SimCity: Gameplay

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Sears tower would be a landmark in that case. It would raise the landvalue and drain your funds.

[meowza 230]

Will Wright's latest impression about SC and Maxis.

DigitalTrends: One of the big games at E3 is the new SimCity. What’s it like to see that game continue on?

Will Wright: I think it’s great as long as I don’t have to work on it. I’m really glad that there are dedicated people. I know the guys working on it and it’s a great crew and I think they’re doing a great job with it. It’s actually kind of surreal. It’s like when you have a kid who grows up and then you hear from that kid every few weeks or so and there’s this pride of having raised the kid, but you’re glad you’re not having to change his diapers anymore.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/will-wright-reminisces-on-e3-and-looks-forward-towards-the-future-of-gaming/

[tm795 3]

Hey guys! You probably haven't seen me much lately. I have only signed on ST periodically through the past few months. However, word just got to me that MAXIS is making a new SimCity. So, I looked on here and sure enough I saw posts right on the homepage about it. I clicked on a few and saw the E3 Gameplay and trailer. My first thoughts were...

1. I hope they are going to incorporate the simulation elements that are in SC4, and not just make it a kiddie type of game. ( That's what the Facebook one is for! lol )

2. I really like what they are saying about traffic and pedestrians. Supposedly, each car and pedestrian is going to be an actual sim on a commute to or from work or out doing something and not just randomly spawned and de-spawned to represent traffic in a certain area.

Part of why I think I like these city-building games is because when I visit a big city, I love to just look out my cheap hotel room's window and watch traffic roar by on the freeway and wonder where they are going? Why is that guy going at least 20 miles per hour faster than everyone else? I wonder who is driving that old beat-up Ford Pinto and why. For some reason that has always interested me.

3. MULTIPLAYER! WOO!! I hope that becomes a successful feature!

4.EA.... *thinks of past troubles while installing EA games* and...Origin...*gets headache, thinks back to the hours of frustration caused by this unnecessary annoyance, feels like throwing up*... So, hopefully that won't be too bad. *Laughs*

5. The guy who did the gameplay really needs to come here and learn some SimCity transportation 101. Some of his roads were PACKED! lol

6. To everyone in ST chat around December 2011, I TOLD YOU SO!!! Hahaha! I told you Maxis was still alive! I went on a tour of the EA HQ near me and I saw a Maxis department. Granted, it looked like they were working on a sim game, not a SimCity game. But, I wasn't lying to you guys! Maxis is still alive and hopefully always will be!

I just wanted to share that with you guys, for I am pretty excited for a new Maxis SimCity title and hope it reaches all of our wants and expectations.

[westy177 203]

what you have said are my thoughts exactly

[hunkske 53]

Exactly!!

I hope we get to see some 'actual' gameplay video's or pics in the coming weeks.. :-) So far i'm liking what i see, have a couple of question marks for sure, but i find it way too early to shoot anything down..And as said in some of my other posts, i'm just so excited and happy that at least there is another simcity in the make..

I've got Cities XL 2012 but for some reason it just isn't for me, and I cannot put the same creativity in it that i always could with simcity. But in a way it did spoil me, because of the 3d effects.. now when I play SC4 I always wish I could dive into the city and see it up close.. and I think SC5 will give us that chance.. (hopefully the tilt shift can be adjusted to our own taste, at the moment it sometimes feels a bit too much tilt shift..)

[jamezz_2005 5]

Haven't been here in some time, always been a big SC fan. Saw "SimCIty 2013" come up in the title when I googled Simtrop... exciting stuff! About time we had a new, genuine SC game from Maxis to continue the original franchise. Can't wait to check it out.

  Edited June 17, 2012 by jamezz_2005  

[meowza 230]

Didn't want to create a new topic just for this, so I posted here instead.

Wallpaper Not yet displayed on SC's site.

Download: http://www.simcity.c...lpapers-All.zip

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It's the same wallpaper Maxis used for their E3 demo room.

  Edited July 19, 2012 by CaptCity  

[NCGAIO 562]

INTERESTING FACTS:

JUNE 3, 2012 BY JOHN GAUDIOS

Digitaltrends: One of the big games at E3 is the new SimCity. What’s it like to see that game continue on?

Wright: I think it’s great as long as I don’t have to work on it. I’m really glad that there are dedicated people. I know the guys working on it and it’s a great crew and I think they’re doing a great job with it. It’s actually kind of surreal. It’s like when you have a kid who grows up and then you hear from that kid every few weeks or so and there’s this pride of having raised the kid, but you’re glad you’re not having to change his diapers anymore.

source: http://www.digitaltr.../#ixzz20H8hN3Qv

How many believe that Will. abandoned SimCity because of the intrusions in the past by the EA, then we become a little clearer where does this story about making the new game a little more playable, not to make just the EA in single villain of the fact.

Now back in history. Mr. Wright who was the kickoff ....

by Steven L. Kent | 14 may 2004

GameSpy: Do you work on SimCities when new ones come out?

Wright: Right now we are not working on a SimCity. It's in early planning stages, not active work. We're about to come out with a new direction for it.

GameSpy: Can you talk about the new direction?

Wright: We haven't figured out what it is. SimCity kind of worked itself into a corner. We were still appealing to this core SimCity group. It had gotten a little complicated for people who had never played SimCity. We want to take it back to its roots where somebody who had never heard of SimCity can pick it up and enjoy playing it without thinking it was really, really hard.

If you played SimCity before, the last one was pretty fun. I mean, it wasn't really hard. But if you had never seen SimCity in your life, it's pretty complicated. Whatever the new direction is, it needs to be along those lines.

source: http://www.gamespy.c...5/515914p1.html

And it seems that the idea has remained so far ...

SimCity (2013) - New SimCity inspired by SimCity 2000

By Gaetano Prestia

SimCity producer, Jason Haber, has said that the game is being made with accessibility in mind so as to cater to a wide variety of gamers.

When asked what the biggest inspiration was for the series, Mr Haber said that every previous SimCity game provided plenty of influence, but that SimCity 2000 had the biggest affect on development.

"I think our biggest influence is probably SimCity 2000," said Mr Haber. "That was the biggest influence for us, because we felt like that was probably the, really the most accessible SimCity experience.

"We really wanted to make sure that this entry was that accessible."

source:http://pc.mmgn.com/News/New-SimCity-inspired-by-SimCity-2000

And for those who have doubts Mr.Wright seems happy with the result ... seeing your kid returning home

SimCity (2013) Interview (PC)

We got the chance to sit down with Jason Haber, the producer on Maxis’ new take on the SimCity franchise at an EA event. We took the time to quiz him on the visual aesthetic of the game, money management, and that interesting new way the city feeds back to you.

Strategy Informer: I have one more quick question – it’s silly, but I feel I have to ask - have you had much feedback from Mr. Wright about this at all? Has he seen this?

Jason Haber: [laughs] He has! He comes to the office every once in a while. He works very near us, so it’s easy for him to come by. He comes and looks at the game and he’s very excited, he’s really happy to sort of see this new take on how the cities work. We’re good friends with Will!

source: http://www.strategyi.../interview.html

then let us all prepare for the new game.

Welcome Simcity 2013, back from the simplicity of Simcity2000

and thanks Maxxis.... very very very thanks.... was everything the fans wanted [laughs]... can be sure ok! [laughs]

  Edited July 24, 2012 by NCGAIO  

[Ocram's Razr 963]

In SimCity 2000, you had lay out power poles over every zone that was to develop. That was annoying.

In actuality, SimCity 2013 will be easier than SimCity 2000 in some ways though I hope that like in SimCity 2013, we can at least decide whether we want low density or high density.

[pyanodon 218]

(...)we can at least decide whether we want low density or high density.

Until i read, that wont be in the SC13. Only one level of RCI zones that can be high or low due the kind of development around the area (like better roads/streets, land value, coverages etc)

[Ocram's Razr 963]

I was talking about restrictions. What if I want a major expressway cutting through a small community?

[pyanodon 218]

I was talking about restrictions. What if I want a major expressway cutting through a small community?

that surround community will evolute to bigger ones due the expressway and increasing land value.

[Ocram's Razr 963]

In reality, the traffic noise and pollution would drive down desirability, land value, and crime safety. If you look at Aurora Avenue in Seattle or Pacific Highway in Des Moines and Federal Way (both Highway 99), you see that most of the business are sleazy motels, strip clubs, used car dealerships, dive bars, outlet/strip malls, fast food joints, and cheap hypermarkets with a few run down apartments. It would look like low density with some medium density in SC4.

PS: The police have been having trouble in certain areas near near bars and casinos between motels and clubs...

If there is no zoning restrictions, it would all become offices, warehouses, malls, tenements, and apartments. If your police are as effective as in SimCity 4, you might get fancy hotels and casino resorts instead of sleazy motels and smoky casino bars. How realistic is that?

  Edited July 14, 2012 by OcramSeattle  

[jdenm8 362]

And yet that's where you'll be getting your skyscrapers growing in the new game.

Of course, unless you don't zone along that road.

[Rokugatsu 126]

From what Ive read on simcity.com, SC13 is gonnna be a pretty good city simulation game. It's just not that great for the people who don't want simulation (or it's not the most important thing for them) but just wants to build good looking, "realistic" cities. Too bad we can't have both...

But then again, we still don't know much. And the most important thing is- we don't know the modding tools. Who knows, maybe we can make it even better than SC4 (when it comes to building a city for fun, not simulation, because SC13 will probably win here).

[NCGAIO 562]

To discuss the future, any better than remembering the past ...

I'm absolutely sure that everyone thinks that all this work deserved a continued to respect its origins, and not just turn everything into a simple game to earn more money in the distribution portal.

Of course, companies have to be guided by profits (Clearly all shareholders are not good Samaritans) but the fact appeal to fans, looking to get significant sales should at least respect them, giving clear information that is not what they like but what Maxis(EA) thinks they will like.

  Edited July 19, 2012 by NCGAIO  

[Ocram's Razr 963]

Most Shareholders are Samaritans (which were known for being merciless, like Gomorrans or LA and NYC dwellers ), very few are Good Samaritans (which means extraordinarily good person from a region of jaded/mean/selfish people).

On Topic, I hate to say this but I now hope that a DLC or EP is made that adds maps with 4x4 km cities or even 6x6 or 8x8. I know that Maxoids are good people but they are stuck on the ball and chain of EA.

[NCGAIO 562]

Thanks for the correction OcramSeattle .. was a mistake in translation.

About the hope of larger maps is worth remembering that this would bring a larger population and, in consequence, a greater number of objects in the simulation.

So within the architecture simulation implemented with GlassBox this only be possible if, in addition to selling game, Maxis (EA) also fund low-interest equipment to be able to run it.

Something like this already would be nice ..

Now for a version that can run everything that the old SC4 make and updated to a graphic engine, it would be nice to get something like this little dream of game-maniac ....

  Edited July 19, 2012 by NCGAIO  

[alex macnamara 139]

wahahaha, im going to build my next computer using a stacked coffee table instead of using a case L0o0L

[Mark Waybill 242]

I am now in the 'negative' camp re: sc2013. Me... the last person to fall into it. But if we can't build our own regional transportation and other infrastructure I simply don't see how this game is anything close to sc5. A backwards step, Maxis.

[NCGAIO 562]

It's not true .... actually Maxis is giving the several steps forward

After all the GlassBox will allow several other reissues of simple games like EA wants.

Then wait for all the reissues Maxis

- will have up to a new ... the SimOcean, that had already secured the title in Europe by EA.

SOURCE:www.techsempre.com

Then all the ardent fans of the studio can be optimistic because there will be plenty to download from ORIGIN(EA) .... if function as they expect of course!

  Edited July 29, 2012 by NCGAIO  

[Jokurr 175]

SimTower on glassbox would be cool.

[Evillions 552]

Might be off topic, so bear with me...

I could say that this new Simcity is a step up from its predecessor. Sure its not a direct sequel, but a reboot of the franchise. I am glad of the glassbox engine, NAM elements, city specializations, etc. However, I am a bit disappointed of that grass void between cities and small city-tile sizes. IMO, those are not deal-breakers for me, but just things that Maxis should of fixed in the first place.

[Crazy_Ivan80 35]

I still haven't heard were SC4 is complicated.

[NCGAIO 562]

I still haven't heard were SC4 is complicated.

To get an idea thought up the creator of it!

By Steven L. Kent | May 14, 2004

A breakfast with the creator of The SimCITY.

GameSpy: Do you work on SimCities when new ones come out?

Will Wright: Right now we are not working on a SimCity. It's in early planning stages, not active work. We're about to come out with a new direction for it.

GameSpy: Can you talk about the new direction?

Will Wright: We haven't figured out what it is. SimCity kind of worked itself into a corner. We were still appealing to this core SimCity group. It had gotten a little complicated for people who had never played SimCity. We want to take it back to its roots where somebody who had never heard of SimCity can pick it up and enjoy playing it without thinking it was really, really hard.

If you played SimCity before, the last one was pretty fun. I mean, it wasn't really hard. But if you had never seen SimCity in your life, it's pretty complicated. Whatever the new direction is, it needs to be along those lines.

[prisonermonkeys 0]

I still haven't heard were SC4 is complicated.

I found it to be pretty complicated. Maybe I was just a little too young to fully appreciate the nuances of the game, but I found SC4 had a phenomenally-steep learning curve and I had to focus way too much on micromanagement. It got to the point where I'd build a city of about 15,000 residents and then I would either go broke or everyone would move out (at which point I would go broke). I think the best I ever got to was around 28,000 residents. It really killed any long-term gameplay prospects for me.

[AdoxxBE 289]

I still have some questions hoovering around in my head.

Maxis told us there will be a whole system, like in real life.

Industry makes raw materials into goods, they ship to stores, stores sell this to the sim and the sims are able to live.

But will we be able to make a city without including industry. It would makes sense if neighbour cities would sell these goods to your city.

But what if they don't, are you obliged to build industry?

[Gen. Hammond 7]

I still have some questions hoovering around in my head.

Maxis told us there will be a whole system, like in real life.

Industry makes raw materials into goods, they ship to stores, stores sell this to the sim and the sims are able to live.

But will we be able to make a city without including industry. It would makes sense if neighbour cities would sell these goods to your city.

But what if they don't, are you obliged to build industry?

Or what if you have surplus industry? Can you export goods to neighboring regions?

[~Dee~ 215]

I still have some questions hoovering around in my head.

Maxis told us there will be a whole system, like in real life.

Industry makes raw materials into goods, they ship to stores, stores sell this to the sim and the sims are able to live.

But will we be able to make a city without including industry. It would makes sense if neighbour cities would sell these goods to your city.

But what if they don't, are you obliged to build industry?

I still have some questions hoovering around in my head.

Maxis told us there will be a whole system, like in real life.

Industry makes raw materials into goods, they ship to stores, stores sell this to the sim and the sims are able to live.

But will we be able to make a city without including industry. It would makes sense if neighbour cities would sell these goods to your city.

But what if they don't, are you obliged to build industry?

The way I understand it, you can build a city without industry but you need a neighboring city who has industry to sell you the goods your sims need.

If that neighboring city wants to make money they will sell you the goods. That's in multiplayer mode.

If you play in single player mode (Maxis says you can play a region in private) and you want a city without industry you will need to play 2 cities at the same time, I think, correct me if I'm wrong.

Because your sims need goods to buy, so you need industry somewhere close by.

Or what if you have surplus industry? Can you export goods to neighboring regions?

I don't know if you can export surplus goods to neighboring regions, but you can sell them to neighboring cities, as far as I understand what Maxis has been telling us.

[Jokurr 175]

Apparently there will be a playable demo of the game at Gamescom next week. Should be interesting to see what it's like, as well as the reactions of those who have a chance to try it.