The Tropics of Haalu

[ThePeoplesPerson 3]

An opening message...

Wow! I'm finally back. After almost a year's break from Sim City, I've come back to see journals still thriving as well as ever. I was pondering whether I wanted to continue my old PJ, The Colonization of Hermoso or not. I decided to drop it and go for something new. I really enjoyed making the last few updates on Hermoso on the tropical island, so I figured my new CJ would be in a tropical setting.

The plan...

Haalu is big, really big. Whether I ever get it all filled or not,  only time will tell. One thing for sure though is there is a lot of space to build in, allowing me to go for a much larger scale then my previous 2 journals.

I'm still tossing around the idea of implementing a story. I've got 2 different ideas, and I'm deciding whether I want to use either or not.

Haalu will consist of a large capital city, dozens of cities and towns and an even greater number of small villages. Farmland and towns will cut into the dense rainforests throughout the main island and surrounding smaller island chains.

Update 1

A topographical Map of Haalu.

A Shot of the region before work started on it.

A shot of the outskirts of Crystal Bay. This just shows the typical forests that cover the majority of the island.

Main street heading into downtown Crystal Bay.

Crystal Bay's beach is a small, but popular place to relax in the small town.

And the weather isn't always bright and sunny. Haalu gets storms quite frequently.

That concludes the first update. It's mostly a preview of what's to come. Thanks for reading it!

[aleko 0]

Looks very nice, but I have a question, what thing is you water ?? how you do that is amazing !

[cityhawk 12]

Originally posted by: aleko Looks very nice, but I have a question, what thing is you water ?? how you do that is amazing !quote>

Are you talking about how he got the reflection in the water, because I'm wondering about that myself!; I'm guessin' and say that he probably Photoshopped it. Nice region you're working with, and the towns look really nice and peaceful when there aren't storms. I look forward to more!

[Alakazam 3]

Best water photoshopping ever on any CJ.

It must have took you ages to do it.

[sloppet 3]

awesome work, this 4th pic is one of the best ever! OUTSTANDING!!

[Micah 16]

Awesome photoshopping! It looks quite real! Excellent start!

[SpecialEddie 3]

This is going to be amazing. That is all thank you.

[szarkoz 8]

Well, it seems another talented CJ writer has showed up. I like the use of Goldiva Trees, they make look your island very tropical. You've got great photoshopping skills, the water is brilliant!

Your CJ looks very promising, I'll keep my eye on it

[anubis89 108]

wow this photoshopped water loooks totally awesome !

and the region is great

[jacqulina 162]

great start and very nice photoshopping the reflection is wonderfull

[Shadow Assassin 336]

OMG, you just HAVE to tell us how you did that water. It's a shame you ended Hermoso. Bit bright. Headachey. Water's brilliant.

Who will come back next? Marrast?

[bat 6]

Great start! And nice photoshopping!

bat

[Alkaola 18]

yes the photoshopping thing is making people comment because it's really outstanding, also it gives people are tropical feeling

if you see those pictures you realise how fake the default water is .....

[Bombastix 0]

The 4th and 5th picture are absolutely breathtaking!!! Wonderful job! Keep it up!

[Sisu 1]

Nice and colourful start. That water looks so great! And the tropical trees too.

[jasperdeman.nl 1]

Wow PeoplesPerson is back with a new CJ!

I loved your old one! ANd this one looks great too, great setting, and nice Island. Nice photo-effect applied, makes it look real sunny.

Eagerly waiting for more.

[GMT 389]

wow.

those water reflections look simply awesome.

and what a start on this cj. fantastic.

can't wait fore more

[jackel.22 3]

that water looks so good, brilliant phtoshopping

i also like the way you brightened up the images to give the impression of a sunny tropical island.

the storm picture looks really good too, i like how you can barely make out anything but the car headlights.

im definantly going to follow this cj.

[collgab 10]

OMG that water is amazing u r an amazing photo shop person!

can't wait for more of your little town

[tankmank 853]

very tropical like the last picture

[ThomasAH 0]

Woooow, Great start! Like everyone else asked, how did you get the water like that? 
You've got some great photoshop skills! Can't wait for first update and some more pics!

Thomas

[aleko 0]

wao It looks very real, very good job !

[Lyhoko Leaci 770]

Yay, new CJ! Looks good, can't wait for more!

[shivsood 5]

the water is really good-how long did it take?

[Ringo 0]

awesome job, i like the way the trees fit into everything and make it look that much prettier

[ThePeoplesPerson 3]

Thanks for all the wonderful replies everyone! Glad you like the lighting and water effects. Since a lot of people have brought it up, yes, the water is photoshopped. I use a variety of techniques for it depending on how close are far away the shot is.

I spent quite a bit of time today developing the coast, and it now has 4 large tiles of shoreline finished. I plan on showing an updated Region pic sometime this week that will show the area I'm working on now, and where some of the major cities will be going.

Anyways, I'm just finishing up an update which should be ready for tonight.

[GaBoR 7]

Nice work your showing. This one it's a must-to-follow, I'll be waiting for those regions pics you promised, good luck!!!

[sloppet 3]

Yeah... Nice photoshopping.. any new updates today? I can't wait to see the next ine...

[AHA 0]

amazing ! your tropical forest is really beautiful. Great work !!

[ThePeoplesPerson 3]

Update 2

These first 2 shots are more views of Crystal Bay.

Shown here is a close up of the otherside of downtown. Crystal Bay's biggest (and only mall) is a bestbuy.

This is a zoomed out shot of the Northwest side of Crystal bay. Small subdivisons are planned to start cutting into the farms that surround the town.

The next 3 views are of the small seaside villages that dot the shores of Haalu. They're mostly home to indigenous peoples of Haalu. This particular one, Haitii, has become a popular tourist attraction. It is located about a 20 minute's drive east from Crystal Bay.

As always, thank you for your replies.