The Easiest Way to Use Downloaded Regions in SimCity 4

Import SimCity regions that you've downloaded from the internet

By
Courtney Marchelletta
Courtney Marchelletta
Writer
Courtney Marchelletta is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire. gaming enthusiast, and sim player who proves video games aren't just for guys.
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Updated on November 19, 2019
Wireframe buildings in a CG environment
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Regions create new neighborhoods of cities in SimCity 4. However, in order to use one, you have to first extract some files to your computer and then import the region into SimCity 4.

Download the Region

If you haven't already downloaded them, see How to Download Regions for SimCity 4.

How to Use SimCity 4 Regions

  1. Find the downloaded region file and make a new folder in that same folder, called something like SimCity Region (you don't have to choose a particular name; anything will work).

  2. If the region is contained in a ZIP file, first open the archive and then extract the files to that folder. If it's not in an archive, just copy the files to the folder you made.

    These files will most likely be a JPG and a BMP.

  3. Start a new region in SimCity.

  4. Import the downloaded region with the Shift+Alt+Ctrl+R keyboard shortcut.

  5. Choose the image file you downloaded and extracted from Step 2.

  6. Wait for the region to load.

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