Suburbia

[City2TheMax 3]

*** CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO A VERY BUSY SCHEDULE. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER. THANK YOU! ***

"A country divided. A social identity in shambles. Is there hope?"

Told from a first person perspective

Actual story begins at post 3; first 2 posts serve as introduction

Don't want to look at still images? The first 2 updates in a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pzVKcRAO9Y

What's up? Come on into my barrio! I live in SUB2, the second largest crib in Suburbia. It's the largest ghetto, mostly Hispanic. Let me take you on a tour of my barrio:

(sorry about the size, I realized too late that they were this small. Next update will have 800 X 600 pics. Please tell me what you think of titles in the pictures)

The diamond in the rough

Too many dead bodies found in this field

[tigerplayer91 3]

My hood, ha thats great.

Cant wait to see some more of that beautiful ghetto!

Dont forget to place the oh so traditional El-Rail next to the R$ home.

lol Ill be backk for moree come next update!

Nickk

[Newsimaddict 1]

interested to see how this pans out. always liked how people do the ghetto treatment. bring on the update!

[City2TheMax 3]

1st post updated!

Tigerplayer91: Haha, I'll make sure to do that in the future sometime

Newsimaddict: Thanks! I didn't think there was enough ghetto in ST so I thought I would try it out.

[tigerplayer91 3]

Lol wow.

I think L.A. style should be "hollywood style" but the other ones

seem just about right. though when I traveled to LA we didnt really

go near the ghetto so you never know lol.

Nice updatee.

NIckk

[jacqulina 162]

interesting start and intro my friend,great idea with editing.

[Rictiovarus 1]

Hehehe. I like the ghettoes. Are you going to make it a story, or just building a city?

[Patricius Maximus 236]

Hmm, looks like a ghetto that once was suburbia. Like the garbage.

Looking forward to more.

[jjune4991 1]

very cool. i like the very ingenious titles...yea...

[City2TheMax 3]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Nickk (is it OK if I call u this?): Thanks! That's a pretty good point; I didn't think of it.

jacqulina: Thanks!

Rictiovarus: I'll get to that in just a second

Patricius Maximus: Thanks! It took me a little time to edit the garbage but I'm also pleased with the results

jjune4991: Haha, I'm glad you do.

UPDATE 2

Rictiovarus brought up a good point: How am I going to present this CJ? I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but I am planning on making this sort of a city diary from a person's perspective. Sorta. It's also kinda like a diary.

Hey, I'm glad you came back to SUB2, or as we call it, 2. It's Monday and I gotta get back to work again at the gas station. It ain't a great job, but me and my holmies chill out at the corner sometimes. After work we go and shoot some hoops.

It doesn't take me long to get to work because of the highways. South of the stacks you can see planned industries.

The city reserved some space for some new shops. With this market we ain't gonna be seeing them for a while though.

My cuz lives near the tracks; I visit him every other weekend

My Mamá lives on this street we call death block - more people get shot here than anywhere else in 2.

Here's my city at night. Yeah, the rich got a casino.

[Schulmanator 5,787]

Cool!

You emit radiation? Awesome! Me too!

[tigerplayer91 3]

I like this lol, it totally reminds me of like Compton.

Or like when Im flying into LA and see all the ghettos with

their little palm trees all over the place and cruddy one story

houses everywhere.

And ofcourse its fine with me if you call me Nick, its way shorter

than Tigerplayer91 lol.

Keep up the good work Ill be back!

Nickk

[edmonton_stinks 5]

Nasty. Looks awful (meant as a compliment)!

[jjune4991 1]

watch out for death block, or someone will bust a cap in ya!

i'm sure your mama must be the greatest person there that everyone loves for her not to get shot!

[nottheboss 1]

nice down an dirty cj

[briantwigley 0]

'Near the tracks' reminds me of a neigborhood in GTA: San Andreas.

Great CJ so far!

[City2TheMax 3]

QUICK REPLIES

Thanks everyone for your comments so far! It's kind of late right now, but I promise to give you an approximately 15-20 picture update tomorrow. They will also include some other cities in the region!

Schulmanator: Cool! It looks like I'm not the only one with awesome radioactive abilities lol.

Nikk: I'm glad you see it that way! I was actually purposefully trying to get the South Central Los Angeles look.

Edmonton_Stinks: Haha, thanks!

jjune4991: Hmm, that's a good point -personally I feel that she's so old no one wants to kill her as she'll die anyways lol.

Nottheboss: Thanks!

Briantwigley: I haven't played that game, but I was going for a South Central Los Angeles look, so that's probably a good thing =) -and thanks!

[dafiden 11]

I like your zoning and road style.  It looks like you let all your RCI's grow, but you've got some really good looking results.  I especially like your use of only a two grid block of low-density residential.  I have used that before, but I always shy away from it for some reason.

[City2TheMax 3]

REPLY

Dafiden: Thanks! I have been going for a Los Angeles suburbia look, and this seems to work best. I have actually done some research on the Los Angeles gridding style and sizes. The streets in real life and SC match up, but house lots are actually 0.5 (width) X 3 (length) in tiles (in real life). That size would look unrealistic in SC, so I settled with 1 X 1 tiles.

UPDATE 3

After some consideration I have decided to switch over to a story format. The region in itself, to be honest, has the same sort of general dullness as the suburbia of Los Angeles. Since there are so many "showcase" CJs out there already, a story format should be best. Any feedback on this decision would be great!

Welcome back vato! It looks like I haven't introduced myself. My name is José Vargas, and I'm 35 years old. People always assume I'm just another dumb alien 'cause I work at a gas station and haven't gotten an education. I can't help it that I grew up on the southside of 2! But man, there's more to me than you can see. I don't spend all my free time smoking weed and playing basketball. I volunteer at the local mission too.

We here at the mission do some good stuff for the barrio. They only built us one elementary school in the south side; they said it was enough. But hell no, it only covers half of the ghetto! We all got together after the government fell (I will tell you later), and built this mission to give our kids what little we have.

Something you would not expect from me is that I'm representing the barrio in our courthouse. Let me tell you why: It was back in 2013 when the government fell. the people revolted, D.C. collapsed, and the USA was gone. All the states separated again. California had become overcrowded by now, and split into the North, the Mid-Valley, and the South. This region, which never got its official name, was dubbed Suburbia. We are part of the South and its own government. The South decided to set up a system of government of more direct representation. Each city has 30 representatives, 10 for each social class. I never wanted to become a representative, but the barrio voted me in because of all my volunteer work at the mission. Representatives don't get any pay 'cause the South doesn't have no cash. It's not too bad though; the representatives are only called to make important decisions when they come up. Sadly, today would be one of those rare days that they called on us.

It was 4:00 in the afternoon when the call came. It was a Sunday and I was over at the mission. They (the city council) wouldn't give us no details, all they said was to come to the courthouse immediately.

We waited in the old courthouse, all 30 of us, sweating like pigs. 1 hour later the city council came in, telling us that we were to pack our bags and go to the airport immediately. There was a crisis on hand. One of the representatives of the upper class called out:

"I've got a family at home! Is this necessary?"

The head of the city council simply said:

"If you don't comply, you will be imprisoned for treason. This is by orders of the government. Any more questions?"

No one dared to say anything. Later that afternoon we flew out to SUB1.

Luckily the plane that was supposed to pick us up got delayed in SUB3 (these cities aren't actually that far apart, but with new innovations in flight technology it is actually cheaper to fly longer distances than to drive). We slept overnight at the airport, and arrived in SUB1 in the morning.

After arriving they put us up in a fancy hotel. I never set my foot in one of them rich places 'cause you usually get kicked out. After the USA fell racism against Hispanics really took hold.

This is the hotel. They got all the representatives from the 13 different populated cities in Suburbia together, and we will be sent to SUB3 where this crisis situation is going on. Usually the local militia (aka the police) handle these situations, but this has gotta be something big. Before we leave let me show you a couple of pics of SUB1.

This highway is part of the highway that stretches along the coastal cities. This ghetto is also part of the ghettos that stretch along the coastal cities.

Of course the rich ones live right along the coast. A lot of apartment buildings got built over the last few years, mostly for the rich.

The next morning we arrived in SUB3. SUB1 - 3 are dubbed the core cities, while everything else falls in between. I dunno 'bout that 'cause I haven't been to the outskirts of Suburbia. I do know that they are the 3 largest cities in Suburbia. 3's airport was slightly larger that 1's airport.

We were put into motels 'cause 3 didn't have any fancy hotels. Yes, they all looked the same.

It was night time when we were assembled at the main high school. the courthouse was too small for so many people. Never had there been a night-time assembly of representatives, so the media was all on it. Yes, South had kept capitalism and free speech, including democracy. Not much actually changed... yet.

A few representatives from the South national government took the podium. One of them started to speak:

"Representatives of the district of Suburbia! We have a crisis situation on our hands. The nuclear power plant on the island of SUB3 was taken over by a group of unidentified terrorists."

"They have not voiced their demands yet, but have told us that the power plant is strapped with bombs. Hostages have been kept under the ferry docks."

"Finally, they have also taken over the mainland docks."

"Something must be done immediately. We have tried contacting North, Mid-Valley, and New Mexico, but no one has talked to us yet. We obviously doesn't have a proper military, and these terrorists are serious."

I was shocked. Nothing this serious had happened since the division of the USA. And I had relatives that lived on the island too. One of my cousins lived in an apartment, working at the power plant.

It was not only poor people that lived on the island, but rich ones too. The power plant was purposefully built on an artificial island so that if something happened, the effect would not be felt in the main part of the city. Now it was a problem, as access to the island was limited by a large and surprisingly well armed group of terrorists. What could this mean?

[edmonton_stinks 5]

Whoa, that storyline really took off. What will happen to the power plant?

[tigerplayer91 3]

Oh cool!

At first I thought this was just going

to be an eye "candy" CJ. Though it would

hardly have been candy lol.

More like a "Rotten Onions" CJ from all the

beautiful little neighborhoods lol.

But I like the story, surprisingly its the only one

Ive ever read on Simtropolis. All the other ones are

so typical but yours is actually interesting.

Instead of just boom boom war everyones dead you actually

setup a story line, gave us a main character, and are

actually like narrating the whole thing. Not just putting up cheesy

pictures of explosions and what not lol.

I like I like!

Nickk

[Goldfish4209 9]

Wow! Very impressive storyline/style! (Has there ever been a ghetto cj?) Very nice!

[vinvin du 13 0]

good,I like it thats a very good opening!!

[Mayor Zoidberg 0]

I really like the palm trees you've placed.  I'll have to add those to my city.  This looks great so far!  Thanks for the feedback on my city journal (Del Sol County)

- Zoidberg

[City2TheMax 3]

REPLIES + SURVEY FOR EVERYONE

I'm sorry that I won't be coming out with an update today. I am currently working on a video that will include the first 2 updates including music (for those who want to get right into the story). It doesn't have any narration, but I'm working on making it pretty cool. Sadly a story form won't work too well in video format, unless you are willing to wait longer for updates - then I could make it work. It's all up to you, so feel free to vote on this one. =)

edmonton_stinks: It looks like we'll have to wait for the next update

Nickk: Haha, I totally agree. The candy wasn't quite there, which is why I got kinda worried lol.Wow, thanks for that compliment! I have been doing storytelling for some time now (all non-commercially), and thought I might want to bring it to ST. I'm very glad that you like it!

Goldfish4209: I've actually wondered the same thing. But I'm glad you like it!

vinvin du 13: Thanks!

Mayor Zoidberg: Thanks! Do you need me to send you a link to the palm trees? Hey, no problem - thanks for your feedback here too! Don't feel obliged to post here because I posted on your CJ though.

[Goldfish4209 9]

I prefer pictures over animated video, but that's just me. If you have a preference for video, I don't really mind.

EDIT: I love your ghetto writing, is it photoshop?

[Mikeaut1 261]

Excellent work so far! Great pictures and a nice storyline to read!

[roboo1 1]

Really good CJ! I like those "hostages" under the ferry dock How did you do it? Is it somehow photoshoped or a game bug?

-roboo1

[City2TheMax 3]

REPLIES (incl. the quick replies)

edmonton_stinks:

It looks like we'll have to wait for the next update

Nickk: Haha, I totally agree. The candy wasn't quite there, which is why I got kinda worried lol.Wow, thanks for that compliment! I have been doing storytelling for some time now (all non-commercially), and thought I might want to bring it to ST. I'm very glad that you like it!

(second reply incl.) Goldfish4209: I've actually wondered the same thing. But I'm glad you like it! Yes, the writing is photoshopped (photofiltre). If you want more info on it I can give u a brief tutorial. Thanks for your input about the video thing! I agree, picture format seems better

vinvin du 13: Thanks!

Mayor Zoidberg: Thanks! Do you need me to send you a link to the palm trees? Hey, no problem - thanks for your feedback here too! Don't feel obliged to post here because I posted on your CJ though.

Mikeaut1: Thanks!

roboo1: Thanks! It was a game bug I accidentally discovered, and I thought it would be great for this storyline =)

UPDATE 4

In the last update, a crisis involving the nuclear island evolved. José, one of the barrio representatives traveled to SUB1 to help solve the crisis. Can it be solved? Only time will tell.

I could see the sweat on their faces. No one wanted to be in this hot, muggy high school. But no one wanted a nuclear disaster to hit Suburbia either. Man, I never wanted to be here. That doesn't change nothing though; I gotta do this. We've been talking for hours now. Someone suggested they be activists:

No, they couldn't be. The terrorists are strapped and aren't waving around banners. After more debating I thought of something. What if they're spies? From another state or something. I would need one of my homies to support me though; they wouldn't listen to some dumb Chicano anyways. John Caréz would be perfect! He was rich and influential, and was a mulatto (my grandma's brother's cousin). I was looking for him, but couldn't find him. Then I called out:

"Hey John Caréz, I need to speak to you vato!"

Silence. People looked around, but no one could find him. Then the speaker talked to someone behind him, who left the room. He then spoke:

"John is absent, but we sent for him. You can sit down now."

After some more time went by a man came in the room, who looked nervous. He gave something to the speaker, who then made an announcement:

"The situation has escalated. Several homes have been put on fire!"

He showed us the pictures on the projector:

People started mumbling to each other. This thing had turned bad. Something had to be done fast. Damnit, where was John?

...Meanwhile in South Rock City...

The streets were quiet. The city was bathed in the typical lights of an urban suburbia. This was one of the newest developments in the region, and one of the land developers was John Caréz.

This was his mansion, located right by the East-West avenue stretching through the city.

The local police station received a phone call. Immediately they dispatched a team of police, headed straight toward John's house.

The special forces were ready to storm the house. 3...2...1...

"Fire!"

An explosion rang out in the night sky. Then there was silence once again. After 7 minutes the police came out of the house empty handed. John was not there!

...Back in SUB3...

The city was quiet tonight. Warnings had been sent out, and everyone stayed inside. The city felt deserted.

Police stormed into the high school building, heading right towards José.

"José Vargas, you will be detained for questioning. Do not resist arrest or you will be tasered."

TO BE CONTINUED... IN THE NEXT UPDATE

[tigerplayer91 3]

what the heck!

stupid cops jose didnt even do anything!

the stories really starting to get interesting!

I wonder where the rich guy is?

nickk