Category: Simcity Social

Simcity Social Preview and Video

Simcity Social was officially revealed at this year’s E3 with just a mere press release and game trailer. In fact, there were no playable demos available at any of the booths. So today we get a sneak peek look into some of the general features of Simcity Social. With a collaboration between Maxis and Playfish China Studios, Simcity Social plans to add new depth to the city building franchise on Facebook.

Your city will grow and visually change based on your actions and decisions. You may see buildings evolve into skyscraper depending on the way you expand your city. You’re not just building a city, you’re also a mayor, and events will occur requiring your input.

Simcity Social includes zoning featured in just about every Simcity game. Players can zone residential lots that will turn into homes, that may develop into condos as the city expands. You could even “specialize” creating an industrial city that produces tons of materials

The “social” aspects include positive things like sending gifts, or in one such negative example, you can send a flock of seagulls to poop on your friend’s city.

Simcity Social Details and New Screenshots

Simcity Social was announced hours ago at E3, however the launch trailer was brief and vague about the game features. In an interview with VentureBeat, Lucy Bradshaw shed some light about some of the details in the game. Simcity and Simcity Social are two seperate games meant to provide two different flavors. Simcity Social is a lighter more social experience.

In summary:

  • Simcity Social is a collaboration between Maxis and the Playfish studio in Beijing.
  • Cities are player driven, they react to your decisions.
  • There is no set path to make a city, you can make them in any style you’d like.
  • Crimes, fires, and pollution are some of the negative things that can occur in your city.
  • The graphics are meant to reflect the original Simcity but visually looks closer to Simcity 3000.
  • You can do mean and nice actions to other players cities.
  • Events can affect the city over time.

 

Simcity Social E3 Trailer Takes Jab at CityVille

Simcity Social is now officially announced for Facebook. Simcity Social allows players to build cities that form based on player-driven decisions. Similar to The Sims Social, on the left hand side are quests players can choose to fulfill as they play the game. The top of the screen has your currency such as coins and a box with a gear icon (which we’ll unofficially call widgets). The bottom of your screen has your friends with either halo or devil horn symbols.

 

The bane of casual Facebook games is the inclusion of an energy bar at the top of the screen. It will likely limit you from doing any kind of action once you run out. These energy bars will fill up after some time has passed.

 

Simcity Social takes a jab at CitVille

The game allows your friends to move in and out of houses in your city. 

On some buildings there appears to be actions you can take to receive rewards. For example, on a stadium there were three options; “Crash Party,” “Attend a Soiree,” or “Tip hat”. After clicking “Crash Party” you receive coins, medals, and gift boxes.

Players will also have the option to upgrade buildings. For example, you can upgrade your theme park to a more luxurious three star version by selling cotton candy.

Simcity Social also includes disasters like fire and UFOs. There also appears to be “negative” events happening around the city that needs your attention. In a pop-up with a police badge, it required the player to respond to “ruffians” who are loitering near a Spanish Villa.