Biggest Games Of 2013: SimCity
EA's upcoming real estate juggernaut SimCity 2013, has the unenviable task of pleasing millions of fans across the world, a feat made even more impossible by the fact that each and every player wants something totally different from their own unique experience. But how exactly do you cater for every player who has a different idea about what makes SimCity good? Some players want to build huge sprawling cities where skyscrapers rule the skyline, while others want a more personal experience, a town where they can keep an eye on everything from the birds and the bees to the grass and the trees. Like any simulation, choice is a key aspect when it comes to designing an open world sandbox but as difficult as this may seem, developer Maxis seems to have achieved their goal. Get ready to say goodbye to your social life. Why It Could Be Amazing: Players will still be able to build multiple cities and towns but this time the level of interaction is exceptional. Everything has a place and every decision matters. Do you want your town to produce food for neighbouring cities? Or do you want to build a sprawling metropolis that provides jobs for your citizens? Do you want to build a city that strives on education? It's all possible. Developer Maxis hopes that its new intuitive management system is the first step in this direction. Happiness, not money, makes the SimCity world go around so teamwork and cooperation are vital if you wish to succeed. EA have placed a huge emphasis on connectivity so everything you do will have a knock on effect for other players. It will be cool to share resources and trade technology, all while improving your own city. Similarly, think of the mayhem you could cause if you decide to raise the taxes for players using your power plants. I'm sure nobody would be that evil though. Whatever way you decide to play, every action you make will be held accountable by other players in the SimCity hub. There are literary hundreds of options to try and millions of things to experience, all beautifully laid out in breathtaking detail. Cities in a region are connected to each other via predefined regional networks such as highways, railways, and waterways. Elements such as traffic and air pollution will affect the whole Sim world, not just your city. In order for your city to truly thrive, you will need to attract tourists, but it's not just human players who you will have to answer to. This time every citizen in your city is fully interactive, meaning every Sim will have their own goals and desires. Some will be content to live in a friendly,safe neighborhood while others will want you to build colleges and universities. If EA gets the balance right, players might find themselves under pressure from virtual characters in building a virtual city. Who said games have to be dumb?