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

[Vitoraju 675]

I enjoyed the update! and you make great highway intersections!

[Dazzyls 576]

Just like Vitor said, I enjoyed it!

Are you planning to make uppington a big CBD with skyscrapers and stuff? That would look nice.

[47ply 1,100]

in that second to last picture are the cims willing to travel all the way to the larger city to work?

[Neofita 31]

The first time I visited Forkton

Came to visit Forkton the mayor who visits my Hadley's Hope

Very nice city

The bus station is amazing

I hope to continue to visit and promised to visit Forkton

[realdimension 6]

Beautiful updates

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Great rural pictures, that two laned elevated highway looks very snazzy and the use of dirt pedestrian paths to create dirt fields on that farm is cool to.

[SimWarrior 10]

That's going to be a very large undertaking o_O

[89James89 1,169]

Loving the interchanges, they look really smooth and well thought out, especially the parclo one. 

 

I also love that image of the railway station. Looks gorgeous.

 

Cheers

 

James

[charlesnew 262]

WOW, this is amazing.

 

And thanks for the reply you made earlier. I am getting a lot of inspiration here, but it's hard to keep all these ideas crowding in my head until I can get back.

 

Great update though! I LOVE your city, you're inspiring me so much! I'm planning to do something like this for my town, having little farms and hamlets on the outskirts and slowly grow out bigger.

[perken 1]

Great use of the walk paths as always, had to restart my own town just to use walkways in a better way!

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

Vitor13: I'm glad you did, and thanks for the compliment.

Ultimate727: Uppington and Sporkton will likely be the part that develops into a big CBD in the future yes. I don't want lift the highrise ban until I feel it makes sense for the city, both population, and looks wise. It will in the future though, I'm 100% certain of that.

47ply: Yep, my train stations are getting pretty good use (completely filling up about 50% of the trains, the rest of the trains are currently about half filled). I guess that's because my current 2 lane highways are on the east and west edge of the map, so I guess the train is the faster and shorter route.

Neofita: Always nice to meet a colleague mayor I'm sure I'll drop by in Hadley's Hope as well again.

realdimension: thanks

Ln X: thanks. Can't wait until I'm done filling out the area, so I can start focusing on nice little details again

SimWarrior: It is... it really is...

89James89: That train station was something I was really happy to find indeed.

charlesnew: Don't have to keep everything in your head though, the pictures will be right here

perken: Awww.. no need to restart, there's always copious use of the bulldozer
 

 

Today's mods:

 

Nothing big today, I did find a little mod to get my power to spread without using big pylons (which is nice in the rural area on the other side of the river). It leave a little utility building though, which works nice in some spots, but a chain of them through the farms looks a bit odd. Anyways, here it is: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=409251698

 

Also, not a new mod, but the FPS mod got an update. They added the camera button in the trains/bus/cim/car info-box, click on it and you can see the city from their perspective while they're driving around. I lot about 1,5 hours today just looking at my city from my buses and trains. It's AMAZING!

 

 

Update time:

 

Well, basically I had a very large canvas, and a limited amount of paint, brushes and time. Today I made a good start at filling out the area south of the river. A couple new hamlets sprung up, and the fields have been divided (not to the satisfaction of all the farmers though).

 

 

 

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to name them all to be totally honest....

 

 

 

I did mention the canvas was big right?

 

 

yep....

 

 

but it's filling out nicely.

 

 

 

We've also been checking up on the traffic situation back in some areas of Forkton proper. I think I finally managed to completely make the new industrial area traffic proof.

(OOC: it's working as I want now, now I just need to find a way to make it look good, and realistic. Still messing with my head a bit )

A new overpass between the two sections of industry helped clear some traffic (and buses) from what used to be the roundabout. It's really flowing great now.

 

 

 

One of the level rural highway intersections (the one after the Floydside Junction/Furnace Bypass) was getting overloaded. A simple flyover for one direction solved it completely.

 

 

 

As I mentioned in the mods list for today, I've been staring at my screen mesmerized... just watching my trains and buses doing their thing. Here are some pictures I took from the roof of the main commuter train. Just imagine this in motion, going rather fast....

 

 

and faster.....

 

 

... wheeeeeeiiiiiieeeeeeeee

 

 

and yep, my trains see a lot of use Hmz, maybe I should increase funding for trains....

 

 

Hope you've enjoyed this quick update. Some more growing south of the river still to do, but I think we're going to work on the area near Sporkton next. Never thought I'd say this, but I was getting a bit tired of farms and plopping trees after today

[Mymyjp 1,052]

Look at your!!!! All grown up! lol

 

Sorry I miss the previous entry..It was a wonderful one. Love that no purple pollution..lol

 

Congrats on resolving your traffic issue. Your cities look wonderful and I am looking forward to see more development!

[89James89 1,169]

Lovely rural spread right there. As for your industrial sections roads I wouldn't worry too much about it. As long as there's no 90 degree+ turns anywhere they should be fine. I mean its not like a arctic lorry is going to be going really fast now is it.

 

Cheers

 

James

[Vitoraju 675]

I like your city, she is beautiful! ^^

[Sanshy6544 42]

This is by far the best CJ I have been trough since ages. The way you design and think your city is amazing.

Your creativity is beyond the best of anyone of us here around.

I really enjoy following your creations.

Keep going! :-)

[Dazzyls 576]

Another awesome update!

I like that trains mod. I think I'm going to download it when I buy the game.

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

 

Mymyjp: I'll never grow up! I refuse! Maammmmmm, he's saying I've grown up!

 

89James89: I'm not too worried about the turns, I just don't like the whole spaghetti look in my industrial section

 

Vitor13: thanks

 

Sansha: Thanks for the kind words. There's people with a lot more talent than me around here on Simtropolis though

 

Ultimate727: The FPS mod is amazing yes. I really had to stop myself from using it all the time when I was playing tonight.

 

 

 

Today's mods:

 

A couple of custom buildings from Feindbild: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197978975775/myworkshopfiles/

 

 

 

Update time:

 

I'm done for a bit in the South. I've got a couple of planner employed to keep working on the rural area there, while I focus on new developments north of the river again. A mayor can't be expected to handle EVERYTHING himself now can he....

 

The new trainstation in Sporkton had a lot more reach than it was currently using. The area north of Sporkton begged for some more development (as did a lot of people petitioning to open new shops). As long as they pay their taxes, I'm fine with it. I've signed the deal for some more developement, in a new district called Northon.

 

Our scientific department (which has been growing rapidly ever since we built our first University) needed a new space to play in as well. I got tired of them running all over city hall. I've allowed them to build a science center in the east part of Northon. As soon as I signed the deal, the artists of the area started clamoring about 'equal opportunity' or something. I had to sign the papers to let them build a new art museum to shut them up. They've been allowed to build in the western part of Northon.

 

The building style here is a bit more basic.

 

 

We've made sure the residential zones here are more affordable (we had to cut some corners though.... but don't tell them that).

 

 

It's a bit of a contrast with the new museum in the area.

 

 

Ah well, I guess the beautiful building makes the dream about bettering themselves.

 

 

We made sure there were plenty of parks in this new part of town as well.

 

 

There's a lot of new people in this area.

 

 

Here's a look at the new science center.

 

 

That too, contrasts a bit with the surrounding buildings.

 

 

I'm not sure how long we can keep the land values low around here.....

 

 

The situation is already improving on the other side of the building....

 

 

Still, some affordable places remain.

 

 

Hmz, I'm beginning to think that us cheaping out on services here might give some problems....

 

 

 

More artists live in this part of town.

 

 

Plenty of green space here as well.

 

 

The main pedestrian walkway connecting the science center to Sporkton central station.

 

 

My nephew rented an apartment in this building.

 

 

He's doing an internship in the science center. He doesn't have a long commute

 

 

An overview of the new area:

 

 

Of course, all this new development had to be connected up with the fastways as well. The T intersection between Uppington and Sporkton got expanded with a small trumpet interchange. It was a tight fit, but we managed to fit it in.

 

 

Since we didn't have to bulldoze anything, it was a pretty cost effective solution.

 

 

It was a bit of a puzzler though

 

 

Some seagull shots to finish it off.

 

The museum:

 

 

And looking towards the south from Northon.

 

 

 

Hope you've enjoyed this update. It's nice working at the more urban parts of Forkton again

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Urban updates are always the best because it's so much easier to exploit the camera angles. Also Forkton is starting to feel pretty vast.

[89James89 1,169]

Well great minds think alike (regarding the interchange lol, looks lovely).

 

Loving the built up area (which is odd as I don't normally like hugely built up areas. That overview is gorgeous!

 

Cheers

 

James

[feyss 1,981]

I really liked the previous update. Your small towns on this other side of the rive looks so natural.

 

The last update is good too. It is nice to see how the city has grown.

[Mymyjp 1,052]

You must feel a certain level of proudness when you look at your city. It is simply divine and I would live there for sure. Love your network, how you think of a way to get to an area without automatically use highways, etc.

 

Extremely well done. And an awesome tutorial journal for me. I have learned a lot from your journal entries. Thanks!!

[kingofsimcity 5,740]

Great development progress! Love the urban shots, and that rural spread is jaw-dropping.

[Sanshy6544 42]

You have this magic touch that make your city looking like a real one.

Total respect!

[perken 1]

Wow, Sporkton is really growing! That interchange looks awesome, and of course the walkways too.

[Benedict 3,119]

Nice work again this week - you're number one on Ben's Top Ten.

[Dazzyls 576]

This CJ keeps amazing me!

Great job!

[Gurra09 37]

I just love your urban environments because they're so nicely balanced with parks and green areas. The area around the museum looks great! I also like how the train tracks go straight across the new intersection on a bridge. Must be a nice view from the train window when you pass over and see all the traffic underneath.

[iviaarten 534]

Replies:

 

 

Ln X: That's actually very true So many buildings to play with.

89James89: I actually like adapting existing interchanges more than I like creating new ones. They get a lot more character if you keep adding to them

feyss: and it seems to keep growing.... both the city and the rural areas.

Mymyjp: actually, I do I get so caught up in the details sometimes, and when I zoom back out and take it all in again.. it's just... huge. This game keeps amazing me. It really is starting to feel like a worthy successor to SC4, especially with the mods that get created.

kingofsimcity: Thanks for the kind words.

Sansha: Thanks as well.

perken: Thanks, I love doing the interchanges, but we can't forget about the poor pedestrians now can we

Benedict: Wow, that's awesome. Thanks

Ultimate727: The game keeps amazing me

Gurra09: It's actually great to just hop on one of the trains with the FPS mod and zoom through your city, and under and over the interchanges. It's simply amazing.

 

 

Today's mod spotlight:

 

Today I'll be showing off a couple of mods made by Ngon: http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197984658084/myworkshopfiles/?appid=255710

 

I think I've subscribed to almost every building he's made so far. The football fields in the Triple-S from a couple of updates ago were made by him as well. This guy is making amazing stuff.

 

 

Update time:

 

After I almost got a heart attack from this afternoon's patch bonanza (Forkton wouldn't load properly anymore), I had to get my blood pressure down a bit. So I started with some updates to the rural area around Otherside.

 

I've also been playing with some LUT's to emulate weather/different times of day, so might as well combine those two in showing off the area.

 

The fields in late afternoon:

 

 

 

Looks like a thunderstorm is brewing....

 

 

Mid day after some rain, it's still a bit damp.

 

 

 

Now the first set of Ngon's buildings, his 1x1 low level commercials. There are a couple of variations of center buildings, and 2 for the corners. With some TLC from the bulldozer, you can get some great effects.

 

Here's the new shopping street of Sella's Fields.

 

 

It really seems to fit into this area. (I kept the two petrol stations on either side of the road though )

 

 

Some interesting variations on the roof as well.

 

 

Over in one of the hamlets in the area we were getting some crime reports (I guess someone was stealing some corn?) Anyways, we had to place a police station here (another one of Ngon's creations).

 

 

It's got some nice details, you can even read the notice board.

 

 

Spoon's Hug needed a new police station as well. We built a slightly larger one here (do I need to say it...)

 

 

Portside was lacking some fire coverage, so we had to build another fire station here (and yes, you guessed it, by Ngon)

 

 

And the people over in parts of Sporkton and Northon were getting bored, so we decided to build a skate park in both districts (yes, by Ngon).

 

The Sporkton skate park:

 

 

Makes me wish I learned to ride a skateboard when I was younger.

 

 

And the one in Northon.

 

 

 

But that's not all... the area around Northon has been expanded as well. We've hooked up a new rail line at Sporkton central station... as you can see, it's already seeing massive use. There's literally hundreds of people walking between the 4 platforms, the bus terminal and the various pedestrian paths to other districts.

 

 

The new rail line connects to North Finexia, a new business park built just west of Northon.

 

 

There's a pedestrian path connection to Pantsdam as well. A lot of people take the bus to Pantsdam, and take the pedestrian overpass to Finexia North station to get on a train there.

 

 

North Finexia had to get some health care as well. Here is a picture of the new clinic (of course, by Ngon)

 

 

Here's an overview of North Finexia, you can see Pantsdam in the background.

 

 

Northon got its own suburbs as well.

 

 

The suburbs spread all along the north border of Northon. The new suburbs are called 'Brow Town' (I guess because it slightly looks like an eyebrow). I hope the sewage here works correctly, otherwise it'll get a different nickname very soon I'm afraid.

 

Here's the view from one of the roofs in Northon.

 

 

and in the other direction

 

 

And an overview of Brow Town from the east.

 

 

and the eastern entry roundabout.

 

 

The main connection into the area from the east was changed a bit to allow for better flow.

 

 

Another view from a roof in Northon.

 

 

And finally, to prevent the people in Northon from going bored, we've built them a sports park here as well (since the Triple-S is quite far away from here).

 

 

I think we mentioned Forkton was getting big.... over 71.000 people big... I can't fit it in one picture anymore... The eastern part.....

(OOC: cranked the resolution up to 300% for this one, might be worth a click for full size).

 

 

and the western side

 

 

OOC: I had to get into some serious shenanigans to get an almost full overhead shot as well. I can't fit the city in the normal view anymore here either... I actually ended up inside the skybox

 

so.. wait what?

 

 

 

and the final picture:

 

 

 

Sorry for the stupidly long update, but since I'll be gone this weekend, I wanted to make this one a bit bigger. Didn't expect it to become this big though.

 

Hope you've enjoyed. Thanks for reading.

[BLANKBLANK 4,414]

Dem fields... With Forkton becoming so large maybe you could expand the fields more? And those street level pictures were just right, nice one.

[feyss 1,981]

That's a simple detail, but I really like the roundabouts decoration.