Forkton - Update #24.1 - Work work, and some inspiration maybe

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Wow! I'm already convinced you're playing a heavily modded version of the game from 2017. Absolutely jaw-dropping attention to detail and creative intersections to boot.

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

Ultimate727: Sorry about that. I think on average XL is worse than XXL though Thanks for the compliments, I like creating interchanges.. they take me forever though.

 

Ln X: cheers

 

47ply: got it yet? It's the best money I've spent this year for sure.

 

89james89: Well, it could be my lack of planning really. Might not have been smart to let them go to that interchange in the first place. But hey, no trees on the flood planes, the wood has to come from somewhere (that's what she... said..?)

 

AgeKay: if it aint Dutch, it aint much!

 

Mymyjp: Of course, feel free to use it, that's why I've shared it I have a surprise incoming for you in this next update though

 

stenol: thanks, that's the best compliment you can give me!

 

wallacet: thanks. I think I have a challenge ahead of me interchange wise. Not in this update yet though.

 

TekindusT: thanks. More in coming updates I think, when looking at my map

 

Mr_Maison: thanks. I don't like getting rid of the power lines altogether. I like how they look there and they're not in the way.

 

kingofsimcity: Apart from 4 parks I made myself (my irrigation ditch, median park, industrial parking lot and a new 3x3 fountain park for the new section in this update), no mods so far. I don't think that will last for long though

 

 

Ok, update time!

 

First some housekeeping, and updates on the existing area's.

 

Yep, this education is working out for us here in Forkton. We finally found a way to clean up the sewage before dumping it in our lovely river. I just had to show the effects it has had already.

 

Here you see the new installation in action:

 

 

 

 

And a while later, it's almost completely cleared up. I should be able to get some subsidies for this stuff.. let met make some calls!

 

 

Ok.. that takes care of the $%&^!, literally...

 

Next up, over at the Furnace, we had some traffic problems again. The slow shifting of the factories themselves, and the addition of an extra bus route through the Furnace created a bottleneck at the old intersection again. It got so bad that eventually the whole new Furnace Bypass Junction got backed up as well. Well, we've built a partial overpass before, let's just copy those blueprints. Bring out the construction crews!

 

 

It didn't take long before they traffic jam had dissipated again. Traffic is still heavy, but flows fantastically again.

 

Next up, we got some complaints about the flower beds in our lovely median park in Groveside. Apparently they weren't spaced out exactly identical. I just had to have it fixed to stop the darn chirper messages #OCDKillingMe #FixTheFlowerbeds.

It was a quick fix in the end.

 

 

(OOC: for those of you that are using the median parks I made; I've updated it. If you have subscribed to the park on the Steam Workshop, it should automatically update for you. These are the changes;

- spaced out the flower beds to make sure they line up if you plop multiple of the parks

- added gathering spots for the visitors

- added a bit of water use for the fountains

- rearranged some of the trees and bushes

- slight changed the concrete texture so it should connect with the roads on either side a lot better now visually.

You can find the Park here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=407147550

Hope you enjoy it).

 

Also Emerald corner got expanded a bit to keep up with residential demand.

 

 

That's it for the updates to the existing area's.

 

Now I had some notes from our scientists. They've been bugging me about those Off-Fish-She's again. Also about the University. I just gave the ok, and let an intern handle the whole deal. I needed a vacation anyways.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I got back. Here's the view from good old Groveside from near the church.

 

 

What's that in the distance? Let's move closer shall we....

 

 

Hey, those pedestrian overpasses didn't use to be there. Also, that's a lot of trees.. and what's that even further back?

 

 

Oh my.... let's keep going!

 

 

Those statues, those shiny buildings.. what is all this!

 

 

Is that red stripy thing in the back....

 

Yes, it's the university!

 

 

And these must be the OffFishShe's.. what's that? Offices? How does it work, where is the fishing pond? What, they just work there? and there's no pollution? and they don't produce anything? I don't get it... do they pay taxes? yes? I don't care how it works then! They do look nice though...

 

 

Well, seems the people here are getting all sorts of education now. The Old Forktonners call then Smarty Pants. The new district has been dubbed Pantsdam.

 

The people here are all smart, relatively rich, and they love modern gizmo's. I had to sign some sort of policy to allow them to add those gizmo's to their homes. They wouldn't stop chirping at me #MayorIsBackward #Can'tStopProgress. And all of them have 3 smartphones!

 

 

The intern I left in charge went for a more modern look. Less trees, more concrete paths between and behind the houses. I'm not sure about all this... the old ways...

 

 

it does have a nice buzz though... not sure I want to be here every day though... too many hipsters.

 

 

Here's a overview of the Pantsdam - Groveside Strip as they call it now. Looking in the direction of Groveside.

 

 

Another seagull-camera picture of the roundabout interchange and pedestrian overpasses. and the main park.

 

 

Another angle:

 

 

And an overview of the entire section (how do they train these seagulls I wonder...)

 

 

There's one thing bothering me though... there were no fireworks in my honour in Pantsdam.... I wonder why!

 

But even the hipsters produce trash. I'm happy the intern planned a new incinerator over here as well, and not on the other side of the highway at the Furnace.

 

 

Hmz, I forgot to add an overview of the districts as they currently are. I'll edit that in later.

 

edit:

 

Here's an overview of the current districts:

 

 

We're almost up to 20.000 residents now. Soon nobody will know their neighbors anymore!

 

Thanks for reading, hope you've enjoyed the update

[jesper107 113]

Excellent use of the pedestrian paths! If I may ask: what is the park in front of the university? Stock? Mod?

 

Thanks for your update!

[89James89 1,169]

Awesome update! How much money is your city making to run that many of them treatment plants lol.

 

I love you CBD and the central park thingy as well, very nice job!

 

Cheers

 

James

[LovelyQuirrel 3]

Wow!! the road layout looks SO good. and the use of the pedestrian paths, amazing. Serious question: Do you use some sort of Extra Cash at the beginning to lay your roads? or no (cash) mods at all?

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

What a great layout! Also you have a real knack for plopping in flora and adding in pedestrian paths to create custom parks.

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

Jesper107: which one exactly? I have so many parks The whole area is 2 of the monuments (the rich city one, and the lots-of-dead-people one) connected with pedestrian walkways and tree plops. The strip with the university, shops and offices has some concrete pedestrian walkways and bushes plopped in to make it all fit together. All stock components from the game anyways.

 

89james89: about 12k / week when I made those pictures yesterday. After the initial phase money doesn't really seem to be an issue for me.

 

LovelyQuirrel: thanks. No mods / cheats at all. Just my first (and still only city), started off with everything standard. I just take things really slow, and keep the game running while I play. After the initial startup phase money hasn't been an issue.

 

Ln X: thanks It's starting to remind me of MMP's in SC4. After getting in the flow I can spend hours just plopping pathways and trees and making it look pretty... it's sort of therapeutic in a way.

 

 

Update time!

 

Traffic, there's always little problems with traffic. The old Stink Strip, and especially the main connection into Old and New Forkton was completely overloaded. The traffic from the farms which has been redirected into the Highway through the Forkton Fork a while ago doesn't help either....

 

 

 

That, combined with the fact that the main road through the first 4 districts is a simple 2 way street....

 

 

and stays a 2 way street.....

 

 

all the way up to the raging roundabout doesn't help either....

We really need to give this whole area a make-over. Starting with the cause of the name 'Stink Strip'... let's bulldoze that old industry! There. it's starting to smell better already.

 

 

The original intersection between the Stink Strip and New/Old Forkton and the farmlands got a serious upgrade. (OOC: I'm sooo pleased I managed to get them to use all the lanes )

 

 

We also needed to change the Forkton Fork. I needed a new exit direction towards Pantsdam. Clearly we can't call it a Fork anymore.... the residents have christened it the Forkton Spoon.... (OOC: This thing has an amazing flow for the traffic I currently get. Works way better than any multi-lane street interchange I tried)

 

 

The old 2 lane road through Old/New Forkton has been upgraded to a shiny new Avenue. Starting at the new roundabout...

 

 

all the way down....

 

 

to the Raging Roundabout. Actually, the new one rages even more. The residents have yet to name it.

 

 

Some of the on- and off-ramps on the Floydside Junction got lengthened substantially to allow for more buffering of traffic. It flows great again after being plagued by some traffic jams .

 

 

Also, the new intern that did such a great job with Pantsdam gave me some sketches of what he called 'urban planning'. Since he did such a good last time, I gave the ok on his plans. He is drawing up plans for new developments around Pantsdam. The first infrastructure has been constructed.

 

 

 

 

This overview should give you some idea of what he's planning. Pffff.. planning.. I've never needed it before!

 

 

A lot of tourists seem interested in coming to visit our lovely little town. We've constructed a railway station for them, and connected it with the region.

 

 

After connecting it with some bus routes (along with an express route to Pantsdam) it's starting to get some use.

 

 

and an a bright note.... the Stink Strip is no longer Stinky!

 

 

I hope you've enjoyed reading this update. Big plans for the future.

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Those tree-lined roads and avenues are just gorgeous.

[Terring 6,476]

[89James89 1,169]

Love your interchanges there really smooth looking..

 

I also love the second last image with the train in it, looks really nice!

 

Cheers

 

James

[mutton noir 170]

Superb work. Really impressive deployment of game resources. I love the game it has so much potential, sure there is a lot missing but what else would you expect- Rome was't built in a day! CO have delivered a solid foundation on which to develop a really awesome kit of parts. The biggest "miss" for me is the lack of a day/night cycle- cities take on a magical quality at night and the prospect of seeing a vast metropolis twinkling in the dark is enticing- so a big fail on that score unfortunately. Overall a fantastic game with more than a few wrinkles that need ironed out. The modding community is in overdrive but Steam need to re-organise and categorise the workshop fast to sort out the looming unweildy mess. I look forward to your future posts.

[Mymyjp 1,052]

Wow...wow..wow...amazing. I love how you manage to deal with traffic issues...They are causing me a huge headhache...

 

Excellent cj..definitely following this!

[47ply 1,100]

I must say you are doing a great job.

and no I haven't got the game yet I have to upgrade my pc system first but by then this game will be so much more awesome

[Dazzyls 576]

All those roundabouts and interchanges made me dizzy! It's amazing!

You convinced me to buy the game, I only don't know when I'm going to buy it, because it's pretty expensive and I don't have a job yet.

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

Ln X: Thanks. Haven't run into the 250k tree cap yet, but I'm afraid that day is approaching

 

Terring:

 

89James89: Yeh, I love the train as well. I need to unlock more tiles though to get more/better connections into my town. I'm contemplating getting the 25 tile mod. Will give me more room for other little towns and outcroppings as well, along with more sprawl.

 

mutton noir: Agree on the base game being a solid and amazing platform for even greater things in the future. Day/night cycle is not really a must for me, but I would like to see a toggle to get into night/morning/evening for some more atmospheric screenshots. Also agree on the workshop. We need better ways to categorize and filter the content. Right now I don't even know if a building is actually new, or just the same as in the game but with an extra swingset.

 

Mymyjp: The traffic is actually the aspect I love about this game. I play rather slowly, so I can identify problems when they arise, figure out what the cause is, and fix it at the source (instead of just trying to patch up the symptoms). A solid tip: pedestrian pathways. They really help. I get a bit of a kick out of being able to get away without any 6 lane roads at all.

 

47ply: I'm pretty sure you're correct. Just wish the workshop was more user friendly.

 

Ultimate727: thanks for the compliment. As far as I've noticed sofar, correctly designed roundabout are the most efficient way of dealing with traffic, at least in the volumes that I currently get. About getting the game; yeh, sadly we occasionally have to prioritize. The game will only get better with time though, so you'll have something to look forward to

 

 

Update:

 

Some of the local lads have been playing football ever since we started the town. Normally they would play between the pigs in a field in the Forkton Flats, or on the Furnace Fields (depending on which farm burned down recently, I still love the fireworks shows). They've been really succesful in the national league lately. That, coupled with the fact that we're seeing more and more tourists, forced me to seriously consider the offer of some of the local businessmen from the new offices to let them build a new stadium for the lads. They've called themselves the Forkton Frenzy. I've heard the shouts from the fields already. It's going to be really loud when there's a stadium packed full with Frenzied Frenzy Fans. I've decided to let them build it next to the Forkton Spoon, since it's very noisy there already.

 

 

edit - OOC: I created the parking lots myself. They're 8x8, and have no tourism values. You can find them here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=408733322

 

The team chose pink for their outfits, so the direct bus line between the stadium and the train station got painted in the team colours.

 

All the traffic to the stadium has to come through this route, it's been dubbed the Frenzy Funnel. It's feared by the supporters of opposing teams. All the fans of the Frenzy are standing along the Funnel waving pink flags (and an occasional pitchfork).

 

 

Apparently the football supporters aren't the smartest people in town. The really wanted to live close to the stadium. I've allowed it (rather have them there than in the nicer looking parts of town). All of them being massive Frenzy Fans, they've called their neighborhood the F-Side.

 

 

It seems that Forkton proper has hopped over the main motorway. Here are some more pictures of the F-side.

 

 

My intern designed the road layout for this place. It's all deliberately curvy, and has a lot of dead ends. He explained to me the residents of this area are drunk most of the time, so the roads appear to be straight to them. The dead ends were put there deliberately, so hopefully, they get lost in their own neighborhood and pass out there instead of coming over to the nicer parts of town to cause trouble there.

 

A new pedestrian overpass was constructed to allow people from 'the other side of the highway' (as they're called in F-side) easy access to the stadium on game days.

 

 

Here's an overview of the F-side, the Frenzy Funnel, and the Forkton Frenzy Stadium area.

 

 

 

Now my intern has been very busy in the Pantsdam area. The new offices are a huge hit, and demand for them has sky-rocketed. There's also a lot of people wanting to live there (I think they all have smartphones, and tablets).

 

It has gotten so big, the edge of it almost touches the F-Side. It won't take long before it all seems to be a single town. Might even have to start calling it a city....

 

 

It has recently been split up between North- and South Pantsdam. Here's a view of South Pantsdam from the F-Side. You can still see Groveside in the back.

 

 

Here's the view of Pantsdam from Groveside.

 

 

South Pantsdam generally follows to style of North Pantsdam. It's a bit less rigid in the streat planning though. The pedestrians here are well looked after as well.

 

 

There's also a bit more greenery in the South part. Still a lot of Hipsters though.

 

 

The offices seem to be doing well here. But again, no fireworks. What's wrong with these people.

 

 

All-in-all, it's looking pretty modern here.

 

 

Here's an overview of both North and South Pantsdam, with the F-side in the top right.

 

 

Here is an overview of the whole Forkton area. It's currently being called home by about 23.500 kind souls, and it looks like more people are wanting to move in.

 

 

Ow yes, I almost forgot. The new 3 lane roundabout has been named 'the Tumbler' by the locals. People just love driving around it as fast as they can just to get dizzy. Guess it's a cheap alternative to alcohol....

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

[RipRap 4,400]

Perfect execution!

[jesper107 113]

Just love your use of pedestrian paths lining the roads. Great!

 

What map are you playing, and what color correction are you using?

 

Also, which are the parking lots by the stadium?

 

Thanks!

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Your suburbs are so tight! They curve so wonderfully. This is really, really good.

[iviaarten 534]

Just love your use of pedestrian paths lining the roads. Great!

 

What map are you playing, and what color correction are you using?

 

Also, which are the parking lots by the stadium?

 

Thanks!

 

Quick edit post. I've added the workshop link to the parking lots in the CJ update. I've made them myself. You can find them here: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=408733322

 

The map is a custom map I made myself. Colour correction is the basic temperate one I think. But I've added a lot of fertile lands, which might explain the colour of the grass.

[Haljackey 17,398]

Wow this is looking great! Keep up the good work!

[jesper107 113]

I saw the parking when looking through the workshop. Downloading! Thanks!

[copper121212 23]

Freaking awesome! Sorry if you already posted this but do you use a colour filter? Your city looks really vivid.

[AmpsterMan 5]

I love this CJ and am amazed by how precisely you curve the roads. I've been getting better, but i still struggle with the road placement tools. What tricks do you use?How do you set up your reference points? Either way this is beautiful!

[Dazzyls 576]

Another beautiful update!

Since this game has curved roads, would it be possible to create a European city in CSL? If yes, I'm going to buy it asap!

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Another beautiful update!

Since this game has curved roads, would it be possible to create a European city in CSL? If yes, I'm going to buy it asap!

 

The architecture of the buildings is mainly modern European.

[watercitymadero 805]

OMGuaaad this. 

[Mymyjp 1,052]

I love the layout of your city...It seems so healthy! Lovely entry.

[stenol 0]

I hope to see an other update soon

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

Tonraq: Thanks. Means a lot coming from such a long standing member of this community.

 

jesper107: Already answered your questions I think

 

Ln X: Again, means a lot coming from you as well I remember some of your entries in your SC4 journal so well. You're one of my inspirations for sure.

 

Haljackey: and you as well The building a city from scratch series was one of the things that got me back into SC4 a few months ago, and how I found this community.

 

copper121212: Just the normal temperate filter. Didn't change any settings at all.

 

AmpsterMan: Just taking my time I guess I do almost always use the free-form tool though, I don't like the regular curve one too much. It's too 'mathematical' for my taste.

 

Ultimate727: I try to emulate European cities/suburbs in some ways myself. I'm really looking forward to the wall-to-wall buildings that CO will soon be working on though. That will make it even better.

 

CDM Madero: thanks

 

Mymyjp: The trees really help, and I love that I have room to work with. Makes it a lot easier to create what I see in my imagination

 

stenol: Don't have to wait long

 

 

 

Update:

 

I've been very busy. So this might be a long one

 

I made even more pictures, so I've already cut some out to keep it readable.

 

First things first. I've recently planned some little changes around the Pumpington and F-Side areas.

Our group of scientists has been reinforced with some new university graduates. They've been working non-stop at harnessing the power of the sun. They've come up with plans for a new power plant.

Harnessing the power of the sun... pfff, that's what our farmers have been doing for years. I've agreed to let them build the plant, but I've also allowed some new farmers in the area. See who can tame the sun the best!

 

 

The new addition to the Furnace fields focuses more on livestock than on crop fields. It's a bit more noisy, but don't you just love the animals!

 

 

Around the F-Side, the people have been complaining that they couldn't afford to shop in Old Forkton and Pantsdam anymore. Things have just gotten too expensive. I've allowed some entrepreneurs to build a cheap shopping mall at the Frenzy Funnel.

 

 

The people just love it! I think it looks just right with the curve in the road.

 

 

Anyways. Taxes have been flowing in nicely, so it was time for another vacation. I left my intern in charge again. His plans looked complicated, so I just nodded like I knew what he was on about, and gave the ok.

 

I can't believe what I saw when I drop back to home again. Here, I'll take you along on my journey.

 

I was just driving back along the highway, when suddenly.... I saw something at the horizon. Normally it's just trees, the smokestacks of the Furnace on the right, and some clouds... but this was no trees over there on the right!

 

 

I quickly took a loop along the Furnace Bypass to get a better view.

 

 

I couldn't believe my eyes. What had this intern been up to while I was gone!

Quickly back down to the main highway. Let's speed up.

 

 

Yep, that definitely wasn't there before.

 

I took a quick left on the Forkton Spoon.

 

 

and a left again toward the F-side.

 

 

A quick right turn on the roundabout later, I was getting close.

 

 

An overpass... for cars instead of for pedestrians? What is this madness!

 

 

At this point I phoned my intern. Apparently, when I signed the papers and gave the ok on his plans, I also allowed the provincial government into the area. They had plans for Courthouse. They also gave funds to construct a brand new city hall though. So that's not too bad.

 

Here's our new city hall, with the courthouse behind it.

 

 

A closer look at the courthouse.

 

 

And the park between the Courthouse and the City Hall.

 

 

If you look into the direction of Old Forkton from the courthouse, you can see the main park area that is the center piece of the new District.

 

 

It has a lovely statue.

 

 

There's also a new Opera house, and a fancy shopping mall. You can see the curves of the building repeating in the park.

 

 

The curves also show up in the other main buildings around the park.

 

 

Overall it's a lovely effect.

 

 

And a look at the whole park strip. Here you see the shape of the courthouse reappearing in the park as well

 

 

The buildings are a lot taller than I'm used to though, let's take a look around the neighborhood. Another nice piece of art next to the opera house.

 

 

There's all sorts of roads here. From main avenues...

 

 

 

To smaller roads...

 

 

 

To little back alleys between the buildings.

 

 

Finally, here's an overview of the new area. It's so different. I wonder what the Forktonners will end up callling it.

 

 

And an overview of what I now really have to start calling a city.

 

 

It appears..... that we now have an actual Skyline!

 

 

A final glance at the new area from all the way back in Floydside, where the people are still pleasantly simple

 

 

 

Sorry for making it such a long update, but there were just so many pictures I liked. Hope you feel the same.

[47ply 1,100]

the more I look at you pictures and city you are building I cant help but think those few people who complain about the scale of this game must be crazy! the depth of what I see is spot on and I love how you have limited the amount of interchanges it looks and feels so real you are doing some stunning work here awesome job