'' review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=2008-06-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071028150946/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/simcity4/review.html |archive-date=October 28, 2007 }}</ref> The publication later named it the best computer game of January 2003.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129113416/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/020803/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/gotm/020803/index.html | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Game of the Month, January 2003 | author=((The Editors of ''GameSpot'')) | date=February 8, 2003 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=November 29, 2004 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

''[[GameSpy]]'' gave the game a score of 75/100, commenting that ''SimCity 4'' is "graphically stunning"; the review also criticized the game for having issues "that will likely kill the game for casual players" including [[Computer performance|performance]] and difficulty.<ref name="GameSpy review">{{cite web | url = http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/january03/simcity4pc/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080324081237/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/january03/simcity4pc/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2008-03-24 | title = ''SimCity 4'' (PC)  | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | author = Kosak, Dave | date = 2003-01-25 | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref>

[[1UP.com|''1UP'']] rated the game at B+ and praised the region view feature as well as the detail of the graphics which create a "deeper sense of simulation." The review however criticized ''SimCity 4'' for suffering [[Crash (computing)|crashes]] and performance issues.<ref name="1UP.com review">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3103192&p=1&sec=REVIEWS|title=''SimCity 4'' (PC)|date=2000-01-01|publisher=[[1UP.com]]|access-date=2008-10-27|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103212935/http://www.1up.com/reviews/simcity-4_2|archive-date=2012-11-03}}</ref>

''SimCity 4'' received further reviews after the release of the [[Mac (computer)|Mac]] version. The game received a rating of 7.25/10 from ''[[InsideMacGames]]''. The review commented that the regional gameplay was a "new and welcome addition" and that it had detailed and realistic graphics; it was also said however that the game was not "revolutionary," had "horrendous bugs," and that the tutorial and manual lacked information.<ref name="InsideMacGames review">{{cite web | url = http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=392&Page=1 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20040118203309/http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=392&Page=1 | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 18, 2004 | title= ''SimCity 4'' | publisher = [[InsideMacGames]] | author = Halloran, Karen | date=2003-07-29 | access-date=2008-06-18}}</ref>

Urban planner [[Jeff Speck]] said that ''SimCity 4''{{'}}s traffic model is "more advanced than what most traffic engineers use in real life".<ref name="koebler20150508">{{Cite web |title=The Real Mayors of 'SimCity' |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-real-mayors-of-simcity/ |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=2015-05-08 |website=Vice |language=en |access-date=2020-05-21 |archive-date=May 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520122153/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/ezv7wp/the-real-mayors-of-simcity |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Awards===

''SimCity 4'' was chosen as one of IGN's "Editors' Choice" games for January 2003.<ref name="ign editors choice" /> It was also given the [[Parents' Choice Award]] by the Parents' Choice Foundation.<ref name="parents choice award" />

==Additional content and releases==

===''SimCity 4: Rush Hour''===
{{main|SimCity 4: Rush Hour}}

On September 22, 2003, [[Maxis]] released an [[computer game expansion pack|expansion pack]] for ''SimCity 4'' dubbed ''Rush Hour''. The expansion pack enhances the range of transportation facilities available to the player, such as being able to build four-lane avenues and elevated rail networks, as well as allowing them to trace traffic flow, while also allowing them to construct larger civic facilities; some such facilities have greater capacities, but all have increased maintenance costs. Additional features with the expansion also included the ability to control vehicles, take on missions that can unlock reward buildings much faster, affect their rating with the city and sometimes acquire a cash bonus, and introduced the ability to change between four architectural styles - three of these focus on architectural styles of American cities of differing eras, while the fourth introduces a new range of contemporary European-inspired architecture.

On the same day that the expansion pack ''Rush Hour'' was released, a bundle pack combining both the main game and the expansion pack was released, entitled ''SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition''. On August 25, 2004, [[Aspyr|Aspyr Media]] released ''SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition'' for [[macOS|Mac OS X]].

A year later, the expansion was released for Mac OS X on September 4, 2004.

===Digital distribution release===
On July 20, 2010, [[Electronic Arts]] released the Deluxe Edition (''SimCity 4'' and its ''Rush Hour'' expansion) for digital download on [[Steam (service)|Steam]], a digital distribution service by [[Valve Corporation|Valve]].<ref name="Steam Press Release">{{cite web |url=http://store.steampowered.com/news/4099/ |title=News – New Release – SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition |access-date=2010-10-23 |archive-date=August 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830052531/http://store.steampowered.com/news/4099 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game is also available on [[GOG.com]], [[Direct2Drive]] and [[Impulse (content delivery)|Impulse]] as well as EA's own [[Origin (service)|Origin]] service. On April 10, 2014, [[Aspyr]] released an updated version of their port of the Deluxe Edition on the [[Mac App Store]].<ref name="Aspyr Press Release">{{cite web |url=http://www.aspyr.com/news_articles/simcity-4-deluxe-edition-makes-triumphant-return-to-the-mac |title=SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition makes triumphant return to the Mac |access-date=2014-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131113/http://www.aspyr.com/news_articles/simcity-4-deluxe-edition-makes-triumphant-return-to-the-mac |archive-date=2014-04-13 }}</ref> The updated version includes bug fixes and performance enhancements, native resolution support, and support for the latest versions of Mac OS X.

=== EA digital storefront controversy ===
Around 2014, it was discovered that the copy of SimCity 4 sold on EA's own digital distribution platforms (Origin and later the EA App) was an outdated "digital version" that had a different [[checksum]], rendering the game unpatchable even by Maxis' own update utilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-24 |title=PSA: Don't Buy SimCity 4 from Origin |url=https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/psa-dont-buy-simcity-4-from-origin/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=SimTarkus - SimCity 4 |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117120531/https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/psa-dont-buy-simcity-4-from-origin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This version of the game lacked the stability and modding capabilities compared to those sold on other platforms, such as Steam or GOG.com.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Andy Chalk published |date=2014-08-25 |title=SimCity 4 Network Addon Mod maker warns against buying the game from Origin |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/simcity-4-on-origin-cannot-be-patched-or-modded-network-addon-mod-maker-warns/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117120529/https://www.pcgamer.com/simcity-4-on-origin-cannot-be-patched-or-modded-network-addon-mod-maker-warns/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following a small outcry from the SimCity 4 community on August 27, 2014, EA pushed an update that replaced the SimCity executable with the one being distributed on other platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-08-27 |title=PSA: SimCity 4 Deluxe is now safe to buy on Origin (Update: No, It's Not Anymore) |url=https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/psa-simcity-4-deluxe-is-now-safe-to-buy-on-origin/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=SimTarkus - SimCity 4 |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117120530/https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/psa-simcity-4-deluxe-is-now-safe-to-buy-on-origin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, on February 5, 2017, SimCity community members reported that their copy was once again downgraded to the unpatchable "digital version," to which EA provided no explanation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-02-05 |title=ALERT: Origin May Be Selling An Outdated, Unpatchable Version of SC4, Yet Again |url=https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/alert-origin-may-be-selling-an-outdated-unpatchable-version-of-sc4-yet-again/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=SimTarkus - SimCity 4 |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117120532/https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2017/02/05/alert-origin-may-be-selling-an-outdated-unpatchable-version-of-sc4-yet-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During this duration, the SimCity 4 storefront page utilized screenshots containing community-made mods which were impossible to use on this version of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-28 |title=EA Uses Pictures of the NAM . . . To Promote Origin/EA Play Version of SC4 That Doesn't Support The NAM |url=https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2022/08/28/ea-uses-pictures-of-the-nam-to-promote-origin-ea-play-version-of-sc4-that-doesnt-support-the-nam/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=SimTarkus - SimCity 4 |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117120530/https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2022/08/28/ea-uses-pictures-of-the-nam-to-promote-origin-ea-play-version-of-sc4-that-doesnt-support-the-nam/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Arts |first=Electronic |title=Buy SimCity 4 – PC – EA |url=https://www.ea.com/games/simcity/simcity-4 |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Electronic Arts Inc. |language=en |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222180229/https://www.ea.com/games/simcity/simcity-4 |url-status=live }}</ref> On June 1, 2023, EA once again upgraded the game to the version sold on other platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-01 |title=Breaking News: EA Updates EA App/EA Play Version of SimCity 4 to Version 1.1.641 |url=https://simtarkus.wordpress.com/2023/06/01/breaking-news-ea-updates-ea-app-ea-play-version-of-simcity-4-to-version-1-1-641/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=SimTarkus - SimCity 4 |language=en}}</ref>

===Future updates===
{{quotebox|align=right|width=40%|quote=''SimCity'' kind of worked itself into a corner, [because] we were still appealing to this core ''SimCity'' group.  It had gotten a little complicated for people who had never played ''SimCity''.  We want to take it back to its roots where somebody who had never heard of ''SimCity'' can pick it up and enjoy playing it without thinking it was really, really hard.|source=Will Wright<ref name="newgameplaydirection"/>}}

[[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] stated in an interview on May 16, 2003, that there would probably be more expansion packs after ''Rush Hour'',<ref name="new expansion">{{cite web | url = http://www.fileplanet.com/123915/120000/fileinfo/GameSpy-LiveWire---Will-Wright-Interview | title = GameSpy LiveWire – Will Wright Interview | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | access-date = 2008-06-18 | archive-date = February 26, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060226154351/http://www.fileplanet.com/123915/120000/fileinfo/GameSpy-LiveWire---Will-Wright-Interview | url-status = live }}</ref> but none were ever released.  In another interview on May 22, 2004, Wright stated that [[Maxis]] was attempting to work out a "new direction" for ''SimCity'' after new versions had become "steadily more complex".<ref name="newgameplaydirection">{{cite news | url = http://www.seattlepi.com/videogames/174491_simsguy22.html | title= 'Sims' creator is Livin' Large | work = [[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] | access-date=2008-06-18 | first=Steven L. | last=Kent | date=2004-05-21}}</ref>

Two ''SimCity'' games for PC have followed ''SimCity 4''. The first was ''[[SimCity Societies]]'', which was developed by [[Tilted Mill Entertainment]] and released on November 13, 2007.<ref name=Simcitysocietiesinfo>{{cite web | url = http://www.thesims2.co.za/content/view/727/1/ | title = ''SimCity'' released | publisher = [[Business Wire]] | access-date=2008-06-18 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080226050723/http://www.thesims2.co.za/content/view/727/1/ |archive-date = February 26, 2008}}</ref> The second was ''[[SimCity (2013 video game)|SimCity]]'', which was announced in March 2012 and was released in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|title=It's Official, SimCity is Back|date=March 7, 2012|url=http://kotaku.com/5891117/simcity-5-is-official-welcome-back-simcity|publisher=Kotaku|access-date=27 March 2012|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320203901/http://kotaku.com/5891117/simcity-5-is-official-welcome-back-simcity|url-status=live}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
During the [[Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2012|Republican presidential primaries of 2012]], candidate [[Herman Cain]]'s [[9-9-9 plan|9-9-9 taxation proposal]] was widely attributed to a similar tax structure presented in ''SimCity 4''; the [[CNBC]] cable networks relayed the story of the linkage of the ''SimCity'' "ideal parameters" as a possible origin of the taxation proposal (the story itself may have originated in the technical press), but Cain denied any link to the game.<ref name=forbes-cain>{{cite news|last=Tassi|first=Paul|title=Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Plan Straight Out of SimCity?|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/10/14/herman-cains-9-9-9-plan-straight-out-of-simcity/|work=forbes.com|access-date=2011-11-19|date=2011-10-14|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909161850/https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2011/10/14/herman-cains-9-9-9-plan-straight-out-of-simcity/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.ea.com/simcity-4-deluxe}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020915004904/http://www.simcity.ea.com/ |date=September 15, 2002 |title=''SimCity 4'' }}
* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/simcity-4 ''SimCity 4''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Sim series|all=yes}}
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[[Category:2003 video games]]
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[[Category:SimCity]]
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