DBPF (file format)

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DBPF files are files used by Electronic Arts to store data for several computer games. These games include SimCity 4, The Sims 2, and The Sims Online.

Like many game data formats, the file is actually an archive of several files that store the various pieces of data used by the game. These may include graphics, 3d models, animations, sound files, and scripts.

This particular file format uses more than one filename extension. These include:

• .dat (Data provided with the SimCity 4, user downloadable plugins/mods for SimCity 4)
• .SC4Model (User created building models for SimCity 4)
• .SC4Lot (User created lots for SimCity 4)
• .SC4 (Savegame file provided with SimCity 4, User created savegame files for SimCity 4)
• .Package (Data provided with The Sims 2, user downloadable plugins/mods for The Sims 2)

The format is titled DBPF not because of the extension (as in most cases) but because the first four bytes of all such files is DBPF.

[edit] See also

• List of file formats
• Magic number

[edit] External links

• The Sims 2 Wiki is a collaborative effort to gather information about The Sims 2, and there's an extensive analysis of the DBPF format
• SimPE - open source package editor