With the city of New York in all of our hearts, we have made a selection of work from the Building Exchange that pays tribute to the great city of New York. This Best Of The Web package consists of buildings from New York created by SimCity fans from around the world. We hope you enjoy this special download.
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10 Sep 2002 - 23:10
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10 Sep 2002 - 23:00
IGN.com reports on SimCity 4 and they include a 7 minute demo movie on their media page.
SimCity 4 Progress Report
We check up on the latest developments with Maxis' metro-builder. Seven new movies inside.
by Tal Blevins
While the European Computer Trade Show is usually just a rehash of games we saw at E3 and not many new titles, the show does give us the chance to see how some titles are progressing in their development. At a recent Electronic Arts event at their Chertsey Studios just outside of London, we once again had a chance to sit down with Producer Sean Decker and see the latest on Maxis' SimCity 4.
One of the biggest highlights of the recent demonstration was the superhighways. Unlike SimCity 3000, you won't have to deal with the irritation of connecting city streets to highways. To save time and frustration, once you lay down a superhighway, you're automatically prompted as to where you want the on and off ramps at any intersections, and will also ask you whether you want to add ramps to both sides for easy highway access. And the superhighways won't just be able to carry more traffic, but the traffic will also go faster, so you'll see commuters using these superhighways heavily in the mornings and evenings as people make their way to and from work.
Commuters are sure to use the superhighways the most, and you can keep a keen eye on the traffic flow by zooming in to see how many cars are on the highway, but you'll also be able to tour your city through the movements of any of the dispatched vehicles, such as fire engines, police cars, or trains. Simply attach your camera to the vehicle and you can survey the scene from wherever the vehicle goes. This is a great way to get a first-hand view of riots in action or that nasty fire on the East Side.
Superhighways and tours of your city are fine and all, but SimCity 4 doesn't just focus on the urban side of things. Every city needs food and other agricultural products, so Maxis is including farm production in the game. We got our first glimpse of the agricultural end of SimCity 4 this week, complete with orange groves, horse farms, and alfalfa fields. While the farms won't change on a seasonal basis, Sean did tell us the more agricultural demands your city has the more intensive the farming output will be.
We also saw the missile base was also in the latest version. Although they create a bit of pollution and suffer from the "NIMBY" (not in my back yard) curse, missile bases can earn you a lot of money from the military. They're also going to be useful in solving some of the problematic disasters that are sure to strike your city from time to time. Although Maxis wouldn't tell us exactly what disasters the missile bases would be useful for, we have a good idea that they might be a keen defense against other-worldly invaders, among other things.
Uncle Ben knew it, Yoda knew it, and Maxis knows it: With great power comes great responsibility. While the missile base packs a powerful punch, each one must first be tested. Hopefully the test will go as planned, but occasionally a missile will go awry, and spray flaming debris around the area.
We also saw a full-scale riot break out because Sean plopped a nuclear power plant right smack dab in the middle of town. As much as we tried to convince Sean to take out those dirty whiners with a quick missile strike, he decided the law was the best way to deal with the situation Riots can, of course, can be counter-attacked with more police presence in the area. If you have a police station near, you can dispatch a riot squad to different points around the riot in an attempt to quell the angered populace. You effectively need to surround the marauding crowd with police as the rioters will move toward the point of least resistance and just continue flipping cars down the street.
Those of you waiting for SimCity 4 shouldn't be tortured for too much longer. The game just recently went alpha, and now the team is working hard on hitting the beta stage, which should be in the next three to four weeks. As Sean told us, "Pretty much where we are right now is trying to make sure everything works great in the game," and from what we saw at our most recent viewing, the team at Maxis has been working hard toward that goal.
Be sure to check out the movies on the media page for the full seven-minute demonstration for yourself.
5 Sep 2002 - 23:00
GameSpot.com has 5 exclusive screenshots of Unleashed to whet your appetite.
3 Sep 2002 - 23:00
Get the latest news from the SimCity 4 production team. Learn about the new Effects System, Programming Traffic and Making Cities Grow.
29 Aug 2002 - 23:10
The GamersTemple.com has an interview with Unleashed Designer MaxisJenna. Pets, gardening, game tips, and more!
The Sims Unleashed - An Inside Look
We were lucky enough to have Jenna Chalmers, a Designer from Maxis, take some time out of her busy day to answer our questions about the upcoming The Sims expansion, The Sims Unleashed. Not only did we get a sneak peek at some of the game's features, Jenna also gave us some gameplay techniques so that you can hit the ground running as soon start playing The Sims Unleashed.
GT: Will there be different sizes and breeds of dogs available?
JC: Unleashed offers over a dozen breeds of dogs and over a dozen breeds of cats! The breeds are unique in shape and color, but are similar in size.
GT: Will different pets have different ‘personalities’ or a set of traits like their Sim owners?
JC: Pets have their own unique personality traits: Quiet, Friendly, Playful, Smart, and Loyal
GT: Will the pets have ‘needs’ that their owners will have to tend to?
JC: Pets have needs just like their owners do, from Hunger to Bladder to Social.. Players will need to provide plenty of love, care, and other amenities if they are to keep their pets happy.
GT: How often do pets need to be fed and what happens if you neglect to do so?
JC: The food bowl holds several servings, so you probably won’t have to make it a daily chore, although it depends on how many pets you have in the family. Unfed pets will suffer the same fate as would other unfed family members, and depart for that happy hunting ground in the sky.
GT: Will unhappy pets run away from home?
JC: Yes, unhappy pets may leave and try to find the care they need from another family.
GT: Will there be any pet services available to help you care for your pets?
JC: You will find the Pet Trainer at the Pet Adoption Center. He has useful information about pet care and will be happy to help you train them for a fee.
GT: Will there be pet related objects such as dog houses and kitty toys?
JC: Absolutely! Many of the new objects in Unleashed are for pets. This includes houses, beds, toys, and many other things your pet is sure to enjoy. There are also lots of smaller pet objects, like bird cages, iguana tanks, and a new fish bowl.
GT: Will the pets ever misbehave? Will Sims need to keep their cats from eating their plants or their dogs from digging up their yards?
JC: Unhappy pets have many ways of communicating their displeasure to their owner. Turn your back on them and you might be surprised what they’ll be into!
GT: Will the parrots be able to speak Simlish?
JC: Yes, but does the Sim have high enough “charisma” to coax it out of him? The higher the charisma, the more likely you are to have success with these birds.
GT: Can the pets be taken to other areas? Will your Sim be able to walk his dog downtown?
JC: Pets can be taken all over Old Town and even to Vacation Island, but you’ll have to leave him behind on your trips to downtown.
GT: Will the dog help your Sim get dates?
JC: Having something in common to talk about is always a good strategy when trying to meet new people. Dog owners will definitely have fun talking about their pooches with each other. Ditto for cat lovers.
GT: Please tell us a bit about the pet shows: will they be interactive? Can you teach your pet tricks to perform at the shows?
JC: Preparing your pet by teaching him tricks, building his obedience skill, and keeping him in a good mood will help increase you chances at the Pet Show. To have your pet judged, pay the entry fee to the Kennel Club President, head toward the judging area and hope that your hard work will pay off.
GT: Besides the pet store, what other new shops will come with The Sims Unleashed? Will they be in their own separate area akin to Hot Date’s downtown?
JC: The Old Town areas of the neighborhood come with a variety of locations like cafés, parks, garden centers, and shops that sell items to take home like candle and wall masks. Unlike Hot Date’s downtown, Unleashed brings these areas into your own neighborhood. Players will now have 41 lots to build homes and/or community locations as they see fit.
GT: The Sims Unleashed will also allow Sims to do some home gardening. What types of plants will Sims be able to grow and will different plants require different care?
JC: Sims can choose to grow carrots, lettuce, green beans, or tomatoes. They all require watering and weeding…but watch out for pests. Bunnies are especially fond of carrots. Gardener Bob has lots of helpful hints to help you with your gardening. He can be found any place you can buy or sell vegetables.
GT: Will Sims be able to eat the fruits of their gardening labor?
JC: Yes. You may store the harvest from your garden or the veggies you buy at the market in a pantry. Once stocked, pantries can be the source of the family meal, similar to how refrigerators work.
GT: Can you giver gamers a little info on the new objects and skins included with the Sims unleashed? What are some of the more unusual or interesting skins that you have in store for players?
JC: Wow. There is sooo much. Where do I start?
Like I said, many of the new objects are items for cats and dogs, as well as several other caged animals like birds and turtles. In addition to the Old Town and pets stuff, some of my favorite new objects are new pieces of architecture like spiral staircases and wrought iron archways.
The new skins we added to Create-A-Sim are my new favorites. The new career skins are very cool also, especially for the Fashion, Animal Care and Circus career tracks.
GT: Is there anything else about The Sims Unleashed that you’d like to let players know about?
JC: Another tough one. A couple tips come to mind.
As far as pets go, dogs and cats require a lot of care in their first day’s home from the adoption center. While it may be tempting to buy several at once, for a smoother ride you may want to bring them home one at a time.
Likewise, may be tempting to plant large gardens, but they can take a lot of work. Start small and expand as you get the hang of it.
If you have a dog, try and meet other people with dogs, and same for cats . It may be easier to make and maintain a friendship with them.
The new expanded neighborhood has lots of room for new families. The more people that live in your neighborhood, the more possibilities for family friends and job promotions. To move families in fast, you may want to visit the Family Exchange on www.thesims.com and download ready-made families built by other Sim fans.
Lastly, the new music in Unleashed is incredible! We hope you enjoy it.
GT: Thanks for your time, it is definitely appreciated!
The Sims Unleashed is dues to be released September 2002. We'll provide you with even more in-depth coverage of the game when it hits store shelves.
22 Aug 2002 - 23:00
Electronic Arts today announced plans to release this September The Sims™ Deluxe Edition, the definitive version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims.
EA Announces Plans For The Sims Deluxe Edition
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., August 15, 2002 - Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) today announced plans to release this September The Sims™ Deluxe Edition, the definitive version of the top-selling PC game of all time, The Sims. The Sims Deluxe Edition will combine the full version of The Sims, the best-selling Sims expansion pack The SimsLivin' Large, and exclusive new content including the all-new Sim customization tool: The Sims Creator.
Translated into 16 different languages, The Sims has inspired five expansion packs; The Sims Livin' Large, The Sims House Party, The Sims Hot Date, The Sims Vacation and, also due out this September, The Sims Unleashed. Combined sales for the franchise have topped 16 million units worldwide.
The Sims Deluxe Edition combines the full version The Sims with the first in the series of Sims expansion packs, The Sims Livin' Large. Livin' Large allows players to put their Sim families into zany situations and settings. Its content adds to The Sims dozens of extreme items like a home chemistry lab, a heart shaped bed and a crystal ball as well a cast of wild characters like the Grim Reaper, Genie and Tragic Clown.
Also included exclusively in the The Sims Deluxe Edition is The Sims Creator, an all-new customization tool for creating Sim characters. Players can now recreate any Sim imaginable, right down to the smallest detail. Users can also select new clothes, design original attire, add logos to their clothing and accessorize their Sims with the belts, ties and jewelry. Players can even import their face into the program and put it directly on a Sim character.
Rounding out this ultimate offering, players can furnish their homes with two completely new designs sets featuring over 25 objects found only in The Sims Deluxe Edition. With over 50 additional new clothing choices completing this pack, The Sims Deluxe Edition is a must-have for both Sims newcomers and Sims fans alike.
The Sims Deluxe Edition will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Current owners of The Sims can receive a $10 mail in rebate with proof of purchase*. Details of the rebate and a rebate coupon will be available on boxes of The Sims Deluxe Edition.
The Sims long list of honors has included being selected "Game of the Year" for 2000 by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences and by numerous other publications in the United States and abroad. The creator of The Sims, Will Wright, was inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in February 2002, joining such industry legends as Sid Meier and Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto.
Electronic Arts, headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, Electronic Arts posted revenues of more than $1.7 billion for fiscal 2002. The company develops, publishes and distributes software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA GAMES™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and EA.COMSM. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://www.info.ea.com.
*Offer expires December 31, 2002. Offer available only in the U.S. and Canada to The Sims Deluxe purchasers who can also provide original proof of purchase for The Sims. Completed Coupon Certificates must be postmarked by January 15, 2003.
20 Aug 2002 - 23:00
We have made a selection of work from the Building Exchange that features American Commercial style buildings. We hope you enjoy this package of user made work and if you want more buildings of this quality, please view the ReadMe file that is included with the download.
8 Aug 2002 - 23:10
Sign-up for The Sims Online Newsletter to receive the latest news and updates, and for your chance to win exclusive Sims merchandise.
6 Aug 2002 - 23:00
The SimCity 4 website has been updated with new screenshots, new previews, and 4 new articles from the SimCity 4 team.
1 Aug 2002 - 23:20
Get your questions about Unleashed answered in the new About Unleashed section where you will find screenshots, FAQ, previews and more!