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Virtual City
If you feel puzzled or stuck, try any of these options:
- check the game walkthrough
- read the strategy tips in the forums here and here
- get help from other city builders by posting your question in forums
- browse the frequently asked questions below
- contact us using the form on the support page, and we will be happy to help you.
Game Installation and General Gameplay
The game is crashing or acting inadequately in any way
Make sure your software is updated according to the game’s system requirements. Try running the game in compatibility mode - for Windows XP, use compatibility mode set on Windows 95, for Windows Vista – for Windows XP. If this does not help, please contact our technical support, providing more information. It would be best if you include any messages you receive on crash, along with more information about your PC configuration.
Can I play the game in widescreen mode?
The game is designed for 1024 x 768. The game is not 3D (otherwise it would cost more) - it's 2D with beautiful pre-rendered 3D-like images. Because they are 2D, these images cannot be stretched without losing some quality, so it's ideal to play in 1024 x 768. If you have a huge LCD display and the game looks too tiny, you can try setting your desktop resolution to 1024 x 768 temporarily - the game will then fill your whole desktop but you will probably see some blurriness in the picture because of the upscaling 1024x768 image to your LCD display physical resolution.
How do I play the game in windowed mode?
The game uses 1024x768 resolution, so to run in window mode your desktop has to have a minimum vertical resolution of 768 pixels plus the height of your task bar plus the height of two window borders plus the height of the window caption. It depends on the UI settings of your Windows. The easiest way to free more space on your desktop is to make sure your task bar is only one line high. You can also try moving the taskbar to the side instead of leaving it at the top or bottom.
Where can I find the save file for the game?
If you have bought the game from G5 Entertainment, you will find the .nut file here:
C:\Users\[Your user name]\AppData\Roaming\Virtual City. For BigFishGames version, this is the path -
C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\Virtual City; for PlayFirst version, look here - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\PlayFirst\Games\ If you have purchased from other vendors, it is recommended that you contact them to find out.
Can I replay a level?
Yes you can replay any level. Go to the Menu with a map and select the state along with the mission to play.
Do I have to save the game if I quit?
No, you don’t. The game auto saves whenever you exit.
Vehicles :
How to route a vehicle?
To route a dumpster, add one or more buildings and a recycling center. Recycling center is included automatically when the player starts setting up the route. To route a bus, select at least one bus stop and entertainment center (such as mall or stadium). It works fine to route a bus between several bus stations as well. If you have started routing a vehicle and want to quit it to perform another action, click the red cross in the upper right corner of the screen.
What does a spinning hourglass on a truck mean?
This means that the truck is waiting. Most probably this is because the goods are not ready to be delivered. Possibly, there are not enough components to produce a good. When trading with neighboring cities, the waiting sign may mean that there are no goods exported into the other city in return.
How do I maximize truck’s income?
Locate the input and output facilities for the truck as close to each other as possible. Upgrading the truck brings in more income, just don’t forget to upgrade the production chain buildings accordingly to the trucks’ level.
How do I maximize bus’s income?
Make the distance between bus stops as short as possible. Keep in mind that bigger entertainment centers bring in more income (for instance, transporting citizens to the Theatre makes more profit than transferring them to the mall. Upgrading buses makes sense only if you upgrade the buildings within the bus stops’ area, so that there are more population to use the bus.
Buildings:
Do all the buildings have openings on all four sides?
Yes, vehicles can access the building from any side - just make sure the building has a road connected to it.
Why can I get no more lumber from the sawmill?
In some levels, it is necessary to replant the trees around the sawmill, in order to continue producing woods, or, alternatively, upgrade the sawmill in order to get more lumber out of each tree.
How do tech buildings work?
The broken vehicles within the tech buildings’ area get fixed automatically.
Do all buildings need to be connected to the road?
Hospitals, tech stations and fire stations do not need to be connected to the road. Houses must be connected to the road only if they are not within the area of any trash collector.
I cannot find a factory I need to build among available ones in the BUILD Tab.
Whenever a building to produce certain goods for your production chain is not available, try supplying these goods from neighboring cities.
How To’s:
How do I attract more people to my city?
Be sure that your city is environmentally friendly. You can increase your environment rating by planting trees, building parks and fountains, upgrading production buildings. Houses with garbage, abandoned houses and dead trees negatively affect the environment.
How do I get more buildings into my R&D lab?
Depending on your level results (environment, population, population happiness, bank account and time) you earn the invest points. You can spend these invest points in the R&D lab - the upgrades become available to you once you've completed certain levels.
How do I acquire the trophy?
To win any trophy, you have to meet the trophy goal before completing the level. Trophies cannot be gained using the Sandbox mode.
How do I make sandbox play available?
The Sandbox for each state unlocks once the player has reached the state. Every item which becomes available in the R&D lab is available for the sandbox as well.
Supermarket Mania
Problem: I can’t beat “Teens and Thieves” level – there are not enough customers on the level to make the required amount of money.
Solution: You are getting a bonus for every thief caught. A thief is caught when you click Mr. Barefist while the thief is trying to steal something (when the iconic face above him shakes and smiles). If you catch all thieves, you will make just enough money to achieve the goal of the level.
If the problem persists, contact us using the form on the support page.
The Mystery of the Crystal Portal
Problem: I cannot complete the Japan Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link Japan Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I cannot complete The Swiss Alps Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link The Swiss Alps Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I cannot complete the Guatemala Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link Guatemala Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I cannot complete the Africa Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link Africa Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I cannot complete the Russia Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link Russia Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I cannot complete the America Puzzle.
Solution: Click this link America Puzzle Solution to see the solution.
Problem: I am stuck and don’t know what to do to move further.
Solution: Check out tips & tricks here (SPOILER ALERT!) .
Problem: I feel like I'm stuck in Africa. I cannot access the airfield.
Solution: Spoiler alert. Select the text below to see it (also look at the screenshot)
To go to the airfield, you need to find and click the lever base in the Hut area. Before you can access the lever base, you must discover four key objects within the hut. After the dialogue appears, airfield area will be unlocked.
If the problem persists, contact us using the form on the support page.
Mahjongg Artifacts: Chapter 2
Problem: How can I win The Wonderful Lantern Artifact? What does “Order level” mean?
Solution: In order to win the Wonderful Lantern Artifact, player must complete seven Order levels in a row. Completing an Order level implies that a level is completed with Order bonus. The Order bonus can be achieved only playing the Quest Mode. You get the Order bonus if you complete the level matching only identical tiles (even if you match a pair of Flower or Season tiles they should be identical.)
If the problem persists, contact us using the form on the support page.
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