Realism-oriented modding approach (valid for SC3000 & SC4 alike)

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

I believe this post belongs here. Since SC3000 forum is not as frequented, it deserves a favor from time to time! 

Today, I would like to share an idea of a history-based modding routine, which could let one enjoy the game and feel as if their cities were based in the real-world history. As you can see in the title, this approach is just as valid for SC4 as it is for SC3000. I'll leave it here, but if Cori or Cyclone feel like it could be duplicated and put to SC4 section, then, by all means go ahead. I post in SC3000 forum because this game is generally easier to mod and offers faster response to any changes.

In general, I advocate a real-life, history-based approach to what and when is being modded. SimCity games have so many variables, rules, values etc. that they can easily represent real-life events and states that our World has gone through. With this in mind, it would be ideal to create a whole array of .dat files which cover several time frames. Some data in each timeline would differ from the defaults, reflecting a particular trend or event that was present in the past.

Of course, this would work differently in SC4 given how fast the time whizzes by in this game. In SC4, it is more advisable to use that approach not per in-game year but per gaming session or per a few of them.

If you would like to modify your game this way then, without further ado, I suggest the following time-based rules to implement:

PART 1
01.01.1900 - 31.12.1909 ["Late" industrial revolution]

- Industry is booming but is mostly crude and doesn't care about environment (and workers) at all:
[air&water pollution from industry - 120% NV]
[industry job openings - 110% NV]
- Famous early 20th century disasters are highly destructive (e.g.: San Francisco 1906)
[not sure how, but increase the destructiveness of earthquakes and tornadoes during this period]
- "New Imperialism" is at its best
[perhaps decrease the cost of seaports to 96% NV?]
- The "Golden Age" of Einstein and Planck
[# of books in the libraries 102% NV]
- Combustion engine
[at that time, few people actually have cars and some are outright scared of them! Traffic congestion decreases to 20% NV!]
[combustion engines rather unrefined and simple - pollution from traffic 150% NV]

 

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

PART 2
01.01.1910 - 31.12.1919 [First World War]

- The Great War
[Frequently shell and bomb your city (use meteor or fire disasters)]
[Parks, trees and amenities no longer provide aura or desirability boosts - war anxiety takes over and poisons hearts and minds]
[Industry job openings increase again to 115% NV]
- Combustion engine
[Cars become more popular, traffic congestion rises to 33% NV]
[combustion engines remain unrefined and simple - pollution from traffic at 149% NV]

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

I should probably clarify something.

Whenever there is talk of increasing or decreasing some values, a percentage will be given which relates to the default, nominal value (NV).

(So one can always go back to where the default value was)

For example:

Default is 200.

Increase 15% NV means 200 + 30 = 230
Increase 60% NV means 200 + 120 = 420
(Return to) 100% NV = 200
Decrease to 50% NV = 100

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

PART 3
01.01.1920 - 31.12.1929 [The Roaring Twenties]

- Roaring Twenties
[Commercial desirability and tax revenues increase to 120% NV]
[Parks, trees and amenities aura boost returns back to normal]
[Maintenance costs of all amenities drop to 90% NV]
[Requirements for "Performing Arts Center", "Opera house", "Major Art museum" etc. are lowered to 88% NV]
- The rise of communist and liberal ideals influences workforce
[air&water pollution from industry - 117% NV]
[industry job openings return to NV]
[dirty industry desirability increases to 107% NV]
- Lost generation
[# of books in the libraries again increases to 104% NV]
- "Golden Age" of KKK
[crime rises to 113% NV]
- Combustion engine
[Cars become yet more popular, traffic congestion rises to 61% NV]
[combustion engines remain unrefined and simple - pollution from traffic 147% NV]

[VetinarisClerk 271]

Wow. Your modding ideas are very detailed. I'm intrigued. You say sc3000 is easy to mod, but how would one do that? Is there a thread on the forum about modding sc3000?

[TheMurderousCricket 5,055]

20 minutes ago, VetinarisClerk said:

Wow. Your modding ideas are very detailed. I'm intrigued. You say sc3000 is easy to mod, but how would one do that? Is there a thread on the forum about modding sc3000?

Ohhh, there is!  I'm surprised you haven't discovered it yet!

With this tool, lots of values become easily accessible. Due to the way SC3000 works, you can just plant new .dat right in and the game will work normally, no crashing whatsoever. The idea here, is to create 13 separate .dat files representing ten-year increments (1900-2030). You can play one of them and keep the rest ready for upcoming years.

For instance, 2020 can be kicked-off by using the COVID pandemic files. Your hospitals suddenly get overwhelmed, cost twice as much in maintenance but offer only half of the usual capacity. Taking it even further - police is considered oppressive even at 100% funding level as it has to go hunting for people who don't wear masks or don't respect lockdowns.

Of course, this is most fun when on turtle speed. This way you have enough time to get the "feel" of the historical forces influencing your city.

[VetinarisClerk 271]

58 minutes ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

Ohhh, there is!  I'm surprised you haven't discovered it yet!

 

Oh wow! No, I've mostly been testing the limits of existent settings. This looks fun. Thanks.

[CorinaMarie 29,605]

10 hours ago, TheMurderousCricket said:

Your hospitals suddenly get overwhelmed, cost twice as much in maintenance but offer only half of the usual capacity.

I believe there is a scenario with a similar theme and then the goal is to resolve it. Perhaps it could be used as a template to create other scenarios with the parameters updated? That might go hand in hand with modding the .dat files.