I think they read https://logicmag.io/06-model-metropolis/ and were wise enough to give their article a more click friendly headline.
From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
91–100 of 100 posts
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#92This article is a lighthearted and doesn't talk about the underlying models behind simcity. Would recommend also reading: https://logicmag.io/06-model-metropolis/ - which talks about simcity's inspiration from Jay Forrester's 'Urban Dynamics" and it's flaws. Also, https://placesjournal.org/article/a-city-is-not-a-computer/ , which is something I've been meaning to read & contrast alongside Geoffrey West's works ( htt…
If you like gaming-history you'll probably also appreciate:
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#93Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#94Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am as far left as we go in France but that's a recurrent leftist criticism that I keep seeing and that I think is really misguided. I do think that right-wing libertarians are wrong because they have a much simplified model of the world, that does not take into account all that you mention. Scientists use simple models because they have technical constraints. Even more so for game designers who have to make a fun g…
Sure, but what's the use in a simplified model that spits out a result that's wrong? Take the assumption that the "underemployed" pay little in taxes while taking money from the welfare system. Sure, on the surface. But that doesn't account for increased spending power as a result of money in their pocket (which isn't saved or put into a hedge fund, but actually spent immediately out of necessity) that goes back into…
Eh, you know your model is wrong? Knowing you are wrong, is a huge leap of science. It lets all others with the same assumption know something is wrong.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#95Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't think that's quite what the OP meant by sandbox vs. simulation. To me it didn't feel like there were many challenges or ways you could irreparable damage your city in City Skylines. You could maybe invent your own goals, like creating a specific look to your city or building the most density possible while maintaing efficient transportation. But that's what I'd consider sandbox: using your own creativity on a…
> I never felt like I could fail at C:S This. The only times I've irreparably crashed a city in C:S is when I've been purposefully going for achievements like "<50% unemployment for 6 months".
There was a"making of" interview with the C:S devs a while back. They stated that they intentionally made the game easier because it was more fun that way.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#96It's crazy how much SimCity cities look like the cities we've built for the last 75 years. Our cities really can be simplified to a game "fun" for someone to dive in right away. My thesis is that cities are oversimplified and stratified into easily separable blocks because they're easier to "industrialize" that way. This is causing crazy transportation requirements and isolation. If we mixed uses up a bit we could sa…
People have certainly built Cities: Skylines cities with mixed-use developments, quaint mountain towns, little enclaves built around a park or monument, car-less cities, pedestrian-only cities, modular cities connected by mass transit, etc. I think the problem - in SimCity, Cities: Skylines, other video games, and real life - is that if you're building for aesthetics , there are many right answers, but if you're buil…
I believe your opinion is based on very local observations. Cities in Europe are wildly different, and in many aspects, they are very successful. Even in the US, cities have changed a lot over time, as shown by the gentrification of inner cities.
This one efficient model you are talking about is merely the solution to one set of tradeoff decisions in your area, with other tradeoffs being chosen in other places.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's not city building but Factorio (factory building). Be VERY careful as it's an extremely addicting game. It pushes ALL the right buttons for me and I highly recommend it. The mod community really takes a great game and makes it amazing (but play at least some Vanilla before you go modding like I did).
I've played a lot of Factorio, but I haven't played with any mods. Any you would recommend? I am eagerly anticipating Satisfactory, which looks like a first person Factorio.
Bob's mods and Angel's mods, of course !
That's your google keywords, there are modpacks but I don't remember the names. They are useful because the configuration is important though.
I don't recommend going the Seablock way right away.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#98Given its popularity, tech minded players and complete failure of Maxis as a steward of the game, I'm incredibly surprised a popular and well maintained Open Source city sim hasn't appeared[1] 1 - I'm aware of Lincity, OpenCity and OpenSC2k, but none of them are popular and/or are recreations, not full-up new city makers.
I know it's not open source, but Cities Skyline is a fantastic game that carries the torch for SimCity type games.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#99I can't deny that SimCity was quite an awesome game at the time. I can see how it might have inspired some architect.
Re: From video game to day job: How ‘SimCity’ inspired a generation of city planners
#100I still play, the mod scene for SC4 is great. There are bike lanes now and all the parking lots you could want. You can easily build American suburban shopping centers with acres of beautiful cement.
When I was in high school I went to city counsel meetings, was active in youth in gov't, and even met the city manager. All because I loved playing SimCity for much. We never had a computer powerful enough to play SC2k so I saved and bought a Sega Saturn and the AT keyboard adapter and spent hours playing on that.