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Maxis, if you didn't know, are the company who have produced some of the most impressive games of our lifetime. They are the creators of the 'Sim' genre. Sim City, Sim Tower, Sim Ant, The Sims, and many more, are the product of the minds at Maxis.
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims - Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement, but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies, competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City. But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities, shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either, because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology. It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be in the shops handing over my money if you do!
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims - Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement, but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies, competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City. But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities, shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either, because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology. It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be in the shops handing over my money if you do!
There was no need for that blatend word count boost man
Franny wrote:
> Maxis, if you didn't know, are the company who have produced some of the most
> impressive games of our lifetime. They are the creators of the 'Sim' genre.
> Sim City, Sim Tower, Sim Ant, The Sims, and many more, are the product of the
> minds at Maxis.
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not
> collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more
> updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot
> Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims -
> Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse
> logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim
> City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their
> attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now
> they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement,
> but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the
> games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight
> collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics
> to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from
> 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis
> could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my
> suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style
> screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical
> location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build
> more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to
> built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line
> element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies,
> competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back
> to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next
> level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City.
> But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type
> environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for
> developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading
> could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading
> district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities,
> shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on
> a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type
> level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within
> the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change
> their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either,
> because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and
> then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of
> the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a
> precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the
> skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in
> full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or
> become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds
> would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like
> this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly
> increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would
> take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology.
> It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could
> only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within
> arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will
> create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be
> in the shops handing over my money if you do!
I want to see a "Sim Supermarket" game, possibly something in a similar vain to Theme Park, where you create and run your own supermarket, hiring and firing staff, researching new goods, and building new stuff to entice the shoppers to your newly created shop-me-do emporium.
> Maxis, if you didn't know, are the company who have produced some of the most
> impressive games of our lifetime. They are the creators of the 'Sim' genre.
> Sim City, Sim Tower, Sim Ant, The Sims, and many more, are the product of the
> minds at Maxis.
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not
> collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more
> updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot
> Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims -
> Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse
> logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim
> City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their
> attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now
> they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement,
> but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the
> games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight
> collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics
> to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from
> 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis
> could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my
> suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style
> screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical
> location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build
> more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to
> built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line
> element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies,
> competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back
> to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next
> level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City.
> But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type
> environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for
> developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading
> could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading
> district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities,
> shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on
> a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type
> level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within
> the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change
> their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either,
> because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and
> then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of
> the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a
> precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the
> skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in
> full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or
> become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds
> would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like
> this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly
> increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would
> take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology.
> It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could
> only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within
> arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will
> create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be
> in the shops handing over my money if you do!
I want to see a "Sim Supermarket" game, possibly something in a similar vain to Theme Park, where you create and run your own supermarket, hiring and firing staff, researching new goods, and building new stuff to entice the shoppers to your newly created shop-me-do emporium.
Maxis, if you didn't know, are the company who have produced some of the most impressive games of our lifetime. They are the creators of the 'Sim' genre. Sim City, Sim Tower, Sim Ant, The Sims, and many more, are the product of the minds at Maxis.
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims - Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement, but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies, competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City. But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities, shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either, because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology. It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be in the shops handing over my money if you do!
A question has always played havoc in my mind - why not collaborate? Maxis seem to have spent the last few years releasing more and more updates for 'The Sims', in effect trying to make it bigger. 'The Sims - Hot Date' added a new downtown district to The Sims' game area. 'The Sims - Vacation' seems set to expand the arena even further. Is Maxis utilising reverse logic here or something? They effectively began their development with 'Sim City', which after a few sequels was running in full 3D. They then turned their attention to 'The Sims' which was in effect a family/household simulator. Now they seem to be turning 'The Sims' into 'Sim City'. A controversial statement, but a crucial one.
The logical route forward would be to collaborate the games. Now, I want to make it clear that I am not talking about a straight collaboration. I mean, how silly would it be switching between EGA 2D graphics to a 3D rendered world?!? I am suggesting that Maxis take some time out from 'The Sims', and work on this as a new project. The potential is that Maxis could create a monster of a game that would sell by the bucketload. Here is my suggested structure of the game:
Begin the game on a 'Sim Earth' style screen. In full 3D of course! This would allow you to select a geographical location to begin building your first city. This would also allow you to build more than one colony. The potential is also there for computer opponents to built opposing cities. Or even better, make the world element an on-line element. Imagine the scenario - being able to look at other people's colonies, competing against them, trading with them. The potential is infinite. Now back to the structure - by clicking on your city you will be taken into the next level of the game - the 'Sim City' section.
We all know and love Sim City. But imagine incorporating a detailed and powerful 'Sim City 3000' type environment into a game like this. It would prove as a neat basis for developing and running shops, houses, services, etc. Diplomacy and trading could also take place at this level, with a market central to your trading district. Seaports and airports could ship goods in from neighbouring cities, shops could sell them, again the potential in never-ending. Now by clicking on a house on the map, you will taken swiftly into a 'The Sims' type level.
Using a Sims type model, we could manage the families directly within the game. We could remo9del their houses, buy them new furniture, even change their appearances. Also there should be no need for downtown modes either, because switching back to the City, we could click directly on say a pub, and then open a new 'Sims-like' screen. By using 'Sims' style models for each of the buildings in the city, we could manage the city so intricately and in such a precise manner.
A 'Sim Tower' like system could be used to model the skyscrapers. Bring back 'Sim Copter' to attain a birds-eye view of the city in full 3D. Perhaps develop a system where you can drive around the city, or become a pedestrian. Integrating 'Sim Golf' type model for the sports grounds would be fun also. As I mentioned earlier, the possibilities for a game like this would be endless. And making the entire game an online game, would greatly increase it's potential. I am not in dispute of the amount of time it would take to develop a game of this scale, but Maxis already have this technology. It would not require development from scratch.
A game this complex could only be dreamed about a few years ago. Now we have the technology, it is within arms-reach. So come on Maxis, take the next step and create a game that will create the same response as when you first released Sim City. I know I will be in the shops handing over my money if you do!