SimCity: Gameplay

[meowza 230]

^ Thanks for the pics!

1st pic: Looks like government buildings. Including a city hall, and the mayor's statue?

2nd pic: Ground floor restaurant, and hotel on the upper floors. There's also a dog.

[jacksunny 741]

Probably more concept art. I wouldn't mind if the final graphics looked like this though. When was the date on the article?

[Asheroo 53]

Well, the new blog post isn't too convincing - http://www.simcity.com/en_US/blog/article/SimCity-The-Connection-Between-You-and-the-World

In reply to the new blog post:

Maybe us players don't want the game to be THAT realistic. There are a number of us that just want to build a city without money worries so we really can build the city of our dreams. Plus, there are going to be many "stuff up" cities which could really bring down the global game economy. Maxis, please make this whole thing an option and allow people to not depend on the global market and use cheats. Although Sim City should be realistic, it shouldn't be incredibly realistic to a point where it ruins the 'game' aspect of it. The biggest part to the Sim City series is building the cities of our imagination. I can't do that and enjoy it if I have to depend on every single other player. Plus, this global economy thing will turn a number of people away including new comers.

Hopefully Maxis will get the message soon that this whole global game economy thing is just way too realistic. Even Cities XL and all of its versions has an option for fixed commodity prices and cheats.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I'm fine with a world economy. However I would say that a sandbox or disconnected mode should be an option. However if one was to create a very nice city independent of the economy and then wish to connect it with friends cities... Well various issues would naturally arise.

[knighthawk75 56]

"How many buildings are you going to get in something that is "around" 2 Km2"

---

A 2kmx2km map size is just not going to cut it, I can't believe they are serious about that either.

It's amazing the more I hear from EA the less interest I have in their "reboot", starting to sound more like a BSOD.

[meowza 230]

^ As much as I'd hate to tackle map size since there is already a topic for this, 2x2 is the only size they've mentioned so far (which is also the size of the medium map on SC4). We still have no idea if this is the only map that will be available or if there will be other sizes.

Personally, with all the positive promises they've given us, I wouldn't mind if 2x2 is the max size of a map since I would still be able to control the whole region. But ofcourse, more variety would be better.

Either way, it's too early to be gravely criticizing the game at this point.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

Density would become an issue with larger map sizes because 200,000 agents can already fit in a 2x2km square. A real economy is fine. If I wanted to just go out and create the city of my dreams, I would just use cheats in Cities XL.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

And yet, there has been a lot of screaming about realism. Now here comes "Ocean" saying that this is what they are striving for. God help them, they have bitten off a huge job that probably falls into the NP-complete set of problems.

If you want something less realistic, play SC4.

[Moskva 75]

If what is written on wiki is real, i am already disgusted by EA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SimCity_%282013_video_game%29

Like GTA IV and few others, you'll need an internet connection each time you wanna play the game you already PAID for. This is lame and sad and for sure an abuse. Plus you'll need EAs origin to play it too! What if someone cannot have an internet connection for a long time (i am about to join the army and who knows if there they use the internet ha!)? I am no surprised piracy is growing. Also i'd never pre-order for 80 bucks anything after Societies. We all have big hopes but remember that they can be quickly destroyed like it happened when people began playing Societies and everyone was like "Wtf is this childish game?". I'd wait the release and see what random people say, do not trust gaming sites, they intentionally give excellent reviews because someone must've interfered with them, of course. I've seen Societies gaining awesome reviews meanwhile most of people just hated it. Like i feared, this is potentially another failure, and it's anyway very difficuilt it'll be at the same level of SC4, considering they wont allow modding for a while.

[meowza 230]

... do not trust gaming sites, they intentionally give excellent reviews because someone must've interfered with them, of course. I've seen Societies gaining awesome reviews meanwhile most of people just hated it. ...

Ofcourse you can't expect every gaming site to have the same opinion as yours. It really boils down to what you personally prefer.

... Like i feared, this is potentially another failure, and it's anyway very difficuilt it'll be at the same level of SC4, considering they wont allow modding for a while.

A failure (on release) with much of the core SC fans is possible. But so far, I can't see this as something that will fail miserably in the end. This new game will also be catering to a new generation of players.

  Edited April 6, 2012 by meowza  

[shakman 1]

I hope this is the right place to ask my question... The previous version of "simtropolis.com" allowed me to go directly to any page of the ST/Exchange. This version I have to go through page by page in order to reach page "250".

Am I missing something? How can I go directly to any ST/Exchange page?

  Edited April 6, 2012 by shakman  

[Moskva 75]

@ meowza: I am talking about a failure by our point of view, Simcity hardcore fans, not 13 years old kids that could like anything their dad/mom gifts them. This SC looks cartoonish, and potentially already full of issues. The only reason Societies sold some is the pre-order and the kids, i am sure most of SC fans hated it. For what regards gaming sites, you cannot deny there's something weird. I've seen games that are hated by most of those who played them that received excellent reviews. There's a huge difference if you step into one of these sites where random normal people make reviews (plenty of them) and gaming sites. Actually you cannot trust gaming sites, can't you imagine all of the bussiness going underground it? The only you can trust, about a review on how cool a game is before purchasing it, is the mass, not some "gaming expert". Remember, facts are often made up by statistic, statistic that is made up by the mass.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Given the marketing talent at EA and Maxis, I expect this program to attract many, many new users and some of us veterans. How many of us will depend on just how well this new game meets out expectations. Wait in the weeds until at least E3 or until release before you make any rash decisions.

[jacksunny 741]

I'd wait the release and see what random people say, do not trust gaming sites, they intentionally give excellent reviews because someone must've interfered with them, of course. I've seen Societies gaining awesome reviews meanwhile most of people just hated it.

The thing is with Societies, it was completely different than the rest of the Simcity series. These reviewers are reviewing it as if it were a stand alone game.

I hope this is the right place to ask my question... The previous version of "simtropolis.com" allowed me to go directly to any page of the ST/Exchange. This version I have to go through page by page in order to reach page "250".

Am I missing something? How can I go directly to any ST/Exchange page?

There should be a button to the right of "Next Page" that will bring you to the last page. This forum would be a more suitable place to ask.

[Wiimeiser 452]

Whatever they can't include in the base game can be added in expansions, but the base game must still contain the essentials, like Highway interchanges. *Glares at SC4*

[Chaotically-Epic 3]

I really hope this game will be fun. I am already sadden by the "must stay connected at all times to the internet just to play" stuff. ):

[~Dee~ 215]

@ meowza: I am talking about a failure by our point of view, Simcity hardcore fans, not 13 years old kids that could like anything their dad/mom gifts them. This SC looks cartoonish, and potentially already full of issues.

How can you criticize a game what hasn't been released yet and saying that it looks cartoonish when we haven't even seen any graphics yet.

It says specificly in the videos that the graphics aren't final yet.

I rather focus on the positive aspects than the negative.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

The only graphics we have seen were altered from SimCity 4. So, Mr. Pot, what else do you want to say about the Kettle?

[meowza 230]

... Simcity hardcore fans, not 13 years old kids that could like anything their dad/mom gifts them...

When I say "new generation of players" it means a group of people, whatever the age group, with different interests compared to most of the fans (ie business minded people, green activists or anti, people who prefer online competition/coop, and others).

... This SC looks cartoonish, and potentially already full of issues ...

:| As others have already stated...

... Actually you cannot trust gaming sites, can't you imagine all of the bussiness going underground it? ...

Whatever the mechanisms behind the them, any review should always be taken with a grain of salt.

... Remember, facts are often made up by statistic, statistic that is made up by the mass.

Walking on your line of thought - remember statistics can also be faked... Either way, if you'd rather jump in the public bandwagon, whether if it contradicts your own preference or not, then that's your choice.

... The only reason Societies sold some is the pre-order and the kids ...

As much as I hate SCS too, may I see your "statistics" to back up that claim? - For the sake of understandability.. yes, I'm being sarcastic.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

This is all pretty speculative, but its fun, isn't it? E3 in June should dispel some of the doubts and scepticism.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I can't wait for that. This past month has gone by pretty slowly I must say.

I had a look at the latest GlassBox video. Didn't add much to what I already understood about it but it certainly seems they are prouf of their little brainchild. Let's hope this game meets our expectations and doesn't dissapoint.

My main concern is how much it will cost as I have laptop broadband, wireless.

[meowza 230]

I actually consider everything until release as speculations. We never know, they could suddenly decide to take a slightly different route like they did with Spore. But yes, E3 would be something interesting to look forward to - the only thing I'm hoping for right now is an official announcement on the availability of a fully solo mode.

[jacksunny 741]

Something interesting in the most recent article:

SN: Of all the changes, what's the biggest change to city design these last 10 years that’s influenced the game?

KK: That's a tough one. It's really the way they're doing some of the stuff in China, overall layout of cities, how everything is getting more compact, trying to stop commuting. You've got your businesses and stores right underneath your residential, and you have everything within walking distance. I think those are some of the biggest changes we're looking at modeling.

It looks like we might see this feature in the game, that's nice.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

Hmm. Smacks of stores with apartments over, and underground malls beneath office towers. A shot of great realism.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I'm fine with arcologies and multi zoning and mixed use lots but I still think good old fashioned long distance commuting is my main concern from what I've read so far. I'd like to think that if I built a transit system and zone layout loosely based on a real city it would loosely work in the same way.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

I'm fine with arcologies and multi zoning and mixed use lots but I still think good old fashioned long distance commuting is my main concern from what I've read so far. I'd like to think that if I built a transit system and zone layout loosely based on a real city it would loosely work in the same way.

Patience, grasshopper. Waiting will fill.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

The Shack News preview mentioned that Morgan Freeman's voice will be heard in a trailer for this game saying, "A single decision does not change the world. You do."

[RyanMorgan95 144]

It's not mentioned in the spec requirements, but can we assume SimCity will support Windows 8, possibly some integration with Metro? A live tile offering information of the region e.g. population would be cool, and since it's a online game, it would work pretty well.

  Edited April 12, 2012 by RyanMorgan95  

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

It's not mentioned in the spec requirements, but can we assume SimCity will support Windows 8, possibly some integration with Metro? A live tile offering information of the region e.g. population would be cool, and since it's a online game, it would work pretty well.

I think that it shouldn't matter what O/S you are on as long as it has 64-bit decor and can run x86 code. Support in specific Windows versions is a form of lock-in.

[Cob92 360]

It's not mentioned in the spec requirements, but can we assume SimCity will support Windows 8, possibly some integration with Metro? A live tile offering information of the region e.g. population would be cool, and since it's a online game, it would work pretty well.

I think that it shouldn't matter what O/S you are on as long as it has 64-bit decor and can run x86 code. Support in specific Windows versions is a form of lock-in.

That's wishful thinking; the conventional practice in the game industry is to design your game to run on whichever Windows happens to be most popular at the time and just ignore everything else. I see more and more games now that don't support XP in any form, and there are a lot of older games that take some work to run on new Windows versions.