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Mark Waybill

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Everything posted by Mark Waybill

  1. Landmarks

    Mark Waybill replied to A Nonny Moose's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    Hmm. Change the graphical tone of the neighbourhood. So if I place the Tower or the bridge nearby it, or the Houses of Parliament or what have you that'll make nearby shops turn into tourist stores selling union jack plastered products and figurines of beefeaters etc? That is partly realistic, but I'd still like to nominate or allow organic growth of non famous buildings in a city to become landmarks over time. An algorithm relating to relative height (Space Needle, Sydney Tower etc), position (cliff top, harbourside etc) or a mixture of variables could be used. Alternatively some buildings could be purpose built as 'landmarks' like the Opera House on Bennelong Point which was always going to be a local attraction however much it also serves a useful purpose. These could arise in extremely high land value areas.

  2. Simcity 5 (2013) Poll

    Mark Waybill replied to samima's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    Of course if Origin received enough backlash EA would just switch to Steam, which wouldn't make much difference. All these programs could be in theory used as 'snoopware'.

  3. Disasters in SimCity (2013)

    Mark Waybill replied to The_City_Builder's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    Commander Kai's post makes me think that buildings which can be realistically damaged in real time ways, should sustain certain damage, and also that realistic degradation over time as well as vandalism could also be simulated possibly in future? A tad off topic so I'll just note that floods, if water pollution acts in an agent fashion, could spread disease as well as destruction.
  4. If happiness or entertainment is a 'resource' variable, then tv stations could affect this, and a 'rule' could be 'keeping up with the Jones family', so that neighbourhoods without that happiness variable would complain more?

  5. Will Simcity 5 Have UDI

    Mark Waybill replied to samima's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I think if it was outsourced to another department specially designed, considering (a) it wouldn't affect the main simulation at all and would be a peripheral entity, and there is to be a physics engine anyway already, and (b) a simple engine could be developed easily by EA for this sort of thing, and utilise the physics engine, and if you viewed it from the driver's position you'd only need to add a simple internal graphic for the dashboard and simple steering animations (or add a avatar creator which also would be easy, utilising Sims resources) MySim mode on the other hand would affect the game itself, by preserving certain Sims indefinitely.

  6. How much will SimCity change in dev?

    Mark Waybill replied to LivingInThePast's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    A 'no zone' would be a high density zone? Just without enforced high density? Like a present standard hi density zone?
  7. I'd gladly play with fellow Simtropolitans in a region. As long as we don't have to pay for extra regions, or have a good amount to start with, I will experiment with various social structures. Howerver I imagine solo regions will make up the majority of my time.
  8. I admire your initiative. I myself have just finished a first draft for a submission for a new communal garden project, and it is good to see enterprise. I think definitely making a point list of the primary concerns requiring attention should be our first priority. I personally am not too biased regarding the issue. I am optimistic regarding sc5, but Origin and EA do have a vibe that may be justifiable. From reading the EULA and the comment regarding Steam, however, I think it is possible that many organisations have similar EULAs. Let's create a context before vilifying one company in particular. Also our fears need to be crystallized. Just what are we fighting. Is it merely vagueness in legal terms, or actual concerns about how Origin is to be used/abused by various parties? Are statements likening Origin to a trojan horse justified, or is this all some conspiracy theory?
  9. I made that statement in my machiavellian way to see what response would be generated. In fact I think the definition of Simcity as a 'game' is an important part of understanding peoples views on the direction it is being taken in. Those who are 'gamers' want quick fun packed yahoo. 'Serious' players want detailed simulation and realism. Then there are people like me who want a bit from column A and bit from column B but who agree with the direction the game is being taken, as they see that SC is not just a mere game, although it shouldn't be a urban management education tool primarily either. The greatest compliment I can give Maxis is they know how far to go with realism, and they know where the line to cross with 'cartoon' nature is also. They strike a good balance of fun and realism.

  10. No-build feature

    Mark Waybill replied to Ishamael's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    A historical area designation system could work like zoning, certainly. If buildings were actually historical (say more than x amount of years old) or had a landmark quality of a tangible nature, they could have a positive influence on surrounding areas if kept well maintained. All sorts of buildings which were once generic and bland structures can become landmarks over time. Take old jails as an example. Hardly formerly an attractive building, but the old ones can become landmarks. Dungeons and military structures that were once very gothic in nature can become attractive and scenic locations. Time can turn even the foulest grapes into fine wine.

  11. SimCity: Multiplayer Discussion

    Mark Waybill replied to Vahr's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I think ideally in the long term we will have various 'Nations' or 'Planets' to colonise each with their own economy in a separate relativity, thus avoiding the issue of 'single player but connected' to an extent by giving one choices in which economic environment to play in.

  12. Is This What Simcity Will Look Like?

    Mark Waybill replied to jacksunny's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    Some office type jobs, telecommuting jobs, could be virtually done. So we could work and play at the same time, working in a virtual office in our own city.
  13. As long as the essential relative variables are realistically proportioned (i.e no 3 metre high Sims or 1 metre long cars, putting aside SmartCars of course) the graphical style is less of a concern as (a)expansion packs with tilesets, mods (b)upgradeable buildings and modules ©this is not a new world to move into, it's a game.

  14. How much will SimCity change in dev?

    Mark Waybill replied to LivingInThePast's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    It sounds terribly flawed. let's hope it's just a default setting and when you actually zone you can change these things. Density enforced by road type... Would be extremely limiting. So that's why I don't believe they would do that, and that this is just some basic setting for mass zoning or something.

  15. SimCity: Gameplay

    Mark Waybill replied to RedMist's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    The interviews are optimism generating, also especially that part about the game being only 30 percent or wtvr complete. Sounds like there's plenty of room for improvement yet, soif at the moment they can do the stuff they're talking about I am optimistic regarding E3

  16. SimCity: Multiplayer Discussion

    Mark Waybill replied to Vahr's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I can imagine, in the future mind you, multiple planets, and even multiple virtual universes and parallactic universe groups. In the near future I can certainly imagine the SimPlanet holding many regions, and while nations might not be created, if weather and climate etc is eventually done properly I would imagine progress in that field would also take place. GlassBox could simulate a universe, a solar system, pretty much anything based on normal evolutionary logic.

  17. How much will SimCity change in dev?

    Mark Waybill replied to LivingInThePast's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I definitely think we should have the ability to limit density/height, although as a rule of thumb road based density might work
  18. I haven't created a group before, but I made a page for Virtucity and City Simulation Game Template now disused. I would advise stressing the importance of the part of the EULA that concerns the community most.
  19. I have joined the anti Origin facebook page.

  20. Is This What Simcity Will Look Like?

    Mark Waybill replied to jacksunny's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I definiotely believe graphics like those would be what sc5 should have, but the computing power required... must be extraordinary!
  21. that's the idea. Give me offline single-player and I will shut up and hand over my money. I'm sure if enough people asked for it they might, but most of their customer base are stupid troll players who will populated SimEarth with industrial mega complexes and casino towns and not consider the global economy seriously. Which is why I am actually a proponent of having to pay an INITIAL amount for new regions, as it would deter most trolls. If this game could be played seriously enough we could devote a lot more time to one city/region than before. I like to think of previous titles as education, 4 being a degree/master. This is the real deal now. As to Origin who knows maybe they'll release it on another platform. I think this argument that one negative outweighs every positive is a bit harsh. If the EULA is so bad then I'm sure that something will be done against it. I'm no lawyer so I wouldn't know what, but if it's in contravention of legal norms then I daresay some body of people will act against it. edit: Why not make a anti Origin facebook page and link it to this site?

  22. SimCity: Multiplayer Discussion

    Mark Waybill replied to Vahr's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I am still unsure as to how SimEarth will be managed. Will like in CXL there be specific locations geographically for cities? Would land have to eventually be bought, either with Simoleons or real cash? Would there be multiple planets? Would regions be connected like cities in a grid, or in a lose organic way? Will cities be tiles?
  23. I will experiment with public regions. If you don't have to pay any extra to join more regions I would do a bit of experimenting with public regions, although I doubt many will become a success story. Naturally I will play some regions solo. I would be interested in playing with friends but 1. all my friends are always busy and 2. they are not busy playing city simulation games.

  24. Feature Poll

    Mark Waybill replied to RyanMorgan95's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    Ah I see. I ticked every box but in the graphics set because I felt that was not an area I knew much regarding.

  25. How much will SimCity change in dev?

    Mark Waybill replied to LivingInThePast's topic in SimCity (2013) General Discussion

    I daresay road type will act like density type. High capacity is like high density zone. Not all lots are hi-cap, but can be.
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