CitiesXL 2011 beta

[GlobexCo 33]

No London map.

No map editor.

Modding is of course allowed...

Auto-save is still there, but you can save game manually and load it now...

Originally posted by: masochist

Memory leak is fixed, as is that incessant cl-cl-clclcl-cl-clicking.

And yes, Focus definitely intends to continue development on this game, that much I gathered from the beta.quote>

Well, they have enough things to develop further, but there's nothing official about that.

[lacivian 0]

thanks Oliver 199 

[chocolate_city 93]

Oliver 199 - Excuse me..... No more highways... The highway system with Cities XL was extremely lame... and your telling me they aren't going to do something about... why buy it... ?!!!

[soltangris 42]

....because the other stuff they did? And because they might adress the highways in the future?

[chocolate_city 93]

I wish I had 19,000$ .... CItyscape IS the sim city builder we all have wanted.... Maybe I'll win the lotto ..

[chocolate_city 93]

Soltangris - If that's the case.. (addressing the highway problem in the future) I'll wait until then .... I ain't feeling CIties XL 2011 right now...

[catty-cb 4,393]

Originally posted by: chocolate_city

I wish I had 19,000$ .... CItyscape IS the sim city builder we all have wanted.... Maybe I'll win the lotto ..quote>

There has been some price changes, the commercial version is still $19,000 but now there is a home user version for $3,500, still out of my price range but I was never going to be able to buy the $19,000 version

PixelActive CityScape 1.8 Single User - Price: $3,500

PixelActive CityScape 1.8 Floating - Price: $5,250   

 

PixelActive CityScape 1.8 Enterprise Version - Price: $19,000 

see here

http://www.motionmedia.com/Articles.asp?ID=187

for the comparison chart

[chocolate_city 93]

Cityscape is the ABSOLUTE bomb... if more people check it out ... it possible they may make a version that everybody can enjoy ;;;;; here's a link :  http://pixelactive3d.com/Products/CityScape/

[GlobexCo 33]

but of course we're talking about CitiesXL2011 here, not advertising other products.

[soltangris 42]

It's good to make the comparison with a professional city-builder though..... and here we're gonna pay $ 30 or so

[Inge Jones 18]

Wow... but $19,0000? I must start doing the lottery again!

[bluespottedhorse 49]

I've read a number of beta tester responses and based on what their reporting it doesn't look good for the game. On the CITIESXL website all the pictures look the same as the old CITIESXL that flopped. I understand that there is more new content but that's to be expected from any new version of a game. However, as an original beta tester it's apparent that they still haven't listened to what the gamers wanted tweaked.

The lot size has not been addressed nor the terraces that are built around lots even when on fairly flat ground which is totally unrealistic. For those who are unfamiliar with the CITIESXL lot sizes they are approximately 150 feet by 150 feet square. This is equivalent to 9 simcity lots of 1x1. Roads built on a diagonal will result in huge empty areas because one can't fit in smaller lots. Your only option is to fill it in with a park or plaza, which again is not very realistic.

I never bought CITIESXL and if CITIES2011 is anything like CITIESXL I'll let my wallet do the talking.

[Inge Jones 18]

tbh I don't think I'll buy it. I had the original version, 2009, and I couldn't actually understand how to play it lol! It's a bit more complicated than SimCity where all you really had to do was make sure your city got more and more people and you didn't run out of money. After plopping some roads and buildings in CitiesXL I am never sure what I'm meant to be doing next.

[soltangris 42]

Bluespottedhorse, it's totally unrealistic to expect such a big change from a game which is meant to be like an expansion pack (more or less).

Adressing terraces probably includes a gigantic graphical work, maybe even redesigning the entire graphical engine. I won't go into how terraces actually might look more realistic than houses whose lots bend to the terrain.... wherever have you seen a house whose foundation is not leveled???? With the resulting 'terraces' around.

OK, I'm being a little unfair. The lots are not comprised only by the buildings themselves, they also include other accessories (gardens, parkings, etc.), and yes, they should have more lot sizes. But again, CXL 2011 is CXL improved and finished, and not an entirely new game. And there were so many things the fans wanted changed, the transportation being the most glaring of them. This has been adressed, as well as a number of other issues.

Well, I guess it comes to a personal preference. Someone that was hoping to have SC's social system would be dissapointed as well that the classes are still here

[bluespottedhorse 49]

That's too bad that's it really only "an expansion pack"...in your words 'soltangris'. I was hoping they'ed deal with the more glaring issues when they had the chance to. As I said before, I'll let my pocket book do the talking.

[Nucks8 1]

I have a question.

Can I download it in Canada?

Thanks,

Nucks8

[danny_1990 0]

I have a little question...

Are we able to ride the subway? That would be so cool!

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Have they added the other 5 (3 low-med density, 2 high density, 1 high density size currently used for low-med) lot sizes from CXL Alpha?

[MandelSoft 2,769]

Why complain? They aren't gods, so you can't expect them to deliver the perfect city builder, and especially not within half a year. With my SC4 modding experience, these things need time to be really good (see what MC did to the bus system! We were blown away, because it was so advanced), so be patient. Maybe some of these issues, like an advanced freeway system, overground railway stations and more lot sizes could be fixed in the future.

Anyway, CXL2011 is at least one step in the good direction. I might consider buying it.

[DICK60 0]

I agree with Damasticus , if Focus wasn't here we where stucked with a incomplete game and then mine 49,99 Euro where gone anyway ,

so I will pay these 25 Euro and hopefully i'm a happy city- builder again.

[danny_1990 0]

I agree with Dick60!

[Walden95 8]

I don't see why not to support the developers of the game. They did make some big steps in improving the concept of a city-builder, but they did lack a little. We are not talking about Electronic Arts which has masses of resources to put into a game, but a small company which attempted to satisfy the city-building genre with a fairly limited supply of resources to do it with. Unfortunately, Monte Cristo wasn't able to do this as they created the PO to help to complete their vision of Cities XL as they were probably very low on money considering they closed just a few months after releasing the game. Well, I actually applaud Monte Cristo for taking that big step and I find it amazing that this game did not die. I want to support this game so that it becomes a success and that it acts becomes a role model for other companies to consider what to do when making a future city-builder.

I'm going to have to assume that EA has their eyes on this game to predict whether a future SimCity is possible and what direction to push it towards wether the causal or the hardcore audiences. I want this game to become a success so that we can continue to see this genre to expand and grow better.

Edited for quoted post.

[Ocram's Razr 963]

My question still remains. Is there a return of the Mass Placement Tool? It is basically the current 'Free-Form' zoning tool with the edition of fitting in 20x20, 20x40, and 40x20m sized lots. This was a big deal before release and was one of the most touted features in the early previews.

Edited for response to removed post.

[soltangris 42]

Ah, I have a question:

Anybody noticed any change in citizen satisfaction balances? Retail demand, for example?

[pressure 2]

Could be glass half full or glass half empty.

What's for sure, though, is that buying 2011 will directly finance the continuing development of CXL. So if you feel like the game is missing something important, buy it so you and everyone else has a shot at getting that missing something!

Not sure when/if GEMs will be released, but I'm sure everybody remembers the Rush Hour pack and how it completely transformed SC4, both with in-the-box content and material that supported further modding (which is still active today).

Beta guys - have snow or sand resources been added yet? If not, I would think each would be unlocked with its corresponding GEM.

[GlobexCo 33]

Originally posted by: pressure

Could be glass half full or glass half empty.

What's for sure, though, is that buying 2011 will directly finance the continuing development of CXL. So if you feel like the game is missing something important, buy it so you and everyone else has a shot at getting that missing something!

Not sure when/if GEMs will be released, but I'm sure everybody remembers the Rush Hour pack and how it completely transformed SC4, both with in-the-box content and material that supported further modding (which is still active today).

Beta guys - have snow or sand resources been added yet? If not, I would think each would be unlocked with its corresponding GEM.quote>

About GEMs, if Focus will allow this, they will be unlocked with my Unlocker Mod...

MC stopped developing it long time ago... and I don't know if Focus want to finish the simulation part...

[Overkast 2]

Originally posted by: pressure

...I'm sure everybody remembers the Rush Hour pack and how it completely transformed SC4, both with in-the-box content and material that supported further modding (which is still active today).quote>

This is precisely what I was thinking before I read your post... It sounds to me that CXL 2011 has the potential to be a real catalyst for this game... the same type of catalyst that Rush Hour was for SC4. Based on all the good things and positive vibe I'm hearing from the Beta testers, I am finally stating my commitment that I will go out and buy this game when it gets released in October. Focus Home can finally count on getting my dollars which Monte Cristo never did.

To the Beta testers... how did the overall game performace seem to you? I'm concerned about graphic requirments and my machine's abiltiy to keep up. Do you feel the stated requirments are accurate or understated? Will FH release a demo for public download so we can try before we buy?

[Skippydam73 0]

One question I have is did they change how traffic reacts at a stop light. In 2009, Traffic moved one lane at a time, even if there were two or more lanes (such as avenues). Did they change that to be reflective of real life?

[tragicomicus1 99]

I have played Cities XL sporadically since it was released. The main thing that has bothered me is the lack of user created custom content. Clearly that is one of the things that kept SC4 so fresh for the last seven years. I think the game engine is incredible. I really hope they give the community the tools to keep enhancing what could be the next great city builder.

[Rene333 0]

Will it work on my windows 7 64 bit system? And multi core?