Asheroo

The southern inner city suburbs is the first area being developed in the sprawling southern suburbs movement. There are many unique places and recreational areas such as parks within these suburbs. Being built right next to the city is also an advantage for the citizens living there, most of them of medium wealth. Business also fill the area with even some high tech industry towards the CBD. The Rooleyson Highway Network (RHN) splits these subrubs into two areas for the journal: Southern Inner City Suburbs East and Southern Inner City Suburbs West. Southern Inner City Suburbs West Southwood Southwood is partly a historical suburb towards the city, but is also full of high tech industry. The Rooleyson City Library is also within the suburb as well as the Library Plaza. Historical medium density residential buildings fill in the area closer to the CBD, along with a few shops, small offices and the HQ of a major food company. The RBA (Rooleyson Buses Association) HQ is also along the main road in the suburb. A big office building along with some other offices and high tech... A shopping centre and the food company HQ in the background... The parking lot at the back of the shopping centre and markets... The food company HQ... Around the historical area, looking up the street to the food company HQ... The Rooleyson City Library and Plaza... Looking down the main road, with the RBA HQ, and other offices... Looking the opposite way along the main road, from the library and shops... High tech offices... Within a parking lot around the high tech industry and offices... Gerrwindra Downs Gerrwindra Downs is a suburb at the bottom of Gerrwindra Heights, and considered an inner city suburb. It is full of medium wealth housing and also contains a few office buildings, as well as some small shops and a shopping centre. A tunnel links here to the suburb across the highway, Franciston Slopes. Some houses within the trees on the hill... Along one of the many suburban streets... Office buildings along the main road... A fast-food restaurant in the suburb... A small overview of the suburban area... A shopping centre... Along another suburban street... Charleton Charleton is a business district in the western inner city suburbs. It contains a number of offices along the main street, as well as the Rooleyson Water Department HQ. A number of shops and shopping centres are located within the area as well as a bowling alley and go-kart track. There are also nice parks along the creekside. A few medium wealth houses are located within the suburb as well as high wealth houses. A little plaza, with some houses and an office building... An overview of the high wealth houses... Looking towards the area from a bridge going over the creek... In the parking lot, next to a shopping centre and bowling alley, and the Rooleyson Water Department HQ across the street behind... Along the main street, southbound... The go-kart track, next to the creek... Looking towards the CBD from the Rooleyson Water Company HQ and the bowling alley... Further southbound down the main road... Along one of the suburban streets with high wealth residents... Towards the CBD, from some low rise office buildings and houses... Palmwood Palmwood is a rich suburb of high and very high wealth houses and mansions. A few shops are also within the area. The houses are built along the creekside and along the riverside of the Kanga River. The houses around the creekside and Diamond Park... Looking up Diamond Park... Looking down Diamond Park towards the rest of the suburb and the CBD... Looking over the creek from the top of a bridge... Mansions along the riverside... Houses along one of the suburban roads... Looking up the streets from a corner... Looking down the other way... Along one of the many rich suburban streets... In a parking lot next to a grocery store... Looking across the creek from a mansion... Stay tuned to The Rooleyson Journal for more on Kathine Hill, north-west farms and southern and western suburbs.

Something I stated over on the official SimCity forums which I'll state here as well... To those questioning the 2x2km maps: if you look at regional view at about 53:09 in the official video of the broadcast, I think it definitely looks 2x2 to me. What may make it look smaller is the poor city building/planning by whichever developer made it and the lots (the lot shaping seems very restricted). It's still a shame though there is no tile-to-tile connection. I can see why they did that for multiplayer but they should allow single player-ed regions to have the tile-to-tile connection. The fixed railways/highways I don't mind too much but their intersections are ugly.

You see, here's a point I made back in the Cities XL development days with Monte Cristo - listening is one thing, taking in and understanding is another, and then taking action from what you have heard is another thing far off. I believe Maxis have listened. They have acknowledged the fan sites and did acknowledge before E3 that there were some fans who were upset about the 'online only' thing, but of course they won't do anything about it.

As much as I agree with Tarkus and Haljackey, I thought I might put in my current overall opinion. Of course, nothing is final, but this is it so far: 3 - Simply because despite it being amazing, I'd really like cheats/sandbox mode. So far they have said in an interview that they were trying to find a way to include it and then on a video interview at E3 they skipped that question.

Nevermind, I just watched the reply video, the developer didn't even answer the Sandbox mode question, he just talked about how great multiplayer and connectivity is. *sigh* Obviously not allowed to talk about. Still hoping this will eventually change. @City_Builder - Seriously? Don't be so paranoid. I very much dislike EA too but worrying like that is a bit overboard. The game is an online multiplayer game. You pay the price for the game and you play it, and the game is a multiplayer game therefore you play a multiplayer game. CitiesXL was a single player game with an added optional multiplayer mode, if you paid the price, that was overly marketed.

Did anyone catch the answer to whether there will be a sandbox mode or not? (I see in the replay that the question is present in the chat - which I believe only has the answered questions.

Jacksunny: It starts at 17:00- http://e3.gamespot.com/press-conference/ea-e3/?tag=Topslot;E32012PressConferenceReplays;EaBringsDeadSpace3C

I love it! But argh!....I really really really do hope they at least implement cheats/sandbox mode. There was hope in a recent article saying they're trying to figure out how to implement it. That will almost be my make or break. Even in the interview, the developer admitted using cheats a lot. Otherwise, awesome trailer.

Well, I just took a few comparison shots in CXL2012, here they are in order of the Sim City screens from that article (http://www.gameranx.com/updates/id/7117/article/first-in-game-simcity-5-screenshots/).... My conclusion: They both have their advantages and disadvtanges. However, the graphics in CXL really do pull down the performance a bit. Also, do note the vegetation in the Sim City screens. For me, the Sim City style is for me the better one, as it actually has for me quite a good balance between cartoony and realism, particularly for a city building game, and the render is done very well. I'm very happy with the screens so far. It also looks quite level with some city simulation renders I have seen over the past few years. It for me is a good mix between Sim City 4, Tycoon City: New York and Cities XL. Also, I do however think that the material/texture of the buildings hasn't been so well rendered - the bricks don't really show well and look more like plastic, but it's a small thing and may look very much better up close (or maybe closer to the release period). A few things to note about the game itself from the screens... - The lot sizes, not all buildings are on a lot, and the buildings that are on lots are on small realistic sized lots - Vegetation! - Traffic/pedestrian simulation at traffic lights looks great with the people crossing (reminds me of TC:NY - which was actually quite a good simulation despite the small city building yet good customising) - Unrealistically building smoking heavy industry everywhere will cause overly-polluted skies, but from this it looks like we will have good pollution effects, and build some dirty-atmosphered cities like Beijing and Mexico City Overall, these screens, although I admit I did have a little disappointment at first impressions, looking at them more with further depth and analysis, I actually really like it. It's making me a little more excited for the game - however I'm still awaiting further official word about cheats/sandbox (something they have said they are trying to find a way to implement) and any offline mode.

I just want to say, for today's 3D Graphics, they look pretty good. You need to remember, it's 3D graphics, and not only that, but a city building game. City building games take up a lot of memory due to the simulation of the city, development of the city and of course the detailed graphics. The graphics here certainly look more detailed. The people and cars look much less cartoony than in CXL. The grass and trees are modelled very well. The shader is quite good and the colours. This is exactly what I pictured it to be like. Looking at it over and over again, it doesn't look that cartoony. Of course it will have a taste of cartoonish-ness, it's a 3D computer game (not a render or modelling application). Some of you probably just have way high expectations. I think once we see videos and maybe play a demo/beta we can then start making some better judgements.

I'm very intrigued. Don't be, check out this link - http://www.pcgamer.c...ltiplayer-game/ Btw, also from that link, here's a good quote... Also this video interview - http://www.simprogra...city-interview/ - it further shows that there is no true solo play. @ Bourneid - Cities XL was not a completely multiplayer game, but the Planet Offer was just advertised more. It had an proper offline mode where you could build cities without any other player effecting the economy and you could trade with Omnicorp - the AI trader.

Sorry RedScope but you're incorrect. The Game Overview on the official Sim City site, and several previews, clearly state that your cities/regions will always be connected with every other players' cities and regions and your cities will be affected by the whole game's global economy - which has every single player in it. That itself is still 'multiplayer' and the game is advertised as 'multiplayer', with no mention of some sort of true solo play. Just some links... http://www.simcity.c...S/game/overview http://www.guardian....city-preview-pc http://www.1up.com/p...classic-present They have stated though that you won't always need to be online. However, you most likely, due to the nature of Origin, will need to connect when launching the game - and that will give you updates on the game's global economy.

@ BourneID - Well, you may have not read too much then. It's been stated in numerous previews (and it's even on the Game Overview page - http://www.simcity.com/en_US/game/overview) that every player's cities and regions will affect everyone else playing the game - the whole entire global economy, and that's why you need to be online.

Well I guess they do now? We'll have to just keep waiting for further news about all this. I am still hopeful they will have some kind of offline mode. But however, as it is currently from previews and what the specs currently state on the Origin product page, Sim City is 'online only'. Best to wait than assume (but of course, we all sometimes love speculation).

I'm pretty sure Maxis/EA would be straight onto that with their current 'online-only' stance.

But however, the many articles, interviews, previews and even the Game Overview page on the Sim City site and the specs on its product page show that you will always be connected and your cities/regions will always be affected. There is not one bit of information which suggests any kind of true single player where your city will not be affected by every single other city in the game's online global economy. As for banned players, where did you hear that (in a Sim City related article)? At the moment by the sounds of things, if a player is banned, then that's that for their game. Anyways, I truly am still hoping sometime soon they will add a true single player that will allow for sandbox mode/cheats. I have never liked dealing with finance in city building games.

It's not 'optional' if your city is affected by the whole entire global economy and if your cities/regions will be connected to everyone's, as stated in the many interviews, previews and articles from Maxis.

Well yeah, that's exactly what this game needs, and with the Omnicorp-like company too. Add onto that the ability to use big/unlimited income/money cheats so you have the absolute ability to create the cities of your dreams.

Though, it is very worrying that over the past month, despite the backlash, the developers have been keeping firm with this whole 'multiplayer' thing and keeping the game so real that you have to connect with the online market to play. What are the chances of that changing? I don't know but I wouldn't hope too much yet. If we really want this changed then we really need to act instead of laying back and hoping it will change. Unfortunately with the statements given from Maxis over the past month, they seemed to have had lost some credibility.

And that's exactly why it's still multiplayer and why we need a true single player. Having your trade and resource prices be affected by every other player is just silly and certainly unwelcoming to the many of us who would prefer not to have such a challenge. I get that the developers are trying to make this game as realistic as possible, but this is just a step too far for realism. In the end, it's still just a game. We're not all mayors or professional city managers, we're just players that are playing a game. The game is great but the global game economy just ruins the fun for me. I'm a city builder that wants to create the city of my dreams without any money worries. I'd rather not have that challenge of getting money and making deals with other players.

They really aren't giving up are they? They think we have no idea what multiplayer is like. From that quote above about how E3 may change our minds, I feel like Maxis think we are stupid or something for very much disliking multiplayer. They know there is a bunch of negative feedback but they have no idea why. Can't they see that a lot of us in the city building game crowd don't actually want such a challenge and love these games because we can build the city of our dreams with 'sandbox' modes or cheats? That's why I buy the games. No 'sandbox' mode or cheat for me is a no buy as I'm not up for that challenge, particularly online when the resources and prices will be affected by every player. It's a shame. E3 will change nothing. Multiplayer still means restricted freedom to build the city of your dreams, no money cheats, no sandbox mode, no fixed resource prices = no city of your dreams. It's an incredible shame, and yet apart from that Sim City is looking brilliant. Anyways, I'm gonna write an email to Maxis for the heck of it. And everyone should. They might not read some emails, but they will be scared if all the sudden in their inbox they see an ocean of complaints against multiplayer asking for a true single player mode. Even RockPaperShotgun want people to act against it - http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/28/simcity-to-be-crippled-by-always-on-lets-change-this/

And you need to remember, at this stage from the information we have been given, your cities will be affected no matter what by all other players. The global game economy, which includes every player, will affect trade, resource prices etc. This is the only thing that's really letting the game down. If they make a 'sandbox mode' or offline single player than it would all be ok.

What that means for the new game, I'm not sure. They've also since revised the Terms of Service back in March of this year, in response to some of the concerns listed in those articles. -Tarkus Woah, ok then. Well, it's either unclear communication or a hint that we actually do have an option to play offline. Though, the EA Agent who replied is just a general EA agent on the topic about Origin, not a SimCity spokesperson.

Spot on Soltangris! That is the perfect compromise and one thing Cities XL 2011/2012 does very well. And since it is offline, it allows you to cheat and make mods that add further cheats (I use Kiwispanker's Bank Mod, which gives you an incredible amount of income - so you can basically trade with Omnicorp - which for those who are unaware is CXL's AI trader - as much as you want and build as much as you want with no money worries). So far, it seems as if no one from Maxis ever reads the Sim City forums, or even that no one moderates it. Though, hopefully eventually over some more time Maxis will look at the backlash, think again, and invent an offline solo mode along with a sandbox mode. It's the one thing that is stopping so many from pre-ordering/buying this game, the fact that we have to be online in a world with other players. Make a solo offline mode = many more players = bigger profit. I don't mind if EA is making a big profit if I get a good Sim City game.

No. Even though we play solo we'll have to be connected to the global market as far as we know right know. That's not solo. If there's an option to disconnect my influence on the global market so that i can use money cheats and play by myself in my own little bubble everything is fine. Well, as long as my own private saves are local of course. If they want to do a piracy check everytime i start the game, fint. That won't affect me, even though it will be a hassle for those who doesn't always has an internet connection. They should use the STEAM solution where we have to verify once but then put STEAM/Origin in offline mode where we don't have to verify unless there's a new patch out there that we want to download. Completely agreed KeanoManu! (Contrary to my disagreements with you in the old CXL forums, LOL ). @ JackSunny - This says it all - http://www.simcity.c...e-Economic-Loop . You have to be connected because your city will be affected by the global market. The developers are trying to make it as real as possible. I have stated my position a few times about this, that it is too realistic for me and other players and having an option to play in some sort of 'Sandbox Mode' or offline money cheats will sort the problem. But without that one little feature which means so much, the game just falls shy of what so many would want. The game has amazing potential to be the real SC5 everyone's been hoping for, but this 'affected by the global online market' is just a bit too far and is damaging the game for those like me that simply, like in the whole Maxis SimCity series, want to build the city of their dreams. Anyways, hopefully Maxis might eventually see the replies on the official SC forums and on here and might think again if they want to attract more players. Details of the game are still small and development is still early-to-mid so no conclusions yet as anything could change.