Next expansion?

[Rufus Honker IV 100]

I know, I know, we just got one - however we got it pretty darned fast after game release - 7 months, and in the same calendar year!  This was probably damage mitigation from their horrible release, so they probably had their nose firmly to the grindstone for it. 

 

But what direction will they go in next?  Are they going to improve the future cities or go back to our standard cities?  As they've come out and said larger city sizes are unlikely what could they possibly do to add more spunk to this game?

[Ocram's Razr 963]

I would like to see new resources (food, paper, possibly precious metal, gems, jewelry, lumber, and possibly others) as well as methods to produce them. I am particularly fond of Regional (or ex-urban) Minor Works (Regional applying to multiple cities, ex-urban only applying to the cities they sorround).

--Ocram

[Genosha 0]

I doubt they will add new resources. Game can barely manage itself with the resources available. I would like to see more factories (not OmegaCo) that can produce stuff. Why can an Oil Refinery only make Fuel and Plastic, but no Kerosine to full nearby Airports and Space Centers?

 

I really would like to see upgradable great works. Imagine a combination of the Space Center with City of Tomorrows, have a region wide mission to build a Lunar Base. Which needs various researches being complete on both the University and Academy. It's something they really missed out on.

[SAGGG 47]

Um, bigger maps...

[Rufus Honker IV 100]

They'll probably have an "emergency" expansion with quests for the vehicles - it would also be a good excuse to put in traffic that pulls over for emergency vehicles.

[Griffon 19]

I would like to see new resources (food, paper, possibly precious metal, gems, jewelry, lumber, and possibly others) as well as methods to produce them. I am particularly fond of Regional (or ex-urban) Minor Works (Regional applying to multiple cities, ex-urban only applying to the cities they sorround).

--Ocram

I like the ex-urban minor works as you put it better than a regional minor works and this should be free as a replacement of larger maps, although larger maps would still be very much appreciated.

 

I really would like to see upgradable great works. Imagine a combination of the Space Center with City of Tomorrows, have a region wide mission to build a Lunar Base. Which needs various researches being complete on both the University and Academy. It's something they really missed out on.

I like your idea about upgrading the already existing great works, I would also like to have more great works added to the game.

 

In another topic someone said to have a Christmas DLC and I suggested to turn it into a seasonal or holiday expansion, including every holiday and season where the weather changed based on the time of year.  In Winter we would actually have snow (in non tropical or desert maps at least) and I said one landmark to add would be Times Square, NYC.

 

As my own idea I'd suggest possibly a space mining specialization.   Although that sounds futuristic I've heard of a company that said they would start space mining by at least 2025 (less than 50 years in the future like CoT expansion is suppose to be like) and besides with VTOL and a launch arcology already in the game this wouldn't be too hard to do.  This could mine a continuous supply of resources currently in the game and have attachments to the trade port for a space mining landing pad.  The other specialization buildings could be observation telescopes to spot asteroids (where most space mining will be done at) and launch pads for launching satellites and rockets containing supplies.  At certain times you would run out of supplies or need another satellite (or launch them for a profit for someone else) and need to launch another, paying for the rocket and launch yourself and have to manually launch it like the launch arcology.  The buildings could actually cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to millions of dollars (like I hoped the CoT buildins would cost) to build but have even more massive payouts since it would be a substitute for mining and you should already have millions by the time you run out of resources to mine on the ground.  It would also give you something else to spend your in game money on instead of just hording it because there is nothing left to build in the city.  And to unlock the buildings you'll need to research the Space Center at the University.

[Robotica 36]

Bigger maps no doubt. bigger maps is the most important thing they can work on, period. but hey thats just my opinion. Besides bigger maps? How about modding... I would be willing to pay for that, well if it was for more than just retexturing anyways. What else... Hmm... Having more aesthetic options and possibilities. Maybe expanding on parks and giving us a better park system, kind of like in SC4 where would could get mods for making modulated parks. It allowed us to create really advanced, really unique parks. It wasn't restricted to just parks though, they also had modulated graveyards, canals, sidewalks, etc etc. Really just more ways to customize my maps... But to make that be a real asset we need a much larger map.

[Cob92 360]

In lieu of larger maps, I would like to see a region upgrade expansion. Regions with more cities, more ways to connect cities, ways to use the empty space in the region (suburbs, shopping malls, industrial parks, national parks, regional landfills, etc.), upgrades for regional transportation (your city should be able to build a freeway loop that circles it with an entrance on every side that is landlocked), more Great Works, commuting fixed once and for all. I would also like to see the addition of tools to build freeways through city limits instead of being limited to building overpasses on avenues. It would also be great if Maxis could change the building footprint system to allow more compact construction of medium and high density buildings. Too much land is wasted on lawns and parking lots. 

[Rufus Honker IV 100]

More small regions where every city is connected and the ground is all flat would be nice.  I'm tired of joining multiplayer games where the only decent city plot open isn't connected to everyone else, or it's nothing but hills and hard to work with.

[Xenocity 343]

First off I should remind you that  every Simcity starting with Simcity 2000 had the first expansion pack within the first 8 months of the game (Simcity 3000 being the worst offender).

 

I would love a Rush Hour style expansion pack to give me more road and transportation options.

I'd also like a map expansion pack, like Simcity 1 did.

 

I just hope they don't crazy like they did with Simcity 1 and Simcity 2000, which both saw 4 expansion packs.

[Griffon 19]

First off I should remind you that  every Simcity starting with Simcity 2000 had the first expansion pack within the first 8 months of the game (Simcity 3000 being the worst offender).

 

I would love a Rush Hour style expansion pack to give me more road and transportation options.

I'd also like a map expansion pack, like Simcity 1 did.

 

I just hope they don't crazy like they did with Simcity 1 and Simcity 2000, which both saw 4 expansion packs.

I didn't know any of that.  I know it's off topic but what was the SimCity 2000 and 3000 expansion packs like?  I bought SimCity 3000 and never knew it even had an expansion pack.  When I bought SimCity4 it was the deluxe version that included the Rush Hour expansion pack.  I bought SimCity 2000 recently off Amazon (before SimCity5 came out for about $15 or $20) and it said it included all the expansion packs in it already.

 

Btw I think I said this in another topic, I think SimCity5 will be similar to The Sims when it comes to expansion packs.  If you didn't notice, CoT came out at the same time The Sims 3 futuristic expansion pack came out.  I know they're making The Sims 4 now but the expansion packs still might parallel each other somehow.

[Xenocity 343]

 

First off I should remind you that  every Simcity starting with Simcity 2000 had the first expansion pack within the first 8 months of the game (Simcity 3000 being the worst offender).

 

I would love a Rush Hour style expansion pack to give me more road and transportation options.

I'd also like a map expansion pack, like Simcity 1 did.

 

I just hope they don't crazy like they did with Simcity 1 and Simcity 2000, which both saw 4 expansion packs.

I didn't know any of that.  I know it's off topic but what was the SimCity 2000 and 3000 expansion packs like?  I bought SimCity 3000 and never knew it even had an expansion pack.  When I bought SimCity4 it was the deluxe version that included the Rush Hour expansion pack.  I bought SimCity 2000 recently off Amazon (before SimCity5 came out for about $15 or $20) and it said it included all the expansion packs in it already.

 

Btw I think I said this in another topic, I think SimCity5 will be similar to The Sims when it comes to expansion packs.  If you didn't notice, CoT came out at the same time The Sims 3 futuristic expansion pack came out.  I know they're making The Sims 4 now but the expansion packs still might parallel each other somehow.

 

Simcity 2000 launched on Mac and Amiga first and within 8 months received the disaster Scenario 1 expansion pack.

It also received the Simcity Urban Renewal Kit which allowed you to mod the looks of all your buildings.

 

Simcity 2000 SE (for Special Edition) launched on Mac and PC in 1995 containing new content, music, videos, and the previous expansions

Simcity 2000 Sega Saturn launched in 1996 featuring exclusive content including the futursitic building set (it is the best version of Simcity 2000)

Simcity 2000 Network Edition launched on Windows only in 1996 with more content and online regional play with your friends (similar to the Simcity 2013)

Simcity 2000 Playstation launched about the same time, though it had a some different buildings sets.

 

These versions all launched within 3 years of the original release.

 

Simcity 3000 was launched in January 1999.

Simcity 3000 Unlimited launched in May 2000 for full price (14 months later)

 

Unlimited features:

• Asian and European building sets
• Better Graphics
• More disasters
• More Maps
• More landmarks
• Real world maps
• Premade cities
• BAT tool to makae your own buildings
• New FMV opening sequence

Unlimited was sold as an updated game instead of an expansion pack for $50

[JJGlover55 6]

I am hoping for more options at the region level. 

 

I think it'd be great to build a transportation system at the region level.  It would give users the ability to build connections where they want in their city and potentially allow for more than one connection in and out of the city. 

 

I like the idea of mini-great works as well.  With a buildable transportation system, great works can be placed on the roads and help cities connected to the network.  At a region view level, it'd be nice if the transportation system created farms and suburbs (just for display purposes) for flavor (if a user wanted it).

 

Ideally, I'd like the ability to plop city tiles where I want as well. 

 

The ability to take a snapshot of a region would be a nice touch as well.  In game adjacent cities don't look great, but it'd be great if a snapshot would render that information to create nice images to share.

[zigen1111 9]

As I was planning for a Star Wars theme for my next region, it got me to thinking that EA has the rights to Star Wars. I think it would be an awesome idea if they released a Star Wars pack for one of their next DLC's. Imagine recreating Tatooine, Coruscant, Naboo, and other cities from the galaxy far, far away. 

Another idea I have is from a sim game that I also had a lot of fun before which is "The Movies". Simcity can have an expansion pack which can enable us to plop a studio, (low/mid/high budget for variety) which you can then add movie sets, writer's offices, actor/actress' trailers, etc, much like in the Amusement Park DLC. This is also inline with the Sims previous expansions like Superstar and Showtime. 

So make this happen EA and send me the checks later. 

[Kosta 1]

Don´t think there were more expansion pack, maybe updates (like they did with bridges and tunnels) or Like the city packs (Building Packs). 

Bigger maps and Link between regions is one of those i wish it get updated

[memedoug85 36]

I get that bigger maps are virtually impossible with todays technology but what about more variety in the maps that are there?

 

There should be sliding scales for water, trees and hills like in SimCity 2000. Also choice between river and coast.

 

I'd put up with long loading times for brand new unique maps

[Xenocity 343]

I get that bigger maps are virtually impossible with todays technology but what about more variety in the maps that are there?

 

There should be sliding scales for water, trees and hills like in SimCity 2000. Also choice between river and coast.

 

I'd put up with long loading times for brand new unique maps

I wouldn't mind this.

 

i would love for the return of waterfalls and hydroelectric plants

[Catchin22 299]

I get that bigger maps are virtually impossible with todays technology but what about more variety in the maps that are there?

If you believe such a lie that larger maps are impossible I have a big red bridge to sell you. There's probably never been a more absurd lie in gaming history, ever.

[spacepostman 1]

BIGGER Maps!

I'm sorry if this is annoying to some people but SimCity 2013 is virtually unplayable after a couple of hours once the space in your city is full up.

The excuse that no computer could handle bigger maps is pure nonsense. I play on a laptop which is way below even the minimum spec and it runs without any problems. It doesn't look as great as it could but it is not buggy, the only thing that makes the game unplayable is the limited city map size.

Until then I refuse to pay any more of out my hard-earned cash for expansions.

Is it any wonder so many have gone back to playing to SimCity 4?

EA - Sort yourself out, please! you owe it to your fans - or face the consequences! 

[Rufus Honker IV 100]

True, they may be able to give us bigger maps but are trying to get us all worked up about it for some bizarre marketing reason - like the announcement that they are giving us bigger maps will make the Internet explode.

[Xenocity 343]

 

I get that bigger maps are virtually impossible with todays technology but what about more variety in the maps that are there?

There's probably never been a more absurd lie in gaming history, ever.

 

Microsoft has EA beat by a very long mile.

 

Microsoft told us Xbox 360 from the very beginning could play games in full 1080p (only a handful over the past 8 years could).

Microsoft also told us the fabled 360 hardware failures were caused by user errors and that they have to charge us to use Netflixs and IE on 360 and Xbox One due to the effort it requires to stream data to them.

 

Sony also told us PS3 was worth working 2 jobs over at launch.

 

Nintendo told us, they couldn't make Princess Peach playable in New Super Mario Bros. Wii  due to her dress being too hard to animate in 2.5D (they really did say this)!

 

Activision told us every version of Call of Duty on PS3 and 360 were in full HD, even though they ran in 560p.

 

Apple claims their iPhone is the best selling video game system in world.

 

Etc...

 

The point is EA hasn't made the worst lines on why something doesn't work.

 

Maxis just doesn't want to force fans to buy new PCs.

If they did, believe me everyone would hate the them and the game even worse than they already due if their PCs couldn't play the game.

 

Maxis already learned that lesson once.

[LivingInThePast 364]

Hm...the next expansion would realistically be something cartoonish--think "Stereotypes of Asia": make your city look like the Japan Pavilion at Disney World.

[jaredh 195]

You assume there will be a "next" expansion....

[ebalosus 19]

Given the ostensible subject matter, I'd say a bigger maps expansion, since that would allow Maxis to avoid the (self-created)* issue of maps not being big enough. "You must have the powerful a computer to run this expansion" sort of thing.

 

*My admittedly limited knowledge of software engineering tells me that they're lying about not being able to implement larger maps, as the issue is either an engine-optimisation one, or a RAM size one.

[Catchin22 299]

 

 

I get that bigger maps are virtually impossible with todays technology but what about more variety in the maps that are there?

There's probably never been a more absurd lie in gaming history, ever.

 

Microsoft has EA beat by a very long mile.

 

Microsoft told us Xbox 360 from the very beginning could play games in full 1080p (only a handful over the past 8 years could).

Microsoft also told us the fabled 360 hardware failures were caused by user errors and that they have to charge us to use Netflixs and IE on 360 and Xbox One due to the effort it requires to stream data to them.

 

Sony also told us PS3 was worth working 2 jobs over at launch.

 

Nintendo told us, they couldn't make Princess Peach playable in New Super Mario Bros. Wii  due to her dress being too hard to animate in 2.5D (they really did say this)!

 

Activision told us every version of Call of Duty on PS3 and 360 were in full HD, even though they ran in 560p.

 

Apple claims their iPhone is the best selling video game system in world.

 

Etc...

 

The point is EA hasn't made the worst lines on why something doesn't work.

 

Maxis just doesn't want to force fans to buy new PCs.

If they did, believe me everyone would hate the them and the game even worse than they already due if their PCs couldn't play the game.

 

Maxis already learned that lesson once.

 

 

It can be an OPTION to play on a larger map for those with more powerful PCs, NOT that it would take a more powerful PC for most 95% of anyone playing the game because this is not a hugely draining game. My laptop which is 6 years old and not top of the line can play SC and use 60% of the CPU and Ram.

This is marketing, nothing more. They want to market towards the same people that they market Sims to. This was planned from the start focusing highly on DLC in order to keep making the game good enough to be worth the cost of a $60 AAA title game in the end. This is why they have moved their streaming videos to 10am on weekdays.

This is marketing, understand that, understand I have been in the marketing game for 15 years. I know how things work.

  Edited December 18, 2013 by CaptCity  

[Cyclone Boom 16,875]

I've done a bit of clean up.

 

Also a general reminder; you may not agree with other people's opinions. However please show respect and decency towards them.

There's no need to call others down for what they think. Let's discuss the topic, not each other.

 

Thanks.

[CaptCity 4,752]

More cleanup...

 

Regardless of what the marketing 'experts' think or do, derogatory terms regarding the demographics, intelligence, and purchasing habits of those who buy or wish to buy the game do not belong here.

[AkemiAzula 280]

Bigger maps expansion duh

[spacepostman 1]

As I was planning for a Star Wars theme for my next region, it got me to thinking that EA has the rights to Star Wars. I think it would be an awesome idea if they released a Star Wars pack for one of their next DLC's. Imagine recreating Tatooine, Coruscant, Naboo, and other cities from the galaxy far, far away.

 

You've reminded me about Sim Mars.... the game that we were promised by Maxis over a decade over that never appeared! They decided to focus on "The Sims" instead since it was making loads of money back then. It's unlikely there will be a Star Wars themed expansion because of all copyright issues and the fact LucasFilm produce their own games. It'ld be great to Sim Mars or at least some more space-type buildings and lots in SimCity.

Of course there's the User-Generated-Content Sim Mars mod pack for SimCity 4 - which is well worth a play.

 

 

Bigger maps expansion duh

 

+100000

[MatlockMan 370]

One would assume that Maxis will release at least another expansion pack.

 

EA are probably still kicking themselves over not releasing a couple more expansions for SC4, considering the longevity of sales which have continued to present. If there were more expansions for 4000, EA would be making more money today.

 

I think the next expansion for SC2013 will go the opposite direction from CoT and focus on agriculture, possibly introducing foods as a commodity along the same lines as oil or coal.

 

Some ideas of mine:

• several different produce groups to create, including potatoes, wheat, vegetables, fruit, dairy, beef and chicken.
• when someone creates a city they select whether they want to play the vanilla game or 'includes agriculture' game. Any region can have a mixture of both types of cities.
• would add a "marketplace" which increases city-wide residential demand and commercial desirability for a certain area.
• marketplace can be built in any city in a region, even if that particular city hasn't selected to include agriculture.
• marketplace would import all produce that sims in the town desire (but this wouldn't cost much, because trying to fit in the production of all types of produce into one city would be impossible unless there are larger maps).
• if your town is producing a certain agricultural specialty, people who buy that product are happier and the product is cheaper. furthermore, cities in a region prefer to buy produce from cities within the same region, and a smaller happiness boost is given to produce which is sourced from the same region.
• if a city is "vanilla" or doesn't have the ability to build agricultural land, they can still import food from the marketplace (but this is optional).
• agricultural land is zoned (like in SC4). however, there are multiple agricultural zone types, depending on what you want to grow there (for example, I can zone for "cattle")
• they are influenced by tech levels. higher tech levels don't change what is produced, but pay more through taxes and produce far more goods than farms with lower tech.
• higher tech brings benefits such as fertilisers and pesticides (but there are downsides to overuse of these chemicals via ground pollution).
• low tech farm jobs are $-wealth jobs, high tech farm is $$$-wealth jobs.
• as soon as a city gains a certain number of farms for a specific produce type, the city can plop additional buildings for extra effects. examples:
  • have 5 low/medium/high tech cattle farms: allows slaughterhouse (10% increased beef production); allows cattle sale yard (10% increased milk production)
  • have 5 medium or high tech cattle farms: upgrade to large slaugherhouse/cattle sale yard (20% increased beef/dairy production); fast food contract (10% increase in demand for all produce types)
  • have 5 high tech cattle farms: allows "Happy Cow Inc." - (further 10% increased production of beef and milk, can sell beef at a higher price because it is "high tech); expansion for level 2 Happy Cow Inc. is genetically modified food processing facility (increased happiness to anyone who eats this beef within your region).
  • each type of produce has the same set up, except some farms can produce two goods (cattle produce beef and milk, and chickens produce chicken meat and eggs), while others produce a single good (vegetables produce... vegetables *shock horror*)
  • each type of produce has unique buildings which enhance production for improved tech levels.
• These bonuses are in addition to increased production on the same size land for each tech level, so a city could end up producing stupendous amounts of beef.
• additional tourist attractions include "rodeo stadium" (min. 3 cattle farms) and "Horsing Around Race Track" (no requirements, except a lot of money).
• eating produce improves the health of sims.

Can't think of anything more, but if this was released I'd play it to death

 

edit: special $100 EA DLC unlocks rice paddy  (joke)

  Edited December 22, 2013 by tmorgan96