Cool Looking City: Rock 'n' Residential
Society has always pondered tough, philosophical questions: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Do dinosaurs really exist? If a tree falls in the forest, would anyone hear it (and moreover, would anyone care to pick it up?)? We here at Maxis, however, only care about one particularly chin-rubbing query: Can a city really be built on rock 'n' roll?
Well, thanks to Associate Designer Chris Schmidt, it sounds like the answer to that question is an ear-splitting, “Yes!” Chris recently took his creativity to 11 when he built this guitar-shaped city (and accompanying amp) using SimCity’s new curvy road tool. Like we showcased with our past Cool Looking City, part of the fun of playing the new SimCity is not only building (or destroying) the city of your dreams, but also using the in-game tools to create fully functional metropolitan works of art.
Of course, while this design may look rad, it certainly ain’t practical – since Chris built all of his commercial zoning up the “fret board” of the city, he ended up creating a massive traffic jam for all his Sims trying to visit stores and restaurants. But if you think about, traffic and rock 'n' roll concerts go bumper-to-bumper, so it almost makes sense. Almost. Do admire the creative touches, though, like the six water towers signifying each tuner. Pretty cool, eh?
Because we think his city rocks, we spoke with Chris to find out more about it.
Community Manager Michael Donahoe: What was the inspiration for building this city?
Associate Designer Chris Schmidt: Well, our Producer Tyler Thompson told me I should try making some different city layouts, because classically with SimCity, I make a grid-based city since it is the most efficient. So I was thinking about weird ways to build a city and the Internet radio station I was listening to just so happened to put on Starship’s “We Built This City.” Next thing I knew, I was making a guitar-shaped city. [laughs]
MD: Theoretically, what are the chances of us seeing a rock 'n' roll-themed restaurant and/or hotel appear in your city?
CS: Actually, my city is more industrial, because I’m focusing more on mining and metals.
MD: What kind of music do you think fits this city?
CS: Since I was trying to design my city like a classic Fender Stratocaster, I’d say a little classic rock. Maybe a little bit of metal.
MD: What’s next? A Drum City? Trombone City? Bagpipe City?
CS: Really, I just focus on crazy designs. I did a zen city, which is a yin yang. I made a city out of the phrase “Curvy Roads,” just to see if I could make it work. I don’t know what’s next. Whatever inspires me.
MD: Do tell us: Is this city really built on rock-n-roll?
CS: Well, I do spend most of my time listening to classic rock while I’m playing, so perhaps it is!
Comments
One thing I care to comment
One thing I care to comment on is the fact that the city size looks a bit bigger than I expected. Cool.. ..
Thnx for a new screenshot,
Thnx for a new screenshot, love the work. Little bit disappointing because i was expected a bit more new info/screen/beta about the game. Becuase Maxis_MD wrote to me on simtropolis that there will be more info about the beta real soon ;) Guess we have to wait till next thuesday for more info. Anyway, thank for the weekly update and keep up the good job.
Greetings,
A big fan off all your work
FerryV
Great!!
Great!!
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"MD: What’s next? A Drum City
"MD: What’s next? A Drum City? Trombone City? Bagpipe City?"
I just want a realistic-looking city :-(
You mean a 'Sim'City? Good
You mean a 'Sim'City? Good luck with that...
Then build it yourself, when
Then build it yourself, when the game gets out. He's obviously made this Rock'n Roll city to showcase what you can do in the game. No more grid-based city building, that suits me just fine.
Hey! Come on guys... what he
Hey! Come on guys... what he said is true. If Maxis team would take the time to build a realistic city, it'd be better to show us what the game is going to look like... Wouldn't you find it interesting?
I'm with Exe
I'm with Exe
They need to stop drawing stuff with the roads tool and start building some real functional cities
I kind of feel insulted by
I kind of feel insulted by this :-/ Your interview behave us as if we are 12 years old "Yay guitar! They said "Rad!" Cool!"
Come on, show us a little respect please :-(
every interview, every press
every interview, every press release, every "Q&A"...they are all infuriatingly condescending.
still online-only...still
still online-only...still ignorning the complaints about what you're dropping to facilitate that...still fail.
Shut up you baby!
Shut up you baby!
Get some manners, kid.
Get some manners, kid.
This upcoming Simcity going
This upcoming Simcity going to be MONUMENTAL!! Cirugo, if you don't want play this game on-line, you can alone, but these new online features, that make it special and unique about this new Simcity
Come on, it aint that bad! I
Come on, it aint that bad! I was against it too in the beginning, but now (with the world market) there's a reason for it, and I don't think it's that big of a deal anymore.
Sure, if you're away from home it can be a problem, but as they have written earlier you only really need the internet connection when starting the game (but then you ofcourse won't be connected to the market), so if your connection would crash (wich i guess is what you're most worried about (at least I were)) it would still run without any problem.
Seriously? This the "awesome"
Seriously? This the "awesome" weekly update that we could expect from EA/Maxis?.. We need to see video gameplay, now. Don't care about a "rock"n"roll" city.
We'll be showing off gameplay
We'll be showing off gameplay soon. Don't you worry.
With respect, you say this
With respect, you say this all the time, and about everything we ask to see... and then we only see more crappy curvy roads... it's beginning to feel like you have nothing else in this game worth showing other than curvy roads which, let's face it, have been done before countless times...
i wished also more
i wished also more information. But try to understand Maxis: its not good if they show the whole game already (than there is no surprice at release anymore) or create to much expectation (like cities XL did and didnt deliver) We just have to wait even when thats hard. Give them some credits that they come up every week with something. Look at the new Assassin's Creed comming soon, they dont show you every week something new!
It's just the way they are
It's just the way they are showing stuff. I would rather see some realistic looking city with some real thought put into it, rather than quickly built town in shape of R2-D2 or guitar.
About time.
About time.
This is pathetic. Just like
This is pathetic. Just like how Maxis has become since EA got their dirty claws all over them.
Maxis kept their balls attached for a while, but then EA noticed that they can milk the customers dry with The Sims, so Maxis handed their balls over on a gold plate, bowed down and said "EA, here are our loyal customers, do with them as you please, just pay us moneys"
Now we have our modern Maxis, ignoring us loyal, patient customers/gamers who have kept SimCity 4 alive for years while they gave up on it.
New SimCity looks very pretty, has some amazing new features, runs on an amazing new game engine. Only problem is that they have some really stupid idea's as well, that are clearly coming form the EA board room.
Online Only is the biggest of those stupid ideas.
Think about what will happen when we all buy SC5 all on the same day, install and start...... "Sorry connection to the EA servers have been lost"
Think about what will happen when EA decide that SC5 is no longer needed...... "Sorry connection to the EA servers have been lost"
Think about what will happen when EA don't invest enough to keep the servers running...... "Sorry connection to the EA servers have been lost"
Think about what will happen when the customer cannot get an internet connection...... "Sorry connection to the EA servers have been lost"
Think about what will happen when other gamers get bored of playing SC5...... They decide to make their city polluted and full of crime, which spills over and ruins your gaming experience
Then we have EA's greedy prices for this game, well I won't say anymore on this as it speaks for itself
You should shut up too...
You should shut up too...
Why not lead by example? I
Why not lead by example? I doubt if anyone would miss your pulsating wit and huge intellect.
people like you should just
people like you should just shut up, leave EA/Maxis/Fans and forums alone, disconnect yourself from the internet and enjoy playing SC4 for an other 40years..
Exactly!
Exactly!
Stop replying to yourself.
Stop replying to yourself. Not cool.
Then the forums and comments
Then the forums and comments would have about the same five people (not counting employees) posting the same useless "Wow, looks great!" posts. We are the fans. The fans are speaking. EA should thank us for giving them the valuable opportunity to right the ship and create another classic before release.
Does your mom know you're
Does your mom know you're using her internet connection?
Dude, you just offended 12yr
Dude, you just offended 12yr old fan girls like the two above me.
Thanks to write what i was
Thanks to write what i was writting now ahhaha. ;)
You see those pictures about
You see those pictures about SimCity? They've got curved roads. CURVED! ROADS!
Nice! Keep it coming!
Nice! Keep it coming!
what is next - a playboy
what is next - a playboy bunny made of curvy roads ?
Wow, so cool...not.
Wow, so cool...not.
Are you serious with those kind of posts? We are not 5 years old.
As much as I am looking
As much as I am looking forward to the new Sim City I do wish they would give us some actual information that will keep us content until the next post. Great, curvy roads! What I want to see is a picture (or better still a video) of a full city. One with a dense commercial district in the centre, residential around the edges, perhaps with housing estates and maybe a light industrial district. Then they could put agriculture around the outskirts. So far all I can tell is that rock 'n' roll cities have a lot of empty space in them and an excess of water towers.
on a 2x2km square....nice
on a 2x2km square....nice dream ;-)
True, sadly. Perhaps Maxis
True, sadly. Perhaps Maxis are keeping large maps a secret underdevelopment. I hope I get accepted for the beta as I really want to play!
There´s NO farms man.... Sims
There´s NO farms man.... Sims eat metal and smog in the breakfast.
How can there not be farms?
How can there not be farms? Can you share your source where you learnt there are no farms? Most of my cities in SC4 start out as small farming communities that grow into larger industry and commercial.
City journal type weekly
City journal type weekly updates with realistic cities would be better suited for fans than these pointless "cool" looking "cities" for kids. You really seem to have no idea about your fanbase.
They appear to have bundled
They appear to have bundled the hardcore, perhaps more intelligent into the same boat as the sad, Facebook addicts who sit on SimCity Social every minute of everyday sending neighbour requests.
More intelligent players that
More intelligent players that is.
Who cares about City Journal
Who cares about City Journal crap!
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