Did SC2013 kill off SIMCITY?

[drdru7029 52]

This whole thing is reminding me of the release of Civilization V. It was released to tremendous backlash, especially from online fans. Even now, after a couple of years and an expansion pack, there is still a regulalrly updated Civ V rants thread sitting in the top 20 threads on CivFanatics. Civilization V was divisive to say the least, and time has solidified that division, not weakened it.

 

I feel the same will happen here. The server problems will get fixed, updates and/or expansions will add things we want (bigger cities and so on, perhaps offline play), but it will still be divisive. There will still be a large number of people who see SimCity 2013 as a scab on the franchise along with Societies, and that SimCity 4 was definitive (which it is IMHO).

 

I for one, have not played it yet (hoping to tonight once Amazon have delivered it), so I can't comment on the game itself, it's just that the trend is very familiar with what happened in the Civilization community.

 

I for one hated Civilization 5 by the way, and Gods & Kings did little to improve it for me, and I'm back on Civilization 4 and its' many, many great mods. However, there are a lot of people who love Civilization 5 and I expect in a couple of years, the trend will be very similar for SimCity 2013 and SimCity 4.

 

JM2C

 

Oh, and hello by the way!

My thoughts have mirrored these sentiments exactly.  SimCity and Civilization are my two favorite game franchises and have been for almost two decades.  Both of the most recent iterations have left me deeply disappointed.  At the same time, I was crazy excited about both during their first few months of development.  When will I learn from history? The 'classical reboot' trend is here to stay; gone are the days of actually evolving on what worked.  

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

This whole thing is reminding me of the release of Civilization V. It was released to tremendous backlash, especially from online fans. Even now, after a couple of years and an expansion pack, there is still a regulalrly updated Civ V rants thread sitting in the top 20 threads on CivFanatics. Civilization V was divisive to say the least, and time has solidified that division, not weakened it.

 

I feel the same will happen here. The server problems will get fixed, updates and/or expansions will add things we want (bigger cities and so on, perhaps offline play), but it will still be divisive. There will still be a large number of people who see SimCity 2013 as a scab on the franchise along with Societies, and that SimCity 4 was definitive (which it is IMHO).

 

I for one, have not played it yet (hoping to tonight once Amazon have delivered it), so I can't comment on the game itself, it's just that the trend is very familiar with what happened in the Civilization community.

 

I for one hated Civilization 5 by the way, and Gods & Kings did little to improve it for me, and I'm back on Civilization 4 and its' many, many great mods. However, there are a lot of people who love Civilization 5 and I expect in a couple of years, the trend will be very similar for SimCity 2013 and SimCity 4.

 

JM2C

 

Oh, and hello by the way!

My thoughts have mirrored these sentiments exactly.  SimCity and Civilization are my two favorite game franchises and have been for almost two decades.  Both of the most recent iterations have left me deeply disappointed.  At the same time, I was crazy excited about both during their first few months of development.  When will I learn from history? The 'classical reboot' trend is here to stay; gone are the days of actually evolving on what worked.  

Reboots and covers are now totally dominant in both the film, music and gaming industry. Creativity has all been but destroyed because creativity equals the risk of losing most of your money in a bold new investment, or even making a new genre/type of game more popular at the expense of another genre (which could be the company's main source of revenue).

 

A few years ago sequels were a curse and now the lexicon for the gaming industry and the film industry are 'reboots'. Reboots to reflect todays times; whether it is classic games upgraded for MMO, or those superhero movies desperately copying Batman: The Dark Night with all these 'serious' plots. They'll say again to masquerade as 'creative' when they are anything but.

[PsiBorg6 3]

The biggest irony of all is that although I stated in my comments that I have not yet played the game, I have since received it and can't even install the damn thing.

 

Tried all weekend, installed about 2Gb from the disc, Origin downloads a 73Mb file, I hit install, it seems to install, then repeats the install request on the same file, so infinite loop and no game.

 

I get rid of everything, Origin, SimCity, registry entries, retry through downloading the game only, and it downloads a 260MB (ish) file and goes into the same loop of looking like it's installing, then failing with no play option, just an 'install' option.

 

I can't see through googling various forums that this is a particularly common problem, and I sure as hell can't find a fix, so it's currently winging its way back to Amazon for a refund...it'll be ineteresting to see if I get a refund, as it's still in my Origin games list...

 

Oh, and I'm in the UK where the release was supposedly smoother than the US launch...

 

Given up.

[azxcvbnm321 17]

Yes developers should be creative and strive for new things.  But they must make them work and they must work AT LEAST as well as they did in the previous versions of the game or else the new game will get massive criticism like SimCity2013 has gotten.  Want to focus on regional play?  Fine, but trading must work and movement between cities must make sense and be seamless enough so that it's no worse than playing on a large map on SimCity4.  Want to replace the SimCity4 engine with Glass Box?  Great, but pathfinding must at least be as good as what is currently out there which is SimCity4 modded with NAM.  What's the point if your new engine is worse?  

 

In the end, the gameplay and functionality just aren't there.  THAT'S what the legitimate criticism is about.  SimCity4 with mods seems to function better and that's why SimCity2013 has been such a disappointment to those who have been waiting for a SimCity game for ages.  

[Essex 322]

So will the NAM team keep focusing on SC4 or will they start something on their own (as SC2013 will NEVER allow modding)?

[Resender 18]

So will the NAM team keep focusing on SC4 or will they start something on their own (as SC2013 will NEVER allow modding)?

They should focus on SC4,making it a viable option if EA decides to shut down the SimCity servers.

 

Did this SImCity kill the franchise,in my opinion no.

But their still needs lots of polishing.

 

For instance I got a city with over 10.000 low wealth jobs open, but in the connected cities I'm getting complaints about unemployement with low wealth sims.

Som of the information panels are to simplistic,then I mean mostly on employement

 

Can you run out of water regionwide,yes so how do you solve this.(Sewage treatment plant can create a new clear water source though)

 

Overal SimCity is a casual game but if the modding community of Sim City 4 keeps focused on modding the game further it will make a good if not better alternative for the serious city builder.

[MandelSoft 2,770]

So will the NAM team keep focusing on SC4 or will they start something on their own (as SC2013 will NEVER allow modding)?

Since none of us NAM members actually know how to mod the new game plus most of use don't even bought the game (mainly due to disappointing transit options, ironically), the NAM Team will still focus on SimCity 4. If there's ever going to be a SC2013 NAM Team, it's not going to be us...

Also, who needs curvy roads if we can make Dragable FAR in SimCity 4?

[site400 12]

Did SC2013 kill off SimCity?

 

No, I don't think so.  I believe the fans have killed SimCity.  Looking back over the years, I think we've agreed that many studios have attempted to develop city builder games and each and every time the fan base for these types of games has jumped in and demonized the games, insisting on comparing them to a game that, if it hadn't been for the capability to mod, would have ended up in the bargain bin a few short years later.

 

We want a realistic transportation system / / enter Cities in Motion / / everyone complains that all the game is is a transportation simulation.

We want to build realistic cities / / enter CitiesXL / / everyone complains that it lacks micromanagement and is buggy.

We want a new SimCity / / enter SimCity / / everyone goes completely out of their way to hate the game, taking pleasure in the fall of the studio that, ironically, developed a game they loved so much.

 

I think the studio's have taken the hint, there is nothing they can develop on any type of budget that can compete with a game that has had 10 years of modding.  I don't think SimCity was ever developed to compete with SimCity 4; instead, I think Maxis is using it as a stepping stone into a more Sims type gamestyle, where people don't care exactly how the game simulates a city, but simply allows them to have fun building.  And we all know how well the Sims franchise does compared to SimCity...

 

I sometimes wonder if folks want the new SimCity to simply be a 100km by 100km green square and the developer saying "have at it".

[simcopops 37]

Did SC2013 kill off SimCity?

No, I don't think so. I believe the fans have killed SimCity. Looking back over the years, I think we've agreed that many studios have attempted to develop city builder games and each and every time the fan base for these types of games has jumped in and demonized the games, insisting on comparing them to a game that, if it hadn't been for the capability to mod, would have ended up in the bargain bin a few short years later.

We want a realistic transportation system / / enter Cities in Motion / / everyone complains that all the game is is a transportation simulation.

We want to build realistic cities / / enter CitiesXL / / everyone complains that it lacks micromanagement and is buggy.

We want a new SimCity / / enter SimCity / / everyone goes completely out of their way to hate the game, taking pleasure in the fall of the studio that, ironically, developed a game they loved so much.

I think the studio's have taken the hint, there is nothing they can develop on any type of budget that can compete with a game that has had 10 years of modding. I don't think SimCity was ever developed to compete with SimCity 4; instead, I think Maxis is using it as a stepping stone into a more Sims type gamestyle, where people don't care exactly how the game simulates a city, but simply allows them to have fun building. And we all know how well the Sims franchise does compared to SimCity...

I sometimes wonder if folks want the new SimCity to simply be a 100km by 100km green square and the developer saying "have at it".

I am sorry but your post is completely out of the realms of reality. The problem with the new simcity is very basic and the majority of people on here and elsewhere agree. No one asked for anything too much from maxis I believe that the detail and graphics of the game are amazing and up till an hour ago I thought the simulation was as well but I have just found that Glassbox is actually nothing but a pretty name for something crap. As a simcity fan all I wanted was a realistic simulator, big cities and diversified gameplay. Maxis have to listen to forums like this and take people's opinions in instead of getting puppets to come and review their games and ask them nice questions with pre prepared answers. Why don't they make use of the community? 

[site400 12]

I am sorry but your post is completely out of the realms of reality. The problem with the new simcity is very basic and the majority of people on here and elsewhere agree. No one asked for anything too much from maxis I believe that the detail and graphics of the game are amazing and up till an hour ago I thought the simulation was as well but I have just found that Glassbox is actually nothing but a pretty name for something crap. As a simcity fan all I wanted was a realistic simulator, big cities and diversified gameplay. Maxis have to listen to forums like this and take people's opinions in instead of getting puppets to come and review their games and ask them nice questions with pre prepared answers. Why don't they make use of the community? 

 

"The new simcity is very basic and the majority of people on here and elsewhere agree."  I would disagree.  If I read the official Simcity forums I find conversations regarding city building far, far outweight the few remaining people that are complaining about simplicity or the AI.   Oh, and if anything, the new SimCity has been a boon for this fansite, up 128% in the last 3 months and I would imagine all that extra traffic isn't here to discuss a 10+ year old game. http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/simtropolis.com

 

"Why don't they make use of the community?"  I know this is hard to accept, especially to longtime members of this community, but this community is not the target audience of the new SimCity.  Shocking, I know, but reality.  How do I know this?  Because the game isn't SimCity 5!  Besides, Maxis probably took notes from Monte Cristo on how bad this community can be if they so choose to be.  Have a gander at this fine example, which, shockingly, looks a lot like what folks are saying about SimCity today: 

 

"A brilliant city simulator can be created..."  Still waiting then.

[simcopops 37]

I am sorry but your post is completely out of the realms of reality. The problem with the new simcity is very basic and the majority of people on here and elsewhere agree. No one asked for anything too much from maxis I believe that the detail and graphics of the game are amazing and up till an hour ago I thought the simulation was as well but I have just found that Glassbox is actually nothing but a pretty name for something crap. As a simcity fan all I wanted was a realistic simulator, big cities and diversified gameplay. Maxis have to listen to forums like this and take people's opinions in instead of getting puppets to come and review their games and ask them nice questions with pre prepared answers. Why don't they make use of the community? A brilliant city simulator can be created and your argument of blaming this community is quite frankly stupid.

 

"The new simcity is very basic and the majority of people on here and elsewhere agree."  I would disagree.  If I read the official Simcity forums I find conversations regarding city building far, far outweight the few remaining people that are complaining about simplicity or the AI.   Oh, and if anything, the new SimCity has been a boon for this fansite, up 128% in the last 3 months and I would imagine all that extra traffic isn't here to discuss a 10+ year old game. http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/simtropolis.com

 

"Why don't they make use of the community?"  I know this is hard to accept, especially to longtime members of this community, but this community is not the target audience of the new SimCity.  Shocking, I know, but reality.  How do I know this?  Because the game isn't SimCity 5!  Besides, Maxis probably took notes from Monte Cristo on how bad this community can be if they so choose to be.  Have a gander at this fine example, which, shockingly, looks a lot like what folks are saying about SimCity today: 

 

"A brilliant city simulator can be created..."  Still waiting then.

 

I never said the new simcity was basic what i said was the problems with this game are basic but the more i read the more i start to believe this may be wishful thinking on my behalf... 

If simcity is targeting a different demographic then we are all wasting our time but I believe this is the next Simcity and the target audience is the same. I like the direction the game has taken but the fundamental errors which are coming to attention each day just adds to the disapointment felt by all. 

 

A brilliant city simulator can be created take the beautiful looking Simcity 5 give us a Glassbox engine which actually works, if this si not possible with todays technology then dont sell us a game under false pretenses  It is still possible to create wonderful simulation, give us larger maps let us make sprawling cities and if my dad cant play the game well he can get a new PC! Bring back terraforming, remove your always online requirement left over from the reich, EMBRACE YOUR MASSIVE ONLINE COMMUNITY which wants to be part of this project and has kept your game alive for the past 10 years. I believe it is extremely disrespectful and a show arrogance to try and ignore the work done by the people on this site to keep this game alive. My views come as a long time fan of Simcity and someone who was desperately looking forward to this installment but been left with this shambolic mess. 

[metarvo 710]

I admit I've been a little more passionate than usual about this game, but I feel that my complaining about EA, Maxis, and SC2013 is getting old, so I'm going to wind it down somewhat. In doing so, I've begun to put things into perspective.

 

I guess something's going right; the game is sold out at the local Wal-Mart.  While I still probably won't play it, I can see that it could become a good game in its own right.  Although, as others have said, it's no SC4, but our SC4 is a whole new game as well when compared to the vanilla release.  The idea that it should be compared to vanilla SC4 instead of our SC4 had been brought up, and it is a good point.

[AwkwrdPrtMskrt 22]

I wouldn't say the new SimCity 'killed' SimCity as much as I would say that the original tetralogy has an immense fanbase (including the SC4 modders and journalists here) which pretty much keeps things running around like New York City.

(READ: SimCIty NEVER DIES.)

[SightedNZ 1]

There are several factors things that have disappointed me about this edition of Simcity;

 

The restriction on city size is a major downer and also means that to get any sort of decent population size, you are restricted to laying your cities roads out in a grid pattern to maximize use of land area. You just can't be as creative with your cities in this game like you can with Cities XL and SC4/3000/2000. Options for Monorails and Subway systems would have been nice as well.

 

DRM is fine, I don't mind having to have an internet connection all the time because there is an allowance for disconnections meaning that my game will run indefinitely even if I go offline. Some sort of interface with a live connection status would be nice though so I don't quit accidentally and lose progression when the servers are offline. 

 

What disappoints me the most about DRM though is how the city sizes and game speed have been restricted by it. Modern computers (Intel Core x systems) with a mid-range video card should be able to handle this game with no problems.

 

I have a background in IT and I find it extremely difficult to fathom why you would want to put all that load on your game servers when there are hundreds of thousands if not millions of PC's out there that will do that work for you. The expenditure required for that would have been ridiculously high and IMO, a poor business decision. That decision I believe, ultimately led to the failure that was launch week.

 

IMHO, all EA needed servers for was to handle login requests, store cloud saves of cities and handle the social networking side of things.

 

There are a number of other little things but these are the biggest reasons I can think of that players will turn away from Simcity 2013 and look elsewhere for a decent city builder.

[qbert2 9]

I'm surprised it turned out so poorly. From the previews I figured it would be more 'gamey' and less 'simy' and that was okay with me as long as it was fun. However, there are so many aspects of it that are broken, incomplete, or just plain nonsensical that there isn't much fun to be had. So many of the mechanics that should be intuitive or make sense just don't.

 

It is sad that this is what has happened to a such a legacy as SimCity. I don't think I could have imagined before this happened that the name SimCity would no longer be something that people cherished and looked on fondly. It is now something that people vilify and disparage. That is sad. The individuals and institutions responsible should be ashamed and they should not be excused.

[SightedNZ 1]

I'm surprised it turned out so poorly. From the previews I figured it would be more 'gamey' and less 'simy' and that was okay with me as long as it was fun. However, there are so many aspects of it that are broken, incomplete, or just plain nonsensical that there isn't much fun to be had. So many of the mechanics that should be intuitive or make sense just don't.

 

It is sad that this is what has happened to a such a legacy as SimCity. I don't think I could have imagined before this happened that the name SimCity would no longer be something that people cherished and looked on fondly. It is now something that people vilify and disparage. That is sad. The individuals and institutions responsible should be ashamed and they should not be excused.

 

I agree, it has been dumbed down alot, probably so that it appeals to and sells to the widest possible consumer base.

 

It's sad though because SC4 was a winning formula and Maxis developers had to have known that.  Why they broke so many fundamental things that made the previous titles so great is beyond me.

 

If the only thing they did on this release was rehash SC4 to run natively on a modern operating system with better graphics, I would have been happy.

[AkemiAzula 280]

...So many of the mechanics that should be intuitive or make sense just don't...

Aye. My city went downhill because of a lack of water. It was situated on a wide river delta.

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

Did SC2013 kill off SimCity?

 

No, I don't think so.  I believe the fans have killed SimCity.  Looking back over the years, I think we've agreed that many studios have attempted to develop city builder games and each and every time the fan base for these types of games has jumped in and demonized the games, insisting on comparing them to a game that, if it hadn't been for the capability to mod, would have ended up in the bargain bin a few short years later.

 

We want a realistic transportation system / / enter Cities in Motion / / everyone complains that all the game is is a transportation simulation.

We want to build realistic cities / / enter CitiesXL / / everyone complains that it lacks micromanagement and is buggy.

We want a new SimCity / / enter SimCity / / everyone goes completely out of their way to hate the game, taking pleasure in the fall of the studio that, ironically, developed a game they loved so much.

 

I think the studio's have taken the hint, there is nothing they can develop on any type of budget that can compete with a game that has had 10 years of modding.  I don't think SimCity was ever developed to compete with SimCity 4; instead, I think Maxis is using it as a stepping stone into a more Sims type gamestyle, where people don't care exactly how the game simulates a city, but simply allows them to have fun building.  And we all know how well the Sims franchise does compared to SimCity...

 

I sometimes wonder if folks want the new SimCity to simply be a 100km by 100km green square and the developer saying "have at it".

Games are made for gamers not anyone else, if gamers dont like said game end of story, just like any other product, your post is in the realm of the twilight zon=e. You cannot blame consumers for the major fail of a product and this is a major fail.

[Intrepid 20]

Speaking only for myself, I have my own definition of what sim city is for me and sc4+mods+utilities is doing the job much better than this new game could ever achieve. Weather the franchise will continue will probably be based off purely sales figures, but as I see it, the anally retentive always on DRM rubbish that EA is putting its faith in is not only going to affect this particular franchise but all of them.

[DaftBrit_tm 0]

I first met Simcity way back in the days of the Amiga 500+. A lovely game where I could pretend I was creative and,when it went horribly wrong, destroy it all with equal entertainment.

 

Then I upgraded to an Amiga 1200 and a modem. Simcity was kinda forgotten as I explored mailing lists and other web-based offerings to wile away my free time.

 

Two consecutive visits to a local charity shop saw me the proud owner of Simcity 3000 AND Simcity 4. At the time I had progressed to Windoze XP and these games installed easily and away I went. After a while these games became a bit boring....... cities always looked very 'samey'. I kinda lost interest and discovered Facebook.

 

I was hooked! Spending stupid amounts of time playing Kingdoms of Camelot. Looking back I also spent too much time wanting to play the game but was unable due to server problems. Updates..... maintenance...... upgrades and unexpected crashes. In hindsight, these delays were absolutely stupid and, despite major complaints from the KoC community, were never solved. I spent a few quid on 'extra features' but, in the end, abandoned Kingdoms of Camelot and moved on.

 

Next I tried Farming Simulator ( from Giant) and was impressed with the user community. They have understood the games architecture and lovingly recreated every piece of farm machinery imaginable and brought it into the game. Here I could use the machinery from my childhood or harvest crops with modern machines on maps created by real wizards. But eventually I got a bit bored.

 

I moved on to Microsoft's FSX. Diverse possibilities from a tiny microlite to an immense Boeing 747. And an immense user community offering more realistic scenery, additional aircraft, online flights with real air traffic control. I joined not one virtual airline but two! Only a few days ago I landed an Airbus 380 @ YMML (Melbourne) after a short flight from Auckland (NZAA) with VATSIM's controller cautioning me for exceeding 250 kts @ 4000 feet. Ooooeps!

 

I also upgraded from Windoze XP to the new-ish Windoze 7 and found that some of my older games wouldn't install but...... Simcity 4 would! I also found Rush Hour and the NAM. Yes, I know this was years after every1 else but......

 

I also found the user community and Simtropolis. Jesus! The amount of freely downloadable buildings! I downloaded loads of extras, finding the work of the Pegasus team and SimGroober to name just just a few. Simcity4 just expanded beyond belief. I could create fishing communities, mining towns or belch clouds of lovely pollution from my ironworks and smelting factories and see my sim residents cough! Simcity4 was reborn! I also experimented with lovely parks that generated money AND industry-doublers when my mayor skills failed. Being an offline game, only I knew I was cheating a bit LOL

 

I also found out that Simcity 5 was due to be released soon. I dashed about the web finding out about this new product. With Maxis in charge of the coding and the mighty EA pushing this product onto the market...... what could possibly go wrong??

 

Youtube excited me! The graphics looked so cool! Also the concept of expanding my fire-station instead of finding room for another one! Yes! And playing online with other mayors, selling coal and buying other commodities. Yes, I could learn to embrace that concept too. But I also wanted the gameplay of just me..... in a little private bubble where I could learn-by-doing, bugger it all up, demolish it all and restart and no-one would every know how terrible I was/am.

 

Then I discovered the always-online feature. Gulp! I can understand the anti-piracy philosophy. Piracy will always be with us and the software companies will always be creating new ways to protect their intellectual property. Such is the nature of the beast. And I'm usually sat @ home with constant broadband so connection isn't really a problem. Flying online means I have to be connected to a server for hours at a time so I'm kinda used to it.

 

And obviously, if I'm sharing a region with some kid in Ohio and a lass in Beijing, being attached via a server to buy/sell resources is essential. I can see how connection is necessary to negotiate global and regional prices.

 

I suppose I wanted Simcity 5 to be a Super-duper Simcity4/RushHour/NAM combo with new buildings, with kickass graphics to take advantage of multi-core processors and other computer improvements since Simcity4 debuted all those years ago. I wanted Simcity 5 to be single-player game with the ability to go multiplayer and interact with other cities and other 'mayors' across the globe but only if I so choose. And I wanted Simcity to have the ability to enable to diversify like the Simcity 4 we have now with towns specialising in clay-pits and pottery; quaysides and fish-processing plants; loggers and sawmills or even farmland with flour-mills.

 

It's mebbe unfair comparing the new, crisp, just-out-of-the-box Simcity5 with the essentially-modded Simcity4 that we have today. I can already predict that this new Simcity5 user community will get behind the product and mod it, mould it and it will become far more than it is now. In the same way that Farming Simulator, Simcity4 and FSX have expanded and grown.

 

Or will EA cut their losses and switch the servers off in 2 years?

 

I have finally managed to save my money and now have the princely sum of £65. I'm a week or so late to spend my money on Simcity5 and 'enjoy' the 'unable-to-connect' messages of launch day. Now I have to decide whether to buy Simcity5 and install this unknown Origin client software thingy.

 

And................ No

 

I'm going back to Simcity4. I love the 3rd-party mods. Part of the fun is finding just the right one to fill those tiles and fulfill the requirements of your budding city. Simcity 4 has grown and evolved over the years and quite frankly, Simcity5 is not a move forwards......its a massive step sideways. Until an offline mode is available I will not buy it.  My money will buy another add-on for FSX.

 

So, to EA, Maxis and all those folks who bought Simcity 5......... I wish you every success and I hope this product will grow and flourish but, as it is atm, this isnt a game for me.

[Shark7 118]

Did SC2013 kill off SimCity?

 

No, I don't think so.  I believe the fans have killed SimCity.  Looking back over the years, I think we've agreed that many studios have attempted to develop city builder games and each and every time the fan base for these types of games has jumped in and demonized the games, insisting on comparing them to a game that, if it hadn't been for the capability to mod, would have ended up in the bargain bin a few short years later.

 

We want a realistic transportation system / / enter Cities in Motion / / everyone complains that all the game is is a transportation simulation.

We want to build realistic cities / / enter CitiesXL / / everyone complains that it lacks micromanagement and is buggy.

We want a new SimCity / / enter SimCity / / everyone goes completely out of their way to hate the game, taking pleasure in the fall of the studio that, ironically, developed a game they loved so much.

 

I think the studio's have taken the hint, there is nothing they can develop on any type of budget that can compete with a game that has had 10 years of modding.  I don't think SimCity was ever developed to compete with SimCity 4; instead, I think Maxis is using it as a stepping stone into a more Sims type gamestyle, where people don't care exactly how the game simulates a city, but simply allows them to have fun building.  And we all know how well the Sims franchise does compared to SimCity...

 

I sometimes wonder if folks want the new SimCity to simply be a 100km by 100km green square and the developer saying "have at it".

 

I have to disagree here.  I have no opinion on the game play of SimCity...since I have never played the game I can have no informed opinion.

 

However, the forced always online DRM I do have a very strong opinion about, and that has prevented me from even trying the game.  So do I hate SimCity?  Can't say, I've never played it.  Do I hate forced always online DRM?  Absolutely.

[crashx 18]

Did SC2013 kill off SimCity?

 

No, I don't think so.  I believe the fans have killed SimCity.  Looking back over the years, I think we've agreed that many studios have attempted to develop city builder games and each and every time the fan base for these types of games has jumped in and demonized the games, insisting on comparing them to a game that, if it hadn't been for the capability to mod, would have ended up in the bargain bin a few short years later.

 

We want a realistic transportation system / / enter Cities in Motion / / everyone complains that all the game is is a transportation simulation.

We want to build realistic cities / / enter CitiesXL / / everyone complains that it lacks micromanagement and is buggy.

We want a new SimCity / / enter SimCity / / everyone goes completely out of their way to hate the game, taking pleasure in the fall of the studio that, ironically, developed a game they loved so much.

 

I think the studio's have taken the hint, there is nothing they can develop on any type of budget that can compete with a game that has had 10 years of modding.  I don't think SimCity was ever developed to compete with SimCity 4; instead, I think Maxis is using it as a stepping stone into a more Sims type gamestyle, where people don't care exactly how the game simulates a city, but simply allows them to have fun building.  And we all know how well the Sims franchise does compared to SimCity...

 

I sometimes wonder if folks want the new SimCity to simply be a 100km by 100km green square and the developer saying "have at it".

 

With PC games Modding is HUGE. Simply huge. One thing Maxis should mind the next time they make a game is that Modding is HUGE and that they should make sure the game is accessible to the community to make their own.

 

You mention the Sims, well the Sims has always had a HUGE modding community. I doubt I'd still be playing that game as much as I do without all the mods, NRASS Mods that puts sense into the Sims world or even all the custom skin mods that make sims look less like they were made with clay.

 

You look at some of the big PC games like Elder Scrolls, Look at what Modding did for Arma...I don't have to list all the games but Modding is huge. I think that is another thing about DRM is that it takes that away from customers.

 

How are people going to mod this game? That's a big question here, because then people could just change what they don't like about the game. So you know what? That one little green square may not have been that bad of a idea. Minecraft has had a lot of success, if you are making a game that is supposed to be about creativity then let your customers get creative with it.