Business deals: Should I or shouldn't I?

Contributor/author(s): Bob Morris

It's tempting to take those business deals offered to you as soon as they are available. However, each one of them comes with drawbacks, and can lead to complaints from the Sims if you aren't careful with them.

Here's some general advice on the four business deals, when they are worth the money you receive, and how to best counter the negative effects.

Maximum security prison: This business deal gives you the least amount of money, but it's the easiest to counter its negative effects. Since all the prison does is lower land value, it's easy to handle that. Just place it on the edge of the map, making sure it is nowhere near your residential or commercial zones in particular, and add a buffer zone of parks and trees. The prison does not affect the crime level of your city, so there's no need for a police station.

MegaMall: In cities which start in 1900, since it's not available until late in the game, it won't be offered until a time when your city is (or at least should be) well developed. However, in cities which start in 2000, it may be offered when your city is still small, and it's a bad idea to accept it then, since your commercial district is still developing. Don't take this deal until your city is fairly large (say around 100,000) and don't put it in your city center. Place it in an outlying area (but not necessarily the edge) and surround it with parks. Adding a police station nearby will also help. As for the commercial demand, try reducing taxes and enacting the tourist promotion ordinance to counter the negative effects.

Casino: If you have problems controlling the crime level in your city, don't accept it all. If crime is low, then the casino shouldn't pose much of a problem. But you do want to avoid adding this in your city center, where the crime increase will have a negative impact on your city. Instead, handle this like the prison, where you put it on the edge of the map and surround it with parks, but also add a police station right across from it. It also helps to build a jail to help control the crime increase, as well as passing ordinances which help reduce crime.

Toxic waste plant: You're guaranteed to get complaints from residents about this one, sometimes before you even place it on the map. I usually prefer not to accept this deal. It's true it gives you the most money, but it also has the most negative effects, as pollution levels are driven high by the plant. But if you do want to accept it, stick it on the edge of the map, or better yet, right directly in one of the four corners of the map, then surround it with parks. And keep all water structures away from the plant.

Keep in mind, however, that you should also decide if a business deal will fit into your city's plans. For example, you may not want to have the prison if your goal is to have no negative aura in your city, or you may not want the casino if you want crime to stay as low as possible.

And keep in mind that you'll only get the business deals if you are low on funds. If you're doing well financially, it's unlikely you'll be offered one.

But if you are offered a business deal, it can be useful if you know how to counter the negative effects.

See also
Business deals list
Advice on business deals