SimCity
SimCity is a real-time strateg/simulation computer game (or "software toy") developed by Maxis. There are four versions; the original SimCity (later, SimCity Classic), SimCity 2000 (1993), SimCity 3000 (1999) and SimCity 4 (2003). All of the games were re-released with various add-ons including extra scenarios.
SimCity is predominantly a single-player game (the exception being a "Network Edition" of SimCity 2000). SimCity, originally developed by game designer Will Wright, sparked off a new paradigm in computer gaming by creating a game that could neither be won nor lost. This did not bode well with the game publishers at the time, who did not forsee the possibility of successfully marketing and selling such a game. However, the success of SimCity speaks for itself: "Sim" games of all types were spawned—with Will Wright and Maxis developing a myriad of titles including SimEarth, SimFarm, SimTown, SimTower, and an ant simulation called SimAnt. The most recent development is The Sims, which has since gone on to become the most successful computer game of all time.
The objective of SimCity, as the name of the game suggests, is to build and design a city, without specific goals to achieve (except in the scenarios, which typically require the player to achieve a certain population or bank balance in a given period of time). The player can mark land as being zoned as commercial, industrial, or residential, add buildings, change the tax rate, enact city ordinances, connect to neighbouring cities, build a power grid, build transportation systems and many other actions, in order to enhance the city. Also, the player can face disasters: flooding, tornadoes, fires, riots, earthquakes, etc.
The unexpected and enduring success of the original game, combined with the relative lack of success with other Sim titles, finally motivated the development of a followon, published in 1993 as SimCity 2000. SC 2000 was a major extension of the concept; the view was now isometric instead of overhead, land may have different elevations, and underground layers were introduced for water pipes and subways. New types of facilities included hospitals, prisons, schools, libraries, museums, parks, marinas, zoos, and stadiums. The budget and finance controls were much more elaborate. SimCity 2000 was extremely successful.
Some people consider SimCity 2000 to be a better game than SimCity 3000, because of SimCity 3000's obvious bugs and game-play issues. For example, SimCity 3000 occasionally gives you the option of hosting a parade, which gives a boost to your city. The animation for the parade lasts a long time, the game pauses during the animation, and you do not have the option of skipping over the animation. Critics note other similar flaws.
See also: SimCity 4Description
Objective
SimCity 2000
SimCity 3000
