Your suggestions on how to improve the game

[DazzaDazza 29]

I crated because I think there is a lack of suggestion on how to improve the game. As MC as said many times, “this game is always evolving”.  So this is for people that won’t to suggest thing on how to improve the game can do so,

 

This is not a topic on PO subscriptions, if you won’t to talk about that there are plenty of other treads round to do so.  Nor is it about lack of communication, or how much MC are rip-off artists.   

 

Again this is about the game itself.

 

I will start

I think single player needs a bit of a revamp, at the moment it is just the Po game with out trade and chat, because of this it don’t really work. There are 3 options that they could do to fit it

1. Get rid of trade all together  , well your really only trading with on person anyway, so there no really fun in that, I think this would free up the game more.

 

2. Make more Omicrons, have 3 or 4 all with different prices and pro’s and cons

 

3. make us be able to trade with our other single player cites.            

[iammeuk 0]

Great idea for a thread. Here are my suggestions:

- Introduce mass transit for all as soon as possible

- Fix Trade with omnicorp in single player

- Number of people on the streets should correlate with the total population of the city. It is ridicilous to have a city of two million people and when you zoom to steet level you see only a handful of people, mostly old bags.

- Citizens should be able to cross zebras like in Tycoon City

- If possible introduce weather to make the game more dynamic!

- Ambient sounds should be added - THIS IS A TOTAL MUST.

I want to hear the roar of traffic, horns and ambulance sirens!

[Chiverito 11]

More Corporations to trade with that specialize in certain resources. These cooperations make deals with you and invest money into your city and build HQ's Shops Factories, Telecoms, News, Radio, TV,ect. Or even a Black market to challenge Onmicorp.

Any Change would be nice...

Before release I though that The Cities XL planet would be made up of hundreds of different map variants each with pros and cons but looks likes this isn't the case.

Anyway Some weather Dynamics and some form of Mass Transit would be nice...

[Chiverito 11]

I totally Agree with iammeuk CXL should take inspiration from games like Tycoon City. and great music and effects and general atmosphere can impact a players experience greatly. Glad to see the MC fixing up lighting and graphics but there is still much work to be done especially the combat the city skyline being dominated by the same building variant. The city should generate character and the streets should be dominated with different people not the same man in suit, some kid with outrageous dress sense, and some old hag dressed as a victorian.

[ScaryMonkey 0]

Two words: map editor.

[Chiverito 11]

What an Amazing Idea!

[bluespottedhorse 49]

2 things, rail and much smaller lots.

[danny_1990 0]

MC should release an update to choose your own graphical settings.

I mean, I want to decide for myself whether I want shadows or not. And some other stuff like that

Oh yeah, and ambient sounds ehhehe

[DazzaDazza 29]

all grate ideas,

as fore the ambient sound, ant they there buy just are not used at the moment, anyway the sound doesn't rally bother me, I just mute it and listen to iTunse or the radio

[mentarman 14]

Hmnmm. I know we've had threads like this before, but they, surprise surprise, got derailed. You might want to search though, as it may still exist and have some good ideas.

Mine.

Smaller smallest lot size

Better size ratios. Trees seem really off to me, anyone else? Bridges also seem gigantic compared to how they should be.

Perhaps a subset of the above, perspective seems way off. You think a tree looks big close up, check out that one way far away that isn't as small as it should be at that distance even if it is huge, it must be truly humongous.

Trains/subway/El (coming I suppose, so not really original).

[scottn72 0]

Be able to choose the size of road when using the mass placment tool. I don't always want the small road, and replacing it afterwards, or building the roads first is a nightmare, as there isn't a grid to work with. Hmm, speaking of grid, it would be good, but perhaps a measurement tool, or a blank lot to use for planning roads and areas out.

[pete1061 0]

A building editor!!

Even a simple one, that just allows new designs based of the stats of existing buildings.

Improving performance on large cities (ie: fix the memory leak)

A better system for building freeways (fast lanes, highways)... overpasses that are more compact than the existing bridges, constructing ramps from any point( so we can make our own interchanges that are more space efficient than the existing fixed geometry ones), adding/ removing lanes from freeway including carpool lanes.

More detailed terraforming tools... raise/lower/smooth terrain using brushes that have an adjustable falloff, better visualization of the terrain while terraforming such as overlaying the wireframe mesh of the terrain, colored for altitude.

more snapping options for road creation like 30 degrees for hexagonal shapes, and 36 degrees for stars and pentagons, and snap to the midpoint or even quarterpoints of a block.

speaking of roads... reduce the minimum angle of intersections, roundabouts, and arc creation of roads (such as pick endpoint, centerpoint, endpoint)

and clean industries and manufacturing (could require high tech as a resource)

one last thing... education could be a tradeable resource with private universities and trade schools that generate tax revenue for the city.

[littlesquare.dot 0]

-more variation re: buildings, parks, etc.

-a custom park-building tool would be awesome, but I could see this introduced as a GEM later on, with ploppable benches, paths, lighting, trees, gardens, water, etc.

-AMBIENT SOUNDS

-highway overpasses are sorely needed, and frankly I think that the entire system needs to be overhauled

-mass transit of course

-a complete set of terraforming tools, including texturing tools, as flattening a rocky area can lead to ridiculous texturing

-think of the possibilities if we had the ability to make man-made lakes/rivers etc.  Dubai would have nothing on us!

-more power options  (Hydro, Nuclear, Solar, etc.)

-offshore oil and oil rigs would be cool

-farm texturing needs to be improved

-terraforming land shouldn't necessarily demolish any buildings/roads that are on that land.  it's incredible irritating when you forget to level the ground before plopping roads and buildings, the only options being to live with uneven terrain or demo everything and start over.

[bluespottedhorse 49]

This one is a must, remove the terraces from lots so as to make the lots more realistic. Even on very small slopes terraces appear around each property. In reality, house are built on many different grades without terraces.

[chkltcow 0]

Fix the economics... leisure activities should bring revenue and tax income... not cost the city

The ability to upgrade roads without destroying everything around them... or even if there's something on only one side.

Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers. Give us feedback into what's going on other than color codes that mean very little.

A more full transportation simulation. Not just mass transit, but commercial/freight transit as well.

Those should all be doable within the confines of the game, I would think.... even a vastly upgraded transport system.

[easypeacy42 0]

From by beta experience (I didn't buy the game) I see the following to be the most burning issues:

• multiple lot sizes (also smaller lot sizes) to bring in more variance
• dynamic simulation that changes the behavior and graphics of the city according to the mayor's actions and the environment. Today, you only have to match job numbers to resident numbers of the same category, and you're basically fine. This is too one-dimensional and not satisfying in long-term (for me not even short-term)
• mass transportation (trains, subways, etc.)
• ambient sounds, so you can hear your city, your district, traffic, factories, birds, etc.

Last but not least all features must be made available also in solo mode, for an appropriate one-time fee, of course. I consider this point also to be an in-game issue (from a solo player point of few) and it's not intended to start any PO-is-good-or-bad discussions. So, please don't start this discussion

[ACEH 0]

I think that the most urgent improvements of the game includes:

- redesign the way that public services work - there should be more hospitals, schools and etc., reducing their price and radius of effect

- include off/on ramps for freeways and highways - a freeway is meant to be a fast road with as few intersections as possible. Now the only way to get to the freeway is making an intersection with it

- the parks should decrease the pollution, even there is a tree build option in the menu which is still inactive - they should include the option to build a trees

- more decorations like fountains, statues and so on

- I will not comment mass transit because it will be included in the game sooner or later I'm sure (of course sooner will be better but I'm sure that there are more economical reasons then technical - MC wants to keep the interest of the game alive, so they will not release mass transit soon no matter some of it is already developed)

[DazzaDazza 29]

Originally posted by: mentarman

Hmnmm. I know we've had threads like this before, but they, surprise surprise, got derailed. You might want to search though, as it may still exist and have some good ideas.

Mine.

Smaller smallest lot size

Better size ratios. Trees seem really off to me, anyone else? Bridges also seem gigantic compared to how they should be.

Perhaps a subset of the above, perspective seems way off. You think a tree looks big close up, check out that one way far away that isn't as small as it should be at that distance even if it is huge, it must be truly humongous.

Trains/subway/El (coming I suppose, so not really original).quote>

Yah you make a good point about the trees, some are 4 to 5 stories high, way too big. That should be hard to fix, should it?    

ACEH , wrote :

 redesign the way that public services work - there should be more hospitals, schools and etc., reducing their price and radius of effect 

  that is something i had to get use to from SC4, at first I placed schools and so on as much as I did in SC4, but my cities where going broke. Then i deleted  85% of them and there was no difference, just to my bank balance. It would be nice if we could place more, I guess it would give it a realistic look.         

[ACEH 0]

Originally posted by: mrdazza_460

Originally posted by: mentarman

Hmnmm. I know we've had threads like this before, but they, surprise surprise, got derailed. You might want to search though, as it may still exist and have some good ideas.

Mine.

Smaller smallest lot size

Better size ratios. Trees seem really off to me, anyone else? Bridges also seem gigantic compared to how they should be.

Perhaps a subset of the above, perspective seems way off. You think a tree looks big close up, check out that one way far away that isn't as small as it should be at that distance even if it is huge, it must be truly humongous.

Trains/subway/El (coming I suppose, so not really original).quote>

Yah you make a good point about the trees, some are 4 to 5 stories high, way too big. That should be hard to fix, should it?    

ACEH , wrote :

 redesign the way that public services work - there should be more hospitals, schools and etc., reducing their price and radius of effect 

  that is something i had to get use to from SC4, at first I placed schools and so on as much as I did in SC4, but my cities where going broke. Then i deleted  85% of them and there was no difference, just to my bank balance. It would be nice if we could place more, I guess it would give it a realistic look.         

quote>

Yep, that's the point. It very unrealistic a 100 000 city to have only one school or hospital or basketball field

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Some leisure buildings should have the option of charging admission for a slightly lowered effect (negligible really, it could allow you to potentially increase leisure satisfaction by allowing you to afford more leisure buildings). There could also be a private doctor's office that turns a profit, a private hospital for the wealthy that increases Elite satisfaction 5% more and Executive satisfaction 2% more but also makes a profit, a security force buildings that turns a profit in dense areas (mall cops, bank security, office security, etc).

There should be more variety of trees, from shrubs and saplings to redwoods and they should all be to scale (saplings could be visible at only the same zoom level as cars). A building importer/exporter (compatible with 3dsMax* and City Life) and a building customization editor would be greatly appreciated also. I know that CitiesXL uses SpeedTree just like City Life so it would be nice if the players could import Speedtree objects. The ability to make custom lots in sizes at least every 20m (though if CitiesXL has any lot code from City Life, other multiples of 5 should be possible also), with the option to have terraces with blank foundations, custom foundations/basements, or elevation-conforming (sloping) lots.

*Blender (free) and Google Sketch-up Pro (cheaper than 3D Studio MAX 10) can export .3ds files; gMax has not been officially supported for technological aeons.

[littlesquare.dot 0]

Originally posted by: ACEH

- include off/on ramps for freeways and highways - a freeway is meant to be a fast road with as few intersections as possible. Now the only way to get to the freeway is making an intersection with it

quote>

I forgot to mention this one..   

Also, the amount of space currently required for highways, between on-ramps, overpass bridges, cloverleafs, etc. is quite obscene.  

..and, as I've stated before, I think that it would be nice if we could texture the ground underneath the cloverleafs, etc. However, since everything seems to require a massive right-angled plot, I guess this won't be possible unless we're provided with pre-textured variants.

[Tuesday 0]

Most of the other ideas I've had have been mentioned already are escaping me at the moment. Would it be possible to sell advertising space in the game? Would probably work more easily in the online game but I'm thinking along the lines of companies renting out billboards or even better, large LED screens like in Times Square or London's Piccadilly Circus? Would brighten up cities and earn some extra cash for MC in the meantime. Everyone's a winner!

Actually, just thought of another! When building stadia, it would be good to personalise the sports teams who play there and have them pitted against other sports teams from neighbouring cities. Perhaps in a GEM? Would add realism and an added bite to city rivalry online.

[pete1061 0]

Originally posted by: Ilikeseattle

There should be more variety of trees, from shrubs and saplings to redwoods and they should all be to scale (saplings could be visible at only the same zoom level as cars). A building importer/exporter (compatible with 3dsMax* and City Life) and a building customization editor would be greatly appreciated also. I know that CitiesXL uses SpeedTree just like City Life so it would be nice if the players could import Speedtree objects. The ability to make custom lots in sizes at least every 20m (though if CitiesXL has any lot code from City Life, other multiples of 5 should be possible also), with the option to have terraces with blank foundations, custom foundations/basements, or elevation-conforming (sloping) lots.

*Blender (free) and Google Sketch-up Pro (cheaper than 3D Studio MAX 10) can export .3ds files; gMax has not been officially supported for technological aeons.quote>

A seperate 3D file conversion app would be best for future building mods. I agree, something that converts .3ds files for use with the game since most stuff exports .3ds files. A plugin for 3DSMAX (as in City Life) would be very restricting, especially since for the most part plugins for 3DSMAX only work for one version of max.. plugins for 7&8 don't work with 9 or 10 and so on...

Blender is the best free 3D app.

Sketch-up IMO is cheeze-ball software, Google should stick to browsers & search engines

[DazzaDazza 29]

Originally posted by: Ilikeseattle

Some leisure buildings should have the option of charging admission for a slightly lowered effect (negligible really, it could allow you to potentially increase leisure satisfaction by allowing you to afford more leisure buildings). There could also be a private doctor's office that turns a profit, a private hospital for the wealthy that increases Elite satisfaction 5% more and Executive satisfaction 2% more but also makes a profit, a security force buildings that turns a profit in dense areas (mall cops, bank security, office security, etc).

There should be more variety of trees, from shrubs and saplings to redwoods and they should all be to scale (saplings could be visible at only the same zoom level as cars). A building importer/exporter (compatible with 3dsMax* and City Life) and a building customization editor would be greatly appreciated also. I know that CitiesXL uses SpeedTree just like City Life so it would be nice if the players could import Speedtree objects. The ability to make custom lots in sizes at least every 20m (though if CitiesXL has any lot code from City Life, other multiples of 5 should be possible also), with the option to have terraces with blank foundations, custom foundations/basements, or elevation-conforming (sloping) lots.

*Blender (free) and Google Sketch-up Pro (cheaper than 3D Studio MAX 10) can export .3ds files; gMax has not been officially supported for technological aeons.quote>

I agree, Privet hospital hear in Australia are big business, as is privet health insurance, it wood be good if we could have some privet hospital to cater for the richer people.   

And maybe, we could trade, hospital serves, e.g. if your city has a failing health cere system, you can trad bed space.      

    

[poshbakerloo 186]

I would like to see...

. Different sized/shaped lots (square, rectangle, longer, wider, narrower etc)

. Being able to name streets, buildings, districts, hills, rivers, bridges etc

. A map editor like SC4

. Ambient city noise

. Weather, day-night cycle (does it already have it?)

. More options to make bigger more exciting parks/gardens

. Some kind of in-game lot editor to customise buildings etc

. Mass transit like SC4, but with loads added to make it more realistic

. All transit networks (road, heavy rail, light rail, mono rail etc) should be built on the surface, elevated, underground or in an open cutting, with transitions between to mix and match etc.

. Different climates, Temperate (lush grass and deciduous trees), desert (sand dunes and cactuses, palm trees), semi arid (dry grass and pine trees/palm trees), polar (snow and no trees), cold continental (grass/snow and pine trees) and tropical (very lush grass and palm trees/ tropical trees)

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Some people complained that the ramps are too small (citing LA's 2 mile cloverleafs) while others have complained that the ramps are too large (not citing anything, probably with SimCity 4 in mind). I think that the ramps would be better if it was possible to place things in the empty space (SimCity 4 allowed that and LA's giant cloverleafs do that).

[Tuesday 0]

Echo all of things poshbakerloo suggested. Would love to see all that in the game.

[sthudig 0]

I'm with most when it comes to far better transforming, complex mass transit, more complex utilities, and they need to completely rework the city services, as we can't get our money's worth out of them. Even in real life they are more affordable!

A micromanagement mode for play and a relaxed simplistic mode...both in sandbox and normal play

PLEASE FIX THE PARKS!!! THEY ARE UGLY!!!! Parks need to have a far better effect on the "environment" ratings.

If they have to, take solo mode and online into two different gameplay directions to ease the conflict and make others happy. A city MMO is a great idea, but its coming at the expense, big time, of those of us who just want to play...you know us people who are around people all day and just want to be....anti - social when we get home.

The game needs personality - its a bit sterile. I don't suggest making scrolling news tickers talking about llamas but you know, the game definitely lacks that extra...something.

Goes with above...polish this product!

Do these, put it in a Solo player expansion CD, charge me 30 bucks or so, and I will never complain on here again...

Despite all the naysayers....one day, a company WILL get it right. Mark my words. And when they do....or if Will Wright ever steps in the fray again....I just advise MC to pay better attention to business and give people what they want! I have money! Most of these people have money! Just give us what we want and we will pay you....easy as that!

This game DOES have potential and we all know it! MC, stop being so stubborn and correct this game. I thought you wanted to make money...don't blow the opportunity you created.

That's all I have for now.

[sthudig 0]

Originally posted by: mentarman

Hmnmm. I know we've had threads like this before, but they, surprise surprise, got derailed.

LOL. You have a point.... (money exchanges hands)...on second thought, this post is highly offensive all of a sudden....

[sthudig 0]

Originally posted by: Tuesday

Echo all of things poshbakerloo suggested. Would love to see all that in the game.quote>

I'll definitely second that...great post, poshbakerloo! I hope MC reads and implents all that!