JBSimio Inc.

[JBSimio]

Robin:  Thank you!

TopCliff:  I got your PM, and I definitely see the resemblance.  I modeled the dome loosely off of Notre Dame University in Indiana.  I just didn't really want the obnoxious gold leaf all over it.    As to whether it serves a funtion or not?  I'll leave that up to everyone else! 

Strech:  Thanks!  The poll actually ended Sunday... I just haven't been able to figure out how to take it down yet. 

Kimcar:  Thank you!  I've seen you lurking a couple times... nice to see you say hi.

Dragonshardz:  Indeed it is... 

Well, I don't really have pictures to show this time.  I spent most of the evening modding everything.  Don't get too excited, but I'm getting close to the end of what I know how to do at this point.  All the queries are done and placed where they belong... ditto for the query sound effects.   I have about half of the slope settings redone.  I have most of the item orders sorted out.  Basically, I still need to finish those last two things and go over the functional modding and I'll be ready to hand them off for good to the wonderful people that can do what I don't know how to do.

What does that include, you ask?  All the translations, all the MMLs, and the reward chains for the major buildings.  Not a long list really... but it's still a lot to do considering how many lots there are.

I'll try to compile an update for tomorrow that shows everything to be included in the final package... I figure it would be nice to see it all in one place for a change!

Have a good evening,
JB

[TopCliff]

It's weird how you modelled something after Fordham and didn't even realize it. I think I may know of some good buildings to add to your campus. I'll see if I can find pics. Later dude.

[CabraBuitre]

JB, these look really great!  I especially like the dome on the last pic... It reminds me of coupola at Old Main from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (my alma mater).  Yours is a bit bigger, but... here's Point's logo:



And a pic of the orig:



Keep up the great work!!

[oldrogue]

Lookin good Jon.....you have everyone here drooling and planning....


Duane

[Pat]

Jon how many lots in total are there for the complete package deal??

[JBSimio]

TopCliff:  It is rather odd... although I still maintain that I modeled it after this one: 



CabraBuitre:  Wow!  That's pretty similar too... this is getting a little spooky now.  I actually know exactly where that one is too.

Duane:  Thanks!  I hope I'm not ruining anyone's keyboard! 

Pat:  Um... well I had to count first.  The grand total is 56 lots.  Plus the all inclusive Westlake Academy lot (which I've now decided will be a separate release).  They break down like so...

I was going to do a big graphic update with everything included.  I actually took the pictures and then realized just how many pictures that would really be.  So rather than bog down the page with pictures that are in this thread somewhere, I'll just do a rundown listing of everything to be included in the starter pack.

Driveway and Parking:  19 lots total.  They vary in sizes including 1x1, 1x3, 2x2, and 3x3.  All have a plop cost of $10 and bulldoze of $0.  They are basically nuetral lots that act primarily as eye candy.  They will be counted into the total number of campus lots, which I think will be part of the determining factor in university expansion.

Path Lots:  14 lots total.  They are all 1x1.  Plop cost of $5 and bulldoze of $0.  They are basically the same as the driveway lots in their purpose.

Quad Lots:  6 lots total.  There are 3x5, 5x5, 7x7, and 7x9 lot sizes.  Plop costs vary by size, but essentially it's $5 per tile... bulldoze of $0 again.  They will provide some park characteristics, but are essentially nuetral lots again.  Like the driveway and path lots, they are counted into the campus lot total.

Building Lots:  17 lots total using 10 building models.  All buildings are rewards that cannot be built until the first trigger building is unlocked and built.  They are all counted as campus lots as well as campus buildings (which is a separate category when it comes to future expansion)

• Conger Academic Center:  5x4 lot size.  This is one of the three trigger buildings.  It will function as a university classroom and serves to unlock all other buildings in the set.  You will only be able to build one of the three functional classroom buildings.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Olson Academic Center:  5x4 lot size.  This is one of the three trigger buildings.  It will function as a university classroom and serves to unlock all other buildings in the set.  You will only be able to build one of the three functional classroom buildings.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Fuhrmann Academic Center:  7x3 lot size.  This is one of the three trigger buildings.  It will function as a university classroom and serves to unlock all other buildings in the set.  You will only be able to build one of the three functional classroom buildings.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Ahler's Memorial Library:  5x4 lot size.  This will function as a library would.  You will only be able to build it once.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Student and Athletic Center:  5x4 lot size.  This will function as a minor stadium would.  You will only be able to build it once.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Student Chapel:  1x2 lot size.  This will function as a house of worship would.  You will only be able to build it once.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Campus Boiler and Maintainence:  2x3 lot size.  This will function as a working power plant.  You will only be able to build it once.  There is also an eye candy version that can be built as often as you wish.
• Centennial Hall:  3x3 lot size.  This is an eye candy dorm.
• Hillcrest Hall:  3x2 lot size.  This is an eye candy dorm.
• Summit Hall:  3x3 lot size.  This is an eye candy dorm.

There are a few general things that I'm still working on at this point... call them "yet to be determined" for now.  This basically means that I'm not sure if these next things will happen for sure or not yet, but I'm hoping so.

Don't be completely fooled by the term "eye candy."  While these versions will not provide jobs themselves, they will hopefully still serve some purposes.  These purposes may include additional EQ boosts or creating commercial demand (among other things) depending on the building in question.  And of course, they all get counted when it comes time to expand later.

I think that covers everything I can think of at this point.  I've probably forgotten something... so feel free to ask away if I did.

JB

[Bluebeard]

The detail is amazing I just keep looking at the pics and I'm blown away.

[TopCliff]

I say you should at least name a building after it. Fordham Hall, or something. Uh-oh, power's going on and off . . .

[Pat]

Jon that is wonderful list and Im sorry that i made you think today lol... But you know curosity killed the cat deal hehehe... Anyways Im excited to see what "eye candy" gets a defintion of and how you will work that out.... watching with intent here...

[threestooges]

That list alone is impressive. When the pack is released, it'll be a monster and a great addition to the game. Plop and bulldozing costs seem alright, but what about monthly cost issues, will they exist or is the college going to pay for itself? Congratulations again on your progress so far.

[JBSimio]

Bluebeard:  Thank you!

TopCliff:  I'm already making a list of names to use for part two... you might be surprised by what I have in mind already.

Pat:  Not to worry... I've been thinking a lot the last couple of days.  Modding will do that, I guess!    It was about time to put it all into one comprehensive list anyway... it helps me to remember the overall picture.

Matt:  Thank you!  The monthly cost issues are still part of the "yet to be determined" areas.  I'm about to touch on part of that now...

I've often mentioned that there are large parts of this project that go beyond my knowledge and understanding.  To that end, there has been a lot of very helpful discussion today about what may or may not be possible.  Some brief updates to the "maybe" issues I mentioned earlier can now be given.  It appears that it will be entirely possible to give any building the normal education benefits (like EQ boost and others) without the need for road connections or even budget lines.  I'm still undecided whether that means the benefits should be free or not... but it can be done.  I've also known (from School Pack Vol 3) that we can mix and match various civic benefits.  Meaning the athletic center isn't confined to only stadium like benefits, but could also provide the EQ boost as well.  (This will come into play even more down the road)

We're also looking into ways to make this more of a regional part of the game, versus the standard city tile.  I don't want to go into too much detail about that yet, because it still needs some looking into, but there are some things out there that make it seem plausible.  Call that a bit of a teaser idea for now... because that's as far as I'm willing to go so far!

JB

[TopCliff]

I'd be interested in the Cliff Toppington Athletics Building very much. 

[paroch]

Great work you're doing here JB.  Your school packs raised the "standard" in my opinion, so I'm sure this pack will become the most downloaded Universtity Pack and will crop up in cities all over the place.

I look forward to watching the development further.

[oldrogue]

Quite the list Jon, amaizing how it seems to be "taking on it's own life" as you go long isn't it.....I had been curious about the regional aspect as I was thinking about this myownself....always seemed so odd to me to have so many "major" universitys in a region....I mean I know it happens in real life to a certain extent, but....oh well....anyway, have drapped my keyboard in towels to absorb the drool so all is well....have a good weekend.

[JBSimio]

TopCliff:  Oh you would, huh?  Hmmm... 

Paroch:  Thank you!  I'm not sure how much more there will be to look at for a while.  I've finally gotten to the point where all the remaining work is "behind the scenes."

Duane:  It really did kind of blow up in my face, didn't it?    It feels good to finally be getting this one completed... this idea has been bouncing around in my head ever since the first school pack started taking shape.

Well... I was supposed to continue modding today.  Which I did... for about an hour...    Then I decided that I had done too much modding lately and allowed the ADD to take over for a day.  I've mentioned expansion packs for the university several times.  I've also said that the building variety will only continue to grow.  Different styles... sizes... uses... all that good stuff.  With that tiny introduction, here is a small taste of things to come:







Obviously, the lighting needs some work still... so we won't bother discussing that part.  These will both be dorms.  I have a total of 5 already planned for "Part Two"... along with a number of other things.  I won't say much else just yet since I'm supposed to be finishing "Part One" right now.  I'll get back to that tomorrow, I promise.  Just my little break for today...   

JB

[threestooges]

Wow... you're at it again. The first building reminds me a bit of the most recent dorms at my undergrad (though not really) and the second set is great. I really like how you took the time to change light colors for the different rooms (all I will cay on the lighting front for now). The little details like that are part of what makes your BATs exceptional. I'm glad you took a modding break. It certainly seems to have produced good results. I'll see you next update.
-Matt

[jacqulina]

hi my friend how are you doing,i se your still doing awesome work here excellent stuff.

[Strechnitz]

Those two dorms for pack 2 look very promising Jon.

The multiple styles and shapes will make the variety in possibillities so great. working with this set will reduce repetition to a minimum

Strech.

[DFire870]

Great job on the two dorms! The second one reminds me a bit of Jester Hall, located here on the University of Texas at Austin campus, but Jester Hall is much larger... So larger that I've heard plenty of stories from students who lived there about getting lost in the building.

I can't wait to see what the other dorms will look like.

-- John

[TopCliff]

I take it those are dorms.  I wouldn't mind doing a midterm with a tenth floor view. Maybe soem modern buildings would be good, like for chem labs and architecture classes. Besides, I don't need a whole building for me. I'll just take a massive statue of me in front of the university.