How is this game going to effect SimCity fans on a long term base?

[Astroman 0]

I was just wondeirng,How Is SCS going to have a long term effects with public relationship and fan base relationship? 

[MrCinatit 30]

The openness early on is very encouraging. Yes, we have had Maxis people here in the past - but I am not aware of their involvement in any communities this early.

Time will also tell down the road. There have been suggestions for some changes - some making sense. Some might be easy to do, others might have to wait for future expansion packs or even further installments.

However, the early signs are a positive sign that they are at least willing to listen.

[MINIggy03 227]

I'm just crossing my fingers that they are already in the works with a true Simcity title that isn't a simcity spinoff. I'm glad that TM is being vocal with the community, but Societies is really tarnishing my feelings towards EA/Maxis. They really took out everything that makes Simcity, Simcity.

[John94538 0]

I'll certainly be looking forward to it, as I did'nt even know another game was coming out until last week... Anyway, it's nice to have a change of spin after 4 years. Will I like it? I don't know, but I'll find out soon enough once it's released.

[Gman55 0]

The worst case scenario is that SCS bombs and EA releases a "true" SimCity 5.

[JanYpe 17]

No, the worst case scenario is that SCS bombs and EA pulls the plug from the series.

[offspring_dude01 0]

Originally posted by: Gman55 The worst case scenario is that SCS bombs and EA releases a "true" SimCity 5.quote>

That's the best case scenario.

[Braxton 0]

Originally posted by: MrCinatit The openness early on is very encouraging. Yes, we have had Maxis people here in the past - but I am not aware of their involvement in any communities this early.

Time will also tell down the road. There have been suggestions for some changes - some making sense. Some might be easy to do, others might have to wait for future expansion packs or even further installments.

However, the early signs are a positive sign that they are at least willing to listen.quote>

How is there 'openness early' here?  This game has about 6 months before release, and most games are usually announced a year or two before it is actually released.  And how are they 'listening'?  There have been topics for years on what Sim City 5 would be like and what we wanted it to be and they never once 'listened' to those suggestions.   How come people think they're going to listen now?  They may be able to add some of the suggestions in to this game but many will not be added simply because of the direction they're going in.

On a long term basis, Sim City 4 will still have a vibrant community until a true Sim City game is released.  Who knows how long that will be.

[JanYpe 17]

There's openness because the developers are willing to take an active interest in the community. Of course they didn't follow these lists to the letter. Have you read some of these lists? At least 60% is completely unfeasible, and the rest is usually a mishmash of different ideas and directions people would like to see implemented. If you'd try to follow every fan list as well as publishers instructions your head would start spinning due to the contradictions between them all. The game would never leave development limbo.

Originally posted by: Gman55 The worst case scenario is that SCS bombs and EA releases a "true" SimCity 5.quote>

That's the best case scenario.quote>

Seriously guys, stop acting dense. Publishers very very very rarely value the opinion of fans higher than the opinion of the market. There's a certain point at which a franchise completely loses its viability. If SCS eats it, the chances for another SC game are not going to increase.

[Braxton 0]

Originally posted by: JanYpe There's openness because the developers are willing to take an active interest in the community. Of course they didn't follow these lists to the letter. Have you read some of these lists? At least 60% is completely unfeasible, and the rest is usually a mishmash of different ideas and directions people would like to see implemented. If you'd try to follow every fan list as well as publishers instructions your head would start spinning due to the contradictions between them all. The game would never leave development limbo.

Originally posted by: Gman55 The worst case scenario is that SCS bombs and EA releases a "true" SimCity 5.quote>

That's the best case scenario.quote>

Seriously guys, stop acting dense. Publishers very very very rarely value the opinion of fans higher than the opinion of the market. There's a certain point at which a franchise completely loses its viability. If SCS eats it, the chances for another SC game are not going to increase.quote>

There's not much they can do with 6 months left of development though.  They'll only be able to add little things but nothing huge.

[MrCinatit 30]

Originally posted by: Braxton

How is there 'openness early' here?  This game has about 6 months before release, and most games are usually announced a year or two before it is actually released.quote>

I have seen two people from Tilted Mill here - I am not sure about you, but I have never seen team members from a gaming company visit a fan site and post, as well as participate in multiple chats.

Those who demand to know of the nuts and bolts of the entire game are forgetting, we knew very little about SimCity 4 before it came out. A company is unable to give out all information of the game, not only because some things might change in the game before it is released, but they do not want the competition to obtain trade secrets.

I've been very impressed by the visits by Tilted Mill members - because, after all, even though this is the largest fan site - this is still a fan site, and showing willingness to participate in such is not only impressive, but commendable.

And how are they 'listening'?  There have been topics for years on what Sim City 5 would be like and what we wanted it to be and they never once 'listened' to those suggestions.   How come people think they're going to listen now?  They may be able to add some of the suggestions in to this game but many will not be added simply because of the direction they're going in.quote>

How do we know they are not listening? I have seen David react to a couple of posts not only with his own posts, but in chat.

In addition, we should not get grand notions that we are the only audience for the game. While 170,000 registered users is impressive, if the game were to satisfy only the users here, that would equal very poor sales. There are many out there who have, in fact, complained that the game was too complex - and did not stick around for nearly as long as we did to give it a chance. There were many more who simply did not buy it because they heard the game was so challenging. Yes, the game is easy for myself and many others here - but are those of us who have stuck around for four years common gammers, or die-hards? While it would be nice to have a game which would be perfect for us die-hards, the very end product of EA's existence is to make money - a challenging game which no one wants to play will not make money. Unfortunately, this is a cold-hard fact.

However, I do also believe they are listening to us die hard gamers, as well. And, as you have said, some ideas might not be incorporated yet - but who is to say they will not be in the future? After all, last week, I did not know the game even existed. Surely it is too early to say they are not listening.

On a long term basis, Sim City 4 will still have a vibrant community until a true Sim City game is released.  Who knows how long that will be.quote>

I agree.

I fully intend on buying SimCity Societies - and I hope it will be a very enjoyable game.

However, at the same time, it sounds quite different from SimCity 4. Who is to say I will have to chose between one or the other? If they in fact turn out to be two totally different games, then who is to say I will not be able to play both with equal enjoyment?

[Braxton 0]

Originally posted by: MrCinatit

Originally posted by: Braxton

How is there 'openness early' here?  This game has about 6 months before release, and most games are usually announced a year or two before it is actually released.quote>

I have seen two people from Tilted Mill here - I am not sure about you, but I have never seen team members from a gaming company visit a fan site and post, as well as participate in multiple chats.

Those who demand to know of the nuts and bolts of the entire game are forgetting, we knew very little about SimCity 4 before it came out. A company is unable to give out all information of the game, not only because some things might change in the game before it is released, but they do not want the competition to obtain trade secrets.

I've been very impressed by the visits by Tilted Mill members - because, after all, even though this is the largest fan site - this is still a fan site, and showing willingness to participate in such is not only impressive, but commendable. quote>

As a matter of fact, yes, I have seen people from companies get involved with fan sites, more so than what I have seen here.  Yes, it's early since it was just announced, but this game has been in development for at least a year already.

And how are they 'listening'?  There have been topics for years on what Sim City 5 would be like and what we wanted it to be and they never once 'listened' to those suggestions.   How come people think they're going to listen now?  They may be able to add some of the suggestions in to this game but many will not be added simply because of the direction they're going in.quote>

How do we know they are not listening? I have seen David react to a couple of posts not only with his own posts, but in chat.

In addition, we should not get grand notions that we are the only audience for the game. While 170,000 registered users is impressive, if the game were to satisfy only the users here, that would equal very poor sales. There are many out there who have, in fact, complained that the game was too complex - and did not stick around for nearly as long as we did to give it a chance. There were many more who simply did not buy it because they heard the game was so challenging. Yes, the game is easy for myself and many others here - but are those of us who have stuck around for four years common gammers, or die-hards? While it would be nice to have a game which would be perfect for us die-hards, the very end product of EA's existence is to make money - a challenging game which no one wants to play will not make money. Unfortunately, this is a cold-hard fact.

However, I do also believe they are listening to us die hard gamers, as well. And, as you have said, some ideas might not be incorporated yet - but who is to say they will not be in the future? After all, last week, I did not know the game even existed. Surely it is too early to say they are not listening.quote>

I do not understand the whole 'too complex' thing.  Once you learn how to play the game it's fun.  Sim City 4 is relatively easy compared to other games, like Galactic Civilizations II for instance (lots of micromanagement).  I will say that it was a shock at first but I came online to find out what I was doing wrong.  I was doing little things wrong.  We got used to plopping down schools and hospitals and police stations that when the funding element was added to them in SC4 it took us by surprise.  You had to learn to play, that's what you do in all games, learn to play it.  If you throw own $50 on a game I would think you'd want to stick with it and learn how to play.  I'm sure there is a lot that could have been done to make it easier for new players from the get go.

On a long term basis, Sim City 4 will still have a vibrant community until a true Sim City game is released.  Who knows how long that will be.quote>

I agree.

I fully intend on buying SimCity Societies - and I hope it will be a very enjoyable game.

However, at the same time, it sounds quite different from SimCity 4. Who is to say I will have to chose between one or the other? If they in fact turn out to be two totally different games, then who is to say I will not be able to play both with equal enjoyment?quote>

quote>

[Kaboy 0]

I'm wondering whether the public they are visualising with the new game will actually be interested. From what I've seen so far (and I don't mean this in an offending way) they completely turn away from the older, more experienced, into realism kind of gamers. They have now turned their concept to fit a more (sorry) 'Simplistic' audience. By doing this a part of their fan base will unevitably go. And I think that is a significant part. So this part will need compensation of their new audience, and that is? 10 to 14 year-old, maybe even younger? if I were 14 I'd still like the play something more realistic, but that's of cource an opinion. But what I'm afraid of  is that such public is not at all that keen on city-building or the like. But then again I'm just guessing, we'll have to wait and see.

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

What's in a name.  It appears to be a totally different derivative of the franchise.  I don't see a conflict with SC4, and I don't see it as a successor, either.

It is unlikely that the new effort will drive out the current game base, except for those who would follow the economic rule that a bad currency drives out a good.