Cities Unlimited

[Alex7cat 0]

Well CU certainly has my attention, however, I think that anyone who believes this to be too British has never visited Britain.

So they've stuck some landmark london buildings in a screenshot but LOOK AT THE ROADS - the single most important thing in my opinion which distinguishes european cities from U.S. and canadian ones. I would suggest anyone who does not know what I am talking about gets on Google Earth and explores both sides of the pond.

From the screen shot, the roads meet on right angles which certainly does not indicate that CU will be British. It is encouraging to see cars driving on the left for us Brits, Irish, Aussies NZ'ers and all but I would have to see how the game works to be sure that the game is capable of creating realistic British/European cities. It is also worth mentioning that British roads are much narrower than those of most other countries (especially north america) and my cities whilst being as antigrid as possible do look odd because the building density is too low due to the wide roads.

[meowza 230]

Originally posted by: ILL Tonkso I can see 33 Canada Sqaure and the Lloyds Building!quote>

 

where?

edit:

@Alex7cat:  I think people were just referring to the general "British" feel of the screenshots, and not that it is exactly Britain-like in every way.

[Ace_F15 16]

@ SimFox: I really could care less what they messed up on, they still have done better than Sim Cities pathetic attempt at a new game. And really the issue's highlighted can easily be fixed before it's released (whenver that may be).
--
SCS just looks like utter garbage really. I mean it has no realism factor whatsovever, at least this game TRIES to have SOME realism in it.

[jarnomiedema 52]

Well, this definitely looks amazing.. I couldn't stop laughing when I noticed that ferrywheel.. I remember how much many people rambled on and on about that awful ferriswheel in Simcity: Societies and this not only looks realistic, it doesn't even look out of place!

While I agree there's something odd about the shadows, I don't think it should be a big concern.. Remember that this game, like Simcity: Societies is still in development.. Oh, and even if the shadows aren't exactly right, I'd rather have a game with some faulty shadows than a game that's intended for children..

Anyway, graphically, this game has already impressed me.. Now if only we could learn even more about its features!

Thanks for the interview Dirk! I'm sure a lot of Simcity fans released a sigh of relief upon seeing these images..

[Cleaner475 150]

the only thing I don't like graphically is probably the cars - I like the game concept and the rest of it but the cars look more like they wree just pasted on - but as you say it is still in devlopment

[stamp 4]

The one thing i loved about simcity 4 vanilla is the ability to just sit back, and to just appreciate your work, be able to follow the cars right from work to home (This was removed in rush hour ). Of course the grid restriction bugged the HECK out of me!

Because of the different direction that Simcity: societies has taken (Creativity = Candy land??? I compose music and my place doesn't even have a ferris wheel! Lucky Maxis composers! ) I am going to have to raise CityLife's arm and call it a winner this round!

[jackel.22 3]

eh i have to say it looks a lot better i just wish they didnt put as much emphisis on the whole rich poor thing, it really annoyed me because i couldnt build the city how i wanted to i had to keep conforming to some stupid loud mouth city life citizin that wanted more areas. it really killed it for me.

[Adnoxaei 0]

Well, so far it looks like I will buy Cities Unlimited before Sim City Societies. I watched the SCS interviews and instead of making me think any better of the game, it made me think it is worth even less to buy it. Cities Unlimited just looks so much more impressive and interesting.

[zzsim 3]

Something people have to remember about the graphics is that unlike in your typical FPS or racer not everything in the game world is going to cast shadows. When games are on a large scale as city builder games are, it would be too demanding graphicaly for every single lamp post or car to cast shadows, and instead only the larger objects such as buildings and maybe trees will have that feature. The most important thing I have seen in these early screenshots, in regards to the graphics, is that they appear to be going in a more realistic art direction than either the first City Life or SCS. Furthermore, the detail in the buildings looks great for a 3d sim game, and the graphics can only get better from here (this game has been in developement for only 14 months, and it already looks better than SCS which has been in developement for 2 years).

[Scaley McSlither 1,714]

I'll bet that MC is rubbing their hands with glee over the reaction they've garnered as compared with SCS. As previously mentioned, the first thing I noticed was the difference in the Ferris Wheels. I was horrified by the angular FW of SCS and awed by the inclusion of the London Eye (which actually looks realistic!). I fully expect MC to include many of the features we've been begging for, but SCS has ignored as a strategy to lure us to that franchise.

To wit: the most striking difference between these two games is in the graphical realism presented by CU compared the the cartoonish, almost other-worldly qualities of many of the buildings in SCS. Also, the choice of screenshots MC has released are a direct shot across EA's bow, in showing off multiple transport types and their response to the "ferris wheel."

The screenshots alone have led me to a preconception of which game I'd rather own when the time comes, but I also fear that by being lured away from SCS I'm contributing to SC's ultimate demise. If SCS craters, EA would possibly use that as an excuse to put it to rest permanently. Maybe that's a good thing as EA seems to have lost touch with their fanbase (assuming that they ever really understood our desires).

Further, and this is more of a pipe dream; if I can make a recommendation to both developers (and I can't believe that no one has honestly considered this yet) it would be to approach this community for contributions from buildings that have already been rendered. Who among us would not feel honored to have their work included in a new game? If the only recompense would be to have my name buried somewhere in the credits, that would be enough of a reward.

[Poetic 0]

This game just keeps amazing me . I still plan to get SCS, as well as this, but I think this game will probably fix my SimCity 4 cravings. I hate to say it, but if Cities Unlimited turns out to be the game I hope it is, then SimCity 4: Rush Hour may sit on the shelf for a while . I hope Dirk decides to make a board for this - I mean, we aren't exclusive to SimCity are we? Especially since SCS isn't made by Maxis or Will Wright anyway... I think a Cities Unlimited section will definitely help us follow the upcoming events that we'll begin to see.

[Nerd_Guy 4]

Now this is a worthy sequel to SC4. I just hope that:

1.) There will be the ability to make American style cities.

2.) It will moddable

3.) There will be a BAT

4.) It will be easy to play just to make an aesthetically pleasing city rather than just to manage a city.

[chocolate_city 93]

It must be extremely difficult to make freeways and interchanges because to this date NOT ONE OF THESE GAME PREVIEWS has shown me any type of freeway. I play the game primarily, and i do admit that i am part of a small majority, that plays the game for making mass transportation systems... I am dismayed that transportation has been completely downplayed to a almost non-existent level... forgive me if this is redundant... it just that I had such high hopes for the new game.

[Goldfish4209 9]

Wow, now that looks nice. Now EA/TM has the pressure to make a better tame. The know they have competition now. This makes things more interesting.

Ironically, we all hated city life. Now we're all going nuts over what's basically CL2.

[stamp 4]

Originally posted by: chocolate_city It must be extremely difficult to make freeways and interchanges because to this date NOT ONE OF THESE GAME PREVIEWS has shown me any type of freeway.quote>

Well, the web head (of Monte Cristo) did acknowledge the community's call for more transportation options.  We also don't know the release date.  Maybe they are just focusing on the mechanics of the road object/class, and will add child road types (freeways, interchanges, etc) later on!

Besides, the lack of grid in Cities Unlimited is enough for me anyways!

WHY IS SIMCITY SOCIETIES STILL ON A GRID???????????????

[Sc4jeeks 35]

Originally posted by: chocolate_city It must be extremely difficult to make freeways and interchanges because to this date NOT ONE OF THESE GAME PREVIEWS has shown me any type of freeway.quote>

You were expecting to see everything in two screenshots?

[Haljackey 17,302]

Originally posted by: Raxter If I only have 50 bucks this holiday season, SCS doesn't stand a chance.quote>

With what we have seen so far of the two games, I couldn't agree with you more

[ILL Tonkso 1,236]

Originally posted by: Sc4jeeks

Originally posted by: chocolate_city It must be extremely difficult to make freeways and interchanges because to this date NOT ONE OF THESE GAME PREVIEWS has shown me any type of freeway.quote>

You were expecting to see everything in two screenshots?quote>

We were told its just roads.

[spa 968]

Originally posted by: ILL Tonkso

Originally posted by: Sc4jeeks

Originally posted by: chocolate_city It must be extremely difficult to make freeways and interchanges because to this date NOT ONE OF THESE GAME PREVIEWS has shown me any type of freeway.quote>

You were expecting to see everything in two screenshots?quote>

We were told its just roads.quote>

 

Um that may be correct but it hasn't been confirmed. So far we haven't heard much of anything about what's actually going to be in Cities Unlimited, but the developer has said that transportation is a priority. We'll just have to see what's in store.

[eburress 267]

Well, the screenshots look pretty impressive. Unlike SimCity Societies, I'm actually looking forward to it! If there's a BAT, sign me up!

[chocolate_city 93]

To SC4jeeks... I would think that if freeways and interchanges where possible, especially considering the no grid thing, they would want to show it off immediately... Just having roads and avenues in MY cities ain't cuttin' it for me ... I will, however keep a somewhat open mind until the actual game is out

[topcliff 1]

Originally posted by: eburress Well, the screenshots look pretty impressive. Unlike SimCity Societies, I'm actually looking forward to it! If there's a BAT, sign me up! quote>

 

Oh my God! This cyber debate has brought out yet another awesome BATter! This is becoming a good thing, that is, SCS. It has brought back a lot of great greats! TopCliff

[jarnomiedema 52]

By the way, regarding the whole 'transportation options' and 'highways' question, I'm pretty sure the people behind Cities Unlimited won't drop the highways, since they were also included in City Life..

Granted, they were not as realistic or had as many options as the highways in SC4, but they were there. I think we can safely assume they'll be in CU as well..

[joerg 280]

Amazing! perhaps there isnt a need for a massive revolt and development of our own game afterall, now if only MC can avoid the mighty all devouring monster that is EA.... My only hope is there there is regional play or atleast some massive maps.

[screamingman12 30]

Oh man! I am definately buying this! It is so much better than that peice-of-crap SCS. We should try to find out more features and specs though.

[SpecialEddie 3]

Originally posted by: jarnomiedema

Well, this definitely looks amazing.. I couldn't stop laughing when I noticed that ferrywheel.. I remember how much many people rambled on and on about that awful ferriswheel in Simcity: Societies and this not only looks realistic, it doesn't even look out of place!

quote>

 

I think that ferriswheel fits because it's the London Eye.

[MINIggy03 227]

This game already looks 10x better than Societies. Wow...what a burn to Societies, but a sigh of relief that there might actually be something to look forward to.

[MrCinatit 30]

Originally posted by: joerg Amazing! perhaps there isnt a need for a massive revolt and development of our own game afterall, now if only MC can avoid the mighty all devouring monster that is EA.... My only hope is there there is regional play or atleast some massive maps.quote>

Exactly - and some kick butt terraforming capabilities.

I might be a rarity here, but I so far have plans on getting both games (Cities Unlimited and Societies). However, time will only tell which one I play long term - or if I simply decide SimCity 4 is the way to go.

[le_pirate 0]

Originally posted by: SpecialEddie

Originally posted by: jarnomiedema

Well, this definitely looks amazing.. I couldn't stop laughing when I noticed that ferrywheel.. I remember how much many people rambled on and on about that awful ferriswheel in Simcity: Societies and this not only looks realistic, it doesn't even look out of place!

quote>

 

I think that ferriswheel fits because it's the London Eye.

quote>

 

London Eye : this is it !

[D_DERIDEX 0]

Agreed, I also am planning on getting both games.  Societies looks loike an enjoyable game in its own right, and this, so far, looks like a worthy successor to the SimCity genre.