Anduin Valley Revisited

[dhoppeii 12]

Hey D.  First off great looking mosaic and the windmill out in the farm field was a nice touch.  This first update for Dol Amroth is just fantastic.  You know how much I enjoy those technical type updates.  BTW, I also do something along the lines that you did with the gas stations to hold the terrain level.  The finished pier area is awesome and I especially like pic 1_12....Nice job of grabbing that one.  Nice mix of commercial buildings near the pier....Did you grow or plop most of those?  Well, it looks like Dol Amroth is off to a great start....Keep 'em coming....

 

Later,

 

D

[RadioheadFan 1]

D, awesome update! Great work with the new pier(way to go with Petro-Canada)and the commercial area. I love the Olive Garden and Borders building, nothing like a bit of RL retail to spruce up a young city!

 

@ the_crispbread_witch: I believe the blue building next to the Borders is either Chin Corp. or the Cheng Currency Exchange. They're both Maxis buildings.

 

RHF

 

Page 33, hooray!

[MissTonya 2]

i like the shadow affect you use in photoshop looks lovely and very cute good work congrats on page 33 boy i know you are happy

 

Yo it's tonya

[aldara6166 109]

D,

What a great start to Dol Armoth.  I really like it.  I really like the mosaic too, by the way.  I may have to try something similar in my CJ soon too!

 

I like the pier area.  For the piers, I like how you counterbalance the sinking terrain problem.  Is it that lot in particular, or will any lot similar in size work.  I'm imagining it would.

 

While we are talking about the piers...How do you keep the shops in the bottom end from delapidating?  There is no road touching them, and I had several of the pier shops go all black and die off shortly after I plopped them because I forgot a road next to them.

 

Well, wait a minute...I was just thinking.  Since the road to tarmac transition is transit enabled, it acts as a road.  And, the pedestrian malls in the NAM work as roads (for commercial development only.)  Since the pier shops are commercial development, is that what you did so that you could add parking in there?  Did you use the ped. malls and the transition lot?  I'm curious now!

 

The whole thing looks great, including you BMW Photoshopping and the commercial development nearby.   Can't wait to see more... 

 

Looks great...I love the start to this city.  Looking forward to more...  keep em coming...

[aldara6166 109]

Stupid computer...sorry for the double post...I just liked the new city that much!

[Darmok 34]

TCW
Thanks a lot TCW, and I think RHF answered the building question a few post down (top of page 33). And good work with Big Bertha!

yacares
Welcome to Anduin Valley yacares!
And thanks for your comments!

pikatchoum
Hey Pika!
Thanks for that compliment! And stay tuned, there's more comming!

InsaneA
Thanks Insane, and for the seaport village, I chose the Petro Canada station just because it was the first 2x2 lot I found in the menu, My guess is any lot would do the job.

jacqulina
Always welcome jacqulina! and hope you'll find a use for the BMW thing!

D
Hey man! well the mosaic was a try, and I think that with more trys it should be easier to do.

And I think it's a great way to have a better feel of the place, that is until we can make video tour of our cities.
I do like those windmills with the farms they have a certain no-nonsense look I appreciate.

In that area all buildings grew by themselves. The plopping thing will come a bit later. And I must say that watchin' them grow is kinda fun actually, like would say Forrest Gump You never know what you gonna get...

Thanks for your comments my friend, and I hope you'll like the rest too.

Take care.

RadioheadFan
Thanks man, as for the Petro Canada station I also have the Irving station which I like too! gives a homy touch to our cities, don't you think?
But in this case they where just there by sheer luck!
Also thanks for your help for the name of the building, much appreciated.
And yes page 33, good god!

MissTonya
Welcome to Anduin Valley MissTonya, and thanks for your appreciation of my little skills with photoshop! And come back anytime you want, the more the merrier!

Al
Lot's of interrogation Al!
Well let's see, for the dillapidation problem I use this mod - Abandonment Dilapidation Modd by ralphaelninja - though I doesn't seems to work with those lots, cause later in the game I lost my water supply and they where abandoned so rapidly, that I had to buldoze and replop them after repairing the water towers. But this early in the city history, they stayed OK, I honestly don't know why, though the road connection was done quite soon after this update. So your guess is as good as mine!

Thanks for your always great support Al, and I hope that you'll have a better day at work today! (Just read your last post in Tarrytowne River ).

Take care
____________________________
Till next time folks!

[aldara6166 109]

Date: 6/23/2005 3:15:51 PM Author: Darmok

Al Lot's of interrogation Al! Well let's see, for the dillapidation problem I use this mod - Abandonment Dilapidation Modd  by ralphaelninja - though I doesn't seems to work with those lots, cause later in the game I lost my water supply and they where abandoned so rapidly, that I had to buldoze and replop them after repairing the water towers. But this early in the city history, they stayed OK, I honestly don't know why, though the road connection was done quite soon after this update. So your guess is as good as mine!

Thanks for your always great support Al, and I hope that you'll have a better day at work today! (Just read your last post in Tarrytowne River ).

 

Well, I am not that sure either.  I'm gonna play around in-game with the NAM pedestrian malls, and see if you can build them in there, so that we could add realistic parking.

 

And ah, thanks for the little advertisement for my CJ (although Dhoppeii really did a big advertisement...told people to go read my CJ and everything   ).  You just read the latest update, huh.  Well, is there a comment coming in the future?

 

Great job as always man... keep em coming...

[Mickebear 2]

Dear Darmok,

I have been lurking already for some time around your CJ, and I must say that what I see, is very impressive each time. The way you explain your terrain transforming and your always helpful attitude towards people are really some of the keys to your success - but foremost it is your detailed and superior work. You are among those, whose work I would call art.

 

Alors, car je sais que tu comprends fran

[aasim45 1]

This is a grand start for a beautiful city!!! Thanks for the TIP about that 'caving-in' thing with PEG's lots. I used to try the same thing with roads!!

[jacqulina 162]

i will thankyou

[Darmok 34]

Al
Don't mention it, I really enjoy reading your storyline in Tarrytowne River Valley , People if you like too read, you have to go there and give it a try.
Oh and I did reply! Just that we have to take the time to read and savor your prose, . So thanks again for your visit man!

Mika
Those are great compliments Mika, , I'm really glad you appreciate it, and your  Marsalia region is so detailled and beautifull that those comments are even more appreciated.
Chapeau

[dhoppeii 12]

Dude, you never cease to let me down.  First off, the new little banner at the top of the update is splendid, of course, I think you are just showing off now.  I really like the way you make those access roads down to the waterfront.  You seem to get just the right slope going there and the walls and lots you place nearby always fit perfectly.  I like the commerce going in there across from the pier area...and the small parking lot with all the green is a nice touch.  The park in 2_05 looks rather inviting...Might have to go for a stroll.  The finished condo is just what I would expect in Anduin Valley and you have done a marvelous job with the grounds.  I must say that you are getting quite skilled at placing those tarmac and white trails.  They all look absolutely fabulous.  Well, I hope you have a great weekend....I'm off into the 95 degree temps for the rest of the day....arghh....Have a good one my friend.

Take Care,

 

D

[pikatchoum 2]

Unknow error...I hate that

Well...I re-writte.

 

I understand you,I don't know why but the game never put the buildings we would like to see....sometimes may kill it

You make a nice work with the Jeronij trail packs,i very like thaht

As usual the terraforming is perfect

 

Pour reprendre l'expression de Mika:Chapeau bas

[kingofsimcity 5,739]

Wow D!

Amazing Dol Amorth Update...yeah, I like a little evil when I bulldoze those low wealthers...

I really like how you utilized the dock...and sorry for not coming in earlier.

[Alkaola 18]

great work on this city journal Darmok , always enjoying your updates really gives me inspiration !

[MissTonya 2]

great work it does look nice everything is growing in your cj ? do you have a mod?

Yo it's TONYA! *Pissed*

[MasterPlanMan 1]

I am starting to sense some burn-out/staleness/redundancy,.etc.......The stone embankments are taking over everywhere in CJ land! I think its time you challange yourself a bit more and start striving for a new look. Like I mentioned at the GRP CJ those darn embankments are everywhere. Many CJs are starting to look like those homey christmas villages that get placed under the tree every year. I know its not going to be easy but it may be time you kicked the stone embankment habit . or at least varied them up or utilize them sparingly, or mix em'up with some Japanese ones or just plant some nice green grass. Its real easy to go everboard with them but IMO when that happens realism is lost and conformity sets in. Heck in my home town of 100,000 I can only think of one stone embankment along the river holding back a cemetery.

[Shadow Assassin 336]

Looks good, Darmok, though I'm agreeing with MasterPlanMan about the stone embankments. Luckily, that's not happening to the trails... yet.

Dol Amroth looks excellent, I like.

[jacqulina 162]

nice banner,awesome work as usual,great pics,fantastic detail

[MasterPlanMan 1]

Shadow_Assassin ~ The trails are in a majority of the CJs now as well but they blend in a bit more and are much like ordinary sidewalks and definately more generic. The road connections to them could use some variations though as the decending trees are too structured and standout a bit more and a repetetive concentration in small areas is another realism breaker.

[Chris M 406]

Hey Darmok,

Sorry for missing a few updates here and there. I must say Dol Amroth is looking great. I like how you combined the parking lots in jeroni's trail set with his trails to make it look like a huge parking lot, genious my friend. The condos are awesome, I like the way you have them situated above all the waterfront area, really realistic. I am really looking forward to more shots of Dol Amroth.

As RHF pointed out you can call me Chris instead of Dragon if you would like since we all are friends.

[RadioheadFan 1]

EEK! My goodness!

Great update. As Chris said, I love how you used the tarmac trails to make the area look like one big parking lot. I also like the condo you ended up choosing, very classy indeed. Looking forward to the next update my friend!

 

RHF 

[Darmok 34]

 

Dhoppe
Thanks for the comment about the banner, I just thought I'd tried a bit a variety. And for the slope I go with the brf slope mod, and then sometimes adjust it a bit! Really glad to read your always encouraging comments D. Just real tired tonight! Hope your weekend's good!

Pika
Thanks a lot pika, I really like Jero's trails and I'd like it very much if real cities were more pedestrian friendly!
Et merci pour le coup de chapeau!

Kosc
Thanks man! Yep that little devil sometimes have to go out and do his job!

Alkaola
Always a pleasure to see you in Anduin Valley Alkaola!

MissTonya
I use a LOT of mods, so much I don't even remember all of them! As for growing I think I have this :  Super Demand Ordinance  by Buggi

MasterPlanMan
Though I agree with you about the realism bit, you have to consider several things, first of all what do YOU want to do with the game?
Play it like the designers (Maxis/EA) meant it to be played, OR as YOU paid for it, take it an play with it the way YOU want to.
Since the first SimCity through all the following versions, I've played it the way THEY created it. But with SC4 all changed! And furthermore with the community we have here and with all the wonderful lots bats and mods, everyone can tweak the game and make it is own. Sure from time to time a new craze will arise and we will all jump in the bandwagon, but after that, when the dust settles, everyone cools down and adapt the new things to it's own style. I've played SC4 seriously long enough! I was getting a bit bored with it, and then when I read Jeroni's SCR it just turned out that my attitude towards the GAME changed, and I took it as A GAME not a competition or a game in which I HAVE TO attain some goals to win! for me now, SC4 is a box of crayons, or a LEGO set, so, since then I play, I have fun! It's creative and I don't care about budget, I don't care about realism! I just care about making things I like and things I'd like to see in cities! I know it looks like Utopia but again I don't care. I do agree with you on the point that in REAL cities we don't see that much retaining walls or embankments, I live in a city where we are between 450.000 and 500.000 I don't remember the exact figure, and it has a few of those cement walls on the sunken highways, and along the seaport that's for sure, but rarely somewhere else.

Whew thats a long one! To finish that comment I'd like to say that you'll see in Dol Amroth that there will not have that much walls anyway! And since Minas Tirith I've put less and less, BUT there will always be the occasion in which I will use them, and I hope that you'll still like Anduin Valley even if you don't like using those walls.
And last but not least I firmly believe that each and everyone should play it the way they want too, and if your way of doing it is the realism goal, by all mean go and do it, and I'm sure that I'll even find in your style some things that I would like to integrate in mine!  And if someone would say to me don't use MasterPlanMan ideas because they are too close too reality and it's not the thing to do, I would say, Man, let the Man play and, vive la diff

[jacqulina 162]

as allways your work is awesome,i would like to ask where you got those car parks i need some like that for my city thankyou

[Darmok 34]

Hello Jacqulina,

For the parking lots, I use Jeroni's : Diagonal Trail Parks Tarmac version

 

And I use the parking lots with the transit enabled entrance, and the T sections and the 4 way sections and then make the parking lot as big as I need.

I hope this will help.

[MasterPlanMan 1]

Darmok ~ Great answer!

 

We have very much in common and play the game in the very same manner ! (take a look at my CJ if you have the time). When I began my first and current CJ your name was the first to come up regarding my style of play.

 

I had a habit of placing the embankments much like yourself. I guess I was just passing along how things turned out with my current CJ. You know the times you spend sitting back and gazeing at your city just to enjoy it and sometimes tweek things along the way. Well my tweeking led to the removal of many of the embankments that were seamingly dominating my landscape. I replaced many of them with grass and trees and now the embankments are kind of tucked away and blend quite a bit more with the landscape. I found that removing many of the diagonals and replacing them with grass and the in-game trees a nice natural look was a result as the trees grew out ~ giving you an illusion that the embankments are holding back the earth and the trees and grass appear as bookended mounds. (Some more examples will be appearing in my next CJ update)

 

I also found that mixing them up with several of the Japanese versions helps deal with repetition.

 

I strive to create imaginary utopias much like yourself but like to go crazy with MT especially the trains!

 

I prefer medium density zones and enjoy creating an occasional rural area and tranquil residential areas much like yours with large trail parks, etc... I am not much into the skyscaper districts anymore and I get these areas out of the way first (super demand mod). I consider the skyscraper district to be the heart of the city from purly a functional standpoint allowing it to pump demand to the areas that I enjoy developing most and to also keep my various rail networks running up to capacity.

 

Right now I am on a canal craze (hand terraformed) and am creating a utopian area (will be appearing in my CJ soon) that strays a bit from the real world  ~ but it looks cool and would be a very nice place to live! ~ much like the worlds you have created with the game!

 

Cheers,

 

~MPM

[Mickebear 2]

Hey Darmok,

 

I didn't check your updates during the weekend, sorry that I am a bit late, better late than never

 

I like the way you have 'customized' the Maxis buildings, like the schools with giving adjoining parking or trails to lead to the parkings, it compliments nicely the Maxis original product - that we otherwise quite often neglect.

[jacqulina 162]

thankyou very much it helped a lot

[Darmok 34]

MPM

Glad to hear that MPM, I do believe in the diversity of play. I think it's a good way to learn.
Take care
 
 
Mickebear
Hi Mika
No need to be sorry man!  This ain't an obligation you know, if it were, I would be outta here! I'm here to have fun.

Glad you liked the addition of parking spaces, Jeroni's lots are very flexible in that matter! And it's a fact that the parking spaces are often lacking in our cities.

Have a good week!

 
jacqulina
I'm glad to be of some help Jacqulina!

 

Sorry for the lack of updates this weekend folks, too much RLS.

 

 

But here it is

 

 

Pics uploade a few at a time, thanks for your patience. Done!

 

High Rises, residential and hospital.

Again the crashing problems, sometimes there wil be gaps or lacks of pictures between some realisations for example this was the first pic I could take in this particular sector. I wanted some medium density res. near some high-rises, like we have sometimes here. Here's the result.

 

The first two high rises near the Piers. Note that this section (the south border of Dol-Amroth is in fact near the airport in Minas Tirith).

 

As the population grew the need for an hospital became critical. So here it is. NexisGeneralHospital ver. 1
by mrbisonm

 

A first overview with the High-rises, new hospital, and even a police station (near the schools)

 

Hah! Night Life at the Fisherman's Wharf.

 

The new trend in town, a good book and a seafood dinner!

 

Another overview.

 

Some terraforming and access for more high density residential.

 

 

 

A first building is proposed by the game.

 

NO! said the city council, we want more than that! So the game proposed this one, and the council agreed! Note on the lower left corner that a BlockBuster franchise jumped on the occasion offered by such a rich clientele! BTW All the upper floors are available for those who wants a residence in Dol Amroth, but there'll also be some high wealth mansions coming. So what will it be? Condo overlooking the piers or a house!

 

And the situation so far. So any takers for the penthouses and other upper floors condos?

 

This concludes the 3rd Dol Amroth update dear readers. As usual feel free to comment.

As always a big thank you too all of you for your GREAT support! 

Take care
Darmok

[kingofsimcity 5,739]

Great New Banner there D!

I also love the new update and if you haven't used Jeroni's slope mod...lets just say is very gradual! All road slopes I make with It slowly descends instead of going all the way down in 3 or four tiles...it takes 20!

Great condo development along the seaside...did you bulldoze Dol Amorth or something? I remember those previews!