Mods: Where to find them and how to install them
What is a mod?
A mod is a small file with a .package extension that when placed in a specific folder will modify your SimCity game. It might be something simple like different looking police cars or something more significant like the ability to add additional entrances to your city.
Step 1. Find a mod from Simtropolis (A), Skyestorme.com (B) or download everything at once with the SkyePack (C).
A. Downloading Mods From Simtropolis
Click on the link below to see the full list of mods available on Simtropolis
---> Simtropolis Mods <---
A. Downloading Mods From Simtropolis
Click on the link below to see the full list of mods available on Simtropolis
---> Simtropolis Mods <---
You can browse the mods that are available, and read the reviews.
When you find what you want, click on the green "Download" Button
Note: Before attempting to download a mod, make sure you've signed in to simtropolis. Downloading may not work if you're not signed in.
Note: Before attempting to download a mod, make sure you've signed in to simtropolis. Downloading may not work if you're not signed in.
Click on "Agree & Download"
Then "Download"
The Green Download Button will have a 5 second countdown
DO NOT CLICK ON THE LARGE GREEN DOWNLOAD BUTTON
Instead, click on the small "Skip Ad" button in the upper right corner.
Now the download will begin.
Note that the downloaded file is a .rar file.
.rar files are similar to .zip files in that you need to uncompress them using special software.
If you don't already have it, download 7-Zip or WinRAR. They're both free.
Free software tip: When downloading commonly used free programs, I like to use ninite.com. Simply select from the list what you want installed and the ninite installer does the rest. The installer makes sure you don't get any useless toolbars or get your homepage hijacked. It's especially handy when you get a new computer. You can download both 7-Zip and WinRAR at ninite.com They're in the last column under "Compression".
After you have 7-Zip installed you should be able to double click on the downloaded file and have it uncompress for you.
I usually like to uncompress them into a temporary location, such as your desktop or somewhere else on the c drive.
When it's done, you'll want to find the .package file and copy-paste it into the directory listed in Step 2 below
If you'd like to watch a video demonstrating this process you can watch Monte Rico's "How to install mods" video.
B. Downloading Mods from Skyestorme.com
Click on the one you want to download, and on the page that pops up, click on the Download button in the "How to Install" section of the mod page.
A file with a .package extension will be downloaded. Go to Step 2 below.
C. Get everything at once! Download the SkyePack aka. the Bigger Map Mod Pack
Not sure which mods you should get? Skye has put together a "Mod Pack" that has everything you need to get going with the Bigger Map mods. He's packaged all of the best mods into one download. I highly recommend it.
--> Download the SkyePack Here <--
Step 2 Copy the .package file to your SimCityData folder
Windows
If you'd like to watch a video demonstrating this process you can watch Monte Rico's "How to install mods" video.
B. Downloading Mods from Skyestorme.com
- Skye's Regional Freeway Mod
- Skye's Pefect Road Spacing Guide
- Skye's Multi-Plopper Mod v1.1
- Skye's Drones Galore Mod
Click on the one you want to download, and on the page that pops up, click on the Download button in the "How to Install" section of the mod page.
A file with a .package extension will be downloaded. Go to Step 2 below.
C. Get everything at once! Download the SkyePack aka. the Bigger Map Mod Pack
Not sure which mods you should get? Skye has put together a "Mod Pack" that has everything you need to get going with the Bigger Map mods. He's packaged all of the best mods into one download. I highly recommend it.
--> Download the SkyePack Here <--
Step 2 Copy the .package file to your SimCityData folder
Windows
Copy the .package file to C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\SimCity\SimCityData
Make sure you're copying the .package files straight into the SimCityData directory. They won't work if you keep them in a subdirectory. In the photo above, I marked the mods with a red dot.
Make sure you're copying the .package files straight into the SimCityData directory. They won't work if you keep them in a subdirectory. In the photo above, I marked the mods with a red dot.
Mac
OS X Users: Right click on "SimCity" in the applications folder and select "Show Contents", then open Contents -> Resources -> SimCityData and copy the .package file there. Not sure how to do this? You can watch the SimNation Guild's Brian Hanifin's video demonstrating the process.
OS X Users: Right click on "SimCity" in the applications folder and select "Show Contents", then open Contents -> Resources -> SimCityData and copy the .package file there. Not sure how to do this? You can watch the SimNation Guild's Brian Hanifin's video demonstrating the process.
That's it! Next time you run SimCity the new mod should be applied.
Note: Sometimes mods will have different installation routines. If it comes with a readme.txt file make sure to check that out to make sure there's not some other process.
It's not working! What do I do?
- If you're downloading your mod from simtropolis, make sure you've signed in to your simtropolis.com account.
- Some mods conflict with other mods. Try installing only one and see if it works. Make sure the first one works before installing additional ones. If you can't get one to work, try another to make sure it's not the mod itself with the problem.
- Is origin installed in the default directory? It should be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin\ and the games should be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\SimCity\SimCityData. If you don't use the default location, some mods won't work.
- Some mods can only be used in Offline mode. If you try to play an Offline-Only mod in an Online game, you'll get errors and rollbacks. Thankfully, the offline mods usually start with "Offline
Managing Online and Offline Only Mods
Many mods are for Offline Only. If you run an Offline Mod in an online game it will cause rollbacks and crashes. Thankfully there is a mod manager that can be used to toggle between Online and Offline games. I highly recommend it.
-->Download the Mod Manager<--
For an explanation on how the mod manger works, watch Monte Rico's video below.
Interested in creating your own mod?
- Read about, and download the SimCity Pak Mod Tool
- SimCity Pak Tutorials
- Video Series: SimCity Guide to Custom Creations by Benji Newell of the SimNation Guild (Great resource describing the process of how buildings are modeled in SimCity)
Want to see what others are saying about mods?
Read the "User Generated Content" section in the SimCity messageboards
What Mods do I use and recommend?
One Stop Shop for Mods - The SkyePack
Instead of picking and choosing from my list of recommended items below, you're even better off just downloading the SkyePack. Skye keeps it updated and it has all of the best stuff out there.
Data Views
Extended Worker Data in Rollover - More stats about how many workers are in each building
Budget Map in Government Tab (This one is currently not downloadable. Not sure why) - I love the ability to see what buildings are turned off.
Roads
UDoN (One way Roads and highways) - My favorite mod
Skye's Regional Freeway Mod - Now you can dictate where the map entrances are. Love it.
Oil Well Service Road in Roads Menu - They should have had this in the game originally. Great for cities with lots of trade trucks.
University Pedestrian Paths in Roads Menu - Like the oil service roads, this should have been an option originally. I love to make pedestrian shortcuts through my city.
Pedestrian Path - I love these concrete pathways. Can be used to create pedestrian shortcuts or just to make cool little park areas.
Eye-Candy - Visual Mods
McDonald's - It always brings a smile to me when I see one sprout up in my city.
Moving Truck Variety Pack - I love the U-Haul moving trucks. Simple, yet fun.
Public Transport Stops - A better looking version of bus and streetcar stops
Time-Savers
Skye's Multi-Plopper Mod - Plop away!
Skye's Pefect Road Spacing Guide - Really handy for high population cities
What Mods do I use and recommend?
One Stop Shop for Mods - The SkyePack
Instead of picking and choosing from my list of recommended items below, you're even better off just downloading the SkyePack. Skye keeps it updated and it has all of the best stuff out there.
Data Views
Extended Worker Data in Rollover - More stats about how many workers are in each building
Budget Map in Government Tab (This one is currently not downloadable. Not sure why) - I love the ability to see what buildings are turned off.
Roads
UDoN (One way Roads and highways) - My favorite mod
Skye's Regional Freeway Mod - Now you can dictate where the map entrances are. Love it.
Oil Well Service Road in Roads Menu - They should have had this in the game originally. Great for cities with lots of trade trucks.
University Pedestrian Paths in Roads Menu - Like the oil service roads, this should have been an option originally. I love to make pedestrian shortcuts through my city.
Pedestrian Path - I love these concrete pathways. Can be used to create pedestrian shortcuts or just to make cool little park areas.
Eye-Candy - Visual Mods
McDonald's - It always brings a smile to me when I see one sprout up in my city.
Moving Truck Variety Pack - I love the U-Haul moving trucks. Simple, yet fun.
Public Transport Stops - A better looking version of bus and streetcar stops
Time-Savers
Skye's Multi-Plopper Mod - Plop away!
Skye's Pefect Road Spacing Guide - Really handy for high population cities
Bug Fixes
Avenue with Streetcar Bulldoze Tool - If you end up with an avenue with streetcar tunnel that can't be deleted, here's your fix.
Gameplay
Cam Mod - This mod gives you the ability to zoom further out. I love being able to take a screen capture of my entire map in plan view.
One thing to consider would be to back up your entire SimCity folder, C:\program files\Origin Games\SimCity That way if something goes haywire you can delete the entire folder and have a fresh backup to start again! But I'm sure there are other ways to do this but this is the simple way....
ReplyDeleteGood point Jeff. In my case I saved a copy of the mod files in Documents/SimCity/Mods. That way if I ever want to uninstall it, I can go and look up the file name to figure out which one to delete.
ReplyDeleteOS X Users: Right click on "SimCity" in the applications folder and select "Show Contents", then open Contents -> Resources -> SimCityData.
ReplyDeletePath: /Applications/SimCity.app/Contents/Resources/SimCityData
Yep very simple and it's always easier to read and see first how this is done. It appears that the mod's are really starting to make it a bit easier to play. Good job Randy
ReplyDeleteI'm a MAC user and need help, I have unzipped the mod files and placed them in the "SimCityData" folder, yet they still do not appear in the game. Can anyone help me?
ReplyDeleteRonnie, which mod were you trying to install?
ReplyDeleteThe Bridge/Tunnel
ReplyDeleteThe Budget Map
Extended Worker Data
& Close Road Guides
Just wanted to add to the list of resources my tutorial series "SimCity Guide to Custom Creations" for a breakdown of custom building design.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCitBvRUJsbhdRQX_ghNuzhw
Thanks Benji. I was thinking I should add that to this page. I'll do that now.
ReplyDeleteBudget Map link is dead
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up on the Budget Map mod link being dead. Looks like the mod was taken down. Trying to figure out why.
ReplyDeleteRonnie, any mod that is zipped is a PC exec file and won't work on a Mac, just look for mods that aren't zipped.
ReplyDeleteWill modding create any problems with original simcity application like unable to update when updates are released or something like that???
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of any issues with game updates not working after applying a mod, so I think it's safe. The biggest problem I hear about is when people use off-line only mods in online games, it will cause crashes and rollbacks.
ReplyDeleteIs there anywhere to download actual full cities??
ReplyDeleteSkyestorme posted a city he did in one of his video series. You can check it out here: http://skyestorme.com/download-skyes-omg-megacow-savefile/
DeleteThe uninstaller on skyepack works well. That's my favorite part.
ReplyDeletethe link for Skye's Regional Freeway Mod isnt working
ReplyDeleteskyestorme.com has been down the last couple of days. Hopefully Skye will have it up and running soon.
DeleteCan someone upload Skye's Regional Freeway Mod on another server and pass the link? I need this mod
ReplyDeleteRandy BIG THANKS
ReplyDeletethe 3k project orion mod does not work, it just crashes and comes up with a error, does anyone know why? i really need a new mod
ReplyDeleteCan someone send me the skye pack mod? I can't download it. Thankyou guys
ReplyDeleteare Mods just for PC users?
ReplyDeleteThe information on this particular page is strictly for the PC game. There are ways to hack the mobile game, but you won't get that information here. I'm against hacking the mobile game because it messes up the trade communities and legitimacy of the mayor contests and such.
ReplyDeleteCan someone upload Skye's Regional Freeway Mod on another server please?
ReplyDeleteYou can download it here: http://skyestorme.com/download/skyes-regional-freeway-mod/
DeleteHello. Is this link to the Skyes Mod Pack still on? Because it links to a fishy website, apparently. Is it still safe in 2020? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHello. Is this link to the Skyes Mod Pack still on? Because it links to a fishy website, apparently. Is it still working in 2020? Thanks.
ReplyDelete