Maxis: That's Rain on Your Leg [Dec 22, 2012, 12:22 pm ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
The SimCity Blog has a follow-up to recent outcry over plans to require an internet connection to play the upcoming SimCity revival (thanks GameSpot). Lucy Bradshaw explains to players how this will make the game "even more fun." Here's a bit:
Running the regional simulation on our servers is something we also use to support features that will make this SimCity even more fun. We use the Sim data to update worldwide leaderboards, where you get to see your city or mayoral standings as compared to the other cities in your region and between all of the regions in the world. And since SimCity is a live service, we're also using the data to create weekly global and local challenges for our players that keep the gameplay fresh and surprising.
We think this is the best SimCity ever and it wouldn’t be possible without the technology that powers our game. SimCity was designed to be connected from the ground up. We built the game around GlassBox, which takes the game to another level. And, we’ve given the player control over how to play. You can set your region to private and never interact with other people, or you can play exclusively with friends or join a public region.
"It's for your own good!"
Nothing that she describes feels in any way necessary, or even all that interesting.
"Global and local challenges." Yes, because that's what most people crave in a SimCity game. A focused challenge with a specific objective! And these do not keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. New gameplay keeps gameplay fresh and exciting. And certainly not gameplay that has been REDUCED from previous entries in the franchise.
Leaderboards are fine for some games; but given that each player will have their own priorities or objectives then there is no consistent method of measurement for any leaderboard. That guy over there has a population that's several hundred times my own? Fine, assuming that I'm even trying to make a high population city.
And it isn't as if many of the other design decisions haven't come about BECAUSE of this feature. Would the cities be so small if not for this online component? Doubtful. I know I'm not the first to suggest this; and I doubt that I'll be the last.
Nothing that she describes feels in any way necessary, or even all that interesting.
"Global and local challenges." Yes, because that's what most people crave in a SimCity game. A focused challenge with a specific objective! And these do not keep the gameplay fresh and exciting. New gameplay keeps gameplay fresh and exciting. And certainly not gameplay that has been REDUCED from previous entries in the franchise.
Leaderboards are fine for some games; but given that each player will have their own priorities or objectives then there is no consistent method of measurement for any leaderboard. That guy over there has a population that's several hundred times my own? Fine, assuming that I'm even trying to make a high population city.
And it isn't as if many of the other design decisions haven't come about BECAUSE of this feature. Would the cities be so small if not for this online component? Doubtful. I know I'm not the first to suggest this; and I doubt that I'll be the last.
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