# Menus

### File Menu (During Gameplay)

Options Menu

Contracts Menu

Windows Menu

Disasters Menu

Help Menu

Speed Menu (Server Only)

> ### Online Help Table of Contents

> These are all the menus and menu items in 2KNet. The small differences between the host and client game's menus will be explained.

> ## Startup File Dialog (Server and Client)

> This first dialog box of commands is seen by both server and client machines when any player first loads the game; there is also a File menu within the game itself, also discussed below. Both have commands for file management, starting new games and scenarios, and for quitting 2KNet. See the Servers and Clients page for elaboration on the differences in game setup and play between the two machines, as well as your Quick-Start guide.

> ####
> Start New Game

> This command is used by the player that wants to host the game, becoming the server machine. This command will prompt the City Name dialog, where you enter your city's name and your player name into the text boxes. Choose the difficulty level and the time scale, and hit Done to start buying, building and boondoggling in your new city.

> #### Edit New Map

> This command is only for the server machine player, bringing up the Generate City dialog in which the host can experiment with designing and redesigning the landscape before the game begins. Once the game has been saved, this command is no longer available. See the Tutorial manual for an overview on terrain design.

> #### Load Game

> Opens a standard file-opening dialog box that allows you to view and load all the different saved games and scenarios from wherever they are saved on your drive (they default to the 2KNet directory). Saved games can be transferred to other machines, which then become the server for that game. (When you load in a saved game, the Enter Your Name box will default to the name you gave at program installation; you'll have to remember other names you may have used to manipulate districts managed under that name.)

> #### Join Game

> This command lets you get in on games that are currently running. You'll be presented with the Connection Method screen, in which you choose the data-transmission method. The Modem Connection method requires the phone number of the server machine's modem, and the Internet method requires the IP address of the server machine. The Winsock connections presume you're on an existing network.
> Hitting OK brings to you a Log In dialog where you add your player name and connection info, if necessary. Exiting that screen brings up a Login Process progress bar, telling you that the server is being contacted. Depending on the connection method, you'll either go directly into a game, or you'll see the Select Session dialog, where you can choose from a list of existing games on whatever network was selected in the Connection Method screen. Choose your poison and then jump into the action!

> #### Quit

> This command removes you from the allure of SimCity, and returns you to the basic nonsense of existence.

> ## File Menu (During Gameplay)

> The server machine has two File menus during gameplay: the one found in the Main menu, and the one found in the Network Server dialog box. The client merely has the File menu found in the main menu. See the Servers and Clients page for more info on the commands in the Network Server window.

> ####
> Save City

> Under the Main file menu, this command opens a dialog box that allows you to name and save a new city and choose the disk and directory or folder where you want to save it, or save changes to an existing game. Both the server and client can save running games, exit and can start the game later, switching from host or client as agreed. However, in a running game, the server also has the Save As command in the Network Server File menu, from which they can save running games under a different name.

> ####
> Load Tile Set

> This command brings up an open-file dialog that lets you load in new graphics for many of the buildings and images seen on your SimCity 2000 map. You can even re-design the building tile of your choice--put your personal logo on all your bank buildings! This magic is accomplished by way of the SimCity Urban Renewal Kit (SCURK), a separate application bundled on the Network Edition CD. Check out the Quick-Start Guide for installation info and Tutorial 5 for a run-through on some of SKURK's capabilities. SKURK also has its own Help system for deeper research.

> ####
> Exit

> Rips SimCity from your computer's memory and makes it go away until you're ready to resume your commissioner's responsibilities. You will be asked if the city changes are to be saved. Any time you are logged off from the server machine, you'll be asked if you want to save your game.

> ## Options Menu

> This menu controls a number of simulation and sound options so you can tailor the game to your style of play. Options that are active have a checkmark next to them.

> #### Auto-Budget

> When selected, Auto-Budget stops the Budget window from opening at the end of each year, and automatically repeats the previous budget.

> #### Auto-Goto

> When active, Auto-Goto automatically centers the City window over an important occurrence, such as a disaster. When inactive, you will still receive messages to notify you of important goings-on in your city.

> #### Music

> Toggles the musical soundtrack on and off. The audio quality of the music will vary greatly depending on the sound capabilities of your computer.

> #### Sound

> Toggles sound effects on and off. The audio quality of the sound effects will vary greatly depending on the sound capabilities of your computer.

> ## Contracts Menu

> These commands let you arrange agreements on the sharing of certain resources (power, police protection, etc.) between players in the game. Information about the use of contracts can be found on the Player Contracts page.

> #### Propose Contract

> Brings up the Contract Proposal window, where you can bait your trap.

> #### Show Contracts

> Displays the names and holders of existing contracts, and lets you view details about the agreements.

> #### Write Check

> Brings up a dialog in which you can enter a cash figure that you can transmit from your bank account to a fellow players, just to demonstrate that you're swell.

> ## Windows Menu

> This menu lets you access the various windows in 2KNet.

> #### Budget

> Opens the Budget window for fiddling with your city's finances.

> #### Ordinances

> Opens the Ordinance window for setting and inspecting various city bonds, bills and ordinances.

> ### The City Info Window

> The City Info Window puts a tabbed, multi-view window onscreen that gives you a window-by-window detailed breakdown about many aspects of your district, and the development efforts of your co-players.

> #####

> Map Tab
> The Map tab will pop up a small map of the entire city limits. A rectangle somewhere in the map will outline the area of the city that is visible in the City window. Complete information on the Map window can be found on the Map Window page.
> Graph Tab
> The Graph tab will open the Graphs window, a dynamic display of selectable city data.
> Here you can chart the major statistical assessments of your own district over time, or the same assessments evaluated city-wide. Complete information on the Graphs window can be found on the Graphs Window page.
> Neighbor Tab
> The Neighbor tab will display a small map of your city and its neighboring cities, with their individual and collective populations. Complete infor mation on the Neighbors window can be found on the Neighbor Window page.
> Population Tab
> The Population Window tab will display information about your city's total population, along with assessments of its health and education levels. Complete information on the Population window can be found on the Population Window page.
> Industry Tab
> The Industry tab will open the Industry window, that gives you three methods of viewing data on the industrial development in your city. Complete information on the City Industry window can be found on the Industry Window page.

> #### Players Tab

> The Players tab lets you see icons for all of the current players that when clicked will display statistical info about that player and their district.

> ####
> Newspaper

> This command lets you read the local paper. The paper will initially be delivered at game startup, and periodically thereafter. Newspapers announcing disasters will be also be immediately delivered. Your city's newspaper is your link to your citizens. Reading it keeps you informed, not only of current events, new inventions, city-development announcements and other important or disastrous occurrences, but also of public-opinion polls. Watch your paper closely to see what is important to your Sims.

> #### Chat

> Brings up the Chat window, through which you can send and receive message to and from your fellow players. The Chat window is discussed in detail on the Chat Window page.

> ## Disasters Menu

> This menu lets you activate various disasters, or disable them entirely. For more information on disasters, see Dealing with Disasters on the Strategies page. Disasters can happen at random in any player's distict, no matter which player has enabled (or disabled) a particular disaster. The server machine player can disable disasters in the Network Server window by choosing Disable under the Disasters menu.

> #### Fire

> Causes a fire to break out somewhere within the city limits.

> #### Flood

> Causes a wave of raised water to come in off the coast or down a river, washing away anything that isn't tied down.

> #### Earthquake

> Sets the earth to quakin' and the ground to shakin'.
> Note: All power plants have a 50-year life span, and then they blow up. They don't cause fires or spread radiation--they just stop working and collapse. Watch your newspapers for warnings that power plants are getting old. If you have No Disasters active, when power plants reach the end of their lives, they are automatically rebuilt and you are automatically charged. If you don't have enough cash in your city funds to pay for the power plant replacement, it goes boom.

> ## Help Menu

> #### Help

> The Help command opens the online help system (which you are now pleasurably--?--reading) Use of the Help system is explained on the Help window page.

> #### About SimCity Online Client

> Provides you with the version and copyright information about the game.

> ## Speed Menu (Server Only)

> This menu will only be availble for the server machine's player to set the game speed for all players in the Network Server window. This drop-down menu has the commands for setting the simulation to different speeds, including Pause. The currently set speed will be displayed in the window. Actual speeds will vary, depending on your computer, its microprocessor and clock speed, and the type of connection you've made to play a networked game--for example, in modem-to-modem games, the slowest modem in a player group can slow down the transmission and reception of everyone's game data.

> #### Pause

> Stops time in the simulation.

> #### Turtle

> Sets the simulation to run slower than molasses on a cold day.

> #### Llama

> Sets the simulation to run at a medium speed.

> #### Cheetah

> Sets the simulation to run as fast as your computer will go.

> ###
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