No more pipelines ?

[Tramwhet 53]

http://www.simcity.com/en_US/blog/article/water-water-everywhere

"From SimCity 2000 on, the player had to lay all of the pipes independently from other networks, repeating the same pattern over and over again in every city. In this SimCity, much like in real life, the water pipes are placed underneath your streets and roads, so you can focus on the management of the system at a higher level."

what do you think about this ?

[duack 14]

I reckon its good. Personally, I found laying pipes annoying, and because of my OCD, I always placed pipes directly under roads anyway.

[Moskva 75]

I'd prefer there was more variety, however not a big problem, i am not minding it too much since i place pipelines under roads me too. However i am confused about the fact there's no gas or waste pipelines. Sims do not know heating and have all portable toilets? Oh man!

[BurroDiablo 222]

This is basically the same as what they did with power lines. It should be fine as long as there's still an option to lay them to outlying areas (like an island off the coast).

[GMT 389]

I applaud this move, as I always lay my pipes under roads which is about as time consuming as the road network.

as long as there's still a chance to lay the pipes freestyle, I'm fine with these changes... oh I wish there was a mod for sc4 that does this... so much pipes, so little time

[jacksunny 741]

Thank god they are doing this, I hated having to lay down water pipes.

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

Yup, I applaud this decision. Pipes and power lines were things I never wanted to worry about in the first place. Just integrating them with the roads is a good simplification idea, although BurroDiablo raises a good point.

[T Wrecks 10,210]

Well, if they treated the water pipes just like the power lines in SimCity 4, then both purposes would be served: We wouldn't have to lay pipes everywhwere, but we could draw major arteries to provide water to remote buildings - or from any remote sources of water supply to the consumers. The fine work (distributor and collector pipes, branches to individual buidlings) would be done automatically, but we could e.g. have a desalinisation plant at the coast that supplies water to a different city than the one it's located in - through a water pipeline to the city border that we may draw if we like.

Relying solely on automated water supply would mean that I could simply plop down a water tower in the bottom left corner and a building in the upper right corner, and voilà - instant magical water supply! No possibility to differentiate, either - this means that we would end up with

- (A) either a regional water supply, so we'd just have to plop down a mass of water supply buildings in any part of the region to get all cities covered, or

- (B) a city-specific water supply so we'd have to plop down enough water supply buildings in any one city to cover that city's needs, and this would mean that once again we'd have to build each and every supply building in each and every city.

Both of these alternatives would be a step back IMO. If they did it this way, they might as well leave out the water cycle (fresh water supply => pipes => waste water treatment) altogether.

[Jazzmaster 716]

Considering how much they're getting into the Glassbox engine, I don't think they would leave out a detail as important as serving remote buildings via manually drawing water pipes. However, I don't mind at all that they're doing to the water grid what they've done to the power grid; it's annoying having to open up a large city tile in SC4 and immediately draw water pipes everywhere just so I can plop/zone/build things without them abandoning later on due to my own negligence...

[Sandis_van_Great 346]

i like the idea its integrated into roads as i normaly try to lay it on roads anyways but i thinks its stupid to take it out, its realistic to plan out your pipeline systeams, but taking out stuff we just goan make this game one more bad thing as citiesxl and so on.

  Edited April 24, 2012 by Blue Lightning  
Removed language

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

In an urban area this is fine. In a rural area you should have a choice between municipal (automatic) water and having your own well. This also applies to sewage systems, and power systems. Some farms get along fine on their own resources with wind/diesel generators, septic systems and wells.

There is, perhaps, some naiveté in expecting every building to be on municipal services.

  Edited April 18, 2012 by A Nonny Moose  

[LivingInThePast 364]

I think it's a generally good idea, as that's how it normally works anyway. Though in the future, it would be nice if they were separate options.

[Tradizione88 0]

I'd prefer there was more variety, however not a big problem, i am not minding it too much since i place pipelines under roads me too. However i am confused about the fact there's no gas or waste pipelines. Sims do not know heating and have all portable toilets? Oh man!

i like the idea of the pipes under the streets , i hated putting pipes all around my city this is easier. I do agree though with much said on the topic:

you should have an option to lay pipes anyway

and the person who i'm quoting has a good point. Sewers? what about sewers ? they care a lot about pollution and stuff but deciding wether to make a sewer end in sea or build a "depurificatore" (in italian ) or a "fossa comune" (don't know how to say these 2 structures in english) would be an interesting decision

[Dewm 177]

In an urban area this is fine. In a rural area you should have a choice between municipal (automatic) water and having your own well. This also applies to sewage systems, and power systems. Some farms get along fine on their own resources with wind/diesel generators, septic systems and wells.

There is, perhaps, some naiveté in expecting every building to be on municipal services.

I have my own well and septic at my house.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

This is wonderful and I agree that would be especially good if they had the option of laying inexpensive road without pipelines (off by default) and separate pipelines for things not connected to roads. Cities XL kinda did this where there were no pipelines or power lines but everything had to be connected to city hall (so all utilities were connected to all other buildings).

  Edited April 18, 2012 by OcramSeattle  

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

I can see why this fan base can be confusing at times. To me SimCity is a simulator. That means dealing with realistic detail. There is so much concern about the game being dumbed down yet so many want to avoid micro management. I like the idea that if one pipe is out of line or destroyed, it would have an impact on water delivery and I would have control at a micro level. I always loved all the intricate detail of laying pipes and keeping watch in the data map. Sure it's time consuming but do we want to cut corners or have a detailed simulator?

[Cob92 360]

In an urban area this is fine. In a rural area you should have a choice between municipal (automatic) water and having your own well. This also applies to sewage systems, and power systems. Some farms get along fine on their own resources with wind/diesel generators, septic systems and wells.

There is, perhaps, some naiveté in expecting every building to be on municipal services.

Isn't the well thing already in SC4? You can just opt not to put in public water and your town still functions fine; the manual chalks this up to Sims providing their own water through wells.

[Mark Waybill 242]

I think automatic pipe/wire laying is a good idea, with the option of adding additional connecting lines like in 4. As to mobile phone towers and post offices etc, obviously those things should be micro managed by the user. But laying lines in pretty much the same place you would automatically have them laid out seems time wasting.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

I think automatic pipe/wire laying is a good idea, with the option of adding additional connecting lines like in 4. As to mobile phone towers and post offices etc, obviously those things should be micro managed by the user. But laying lines in pretty much the same place you would automatically have them laid out seems time wasting.

Well I hope I get the option to lay every pipe. My playing style consists of me taking my time with building infrastructure (laying pipes, power lines, and road networks) before I hit that play button. I could spend weeks in God mode alone. By the time my city is developed and populated I have a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that I did a lot of work to get it where it is. I do not see laying pipes as a waste of time. A true creator is patient. In fact it is patience that I had to grasp in order to learn how to get my budget in the black without cheats. In the end it's very rewarding. If SimCity was a car, I would drive stick. In my opinion, too much automatic things happening would rob me of some creative opportunities. But don't get me wrong, I love zoning and watching the city grow. I'm a gardener.

Also micro management allows me to get to know all my neighborhoods on an intimate level. I look back on some of my screenshots and have fond memories of every section that I nurtured and watched grow; even the areas that gave me a headache.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

In an urban area this is fine. In a rural area you should have a choice between municipal (automatic) water and having your own well. This also applies to sewage systems, and power systems. Some farms get along fine on their own resources with wind/diesel generators, septic systems and wells.

There is, perhaps, some naiveté in expecting every building to be on municipal services.

Isn't the well thing already in SC4? You can just opt not to put in public water and your town still functions fine; the manual chalks this up to Sims providing their own water through wells.

Only in single occupancy buildings and some dirty industry. Once you go to multiple dwelling, you need water.

[Cob92 360]

In an urban area this is fine. In a rural area you should have a choice between municipal (automatic) water and having your own well. This also applies to sewage systems, and power systems. Some farms get along fine on their own resources with wind/diesel generators, septic systems and wells.

There is, perhaps, some naiveté in expecting every building to be on municipal services.

Isn't the well thing already in SC4? You can just opt not to put in public water and your town still functions fine; the manual chalks this up to Sims providing their own water through wells.

Only in single occupancy buildings and some dirty industry. Once you go to multiple dwelling, you need water.

Which is fairly accurate; I've never heard of developers putting up apartment buildings and office parks in places where there is no public water.

[The_City_Builder 299]

I guess I'm okay with no more pipelines. But wouldn't it make the spread of water pollution so much easier than it was in Sim City 4? In Sim City 4, to save money, I would always build a seperate water tower or water pump in industrial areas, so that it wouldn't spread to the city or to farms if I had any. Plus, I didn't have to make a water treatment facility, which saves quite a bit of money over time.

I do hope there is an option to manually place pipes. I only found it an annoyance in SC2000.

  Edited April 19, 2012 by 1701adguru  

[Ocram's Razr 964]

I guess I'm okay with no more pipelines. But wouldn't it make the spread of water pollution so much easier than it was in Sim City 4? In Sim City 4, to save money, I would always build a seperate water tower or water pump in industrial areas, so that it wouldn't spread to the city or to farms if I had any. Plus, I didn't have to make a water treatment facility, which saves quite a bit of money over time.

I do hope there is an option to manually place pipes. I only found it an annoyance in SC2000.

What?! You do not build water towers in polluted areas! They stop working and get more expensive! If you have a dirty industry town, just build your water towers in the next town over. This will change in the new SimCity but it is still in your best interest to build your water tower in pristine areas.

[Sandis_van_Great 346]

I think automatic pipe/wire laying is a good idea, with the option of adding additional connecting lines like in 4. As to mobile phone towers and post offices etc, obviously those things should be micro managed by the user. But laying lines in pretty much the same place you would automatically have them laid out seems time wasting.

Well I hope I get the option to lay every pipe. My playing style consists of me taking my time with building infrastructure (laying pipes, power lines, and road networks) before I hit that play button. I could spend weeks in God mode alone. By the time my city is developed and populated I have a great feeling of accomplishment knowing that I did a lot of work to get it where it is. I do not see laying pipes as a waste of time. A true creator is patient. In fact it is patience that I had to grasp in order to learn how to get my budget in the black without cheats. In the end it's very rewarding. If SimCity was a car, I would drive stick. In my opinion, too much automatic things happening would rob me of some creative opportunities. But don't get me wrong, I love zoning and watching the city grow. I'm a gardener.

Also micro management allows me to get to know all my neighborhoods on an intimate level. I look back on some of my screenshots and have fond memories of every section that I nurtured and watched grow; even the areas that gave me a headache.

oh man thank god there is still palyers that knows the real deal about city building games. To bad most of people this days just whant one of thoes childish easy games and not challenge. How can people say it consumes so much time laying out pipelines? its the part of the freking city building, feels like SC is a game wher eyou must build a city as fast as possible. Idk but from reading around feels like this game is gona fail the same way as cities xl they will all want easy gameplay , futures to be taken out and so on and once the game is gona come out they will stop playin it as its goan get booring and its gona die again.

[Moskva 75]

I'd prefer there was more variety, however not a big problem, i am not minding it too much since i place pipelines under roads me too. However i am confused about the fact there's no gas or waste pipelines. Sims do not know heating and have all portable toilets? Oh man!

i like the idea of the pipes under the streets , i hated putting pipes all around my city this is easier. I do agree though with much said on the topic:

you should have an option to lay pipes anyway

and the person who i'm quoting has a good point. Sewers? what about sewers ? they care a lot about pollution and stuff but deciding wether to make a sewer end in sea or build a "depurificatore" (in italian ) or a "fossa comune" (don't know how to say these 2 structures in english) would be an interesting decision

This is an italian speaking to another italian bro . What i'd like from SC is more variety and possibilities of micromanagment, but always letting also option to give control to the simulator, because a lot of people usually don't want to get into micromanagment. However automatic pipes under roads is not good. What if i am building a countryside road without perhaps not even farms on sides? What a waste, a pipe for nothing? Give us both options, automatic simulator control and human control (which usually is best).

[Buggi 685]

I'm against automatic pipes actually. If everyone has water then why have water in the game at all? By not supplying an area with water, in SC4 you limited it's development to Med wealth and low density. Without that control why even simulate it?

And by what I've read, the new Simcity will only have three different types of zones, R C and I, no zoning for density. This makes control over water supply even more important.

If something makes putting down pipes difficult, redesign the tool, don't eliminate it.

[BurroDiablo 222]

It would be pointless to cut out pipes altogether, not everywhere is connected to a road. I assume (hope) they'll deal with this as they did with powerlines... you want to connect remote areas or neighbors? Then lay a pipe. Otherwise, let the roads handle it.

And by what I've read, the new Simcity will only have three different types of zones, R C and I, no zoning for density. This makes control over water supply even more important.

Where have you heard/seen this? I hope to hell it's not true.

[The_City_Builder 299]

I guess I'm okay with no more pipelines. But wouldn't it make the spread of water pollution so much easier than it was in Sim City 4? In Sim City 4, to save money, I would always build a seperate water tower or water pump in industrial areas, so that it wouldn't spread to the city or to farms if I had any. Plus, I didn't have to make a water treatment facility, which saves quite a bit of money over time.

I do hope there is an option to manually place pipes. I only found it an annoyance in SC2000.

What?! You do not build water towers in polluted areas! They stop working and get more expensive! If you have a dirty industry town, just build your water towers in the next town over. This will change in the new SimCity but it is still in your best interest to build your water tower in pristine areas.

Well, I do all the time and they don't stop working.

It serves them right for polluting the crud out of my city.

[jacksunny 741]

I'm against automatic pipes actually. If everyone has water then why have water in the game at all?

Then we should get rid of power as well, because everybody uses that too.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

I'm against automatic pipes actually. If everyone has water then why have water in the game at all? By not supplying an area with water, in SC4 you limited it's development to Med wealth and low density. Without that control why even simulate it?

And by what I've read, the new Simcity will only have three different types of zones, R C and I, no zoning for density. This makes control over water supply even more important.

If something makes putting down pipes difficult, redesign the tool, don't eliminate it.

No zoning density huh? That + automatic pipes + forced playtime with other kids= a definate no sale here. In fact if no zone density is in, then it is not Sim City as far as I'm concerned. I would stop visiting this section of the forums altogether as this game would be irrelevant to me.