Tutorial Beginner's Guide

Game Version:

• Cities XL 2012
• Cities XXL 2015
• Cities XL Platinum

Hello and welcome on board!

Make sure you are not running the game!

1) choose your game:
2.1: XL (2012 and Platinum)
2.2: XXL


2.1: Cities XL (2012 and Platinum):
Disk or Steam?

2.1.1: Disk:
2.1.1.1: If you used the standard path for the installation, then go to C:\Program Files\Focus Home Interactive\Cities XL 2012 (Platinum).

2.1.1.2.1: If you did not use the standard path, but if you have a shortcut for the game on the desktop, then:
- Right click on the game icon.
- Right click on "Properties".
- Right click on "Shortcut".
- Click on "Open File Location / Find Location".

2.1.1.2.2: Alternatively, you can use the search function of the start menu.

2.1.2: Steam:
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Cities XL 2012 (Platinum).

3: Go to the Paks folder (I downloaded the game by Steam):


4: Create a folder called "mods":


5: IMPORTANT: Install the dependencies:


Start with the User Interface Mod:
Dependency - XL User Interface Mod
- Download the ZIP-file onto your Desktop (for example).
- Open the file and run the wizard.
- When asked where to install the file, choose:
a) Disk: C:\Program Files\Focus Home Interactive\Cities XL 2012 (or Platinum instead of 2012)
b) Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Cities XL 2012 (or Platinum instead of 2012)
It is important not to choose your mods folder for User Interface Mod, but this is one of a few exceptions!
- Wait for the installation to finish.

Proceed with the Shader Pack (for players):
Dependency - Shader Pack
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.
- In case you forgot:
a) Disk: C:\Program Files\Focus Home Interactive\Cities XL 2012\Paks\mods (similar for Platinum)
b) Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Cities XL 2012\Paks\mods (similar for Platinum)

Proceed with the XL Nation Furniture Dependency Pack:
Dependency - XL Nation Furniture Dependency Pack
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.

Next is the Road Shader:
Dependency - Road Shader with Self-Illumination
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.

Next is the Tree Bug Fix:
Dependency - Z_Pharmist_TreeBug_Fix_v1.00
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.

Now, we have the Tags.cfg for XL:
Dependency - Tags.cfg for XL
- Do NOT install put it into mods Folder, but follow the instructions!


Now we have some optional dependencies:

A mod that is sometimes needed is the Vehicle Pack:
NEXL - Vehicle pack
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.

Now, you can use the mods here Just always make sure to READ the instructions, then you are safe!
Start with the German Pack for example:
Residential - German Residential Pack (small CB version added)

IMPORTANT: If you have Cities XL, then you cannot use mods that are only for XXL! In case you are not sure, you can ask



2.2: Cities XXL:
Disk or Steam?

2.2.1: Disk:
2.2.1.1: If you used the standard path for the installation, then go to C:\Program Files\Focus Home Interactive\Cities XXL 2012.

2.2.1.2.1: If you did not use the standard path, but if you have a shortcut for the game on the desktop, then:
- Right click on the game icon.
- Right click on "Properties".
- Right click on "Shortcut".
- Click on "Open File Location / Find Location".

2.2.1.2.2: Alternatively, you can use the search function of the start menu.

2.2.2: Steam:
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Cities XXL .

3: Go to the Paks folder (I downloaded the game by Steam):


4: Create a folder called "mods":


5: IMPORTANT: Install the dependencies:


Start with the Community Mod:
Dependency - Cities XXL Community Patch
- Click on "Save As" and choose your mods folder as location.
- In case you forgot:
a) Disk: C:\Program Files\Focus Home Interactive\Cities XXL\Paks\mods
b) Steam: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Cities XXL\Paks\mods

Proceed with the XL Nation Furniture Dependency Pack:
Dependency - XL Nation Furniture Dependency Pack
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.
This mod is actually required for XXL and XL

Now, we have the Tags.cfg for XXL:
Dependency - Tags.cfg for XXL
- Follow the instructions!


Now we have some optional dependencies:

Next is the Fix for XL mods that use old shaders:
General - Fix for old mods shader crash errors (XXL)
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.
This mod will enable you to use most (not all) XL mods in XXL, too.

A mod that is sometimes needed is the Vehicle Pack:
NEXL - Vehicle pack
- Choose "Save As" and your mods folder as the location.

Now, you can use the mods here Just always make sure to READ the instructions, then you are safe!
Start with the Florence Pack for example:
Residential - Package village of Florence - XXL -XL

IMPORTANT: There are several Cities XL mods that also work in Cities XXL. You will mostly only need the fix for XL mods that use old shaders (see above). Sometimes, another member has tested that mod in XXL and wrote their findings in a review or on the discussion page
Also, if you have XXL, you must not have the XL User Interface Mod, and also not have the Shader Pack; these mods were made solely for CXL players!!