SimCity (time well spent compared to Civ?) - Page 7

Adagio · October 15, 2002, 16:16

Quote:

Originally posted by FlameFlash
Well, I wasn't talking about zooming out... I was talking about urban sprawl.

You were talking about how much the computer can handle...and I was just pointing out, the computer has a hard time handling the mapsize as it is now, so the answer would be yes, the map size is as big as the (future) computer can handle...

Eli · October 15, 2002, 16:23

Quote:

Originally posted by ADG

You were talking about how much the computer can handle...and I was just pointing out, the computer has a hard time handling the mapsize as it is now, so the answer would be yes, the map size is as big as the (future) computer can handle...

You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

Adagio · October 15, 2002, 16:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

Oh...well, I'm good at misunderstanding others

tniem · October 15, 2002, 19:39

Yeah but I think that is the point. Because of graphics ability the cities are limited in size. There is a hard limit because computers into the future will have a hard time processing things fast enough for the size and detail needed. As for what size that is, we will have to see but if it is more than a comp today can handle, it is going to be huge.

Eli · October 16, 2002, 03:47

Quote:

Originally posted by tniem
Yeah but I think that is the point. Because of graphics ability the cities are limited in size. There is a hard limit because computers into the future will have a hard time processing things fast enough for the size and detail needed. As for what size that is, we will have to see but if it is more than a comp today can handle, it is going to be huge.

From what I understand the problem is that when zooming out there are too many details for the computer to calculate and that's why it's so slow.

But if they could implement some (optional) way to reduce the graphics quality and double or triple map size, i'm sure many players will happily make the tradeoff.

Adagio · October 16, 2002, 06:18

I'd prefer to have nicer graphics than a larger map, since in SC4 it's not about just making the greatest metropolis ever, like it was in previosly SC games...

Grumbold · October 16, 2002, 07:27

I'd be happy to have a huge map and be barred from zooming out to look at it all without freezing time.

Dauphin · October 16, 2002, 09:07

If on each zoom out the graphics detail is cut, what's the problem? The same amounts of processor usage and memory would be used at each level?

Given the choice between graphics and size, I'd go with size.

Space05us · October 16, 2002, 10:17

Quote:

Hmmm...seems like everyone inhere, only wants to buy the game to be able to destruct

nah. I get a city going, then when it hits an economic dip I release the people to the streets and lets the city burn.

FlameFlash · October 16, 2002, 12:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli

You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

*nods* Though no harm done.

FlameFlash · October 16, 2002, 12:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
If on each zoom out the graphics detail is cut, what's the problem? The same amounts of processor usage and memory would be used at each level?

Given the choice between graphics and size, I'd go with size.

Heh... yes, because size matters...

Grumbold · October 16, 2002, 13:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Space05us

Quote:

Hmmm...seems like everyone inhere, only wants to buy the game to be able to destruct

nah. I get a city going, then when it hits an economic dip I release the people to the streets and lets the city burn.

until I'm done building although I'm happy to cope with the naturally occurring ones. I prefer to build uninterrupted in sandbox mode and save disasters for the scenarios where you're given a specific target to reach in recovering from an event like an earthquake.

FlameFlash · October 16, 2002, 14:18

So where do we go to find out what we can destroy things with?

Kontiki · October 16, 2002, 21:09

There'd better be a freakin' terrain editor. That's my biggest beef with 3000. Sometimes the most fun part of building a city is designing the perfect terrain in advance, so you know where you could build a cool downtown, port area, airport, etc.

Adagio · October 17, 2002, 07:31

There is a terraint editor...I have even seen several videos with it...it's really nice

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 08:29

So we can put five volcanoes in an arc surrounding our future the city?

Dauphin · October 17, 2002, 08:31

DP

Eli · October 17, 2002, 09:03

Quote:

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
So we can put five volcanoes in an arc surrounding our future the city?

And then turn them on simultaneosly.

FlameFlash · October 17, 2002, 09:38

If there's a way to turn it whatever it is into doing something evil to your city... you'll think of it won't you?

Adagio · October 18, 2002, 18:36

I just had a closer look at the "new" SC4 video (From the official site)...when you follow the train (and just get past the brudge) you see some animal (Maybe a sheep or something), which walks straight onto the railway...at the same time the train passes by (Just before the sheep is out of the screen, it actually walks into the train (It's a long train...)

It's not like it's going to make the gameplay worse...but I just like to keep my eye on details

Adagio · October 18, 2002, 19:11

Just read a thesims.com about a chat about SimCity4, that'll happen in TheSims.com chat room...The odd thing is, you'll have to have bought TheSims to be able to enter, to hear about SimCity4...or did I misunderstand something here?

Adagio · October 22, 2002, 14:57

I've got no comment to this one:

This one looks nice too:

And at last, a new City view screen:

Oh...and they have a wallpaper for SC4 also, on the official site: http://simcity.ea.com/

And they mention about the chat they'll have in a few days...

Ohh...btw, they have a box shot on the site too:

Looks great

FlameFlash · October 22, 2002, 15:09

I like that box!

That's a nice box...

Sorry...

/me drools.

tniem · October 23, 2002, 01:12

Thanks for the box and new pics. I am getting mighty excited.

And Eli, thanks for correcting me on the graphics problem with city size
.

Maquiladora · October 23, 2002, 06:36

I must say i havent seen any depressing, dead end backstreets yet, particularly akin to the north of England. I know its an American made game but even the heavy polluting industries look gleaming. I hope they have optional tilesets, or probably in an expansion pack i fear.

Quote:

Just read a thesims.com about a chat about SimCity4, that'll happen in TheSims.com chat room...The odd thing is, you'll have to have bought TheSims to be able to enter, to hear about SimCity4...or did I misunderstand something here?

I dont know about that case, but you had to own any recent Maxis game to register at simcity.ea.com, with the keycode on the back of the case.

FrustratedPoet · October 23, 2002, 06:50

Do we have any idea when this will be released?

Adagio · October 23, 2002, 07:19

They said, the game was set to be released January/Februrary 2003

Grumbold · October 23, 2002, 09:54

If you look on the main website there are some clips of run down areas. Its in "Simcity 4 buildings: how things have changed". They are impressive in an abandoned and depressed sort of way

Heresson · October 23, 2002, 09:58

You know, local authorities' elections are taking place in my country.... Guess what was a part of the electional battle in the capital? Playing Sim City 3000
"who'll build the biggest Warsaw".
I wonder if in the general elections candidates will be asked to play civ...

Maquiladora · October 23, 2002, 10:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Grumbold
If you look on the main website there are some clips of run down areas. Its in "Simcity 4 buildings: how things have changed". They are impressive in an abandoned and depressed sort of way

Ah, yep that looks more like where i live

Now maybe if it wasnt so sunny all the time...