SimCity Societies
| SimCity Societies | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Tilted Mill Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
| Series | Sim games |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | November 2007 [1] |
| Genre(s) | Simulation Life simulation game City-building game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
SimCity Societies is an upcoming game released by Electronic Arts (EA) and is scheduled to be a part of the Sim games series. The game is being developed by Tilted Mill Entertainment. It is slated for release in November 2007.[2]
Announcement
On June 5 2007, 1Up.com released an article stating that Tilted Mill Entertainment, creator of Caesar IV, would create SimCity Societies instead of Maxis, which has been creating all preceding titles.[3] Rob Humble, head of the Sims Division at EA, said they had met Tilted Mill at E3. Because the ideas EA/Maxis had were too complicated[citation needed] to fit in their current line-up, Maxis referred to EA to solve the problem, who in turn, asked Tilted Mill to create the game instead.[4]
Fan reaction
The reaction to the announcement was immediate and direct. Comments in SimCity related forums showed that many fans had mixed and/or negative comments to the announced changes to the game formula of previous SimCity games; such as the removal of the previously central zoning system and a more social orientation of game play. Responses directly from the developers attempted to ease some concerns.[5] [6] The game was originally meant to attract old SimCity fans and new players alike, however, the general attitude from fans [7] [8] shows that Tilted Mill may have lost this demographic.
Summary
While previous mainstream SimCity titles can best be described as mayordom, or "God" simulators, SimCity Societies will be different, according to the preview at 1Up.com and statements from the developers.[9] Societies will be a 'social engineering simulator' rather than a city-building simulator. Public works will not play a part in the game. Transportation networks will be simplified to dirt roads, paved roads, and bus stops. The player will not be able to build zones, a key element in past SimCity games. They will, however, have the ability to directly place individual buildings, something not seen in previous editions. There will also be six "social energies" which will allow the player to learn about the characteristics of the citizens. These six 'energies' include productivity, prosperity, creativity, spirituality, authority, and knowledge.[10] The city will look, and act, according with the energies the player chooses. The player may choose any mixture of energies from one to all six. The reward system initially presented in SimCity 3000 will be added and "improved".[11] The game will be "fully customizable" and allow the players to customize individual buildings, decorations, citizens and game rules. [12] When mentioning the depth of which the game will allow customization a Tilted Mill representative stated that those who were proficient in C# and XML will have easy access to every asset of the game and that basic tools would be provided for building editing.[13]
References
- ^ "SimCity Societies release date". Yahoo. June 12 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Thorsen, Tor (June 7 2007). "Maxis not part of SimCity Societies". Gamespot. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Lee, Garnett (5 June 2007). "SimCity Societies Under Construction". 1Up.com. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Humble, Rod (8 June 2007). "Rod Humble Talks SimCity Societies with Simtropolis". Simtropolis.com. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Kollar, Phillip (7 June 2007). "Tilted Mill Responds to SimCity Worries". 1Up.com. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "City Builder games, where should the genre go?". 11 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-22.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "SimCity Societies Preview Discussions". Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ "How do you feel about the SCS announcement?". Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ^ "DPreviews: SimCity Societies". 7 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-11.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "SimCity Societies Official Site". Retrieved 2007-09-19.
- ^ "SimCity Societies PC Preview". 1Up.com. 7 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-08.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "E3 2007: SimCity Societies Update". IGN. 11 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Breckon, Nick (13 July 2007). "E3 07: SimCity Societies Impressions". shacknews. Retrieved 2007-07-14.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External links
- Official SimCity portal
- Preview of SimCity Societies at Simtropolis
- EA confirms 'SimCity Societies' at Joystiq.com
- Official Electronic Arts press release dated June 12 2007