SimCity V AKA SimCity Societies

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.  

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

 

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.

onemic

Will Wright is not part of this project. He is too busy working on Spore and Sims expansions.

Now, Onemic. How is the game getting the "dumbed down treatment? From the beginning you were able to purchase building albeit they were special types but still. So, how is this game receiving the dumbed down treatment again? If anything, you're the one doing the dumb by making assumptions when you don't all the information.

By the way here is some information, FROM THE LINK you posted, clearly stating why things are getting "dumbed" down.

"#2 -- By SimCity creator Will Wright's own admission, previous SimCity games had become too complex for most. Tilted Mill is focusing on scaling back the complexity and micromanagement of latter entries like SimCity 4 -- no pipes to lay, no power grids, no manual emergency-response funds to disperse, no individual building-funding. The series' hardcore fans shouldn't worry that the game will no longer be recognizable or too easy. "We are not out to fix something that's broken," promises lead designer Chris Beatrice."

Personally, I couldn't agree more with them.

Sigh......The epic days of Sim city 2000 and Sim city 4 are over.

Seriously what is wrong with these developers, why call it "SIM" if there is nothing being simulated. Looks dumbed down to the point a 10year old console kid could play. Once again a GREAT game has turned it's back on the market that made it what it is, in favour for a bit more sales. Mind you SimSity was ALWAYS a commercial success so now it's just EA greed.

How do these developers sleep at night is beyond me. 

[QUOTE="onemic"]

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

 

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.

ChocoKat

Will Wright is not part of this project. He is too busy working on Spore and Sims expansions.

Now, Onemic. How is the game getting the "dumbed down treatment? From the beginning you were able to purchase building albeit they were special types but still. So, how is this game receiving the dumbed down treatment again? If anything, you're the one doing the dumb by making assumptions when you don't all the information.

By the way here is some information, FROM THE LINK you posted, clearly stating why things are getting "dumbed" down.

"#2 -- By SimCity creator Will Wright's own admission, previous SimCity games had become too complex for most. Tilted Mill is focusing on scaling back the complexity and micromanagement of latter entries like SimCity 4 -- no pipes to lay, no power grids, no manual emergency-response funds to disperse, no individual building-funding. The series' hardcore fans shouldn't worry that the game will no longer be recognizable or too easy. "We are not out to fix something that's broken," promises lead designer Chris Beatrice."

Personally, I couldn't agree more with there move.

There taking out piping,power lines,the whole major system i believe and afew other things that made simcity great.

[QUOTE="onemic"]

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

 

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.

ChocoKat

Will Wright is not part of this project. He is too busy working on Spore and Sims expansions.

Now, Onemic. How is the game getting the "dumbed down treatment? From the beginning you were able to purchase building albeit they were special types but still. So, how is this game receiving the dumbed down treatment again? If anything, you're the one doing the dumb by making assumptions when you don't all the information.

Wow......Do you know how to read? I said it might get the dumbed down treatment. Might. Not will. Read properly next time. There is also a lot of evidence that makes me think that. Look at the article and you'll see the various things they are attempting to make simpler and I think we know the track record of most games when devs have tried to make them simpler.(Deus ex 2, thief 3, oblivion, etc.) So I'm being anything but dumb for thinking that simcity V MIGHT get dumbed down.

And buying special buildings is a whole lot different than removing the whole zoning system entirely and replacing it with a buy and place system. You're crazy if you think they are the same thing.  

Sigh......The epic days of Sim city 2000 and Sim city 4 are over.

Seriously what is wrong with these developers, why call it "SIM" if there is nothing being simulated. Looks dumbed down to the point a 10year old console kid could play. Once again a GREAT game has turned it's back on the market that made it what it is, in favour for a bit more sales. Mind you SimSity was ALWAYS a commercial success so now it's just EA greed.

How do these developers sleep at night is beyond me.

concord9

Because games are meant to be just, that games. The article states, that even Will Wright himself, thought the Sim City games were getting to complicated. If a games becomes overly complicated, its not a game anymore and not enjoyable.

[QUOTE="ChocoKat"][QUOTE="onemic"]

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

 

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.

onemic

Will Wright is not part of this project. He is too busy working on Spore and Sims expansions.

Now, Onemic. How is the game getting the "dumbed down treatment? From the beginning you were able to purchase building albeit they were special types but still. So, how is this game receiving the dumbed down treatment again? If anything, you're the one doing the dumb by making assumptions when you don't all the information.

Wow......Do you know how to read? I said it might get the dumbed down treatment. Might. Not will. Read properly next time. There is also a lot of evidence that makes me think that. Look at the article and you'll see the various things they are attempting to make simpler and I think we know the track record of most games when devs have tried to make them simpler.(Deus ex 2, thief 3, oblivion, etc.) So I'm being anything but dumb for thinking that simcity V MIGHT get dumbed down.

And buying special buildings is a whole lot different than removing the whole zoning system entirely and replacing it with a buy and place system. You're crazy if you think they are the same thing.

Sir, I guess you can't even read the articles you reference in your posts. You make baseless claims on how something maybe "dumbed" down, when the article you posted states otherwise. Selecting fully developed cities and placing them is a move, that would be considered dumbed down. However, removing and streamlining elements, that the creator himself stated were getting out of control is not.

Sir, I guess you can't even read the articles you reference in your posts. You make baseless claims on how something maybe "dumbed" down, when the article you posted states otherwise. Selecting fully developed cities and placing them is a move, that would be considered dumbed down. However, removing and streamlining elements, that the creator himself stated where getting out of control is not.

ChocoKat

I don't like the changes because it seems too simlar to Citylife gameplay.

[QUOTE="onemic"][QUOTE="ChocoKat"][QUOTE="onemic"]

1up's got the exclusive preview right here.

 

It seems like this game might also get the dumbed down treatment. You purchase building now instead of watching them grow from your zoning? How messed up is that? I'll still be keeping an eye out for this though, as there is no way that will wright will let his beloved franchise fall.

ChocoKat

Will Wright is not part of this project. He is too busy working on Spore and Sims expansions.

Now, Onemic. How is the game getting the "dumbed down treatment? From the beginning you were able to purchase building albeit they were special types but still. So, how is this game receiving the dumbed down treatment again? If anything, you're the one doing the dumb by making assumptions when you don't all the information.

Wow......Do you know how to read? I said it might get the dumbed down treatment. Might. Not will. Read properly next time. There is also a lot of evidence that makes me think that. Look at the article and you'll see the various things they are attempting to make simpler and I think we know the track record of most games when devs have tried to make them simpler.(Deus ex 2, thief 3, oblivion, etc.) So I'm being anything but dumb for thinking that simcity V MIGHT get dumbed down.

And buying special buildings is a whole lot different than removing the whole zoning system entirely and replacing it with a buy and place system. You're crazy if you think they are the same thing.

Sir, I guess you can't even read the articles you reference in your posts. You make baseless claims on how something maybe "dumbed" down, when the article you posted states otherwise. Selecting fully developed cities and placing them is a move, that would be considered dumbed down. However, removing and streamlining elements, that the creator himself stated where getting out of control is not.

Like I said before, considering the track record of devs who have attempted to "streamline and simplify" games have all pretty much been horrible, it isn't dumb to think that this game may fall prey to the dumbing down that other games have gotten through the years as well. So it really isn't baseless at all.

And they're practically removing everything from the original sim city. Even simcity 2000 had a zoning and pipeline system, as well as advisor's. Will wright said what he said in regards to simcity 4's complexity not the whole series. DOn't try to twist his words around.  

Like I said before this game might fall prey to dumbing down as almost all other PC games have when developers went after  streamlining and simplifying games. Of course no one knows for sure, which is why I said in my first post I am still interested in seeing where exactly they take the series. I'm sure Will won't let one of his most iconic series get dumbed down. 

[QUOTE="concord9"]

Sigh......The epic days of Sim city 2000 and Sim city 4 are over.

Seriously what is wrong with these developers, why call it "SIM" if there is nothing being simulated. Looks dumbed down to the point a 10year old console kid could play. Once again a GREAT game has turned it's back on the market that made it what it is, in favour for a bit more sales. Mind you SimSity was ALWAYS a commercial success so now it's just EA greed.

How do these developers sleep at night is beyond me.

ChocoKat

Because games are meant to be just, that games. The article states, that even Will Wright himself, thought the Sim City games were getting to complicated. If a games becomes overly complicated, its not a game anymore and not enjoyable.

But come now, was it soo hard to to lay-down power-lines? Or to build a sewage system? Those things added to the SIM experience. Sure the budgeting had to be just right for the city to prosper but that added the pride factor after spending hours on it too see skyscrapers all over and busy streets. Sure budgets had to be set just right but I enjoyed that (studying to be an accountant) lol that might have something to do with it being enjoyable but thats just me.

SimCity games had become too complex for most. Tilted Mill is focusing on scaling back the complexity and micromanagement of latter entries like SimCity 4 -- no pipes to lay, no power grids, no manual emergency-response funds to disperse, no individual building-funding.

if they really take away 'watch building grows on zone part' imo is not a simcity anymore, purchasing building is more like a rts to me :?

If that happens what is there to sim?

I'm definitly interested. I never liked Sim city, but I've always been Impressions fanboy and I never could understand why they didn' try to make modern city builder, now with Societies I will finally get that, plus I really enjoyed the social system from CotN.

I'm glad it's called Sim City Societies though, instead of Sim CIty 5, with such grand gameplay changes it's better to label it as spin-off and eventualy let MAxis make SC5 after Spore 

Sigh......The epic days of Sim city 2000 and Sim city 4 are over.

Seriously what is wrong with these developers, why call it "SIM" if there is nothing being simulated. Looks dumbed down to the point a 10year old console kid could play.

concord9

it will likely be similiar to Caesar 3-4 and Children of Nile, which were anything but  "dumbed down to the point a 10year old console kid could play.".

I'm definitly interested. I never liked Sim city, but I've always been Impressions fanboy and I never could understand why they didn' try to make modern city builder, now with Societies I will finally get that, plus I really enjoyed the social system from CotN.

I'm glad it's called Sim City Societies though, instead of Sim CIty 5, with such grand gameplay changes it's better to label it as spin-off and eventualy let MAxis make SC5 after Spore

AdrianWerner

The game's called sim city societies, but it's being branded as a sequel, not a spin-off.  

Can we really call this Sim City V?

Now it is the "next Sim City" but it seems this is like a side path of the series.  I know Will Wright has expressed interest in returning to his Sim City series to make a 5th game.  I believe he had little to do with Sim City 4. 

[QUOTE="AdrianWerner"]

I'm definitly interested. I never liked Sim city, but I've always been Impressions fanboy and I never could understand why they didn' try to make modern city builder, now with Societies I will finally get that, plus I really enjoyed the social system from CotN.

I'm glad it's called Sim City Societies though, instead of Sim CIty 5, with such grand gameplay changes it's better to label it as spin-off and eventualy let MAxis make SC5 after Spore

onemic

The game's called sim city societies, but it's being branded as a sequel, not a spin-off.  

they would call it Sim city 5 if it was :) Plus I didn't read anything thay would brand it as sequel.

I think EA might be looking for an insurance, i mean if SCS is successful they will follow up and act like it was a sequel, if not then they will make Sim city 5 later on 

I thought some of those screens like the one with the ferris wheel was deemed an 'old build' by the devs?

After reading up at simtropolis I'm not quite sure which is the real slim shady err sim city...

Sir, I guess you can't even read the articles you reference in your posts. You make baseless claims on how something maybe "dumbed" down, when the article you posted states otherwise. Selecting fully developed cities and placing them is a move, that would be considered dumbed down. However, removing and streamlining elements, that the creator himself stated were getting out of control is not.

ChocoKat

I get the same impression after reading that 1UP article. You can now place buildings, it doesn't mention that zoning is gone completely but being able to do that is indeed dumbed down. With the other SC games you had to zone RCI and if you didn't get the balance right, went to far in one area or not enough nothing would develop or at least it would turn into poor areas with crime generation and low tax collection.

It does sound like a CityLife clone now with placeable building and 'social energies'. Isn't anyone creative anymore? Geezzz.

I can kind of see taking out power lines, and water lines as there wasn't anything too them really. You just dragged out the mouse cursor and manually connected stuff.

i like it

but ill have to see alot more for me to actually buy it

[QUOTE="ChocoKat"]

Sir, I guess you can't even read the articles you reference in your posts. You make baseless claims on how something maybe "dumbed" down, when the article you posted states otherwise. Selecting fully developed cities and placing them is a move, that would be considered dumbed down. However, removing and streamlining elements, that the creator himself stated were getting out of control is not.

Krall

I get the same impression after reading that 1UP article. You can now place buildings, it doesn't mention that zoning is gone completely but being able to do that is indeed dumbed down. With the other SC games you had to zone RCI and if you didn't get the balance right, went to far in one area or not enough nothing would develop or at least it would turn into poor areas with crime generation and low tax collection.

It does sound like a CityLife clone now with placeable building and 'social energies'. Isn't anyone creative anymore? Geezzz.

I can kind of see taking out power lines, and water lines as there wasn't anything too them really. You just dragged out the mouse cursor and manually connected stuff.

I played alittle bit of Citylife it wasn't a bad game but Simcity is Simcity,not a Citylife.It suckes that they are taking Simcity that way.

Some more minor info & screens from Simtropolis.com in an interview from an EA VP and head of the 'sims' division: http://www.simtropolis.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=368&threadid=89604&enterthread=y

I dunno it looks like they are going for a 1st person perspective with dialed down graphics and again CityLife influence and maybe even Civilization with a culture aspect.

These graphics look pretty good. Hopefully Tilted Mill will try putting alot morevariety of buildings so it doesnt all look the same from every block.

It looks like the game is going back to the roots of simcity one. Just do zoning and build the roads around town. They are going to make the game more simple for people to enjoy instead of worrying about trash, piple lines, and power plants exploding when they are too old.

These graphics look pretty good. Hopefully Tilted Mill will try putting alot morevariety of buildings so it doesnt all look the same from every block.

It looks like the game is going back to the roots of simcity one. Just do zoning and build the roads around town. They are going to make the game more simple for people to enjoy instead of worrying about trash, piple lines, and power plants exploding when they are too old.

Jd1680a

There is no zoning in this simcity. You just purchase buildings.

There is no zoning in this simcity. You just purchase buildings.

onemic

No zoning? Its not simcity without zoning and let the "Sims" to make up their own mind where they want to live. I have a feeling that Simcity as we know it have been cancelled by EA.

No zoning? Its not simcity without zoning and let the "Sims" to make up their own mind where they want to live.

Jd1680a

I have a feeling that Simcity as we know it have been cancelled by EA.

Jd1680a

Why is everyone blaming EA? As far as I know, the last 4 simcity's were made by Maxim/EA and were great. This is the first one going out to some other dev, and it sucks - no zoning (!!!), dumbing down of so many features, cartoonish look, wow what crap.

Too complicated? lol, if chess is too complicated for you, go play checkers. Don't screw around with chess.

Why is everyone blaming EA?

F1_2004

[QUOTE="F1_2004"]

Why is everyone blaming EA?

ADG_

Are the beta screenshots still available?

omg maxis don't screw the francise please, why maxis/ea? why work on a stupid game like spore and leave simcity societies 2 the game studio Tilted Mill !:cry:

omg maxis don't screw the francise please, why maxis/ea? why work on a stupid game like spore and leave simcity societies 2 the game studio Tilted Mill !:cry:

ryan-man

The problem is EA is now in charge of Maxis and that means quarterly profits have to exceed previous ones. Because of that someone needs to work on SC5 and so it goes to Tilted Mill. I bet Will Wright isn't too please his baby is no longer in his control. I'm sure Maxis has layed out what they want SC5 to be, but the ultimate control does not belong to them anymore.

That said I'm still anxious to see Spore, The Sims 3 I could care less about. I'll give Societies a chance but I've been waiting a very long time for a sequel so it better be superb :)

[QUOTE="ryan-man"]

omg maxis don't screw the francise please, why maxis/ea? why work on a stupid game like spore and leave simcity societies 2 the game studio Tilted Mill !:cry:

Krall

The problem is EA is now in charge of Maxis and that means quarterly profits have to exceed previous ones. Because of that someone needs to work on SC5 and so it goes to Tilted Mill. I bet Will Wright isn't too please his baby is no longer in his control. I'm sure Maxis has layed out what they want SC5 to be, but the ultimate control does not belong to them anymore.

That said I'm still anxious to see Spore, The Sims 3 I could care less about. I'll give Societies a chance but I've been waiting a very long time for a sequel so it better be superb :)

Hopefully it will be, but remove zoning entirely and replacing it with purchasing buildings is already not a good sign.