The Worst Ordinances ever (Poll Included)

[Cougar2004 128]

I've heard many people say that some of the Sim City 4 ordinances are completely useless.  Others complain that some of them cost too much, hurt more than help, or are misleading, unclear as to what they really do and when to properly use them.

I've seen some downloadable mods that actually CHANGE an ordinance to be something completely different, or increase their power, or reduce their cost.  (Some are to cheat, others seem to be to make them more useful in a realistic real-world way.)

At times I play Sim City 4 without even touching the ordinances.  But usually I try to apply them when it seems right.  I don't claim to be an expert on them, but they do intriuge me quite a bit so I wanted to create this topic.  What do you think about them?

What do you think is the Worst Ordinance of all?  Are there any that you feel are 'useless'?  Any comment you have on Ordinances is welcome.

EDIT:  Added Poll.

EDIT2:   Added 5th Poll option (for modders)

EDIT3:  If you like this thread, check out: Ordinances (Complete List) Everything you wanted to know about Ordinances! 

[Rymac91 15]

I think you should add. "I enjoy them only after I have installed a mod to change them."

I have radical ordinance, and I love it. It allows me to build up job demands in cities just developing, and it's very powerful for the cost.

[Cougar2004 128]

Originally posted by: Rymac91 I think you should add. "I enjoy them only after I have installed a mod to change them."

I have radical ordinance, and I love it. It allows me to build up job demands in cities just developing, and it's very powerful for the cost.

quote>

Added poll option.  It made good sense. 

So which Ordinance did you "replace" or "modify" and what is the name of that mod?  Do you think others would like it? 

How do you feel about the ordinance you lost by adding this mod?  Do you miss it? Do you wish you had it back?

[Rymac91 15]

In all honesty, I don't miss the old ones, because I almost never used them in the first place because they were ineffective.

As for what mod I'm using, I'm using the ever classic Radical Ordinance Mod (Version 2.0)

Alternative link here:

The mod completely replaces ALL the original ordinances with radically modified ordinances that effect different elements of how your city will develop and what is actually needed with the mod.

Alot of them allow you to remove a negative element(such as trash or pollution) till it doesn't exist in your city anymore, and in the other direction, you can change it so the game has higher demand rates for Commerical, Farming and/or Industrial. If you do this, then you can tax Industrial to unrealistic levels and wont have a drop in demand, thus keeping your finances in the black.

Anyone who is sick of ineffective ordinances, you'll love this mod.

[psander5 198]

I completely forgot about the ordinances! I've been struggling with demand in my cj, but I never thought to turn to ordinances to help. I've pretty much abandoned them now. I either have them all on, or not at all. I've noticed some subtle differences when using them in the past, but i'm not all that clear on which to use when. I've also never tried any ordinance mods. Maybe now's the time to start looking!

[Godzillaman 21]

They seemed to work, but in extremely small doses. So you don't get much bang for your $$$...

[Cougar2004 128]

Originally posted by: psander5 I completely forgot about the ordinances! I've been struggling with demand in my cj, but I never thought to turn to ordinances to help. I've pretty much abandoned them now. I either have them all on, or not at all. I've noticed some subtle differences when using them in the past, but i'm not all that clear on which to use when. I've also never tried any ordinance mods. Maybe now's the time to start looking!

quote>

psander5:  It might be useful if one of us compiles a list of exactly what each ordinance does, and what the costs/drawbacks are.  I wonder if someone already has... i haven't found a thread using search that reveals this data YET, so ill probably do the work and post a thread on the topic if people feel that would be interesting or helpful.

[Boycey08 0]

i would find that helpful thanks, since i doubt there is an ordinance mod for vanilla

[Cougar2004 128]

Okay.  Sounds good.  I'll put a list together.  What should be in it about Ordinances to make it useful?  I'm guessing the Ordinance Name, $ Cost, Benefits, Drawbacks. Hmmm.. It would be nice to add when to use or not use each one, but thats part of the reason i opened this thread, to find out if people can help me figure that out.  Besides that, it might be helpful if i search for downloads/mods/plugins that would replace/expand/improve the original Ordinances, and maybe provide links to them as well.

What do other people think?  Ideas?

[Ntq€310 1]

Though im using the same mod as rymacc91, i never really got any enhancments from the in-game ones, if at all even. Some of them were unclear of there true effect, some didnt make sence, some had basiclly no effect at all, thouhg there were so nice ones they were few.

[0rion79 1]

Here is my opinion. They are ok, but the informations about their effects are too few.

For sure, they have a good cost/benefits ratio but what I do complain is that there are no reasons for NOT using 90% of them.

I would like more infos in the description as:

-Cost

- main effect description (with numbers)

- Mayor rating effect (if any)

- Landmark effect (if any)

Anyway, for me they are too few.

[Mistagnerd 0]

I agree with  orion79. I only use a few ordinances so a detailed description of each would be helpful to me.

[Cougar2004 128]

Okay then.... I've done my research over the last week, and I'm now ready to provide such a list as Orion79 and Mistagnerd would like on Ordinances.

Stay tuned for a new Thread on the topic, and I'll link it from this discussion thread on the Worst Ordinances, for those who are tracking from here.  I think it will be a very interesting list, and discussion thread, at least I have quite a few thoughts for it now! 

EDIT:  Thanks for everyone weighing in here, and voting in the poll!  I never imagined that this community of players would be soooo diverse as to their view and use of Ordinances!  Its quite surprising really. 

[0rion79 1]

Can't wait to hear the news!

[Cougar2004 128]

As promised.... 

Ordinances (Complete List) Everything you wanted to know about Ordinances!

Enjoy~!

[TimeMaster 4]

Originally posted by: 0rion79 Here is my opinion. They are ok, but the informations about their effects are too few.

For sure, they have a good cost/benefits ratio but what I do complain is that there are no reasons for NOT using 90% of them.

I would like more infos in the description as:

-Cost

- main effect description (with numbers)

- Mayor rating effect (if any)

- Landmark effect (if any)

Anyway, for me they are too few.quote>

Yes, I agree. I think the enviroment ones should be more powerful, but would cost more, and denounce industry.

[un1 41]

Originally posted by: TimeMaster

Yes, I agree. I think the enviroment ones should be more powerful, but would cost more, and denounce industry.quote>

 

I will start modding those ordinaces tommorow.

I also voted, I need to say many ordinances don't do anything for me...

-un1

[Cougar2004 128]

un1, Its actually an honor to see you here on this topic thread.  Ive seen your downloads all around the STEX.  

It sounds as if you know how to modify the existing ordinances.  Do you happen to know how to "complete" the unfinished 24 Ordinances that are listed in the first post of: 

Ordinances (Complete List)

Everything you wanted to know about Ordinances! 

??

IF so.... I would love to have all 44 Ordinances active.  Since the game didn't seem to finish the additional 24, if you (or any other modder at Simtropolis) has the Know-How to bring these to life, I would enjoy assisting on the project.  

I've done extensive research on all the existing SimCity 4 20 Ordinances.  I believe I could come up with realistic (true-to SimCity) attributes for every single one of these unfinished ordinances (if EA/Maxis did not already create and leave us that data in the exes) which would could help make them a reality if someone knows how to create the mod.  Let me know if someone wants to do this.  Thanks.

[0rion79 1]

Hi. I hope this won't enter in conflict with the "enhanced clean air ordinance" and "improved legalized gambling"

https://www.simtropolis.com/modding/index.cfm?p=details&id=14

https://www.simtropolis.com/modding/index.cfm?p=details&id=12

and the lottery program reloaded https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?p=results

I think that they are already very good. And, for sure, some other ordinances have a too limited effect.

Instead, what do you think about making cumulative ordinaces? Eg: tourism promotion program only gives a +2% to commrecial services demand. What if you create a "enhanced tourism promotion program" that is activated only if the basic ordinance has been active and city has X.000 of commercial buildings?

This is just to make some brainstorming and generate ideas

[Prophet42 1,503]

I use most of the ordinances after the city grows to the point were it can afford them.  However, I NEVER use the legalize gambling one.  I don't like the increased crime and I never need the money (even without cheating), so it is useless to me.

[Cougar2004 128]

I haven't found the legalized gambling one to ever cause any crime in small new cities.  This is probably because it increases crime 20% and 0 times 120% is well.... nothing.  And 100$/mo doesnt seem too bad for a new growing city.  Eventually when the city grows and crime is introduced, i kill the ordinance so it doesnt get out of hand.

Besides that comment, back to the topic of this thread..... I think we just have nominated our FIRST REAL Worst Ordinance ever!!  Multiple users in the Ordinances (Complete List)  thread  have just posted that the Carpool Incentive Ordinance does "nothing except charge you money".  They looked in the Sim City exe files and they seem to believe that there isn't anywhere else where it could be benefiting us.  So perhaps that is the only useless ordinance, unless someone can say otherwise.

[Cougar2004 128]

Originally posted by: Prophet42 I use most of the ordinances after the city grows to the point were it can afford them.  However, I NEVER use the legalize gambling one.  I don't like the increased crime and I never need the money (even without cheating), so it is useless to me.quote>

 

I find that soo interesting ... a couple things here you just said.  First, you use ordinances after the city grows to afford them.  In my opinion, I tend to use them earlier in city lives, not later, because they get sooo expensive with 10,000 or 50,000 or 100,000 sims when they are based on population as most are.  But i agree with you never to use in a NEW tiny city, because new cities dont need anything, so its just throwing money away.

And the other comment you said that i found interesting was that you never need the money (even without cheating) because I feel the same.  I even build Hard (difficult) cities that only start with 10,000$ instead of easy at 50,000$, and i still always have plenty of cash on hand.  I guess maybe you and I just know how to build cities with a certain financial responsbility or something.  I actually cant imagine how other people ever go bankrupt (even without cheats).   Maybe they use all the ordinances when they arent supposed to?

[simidavid 0]

Ordinances are cool, because they bring realisticity (made-up word) to SimCity 4. Although I don't find a use for some of them (like the Commuter Shuttle one), most I know how to use to my full advantage.

[spaced5 1]

I was never found of the landfill gas recovery ordinance.  It is too costly and its positive effects are minimal.  I have had medium cities with 400K sims, a mix of all zone types, and wealth types without any money problems in which I used coal and incinterators for power plus selling power and garbage services.  The natural gas plant is good by itself, but is probably more costly per watt with that ordinance than more expensive plants, but I never personally ran the numbers.

[Darth Apple 54]

I never use the water/electricity conservation ordinances because the money I spend on them is greater than the money I would spend simply building enough utilities. LOL I used to love them back in the simcity 3000 times.

-blakesterville.

[Cougar2004 128]

Originally posted by: blakesterville

I never use the water/electricity conservation ordinances because the money I spend on them is greater than the money I would spend simply building enough utilities. LOL I used to love them back in the simcity 3000 times.

-blakesterville.quote>

I have to agree with you on these conservation ordinaces.  I'm a little skidish about using them in any city where I have any form of industry, because it kills industrial demand.  You get slapped down a bit in mayor rating too with the power one, if i remember correctly. 

The shuttle ordinace, i find useless and a waste of money except for when I have done a bad job with my roads and i have congestion that i just cant fix... then throwing down a few bus stops and enacting that ordinace seems to do the trick, and everyone is happy again.   The real crime is the carpool ordinance, can you say "useless"?  

I rarely use the landfill gas ordinance, because i usually put my landfills in one city and neighbor deal the ones around it.  But it doesnt have any negative effects tied to it, just the cost, and i haven't run the numbers to see if its a net gain or loss to enable it with various city sizes, that would be an interesting project to do.

I tend to love ordinances, and I look forward to learning how to rewrite them, mostly, so i can replace the carpool one that doesnt really work.  Perhaps I'll improve some of the others, and release a STEX download mod that is just a realistic upgrade to the existing game ordinaces.  I see that no one has done that yet, only radical mods so far.

[bigthing 35]

The radical ordinance mod has changed my life!

[zombones 0]

what's with the ordinance mod that changes 'carpool' ordinance into a 'parking fine' ordinance? It goes from a red ordinance to a green one, but brings me a negative income; literally a negative number!

[ROFLyoshi 1,760]

I use the Super Demand Ordinance, & the Legal Gambling Ordinance (not now since I have the money tree). I cheat in SC4 by using the former 2 mods, as my personal goal is not to get a sprawling metropolis by myself, but to get a sprawling metropolis how I want it to be.

[GoodOak 1]

What? No votes yet for "Nuclear Free Zone?"