new "real" Sim City in 2013

[z]

I missed this at the beginning of the interview:

Want to create a college town? Maybe an industrial wasteland? The new SimCity encompasses these archetypes and many more. They all serve an important purpose in the new multiplayer system in which towns work together to share resources and build "great works" together.

So this is basically an admission that the smaller tile size allows you to build only towns.  Despite the name of the game, no more cities!

[Glazert]

That mention of "archetypes" has more than a flavour of the late unlamented Sim City Societies. We don't need that again.

[noahclem]

Over the years there have been many versions of SimCity but they've all had one exciting thing in common: coal power plants. Now I don't know if there could possibly be something more exciting than that in SimCity but if there was it would certainly be finding coal to put in your coal power plants and then having a whole city built around the (high-tech, eco-friendly and forward-looking) wonders of coal power plants.

Also, it would be nice if they would stop saying things like "yes, you can play single-player, but actually it's not really single player" and continue emphasize what they want us to be doing in their multiplayer world. In my SimCity it's my world I'm creating, that's the point.

[NCGAIO]

This is a simple fact... EA is a for profit company and therefore have to maximize every opportunity to make money.

Transform the Simcity into a social MMO is one of these opportunities and therefore nothing will make them change their route.

What upsets are attempts to deceive the fans of the current  game model and rely on them to boost sales.

The latter is an insult to intelligence ....



I wondered why they would provide a gif instead of a video ... If you are curious enough only save the GIF and dismantle it to see the real "HEAVY TRAFFIC" ...

[Kergelen]

I do not want to always be pending about negotiations with the other players. I play when I want and not when the "virtual market" requires.
If SimCity hasn't a complete single-player experience I'm not interested.

In my SimCity it's my world I'm creating, that's the point.

Totally agree.

[vortext]

Also, it would be nice if they would stop saying things like "yes, you can play single-player, but actually it's not really single player" and continue emphasize what they want us to be doing in their multiplayer world.

Exactly, that's what I dislike the most too. In every press release or interview it's reassured Maxis understands very well SimCity is a solo game par excellence and the latest installment will be no exception. Except you're always part of an online, global marketplace, so there you go. 

And this 'archetype' systems seems horrible as well. 

Q Are these archetypes something you select at the outset, or do they arise out of the way that you play your city?

A We're definitely going to surface those city types to player up front. You're going to be able to pick your path as you play along. Some of it is determined by your starting city.

Guess it should be rebranded SimPrefabNeighbourhood.

[fafalone]

"We are building a multiplayer experience. That is our goal. We want players to play together. We're making the missions, adding leaderboards, things like that. This is a collaborative online experience. We're going to be delivering content like challenges as the game is live. That's the experience we're after. "

And that 'archetype' stuff. 

Damn it all. I remember seeing the first images from the game and being so excited. But every word I read about the actual game play is crushing my soul more and more.

[NCGAIO]

So get ready ... after tomorrow you will be able have her totally crushed by new videos !


   - ANTICIPATION BUILDER: LIVE BROADCAST MAXIS - 

[Monorail Master]

From that interview:

The other city is really focused on harvesting coal and resource gain. That cities going to look different, play different – they’re actually playing this resource-management game where they’re building coal mines, and they’re either going to sell that coal on the global market, trade it with other players, or turn it into manufactured goods. They’ll be able to smelt it into metals or use it in their coal plants.

Coal?  Coal?

Welcome to the 20th century.

And I just started reading...

Coal.......The reason why it's coal is because coal supplies 70% - 80% of all of the electricity for the U.S. They [EA and probaly Maxis] must've got inspired by that fact and decided to put coal as one of the most important trading resources for the game. Also the fact that coal is the lifeblood for certain economies, like my region's. The East Tennessee, East Kentucky, and most importantly all of West Virginia. Coal mines, coal power stations, railroad companies, etc; the railroad near my house is a main artery for coal trains. A 100+ car coal train passes near my house every 30 minutes - 1 hour.

Hi Guys

If you haven't come across this interview by now, then I would really recommend taking the time to read it

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/simcity/b/pc/archive/2012/07/06/interview-a-new-multiplayer-focus.aspx?PageIndex=2

As stated in that interview under the question of Singleplayer-Offline mode:

"Yeah. We're definitely catering to different playstyles. We know that there are quite a few SimCity players who do want to play alone. When you create your region, you could just set it to private and play any one of those cities by yourself. You're jumping around between the cities and playing that way. And later on, if you want to invite a friend, you can invite a friend to your game if you'd like.  We're going to have a matchmaking system, so you can just hit play and we'll put you in a region with other players, and you can play that way as well"

Or in other words:

List of Pre-Order bonuses - potental DLCs after Simcity 2013's release in Feb. 2013:

Terraforming DLC : $20.00
Singleplayer / Offline mode DLC : $30.00
Bridge Design Selection (as in SC4) DLC : $15.00
Elevated Roadways/Railways DLC : $25.00
You Drive It Mode : $40.00
Sandbox Mode for Singleplayer/offline DLC : $50.00

But in my opinion, these are the parts of SC2013 that I love:

Actual animations of cars and trucks pulling into and out of parking lots/garages or driveways. Better animations of crimes happening in the city. A modular building system, as in you can expand existing buildings by placing a few stuff on the building. Passenger trains pull over to what looks like a 3rd/4th track when it stops at a station, instead of creating a traffic jam of trains that sometimes occur in SC4. CURVED ROADWAYS AND RAILWAYS!!! Finally, it has multiplayer that most of us can appreciate in some way or another.

[dyoungyn]

If I am reading the above correctly, it could cost approximately over $100.00 just to play SC20313 single player mode.  WAY TO MUCH if you ask me.  Why can't it be all-in-one lise the past Sim City games.  Also, will one be able to build in between cities i.e. farming, industrial, etc like with SC4?

[noahclem]

Coal.......The reason why it's coal is because coal supplies 70% - 80% of all of the electricity for the U.S. They [EA and probaly Maxis] must've got inspired by that fact and decided to put coal as one of the most important trading resources for the game. Also the fact that coal is the lifeblood for certain economies, like my region's. The East Tennessee, East Kentucky, and most importantly all of West Virginia. Coal mines, coal power stations, railroad companies, etc; the railroad near my house is a main artery for coal trains. A 100+ car coal train passes near my house every 30 minutes - 1 hour.

Try 42%.  I still don't see any appeal in playing SimCoalmine, especially for over $100. All this "archetype" talk reeks of SCS2 

[mike3775]

If I am reading the above correctly, it could cost approximately over $100.00 just to play SC20313 single player mode.  WAY TO MUCH if you ask me.  Why can't it be all-in-one lise the past Sim City games.  Also, will one be able to build in between cities i.e. farming, industrial, etc like with SC4?

Welocome to the new way of gaming, the DLC era.  More and more games are going this route and eventually everything will be this way.
(and they wonder why piracy is also going up on video games)

[WC_EEND]

List of Pre-Order bonuses - potental DLCs after Simcity 2013's release in Feb. 2013:

Terraforming DLC : $20.00
Singleplayer / Offline mode DLC : $30.00
Bridge Design Selection (as in SC4) DLC : $15.00
Elevated Roadways/Railways DLC : $25.00
You Drive It Mode : $40.00
Sandbox Mode for Singleplayer/offline DLC : $50.00

You forgot this:

- Modding tools: $25/€25
- Plugins unlocker: $15/€15

[Monorail Master]

List of Pre-Order bonuses - potental DLCs after Simcity 2013's release in Feb. 2013:

Terraforming DLC : $20.00
Singleplayer / Offline mode DLC : $30.00
Bridge Design Selection (as in SC4) DLC : $15.00
Elevated Roadways/Railways DLC : $25.00
You Drive It Mode : $40.00
Sandbox Mode for Singleplayer/offline DLC : $50.00

You forgot this:

- Modding tools: $25/€25
- Plugins unlocker: $15/€15

You forgot the most important thing:

To them: "Singleplayer is by setting up your own private server and play by yourself."
What they really mean: Private SC2013 server = $10/ week. Just like in Battlefield 3 -_-

No wonder why they're voted as the "Most Hated and Worst Corporate Company in all of the U.S. as of Late-March 2012"

In case those are wondering "Do you have any proof Matt?" Here it is ::  http://kotaku.com/5899092/worst-company-in-america-ea-says-big-tobacco-must-be-relieved-it-wasnt-nominated  The URL is self-explanatory.

[NCGAIO]

It really is amazing that after all that has been released still has hopes of having modding or single-player for the new game either way!


What is happening is the fulfillment of guidelines implemented by Publishers / Distributors for its new business model.

"The game is built for us to be Able to add content all the time, so Consumers know there's something new there," he said. More than anything, players like to learn about the game while they're playing it, so adding clear channels for in-game communication is crucial for boosting engagement and player Eventually, monetization. "

and continues ...

"The [promotion] outside the game is important, but what really matters is the real-estate Themselves in the games," said Segerstrale.

These channels allow developers to connect Also all of Their existing online games via the network of cross-promotions and other interconnected social services. If all of the company's games link to each other in some way, digital publishers will be Able to Ensure That All of Their titles get the exposure They need. "

source: EAs Segerstrale Developers

Just as is happening today, then it is foolish to imagine they will relinquish all planning unless the market response is strongly negative."

But as I said at the beginning it seems people read who understand and believe that everything will change in some point.

[NCGAIO]

Well ... this and the result. A very easy game to play and plenty of room for upgrade ( DLC )

http://www.youtube.com/v/YceL2C4TW4Q

Special attention to roads and options of transport.


A curiosity ... here had maxis invitation to attend the launch of the videos next week?

[Grneyes]

Some of that looked cool. But I don't want to buy add-ons piecemeal. I want all of it in one package.

[j-dub]

I have to admit, that made a real good first impression, where as we have NWM with turning lanes. Someone said there were no highways though, but that video almost looked like an AVE-6 transitioning into a RHW-6, when you got out of town.

[Haljackey]

I have to admit, that made a real good first impression, where as we have NWM with turning lanes. Someone said there were no highways though, but that video almost looked like an AVE-6 transitioning into a RHW-6, when you got out of town.

That is correct, no highways.

I recently hammered Maxis about their lack of realism, especially concerning the transportation networks. Did you see the 1 tile 90 degree rail curve in the latest gameplay video? Even SC4 does not have that!

Believe it or not, Maxis actually got back to me about my comments, essentially saying "We're working on it."

While its good to know they're listening to the community, I fear it may be too late to implement changes like this.

[Shark7]

Well in all fairness, at this point I think its too late for them to change my mind about it either, no matter what tweaks they make to it.  Even if it didn't have the online only requirement, the game just does not look like the SimCity I enjoy. 

Yep, I'm just a grumpy old man living in the past.