Non-road transport+Resources=?

[WhereisSC5? 20]

So we all have a basic idea of what happens in a simple city with some industry-trucks move goods about via different kinds of roads. Simple enough. But what happens when you apply the movement of goods to different methods of transport? Will seaports and airports just be enhanced, inter-city roads that carry more goods over greater distances? What will define the destination of each ship/plane, since they aren't confined to specific routes and have free access to all borders? More importantly, what about railroads? Railroads are so much more complex than roads in real life. Instead of a single vehicle with a single destination, like trucks, trains are multiple vehicles with multiple destinations. There are so many ways that railroads organize this system before allowing the cargo to reach its destination (rail yards, industrial spurs, etc). How will the newest Simcity installation handle this? Also, how will railroads transfer between airports and seaports?

In addition to all of this, how will each transportation system (this time, including roads) provide service for its vehicles? How will this be handled?

Finally, can/will transport be commercialized? Can independent corporations build on their own?

(Mods, lock this if it belongs under another topic)

[A Nonny Moose 8,261]

It is good to see the entrepreneurial spirit arising in this forum.

Why not build a transportation company? You could have an air-freight outfit, a distribution company with several warehouses, a shipping company that moved good through a port, any or all of them, and run it as a profit making venture.

However, I don't think this is currently part of the design. It could be a mod or an expansion pack to allow individuals to work in the same city with various agendas and goals under the umbrella of the Mayor, who would have to issue licenses etc.

On the other hand, it could be a related game with interprocess communication to SimCity. The whole simulation world may be changed by good ideas like this.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I'm all for privatised rail as an option, and for 'smart' companies that can ask for permission and then act by themselves to build/maintain certain infrastructure. That would add a nice unpredictable nature to the game and add more realism.

As to transport behaviour and nature of connections, I believe that the more realistic without over complicating and over micromanaging we can get the better. Multiple track railways, tramways with storage sheds and various station designs, good heavens my wishlisty for transport is about as long as a real life railroad!

As to goods traffic, with the new economic simulation I should think this will be handled much more realistically and logically. I would like to see the ability, for instance, to construct or allow a company to construct with my permission and suggestions, a railroad linking a coal mine to a harbour. Realistic, logical, and something that imo would make the game better. Things like that would be very nice. But naturally I am not going to expect it of Maxis within a year! I suspect very much we shall have to wait for mods/additions/further releases/expansion packs.

A tad off topic but if expansion packs are to be released possibly Maxis could work alongside modders and integrate their creations to save time and money?

[WhereisSC5? 20]

That expansion pack idea would actually work really well. Maybe Maxis would select the ideas they like the most and incorporate them into an expansion along with Maxis' own material. It would work fantastically. No doubt the modding community would grow larger and more innovative to compete for Maxis' attention. Maxis wouldn't have to give much effort as well. So it's a win-win. And the idea of DLC "By the people, for the people" would definitely be popular. I think your idea should be presented to Maxis.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I definitely believe in more close an alliance between Modders and Maxis. If mods could be reviewed or tested by Maxis staff and then as long as proper credit is given (I assume we are still a Communistic community, but if Modders want royalties who am I to tell them that's a bad idea) the mods could be implemented in an expansion pack released regularly, sort of similar to Simutrans, and we would get the cream of the crop, all tested and good quality stuff, integrated properly into the game, and possibly with Modders consent edited and improved if possible or expanded upon.