To zone or not to zone

[ADG 0]

What's the opinion on this subject here?

I created a poll like this on Tilted Mills forum, to see what the difference. So far ~43% says it needs to be in the game, ~23% wants it, but can live without it and 10% doesn't care

IMHO it's not SimCity if it doesn't have zoning

Sure, they didn't have zoning in SimCity Classic, but it wasn't really possible back then

[Hasbone 0]

They did have zoning in Simcity Classic didn't they? Just in a different way.

[+Guest]

Zoning has always been a part of SimCity, even in Classic. Classic's zoning system was slightly different in that the zones were only of one particular size, but the way in which they were used was essentially the same. It's not really SimCity if you can't zone an area and see what pops up. That's part of the fun, not knowing exactly what you're going to see.

[cammo2003 20]

Actually, it was in Classic in a way. Each of those things you plopped was a zone, it was just of fixed size.

They really should have kept zoning, even if in a slightly more limited fashion... It would for example, be tedious to plop a suburban area, but a commercial core is less so.

Things like schools etc would obviously be plopped, as would transit stations if they were inclurded (which unfortunately they're not..

Beats me as to why not, though. Rail was in classic, even, if in a limited way.

[opbravo 0]

Originally posted by: ADG IMHO it's not SimCity if it doesn't have zoning.quote>

I totally agree.  Zoning is one of the fundamental aspects of a SimCity game... it's been there since the beginning.

[offgreen 1]

Zoning is part of the realism in making a city and is fundamental. SC4 doesn't have it perfect, but SCS  will not be doing better.

[Pityu2 0]

True, but the SCS is not the city simulation we are talking (dreaming) about, so there is no need for zoning in it...

[ADG 0]

Originally posted by: Hasbone They did have zoning in Simcity Classic didn't they? Just in a different way.quote>

IMHO it's too different to be called zoning, but yes it had the same basic idea

[KnowitallSim 1]

Zoning is DEFINITELY needed.

The game really isn't SimCity without it.

[ADG 0]

With 3% who either doesn't care or are happy to see it gone, it sounds like everybody agrees on this subject

[MrCinatit 30]

I always enjoyed zoning - mostly because there was a mystery in what would pop up where, and a pleasing surprise when some of the nicer buildings would pop up (though I actually enjoyed looking at my slum areas, as well).

What also made it enjoyable was that the city line looked more unpredictable and realistic when grown, rather than when totally plopped (at least in my case).

[John-SJ 13]

I voted don't care.  EA and TM have taken SimCity in a different direction with Societies.  I like the currnet zoning system, but I am more than willing to see how this new direction pans out.  So, I will wait and see.

[ADG 0]

Originally posted by: John-SJ I voted don't care.  EA and TM have taken SimCity in a different direction with Societies.  I like the currnet zoning system, but I am more than willing to see how this new direction pans out.  So, I will wait and see.quote>

Haven't you played City Life? There you can see how annoying and ugly it is without zoning

[Bluebeard 0]

Everything that has been released so far about the TM/EA game and this poll has proven TM/EA will make a nice profit thus leading the way for quick and easy games.
    Seeing how well the Sims franchise has sold and this new SC it will leave the hardcore city players high and dry.
   Bottom line time to lower your I.Q. because SC won't require much of a brain but it will make a great drink coaster.

[purpledaddy 6]

I think zoning and watching what happens next is the heart and soul of what has made Sim City so addictive.  

As long as there are levels of choice, I'm not only for keeping it but also for making it more complex, specific, and ultimately with less repetiton in what comes up thereafter.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

I guess I could even live with a mixed solution where you provide zones (maybe with the addition of dedicated office / retail zones, mixed-use zones or W2W options) and the game uses an assessment of demand and attractivity (pretty much like SC4) to offer buildings chosen randomly from a pool of buildings that are options for the respective zone - e.g. you zone a W2W zone, mixed use also possible, modern Euro style, and the game offers you a complete row of purely low-wealth residential. Or maybe mixed-use medium-wealth residential plus retail on the ground floor. If you accept, buildings from that category are built on a random basis to form a W2W row of predetermined size and density, but randomized appearance.

However, no zoning at all, only plopping, kind of eliminates the essence of SimCity and should therefore not be disposed of in any game that deserves to bear the word "SimCity" in its name, period.

[Salbador 0]

Zoning is easy play , as the simulation balances the density of an area with to the surrounding enviroment ,plopping could backfire ,if you overplop , or plop in the wrong place, a zone never develops over potential , if the streets are bumper to bumper they your zoned building wont grow . Imho although we wont see it in SCS plopping could offer a more challenging game if the game makers made it important as to when and where and by how many should be plopped , with consequenses if you get it wrong.However I voted zoning should stay as i like the magic we see when zones come to life.

[Ntq€310 1]

zoning is one of the best parts of the game, sure i think alot of people want better zoning, and more zones, but watching your city rise up from the ground just puts a warm feeling in my heart, also it would take way to long to plop a entire city, it also makes the game more realistic, and i cant believe they would do that, when more than 90% of the community wants zoning

[megalopolitan 0]

If you think I want to plop every building all the time you've lost your mind... so I like zones, lol. These people really do have all day to sit in front of their PC, don't they?

[___idiotbox 0]

I'd like zoning to be there. I like it because everything starts to grow bigger. But when you plot it is either a cruddy place or a tall apartment building etc.There is no growth. Obviously the game is going to be different without zoning.

The game is going to be different, with or without zoning and I'm probably going to play it no matter what.

-Ellie

[LivingInThePast 364]

If zoning was streamlined...as in, you zone a plot and a residential developer moves in and supplies power, water, streets, etc. it might be fun.