Electronic Arts has taken the lid off SimCity Societies with an official announcement of its latest city management simulator and a deluge of screens to accompany it. As SPOnG anticipated thanks to details leaked last week, the game will feature a stronger social aspect than previous SimCity offerings.
We'll let EA's vice president and studio head of the Sims Division (that's right, Sims Division) Rod Humble paint you a picture:
"And just how...", you're no doubt wondering, "...will the whole thing work?" SPOnG's glad you asked. EA is trumpeting “an all-new, revolutionary feature set” that will apparently allow players to create different combinations of buildings which will produce a new kind of resource called “social energies.” EA explains, “How you mix and match these resources – industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, or creativity—determines the social energy of your city.”
EA tells us that architectural stylings from a number of periods will be up for grabs, as well as the opportunity to furnish your city with the likes of Ferris Wheels and Gingerbread Houses.
Basically, EA has pushed the economic underpinnings of previous SimCity titles to one side in favour of a more cuddly, 21st century ethos that's no doubt been flavoured by the social micro management of The Sims.
SPOnG's still waiting to see the phrase 'web 2.0' or 'social networking' rear its faddish head...
SimCity Societies is scheduled for release in time for Christmas.
We'll let EA's vice president and studio head of the Sims Division (that's right, Sims Division) Rod Humble paint you a picture:
“SimCity Societies allows players to create a variety of cities with the unique societies they desire. There is such a variety of cities to build from in SimCity Societies – and they’re all such a blast to play. Sometimes I build an aggressive police state where stragglers are dragged off to re-conditioning centres and emerge ready for work. Other times, I build a green community in the tropics, where the citizens grow their own food and have a small environmental footprint. With so many options to choose from, SimCity Societies is the most flexible city building game ever!”
"And just how...", you're no doubt wondering, "...will the whole thing work?" SPOnG's glad you asked. EA is trumpeting “an all-new, revolutionary feature set” that will apparently allow players to create different combinations of buildings which will produce a new kind of resource called “social energies.” EA explains, “How you mix and match these resources – industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, or creativity—determines the social energy of your city.”
EA tells us that architectural stylings from a number of periods will be up for grabs, as well as the opportunity to furnish your city with the likes of Ferris Wheels and Gingerbread Houses.
Basically, EA has pushed the economic underpinnings of previous SimCity titles to one side in favour of a more cuddly, 21st century ethos that's no doubt been flavoured by the social micro management of The Sims.
SPOnG's still waiting to see the phrase 'web 2.0' or 'social networking' rear its faddish head...
SimCity Societies is scheduled for release in time for Christmas.
Read More Like This
Comments
dvchronique 13 Jun 2007 16:59
1/11
This may be a great game...
But it's NOT a SimCity...
except for the idea of building a city, there's nothin' left from the original series...
no grid, no zones... no water pipes... or electricity...
does anyones remembers Llamas??
They could have sell more if not calling it: ''SimCity'' ...
dv
But it's NOT a SimCity...
except for the idea of building a city, there's nothin' left from the original series...
no grid, no zones... no water pipes... or electricity...
does anyones remembers Llamas??
They could have sell more if not calling it: ''SimCity'' ...
dv
Jeff 13 Jun 2007 18:32
2/11
EA owns the rights to Sim City; they can put marshmallows in a box and call it Sim City. That's their right, like it or not. They'll millions of this game! Imagine having a city that you can interact with your people, how much cooler is that than just having buildings? Plus it's obvious that you can make a variety of different city types--look at the screen shots. If you don't want a ferris wheel, don't place one. Simple.
I'm really looking forward to this one.
I'm really looking forward to this one.
more comments below our sponsor's message
Smelly 13 Jun 2007 18:34
3/11
So it's not the same as the original game, doesnt have pipes/zoning/etc..
So what?
I've played that game, i dont want to play the same game again with prettier graphics (like simcity 2k for example). I want to play a brand new game.
And i for one am looking forward to this.
So what?
I've played that game, i dont want to play the same game again with prettier graphics (like simcity 2k for example). I want to play a brand new game.
And i for one am looking forward to this.
Joji 13 Jun 2007 19:39
4/11
I'm undecided, but I feel if it ain't broke don't fix it. You have the Sims if you want social interaction with the people.
I have to say I understood a lot of what I learned about cities and how they work from Sim City. It can be fun and educational at the same time. I'll have to wait and see what is has to offer much later on.
I have to say I understood a lot of what I learned about cities and how they work from Sim City. It can be fun and educational at the same time. I'll have to wait and see what is has to offer much later on.
DonMikimax 13 Jun 2007 20:12
5/11
Ok, now i am finally sure that this is not SC5, this is the game for Sims fans, so let then have their new ''city building'' game, we will wait for Maxis to do a real SC5.
Felix 14 Jun 2007 11:15
6/11
The graphics are horrible, it looks like a "kids-game", I wont be able to take that game seriously! I´m a big fan of Sim City, I´ve got'em all, but this one, looking like that I cannot purchase. What´s with the reflections in brick? And treehouses.. oh my God, how silly- no I will never buy a game like that!
greg 14 Jun 2007 13:04
7/11
I'm a huge Sim City fan, but this game looks aweful. It seems like either the developers of EA put a lot of work into butchering the title as much as possible.
Gallus Quigley 15 Jun 2007 00:41
8/11
Oh well
Guess I'll be playing SC4 rush hour for many more years. I guess EA can't read what we SC4 players want and created a childs game for the simple minds of the SIMS. SC4 with all the MODs and add ons at Simtropolis have created a better SC5 than EA go figure. Not buying this unless there is more in the box then whats in those screen shots.
GQ
Guess I'll be playing SC4 rush hour for many more years. I guess EA can't read what we SC4 players want and created a childs game for the simple minds of the SIMS. SC4 with all the MODs and add ons at Simtropolis have created a better SC5 than EA go figure. Not buying this unless there is more in the box then whats in those screen shots.
GQ
Já 17 Jun 2007 10:48
9/11
Well, Who developed this game ? It's so differential than SC 4 - It isn't real as SC 4. I'll be playing SC4 rush hour always too ! I'm very disappointed. Fuj, je to úplně blbé a nereálné. Proč to neudělali tak, jako je SC4, ale akorát by to bylo 3D. Jen navíc by tam dali plno nových budov a parků a tak .... Prostě nic takového nebudu hrát !
Lachlan 19 Jun 2007 11:51
10/11
Oh please... one of those screenshots looks like the land of far far away in Shrek!
I would MUCH rather another expansion of simcity rather than a whole new game. One thing I would really like is a seasons expansion (like the one for the sims 2).
This is not simcity. Fake happyland is not simcity. A big bustling city plagued with issues is simcity.
I would MUCH rather another expansion of simcity rather than a whole new game. One thing I would really like is a seasons expansion (like the one for the sims 2).
This is not simcity. Fake happyland is not simcity. A big bustling city plagued with issues is simcity.
lennie 2 Jul 2007 19:58
11/11
they have got to be kidding, thats not simcity in any sense of the word. it doesnt even look any better than citylife, which got incredibly boring after 2 weeks. I will continue playing sc4 if thats the case.