The SimCity 5 Thread (Formerly "Is SimCity 5 Ever Coming Out?").

[airman15 4,113]

Mayors of Sim City, here my call. We have been let down. We have all loved this game since a reptilian monster first destroyed our green residential blocks. Before it was called "SimCity Classic." We have been loyal through the good times of SimCity 2000, Urban Renewal, 3000, SC4, and Rush Hour. Maxis was our hero. But Societies? Really?!? Let us forget that hiccup. What we need is another add-on. Not a whole new game. SC4 Rush Hour was a God Send, and you mayors have only enhanced it, but let's let the game makers on high repay their debt. Below is an array of "improvements" on an already incredible game. Feel free to add a few. If anyone knows someone at EA, pass it on. Let's make this happen... PLEASE!!!

Dear EA, We have always been loyal to Sim City of Maxis, and since you are their wonderful fairy step-mother we are now loyal to you. We do however have a request, and we know if anyone can bring this to fruition, well... We would like an add-on to Sim City 4/Rush Hour. As your gamers, we know what we like, and here are a few suggestions(read "demands") lol.

Neighborhoods...

Each Neighborhood with its own pros & cons.

-Local Parades and Festivals complete with tent cities/music celebrations

-Different taxes/services/town halls depending on the suburb

-Low wealth neighborhoods do not lower the whole city's "aura"

-Ability to mark neighborhood territory/zones

-Airports/Seaports/Military districts are zoned

Advanced Seascapes...

-We all love to see Whale in our small lakes...why not schools of game fish (trout, salmon, bass, tilapia,)

-Dolphins/Porpoise, Rays, Squid, various Whale species depending on region

-Coral and Reef beds full of colorful fish

-Yachts, jet skis, submarines and other exciting craft

Regions and Ages

-Sid Myers had a great idea with Civilization. Start city/region during ancient times, and let it move forward from said time

(Ancient,medieval,colonial,industrial,post war,modern,future)

-Regions...Tundra, Temperate,Tropical,Desert

-European, Asian, African, South American, North American

-Ability to switch Governments

-Larger Military Role to protect our regions or invade others

-Weather changes,

Snow, Thunder/lightning, Drought/Floods

`Sim Involvement

- Give your "My Sims" a true personality

- Maybe they're celebrities in the city/region/world

-City council, let them give you feedback

-Follow them on vacation to other regions...how does yours compare

-Families/ more than one opinion on a lot

Misc.

-Traffic Delays for road improvements, accidents, around stadiums area during events

-Nationa/Intll Events...maybe the Prime Minister, President, King is in town complete with increased news, police,paparazzi coverage

-Tourism/population increase do to festivals, National Awards Shows etc..

Online play...

-Set up a network where we can connect our regions with other

players regions/set up partnerships

-Regular updates via internet

-Many of us are even in a willing position to pay on a per diem/monthly basis for access

EA we have always been loyal to you...time to return the favor

If they would re-release the original SC4 with these changes, I would get the game in a heartbeat...

EA can take the money they use to create "franchise killers" like SC Societies and cram it where the sun don't shine

  Edited April 12, 2011 by usfighter15  

[Cob92 360]

IMO, if someone were to restart the Sim City franchise with SC5-3D or something like it......they better not .

All the mods made, all the tools developed, all the instructions in the Omnibus on how to trick this game out, all the time and effort backwards engineering this piece of software and then get SC5 and start that ALL OVER AGAIN!? Games never get such a cult following by fans because they're always dropping the ball for the next new thing. It be utter madness to redo all this wonderful work.

The problem is, we've hit our limit with SC4. Unless the community decides to start modding the exe itself, there will be no way to add things to the game like larger cities, 3D graphics, grid-free gameplay, mixed-use buildings, or support for modern hardware. Bypassing these limits requires a new game.

[airman15 4,113]

IMO, if someone were to restart the Sim City franchise with SC5-3D or something like it......they better not .

All the mods made, all the tools developed, all the instructions in the Omnibus on how to trick this game out, all the time and effort backwards engineering this piece of software and then get SC5 and start that ALL OVER AGAIN!? Games never get such a cult following by fans because they're always dropping the ball for the next new thing. It be utter madness to redo all this wonderful work.

The problem is, we've hit our limit with SC4. Unless the community decides to start modding the exe itself, there will be no way to add things to the game like larger cities, 3D graphics, grid-free gameplay, mixed-use buildings, or support for modern hardware. Bypassing these limits requires a new game.

The least we can do is keep the game alive by adding buildings, vehicles, etc and upload it here to the STEX.

[Tony Bark 2]

The only way I can see on continuing the SimCity franchise would be to not continue it. The source for Classic has been released under the GPL. The only condition is you can't use the SimCity name. I'm planning on doing this.

  Edited April 13, 2011 by Zc456  

[airman15 4,113]

good point. its just like movies- the more sequels you make, chances are each one they make will be worse than the pervious one (good > ok > bad > horrible)

[Cob92 360]

IMO, if someone were to restart the Sim City franchise with SC5-3D or something like it......they better not .

All the mods made, all the tools developed, all the instructions in the Omnibus on how to trick this game out, all the time and effort backwards engineering this piece of software and then get SC5 and start that ALL OVER AGAIN!? Games never get such a cult following by fans because they're always dropping the ball for the next new thing. It be utter madness to redo all this wonderful work.

The problem is, we've hit our limit with SC4. Unless the community decides to start modding the exe itself, there will be no way to add things to the game like larger cities, 3D graphics, grid-free gameplay, mixed-use buildings, or support for modern hardware. Bypassing these limits requires a new game.

The least we can do is keep the game alive by adding buildings, vehicles, etc and upload it here to the STEX.

Yeah, we can and should do that. The community is great, probably one of the best and strongest for such an old game, and I hope it continues to remain strong. I just don't subscribe to the idea that what we do here can truly substitute for a full successor to SC4.

[poshbakerloo 186]

I think what needs to be done is to market new SimCity games to the players of The Sims. Like The Sims City etc. This would mean that millions of people are already interested in it. Have the main focus on building cities with all the slightly geeky things we like here at Simtropolis, but have things such as importing buildings from The Sims into your city, and families etc. I think it really could be a great cross over.

[Timmystwin 201]

I reckon they should just allow us to crack the EXE so we can make our own, they arent gonna make it for us. Weve already made a decent game from a bad one

[airman15 4,113]

We may not have a game that will fit everybody's expectations, but at least here we can make our own stuff and share it on the STEX.

[Mootilda 76]

I reckon they should just allow us to crack the EXE so we can make our own, they arent gonna make it for us. Weve already made a decent game from a bad one

Yes, but how much are you willing to pay for that privilege? Please round your answer to the nearest million U.S. dollars.

[JeeKTan 4]

I reckon they should just allow us to crack the EXE so we can make our own, they arent gonna make it for us. Weve already made a decent game from a bad one

Yes, but how much are you willing to pay for that privilege? Please round your answer to the nearest million U.S. dollars.

I would say 2-5 million U.S. dollars I suppose. EA should make this game at least open source for the community to improve it if EA doesn't want to continue the Simcity franchise.

[Mootilda 76]

I would say 2-5 million U.S. dollars I suppose. EA should make this game at least open source for the community to improve it if EA doesn't want to continue the Simcity franchise.

I wouldn't be surprised if EA would be willing to sell the source code for 5 million, possibly even 2 million. Why don't you approach them with a certified check and see whether they'll go for it? Because you aren't serious about giving them reasonable compensation for the source code.

The thing is: the SimCity 4 source code is EA's property. People keep saying that "the least" EA can do is to give us the source code for free. But really, the least that EA can do is to keep their source code to themselves. It belongs to them. They own it. It gives them income, so it has value to them. If they give us the source code, that income will dry up. They don't owe us anything. EA is a company and they'll consider selling the source code if it's in their financial interests, but there's no good reason for them to give us the source code for free (which is what "open source" is).

If you came to my house and said that the least that I could do is to give you my house for free, I'd laugh in your face. Yet, people argue that EA should give us their property for free.

  Edited April 28, 2011 by Mootilda  

[Mithrik 562]

Yet, people argue that EA should give us their property for free...

...which is stupid, considering that EA is a company, and as any company, the main aim of it's existence is to make money, something they do if they own the source code.

I am pretty sure that Sim City 4 and SC4:Ruch Hour will continue to be under their income list until at least another 8 years, then it will be a crap of game (considering how fast the technology in computers is advancing actually) and will finally give for free the game, source code or etc.

But by that time the community will be reduced to a handful of faithful players. Bucause of the requirements it has Sim City 4, in 5-8 years, it would be like having the Classic, in a new computer of nowadays.

Anyways, if someone wishes to realease the source code then get 10m dollars and go the EA HQ, and talk with them to buy the rights to own the game. Good Luck with getting such a money though.

[airman15 4,113]

^ Excellent point. What many don't relize is that we already improve the game here on Simtropolis and on the official SC4 page set up by EA. Think of all the mods we put on the internet that improved the game, like the NAM, PEG Productions, we have even share our own creations we made with BAT and Lot Editor. We already have improved the game without having to talk to EA.

[Rury 37]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned in this thread, but apparently last fall EA registered simcity5.com and renewed simcity.com. Now this of course doesn't mean anything, but why would they do such a thing ???

[Mootilda 76]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned in this thread, but apparently last fall EA registered simcity5.com and renewed simcity.com. Now this of course doesn't mean anything, but why would they do such a thing ???

For a small price, they are leaving their options open. Nothing more. They aren't in the process of making a new SimCity, but they don't want someone else taking those websites.

[Mithrik 562]

Yeah, in case they actually made Sim City 5 (which I think that may not happen unless they are REALLY desperate, or they REALLY think it could actually work out) they will only have to set up the page, instead of having to go through all the lawsuit to buy the URL from the random person that is owning it, in case someone else takes it before them.

That is how the companies make business today. Looking forward, otherwise they would fall apart very quickly, it's basic to look into the future for them. But well, enough teaching about Corporative Administration.

[DmainEvent 195]

Has anyone tried to get in contact with Maxis or EA about the next simcity game? Whether or not we should keep holding our breath (turning blue!!!!!) or just forget about the game for all of eternity... I am almost freaking 30 and have been waiting for this game since like 2004. That is not good.

Yeah, in case they actually made Sim City 5 (which I think that may not happen unless they are REALLY desperate, or they REALLY think it could actually work out) they will only have to set up the page, instead of having to go through all the lawsuit to buy the URL from the random person that is owning it, in case someone else takes it before them.

That is how the companies make business today. Looking forward, otherwise they would fall apart very quickly, it's basic to look into the future for them. But well, enough teaching about Corporative Administration.

[bluespottedhorse 49]

I contacted EA a couple of years ago to request a new Simcity and to ask if they have begun to start a new Simcity. I received a vague, cryptic response and was basically told they don't reveal to the public one way or another their future game plans.

Has anyone tried to get in contact with Maxis or EA about the next simcity game? Whether or not we should keep holding our breath (turning blue!!!!!) or just forget about the game for all of eternity... I am almost freaking 30 and have been waiting for this game since like 2004. That is not good.

  Edited May 4, 2011 by bluespottedhorse  

[DmainEvent 195]

Sounds about right. I did the same thing and pretty much got the same reply. What about Maxis? Or how about tilted mill's or the company that made CitiesXL? Obviouisly they wouldn't be making SimCity, but maybe they are making the next great City Builder.

I contacted EA a couple of years ago to request a new Simcity and to ask if they have begun to start a new Simcity. I received a vague, cryptic response and was basically told they don't reveal to the public one way or another their future game plans.

Has anyone tried to get in contact with Maxis or EA about the next simcity game? Whether or not we should keep holding our breath (turning blue!!!!!) or just forget about the game for all of eternity... I am almost freaking 30 and have been waiting for this game since like 2004. That is not good.

[pokeboy21 7]

I would like if they made simcity 5. But instead of being a whole new game it could be a beefed up simcity 4. it would have newer graphics and updates and stuff kind of like fina said. It should also be able to import or citys from simcity4. That way we would have a new simcity and we wouldnt lose the old stuff

[airman15 4,113]

I would like if they made simcity 5. But instead of being a whole new game it could be a beefed up simcity 4. it would have newer graphics and updates and stuff kind of like fina said. It should also be able to import or citys from simcity4. That way we would have a new simcity and we wouldnt lose the old stuff

Thats exactly what most of us are thinking. But the only problem is EA probably won't make the beefed up version of SC4 and chances are they won't hand over the source code and rights to the franchise without us paying a hefty sum of money. But the good thing is, we already make the game better here on ST. Most of the things uploaded here already make the game conform to our preferences, so we don't really need EA to make another game.

[Kingkazma 5]

I know this sounds silly, but possibly all of the simtropolis members could band together and create a petition. Then present it to EA, see what they think of it.

I mean, there are hundreds of thousands of us. Possibly a million. Not that they care about the fans, but now they know they have a million paying customers.

P.S. does anyone know how many ST users there are?

Kazma

  Edited May 4, 2011 by Kingkazma  

[airman15 4,113]

I know this sounds silly, but possibly all of the simtropolis members could band together and create a petition. Then present it to EA, see what they think of it.

I mean, there are hundreds of thousands of us. Possibly a million. Not that they care about the fans, but now they know they have a million paying customers.

P.S. does anyone know how many ST users there are?

Kazma

We already thought of doing something like that, but chances are it won't work. Companies are there to try and make money, they won't just hand over their stuff to us without us paying them. But then, all of us would have to chip in a large sum of money because we might have to buy the whole franchise from them. So thats why I say stick to Simtropolis. We don't need EA to make another game, we can just download stuff from the STEX and the official SC4 site.

[pokeboy21 7]

I know this sounds silly, but possibly all of the simtropolis members could band together and create a petition. Then present it to EA, see what they think of it.

I mean, there are hundreds of thousands of us. Possibly a million. Not that they care about the fans, but now they know they have a million paying customers.

P.S. does anyone know how many ST users there are?

Kazma

I would sign if its free.

[Mootilda 76]

I would sign if its free.

If it's free, it's basically meaningless. A signature on a petition, especially a bogus name on an internet petition, is about as valuable as the time that it takes you to "sign" it. It's worthless.

EA is a company. They have a valuable asset. No matter how many people sign a "petition", they're not going to give you their valuable property for free. Why should they?

Now, get a hundred thousand people to add $50 to their signature, and you might have something to start negotiating with.

  Edited May 6, 2011 by Mootilda  

[McMurray02 55]

I'm not sure if it was mentioned in this thread, but apparently last fall EA registered simcity5.com and renewed simcity.com. Now this of course doesn't mean anything, but why would they do such a thing ???

For a small price, they are leaving their options open. Nothing more. They aren't in the process of making a new SimCity, but they don't want someone else taking those websites.

There are a few things that we can say about the fact that simcity5.com has been registered:

1. Is that neither SimCity Societies, nor any other release is officially recognized as SimCity 5. Otherwise, visiting the address would certainly redirect visitors to that related product's official site. That, in itself, is redeeming, knowing that the franchise is open to following in its original path, and not down the road of Societies.

2. While its true that EA owns simcity5.com, they also own simcity(6-10).com as well. You can check on http://www.register.com/whois.rcmx. You can also see that they own simcityfive.com (just in case). You can take note that simcity5.com was originally taken in 2002, before our beloved SC4 was released. So, nothing here is for certain.

I do think that if there is to be a year that a new SimCity is to be announced/released it would be this year. If they are working on it, though, they are about as tight-lipped about it as the CIA was about where OBL was hiding.

Here's to hoping that a SimCity 5 is to EA what Windows 7 has been to Microsoft.

[Cob92 360]

We don't need EA to make another game, we can just download stuff from the STEX and the official SC4 site.

Really? So where's the download link to the mod for 100 square kilometer cities? What about the one for 3D graphics? Or the one that adds support for my quad core? Or the one that gets rid of the grid?

We can't do those things here at ST unless the site goes "underground" and starts hacking away at the exe in secret.

[Kingkazma 5]

This is true. We can go only as far as .dll and .dat.Hacking the .Exe would require a source code. If we had that code, we could do literally anything, from multicore threading to abnormally shaped cities.

Simply, they're not going to give it to us unless they think it's worth it. How would it be worth it? We could pay a few million dollars or they could be given a share of ST or we could make a deal (we make a new Simcity, sell it, and give our profits to them.)

None of these ideas are feasible,pretty, easy, or fast for either side-ST or EA.

Seeing as we have all this against us, we should probably just live with our mods. Unless we create a petition with 10 dollars per signer, it won't work.

Kazma

[airman15 4,113]

We don't need EA to make another game, we can just download stuff from the STEX and the official SC4 site.

Really? So where's the download link to the mod for 100 square kilometer cities? What about the one for 3D graphics? Or the one that adds support for my quad core? Or the one that gets rid of the grid?

We can't do those things here at ST unless the site goes "underground" and starts hacking away at the exe in secret.

There is the plausibility that someone who plays the game is doing that sort of stuff, but doesn't talk about it. Or EA really is making another SC game but hasn't announced it yet.