SimCity (1989 video game)

''SimCity'', also known as ''Micropolis'' or ''SimCity Classic'', is a city-building simulation video game developed by Will Wright and released for a number of platforms from 1989 to 1991. ''SimCity'' features two-dimensional graphics and an overhead perspective. The objective of the game is to create a city, develop residential and industrial areas, build infrastructure, and collect taxes for further development of the city. Importance is placed on increasing the standard of living of the population, maintaining a balance between the different sectors, and monitoring the region's environmental situation to prevent the settlement from declining and going bankrupt.

''SimCity'' was independently developed by Will Wright, beginning in 1985; the game would not see its first release until 1989. Because the game lacked any of the arcade or action elements that dominated the video game market in the 1980s, video game publishers declined to release the title in fear of its commercial failure, until Broderbund eventually agreed to distribute it. Although the game initially sold poorly, positive feedback from the gaming press boosted its sales. After becoming a best-seller, ''SimCity'' was released on several other platforms, most notably on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1991, in which its gameplay was significantly revised with Nintendo's involvement.

''SimCity'' sold 300,000 units for personal computers and nearly 2 million units for the SNES. ''SimCity'' was met with critical acclaim for its innovative and addictive gameplay despite the absence of action elements. Reviewers considered the game to be instructive and helpful toward the player's understanding of the basics of urban planning, politics, and economics. ''SimCity'' received numerous awards from news publishers and associations. The success of ''SimCity'' marked the beginning of the urban simulation genre of video games, as well as publisher Maxis' tradition of producing non-linear simulation games, one of which – ''The Sims'' – would surpass all its predecessors in popularity and become one of the best-selling franchises in the video game industry.

Gameplay

The objective of ''SimCity'' is to build and design a city without specific goals to achieve. The player can mark land as being zoned as commercial, industrial, or residential, add buildings, change the tax rate, build a power grid, build transportation systems and take any other actions to enhance the city. Once able to construct buildings in a particular area, the too-small-to-see residents, known as "Sims", may choose to construct and upgrade houses, apartment blocks, light, heavy industrial buildings, commercial buildings, hospitals, churches, and other structures. The Sims make these choices based on such factors as traffic levels, availability of electrical power, crime levels, and proximity to other types of buildings—for example, residential areas next to a power plant will seldom appreciate the highest grade of housing. In the Super NES version and later, the player can also build rewards when they are given, such as the mayor's mansion or a casino.

The player may face disasters including flooding, tornadoes, fires (often from air disasters or shipwrecks), earthquakes and attacks by monsters. In addition, monsters and tornadoes can trigger train crashes by running into passing trains.

Scenarios

''SimCity'' includes goal-centered, timed scenarios that could be won or lost depending on the performance of the player. The scenarios were an addition suggested by Broderbund to make ''SimCity'' more like a game. The original cities were based on real-world cities and attempted to re-create their general layout. While most scenarios either take place in a fictional timeline or have a city under siege by a fictional disaster, a handful of available scenarios are based on actual historical events.

Development

''SimCity'' was developed by game designer Will Wright. While working on the game ''Raid on Bungeling Bay'', in which the player flies a helicopter dropping bombs on islands, Wright found he enjoyed designing the islands in the level editor more than playing the actual game. This led him to develop increasingly sophisticated level editors. At the same time, Wright was cultivating a love of the intricacies and theories of urban planning and acknowledges the influence of System Dynamics which was developed by Jay Wright Forrester and whose book on the subject laid the foundations for what would become ''SimCity''. In addition, Wright also was inspired by reading "The Seventh Sally", a short story from ''The Cyberiad'' by Stanisław Lem, in which an engineer encounters a deposed tyrant, and creates a miniature city with artificial citizens for the tyrant to oppress. The game reflected Wright's approval of mass transit and disapproval of nuclear power; Maxis president Jeff Braun stated "We're pushing political agendas".

The first version of the game was developed for the Commodore 64 in 1985; it was not published for another four years. The original working title of ''SimCity'' was ''Micropolis''. The game was unusual in that it could neither be won or lost; as a result, game publishers did not believe it was possible to market and sell such a game successfully. Broderbund declined to publish the title when Wright proposed it, and he pitched it to a range of major game publishers without success. Finally, Braun, founder of the tiny software company Maxis, agreed to publish ''SimCity'' as one of two initial games for the company.

Wright and Braun returned to Broderbund to formally clear the rights to the game in 1988, when ''SimCity'' was near completion. After Broderbund executives Gary Carlston and Don Daglow saw ''SimCity'', they signed Maxis to a distribution deal for both of its initial games. With that, four years after initial development, ''SimCity'' was released for the Amiga and Macintosh platforms, followed by the IBM PC and Commodore 64 later in 1989.

Ports and versions

After the original release on the Amiga and Macintosh, the game was released on the Commodore 64 and IBM PC MS-DOS, and afterwards saw more releases on various computer platforms and video game consoles, specifically the Atari ST, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPC, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (which was later released on Virtual Console), EPOC32, mobile phone, Internet, Windows, FM-Towns, OLPC XO-1 and NeWS HyperLook on Sun Unix. The game is available as a multiplayer version for X11 Tcl/ Tk on various Unix, Linux, DESQview and OS/2 operating systems.

Shortly after the game's initial release, Maxis released the SimCity Terrain Editor for the original versions of the game, which was sold as a mail-order add-on in North America but gained a standalone retail release in Europe. The Terrain Editor is a simple tool that allows the user to create maps with forest, land, and water portions. In 1990, Maxis developed two 'Graphics Sets' packs for the MS-DOS and Amiga versions: "Ancient Cities" and "Future Cities". Each pack contained 3 sets which changed the graphics and messages in the game to fit certain themes.

In 1991, an enhanced version of the game was released for Windows 3.0/3.1. It runs in the Windows GDI with new sounds and music, either PC-Speaker type or digital/MIDI type. In 1992, to coincide with other re-releases of their games, Maxis re-released the Windows version of SimCity as "SimCity Classic", which bundled the game with the MS-DOS version of the Terrain Editor. The Graphics Sets were also reissued to run on Windows 3.1 as well. ''SimCity Classic'' was re-released in 1993 as part of the ''SimClassics Volume 1'' compilation alongside '' SimAnt'' and ''SimLife'' for PC, Mac and Amiga. In 1995, a Windows 95 compatible version of the game titled "SimCity Deluxe CD-ROM" was released, which included new 256-color graphics and sound, and bundled the Graphics Sets and an updated Terrain Editor together with the base game.

In 1994, Interplay Productions developed and published under license from Maxis a version of the game titled "SimCity Enhanced CD-ROM" for DOS, which included 256 color graphics and FMV movies that would trigger events.

The original DOS version of ''SimCity'' supports a variety of graphics modes. ''SimCity'' v1.00 runs in CGA monochrome 640x200, EGA color 320x200, Tandy 640x200 mode, Hercules 720x348 mono, and EGA 640x350 in color or mono. v1.07 added MCGA 640x480 mono. A later v2.00 DOS release (''SimCity 'Classic) dropped all of the old 200-line modes, added VGA 640x480 color, and a special VGA/MCGA 320x200 256-color mode.

Super Nintendo

''SimCity'' for the SNES features the same gameplay and scenario features; however, since it was developed and published by Nintendo, the company incorporated their own ideas. Instead of the Godzilla monster disaster, Bowser of the ''Super Mario'' series becomes the attacking monster, and once the city reaches a landmark 500,000 populace, the player receives a Mario statue that is placeable in the city. The SNES port also features special buildings the player may receive as rewards, such as casinos, large parks, amusement parks, and expo centers; some of which would be incorporated into ''SimCity 2000''. A bank can be built which will allow a loan of $10,000 to be taken, but it must be paid back before another loan can be taken out. The game includes schools and hospitals, though they cannot be placed by the player; instead, the game will sometimes turn an empty residential lot into one. There are city classifications, such as becoming a metropolis of 100,000 people. It has some of the same pre-set scenarios in the PC and Mac versions and two new ones. One is in Las Vegas under attack by aliens and another is called Freeland. Freeland has no water, and no rewards buildings are given. Also unique to the Super NES version is a character named "Dr. Wright" (whose physical appearance is based on Will Wright) who acts as an adviser to the player. The soundtrack was composed by Soyo Oka. The edition is featured as Nintendo's Player's Choice as a million-seller.

In August 1996, a version of the game entitled ''BS SimCity Machizukuri Taikai'' was broadcast to Japanese players via the Super Famicom's Satellaview subsystem. Later, a sequel titled ''SimCity 64'' was released for Nintendo 64DD, the Japan-only Nintendo 64 add-on.

Cancelled NES version

A version for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was announced alongside the SNES version and had been showcased at the 1991 Consumer Electronics Show, but the NES version was never properly released. However, prototype cartridges for the NES version were discovered in 2017, and one copy was obtained by video game preservationist Frank Cifaldi, who extensively documented its features compared to the original personal computer game and the SNES version. It featured a completely different soundtrack (also composed by Oka) from that of the SNES version; besides ''Metropolis Theme'', a composition that Oka herself considers one of her best works.

''Micropolis''

In January 2008, the ''SimCity'' source code was released as free software under the GPL-3.0-or-later license, renamed to ''Micropolis'' (the original working title) for trademark reasons, and developed by Don Hopkins. The release of the source code was motivated by the One Laptop Per Child program. The ''Micropolis'' source code has been translated to C++, integrated with Python and interfaced with both GTK+ and OpenLaszlo.

In 2008, Maxis established an online browser-based version of ''SimCity''. A second browser-based version was later released under the name ''Micropolis''. In 2013, a browser-based version was released, ported using JavaScript and HTML5, as ''micropolisJS''.

Since ''Micropolis'' is licensed under the GPL-3.0-or-later, users can do anything they want with it that conforms with the GPL-3.0-or-laterthe only restriction is that they cannot call it "SimCity" (along with a few other limitations to protect EA's trademarks). This allows other, differently named projects to be forked from the Micropolis source code. Improvements to the open-source code base that merit EA's approval may be incorporated into the official "OLPC SimCity" source code, to be distributed with the OLPC under the trademarked name ''OLPC SimCity'', but only after it has been reviewed and approved by EA.

Comparison of different versions

* ''SimCity Classic'' is available for Palm OS and on the SimCity.com website as ''Classic Live''. It was also released by Atelier Software for the Psion 5 handheld computer, and mobile phones in 2006.
* The July 2005 issue of ''Nintendo Power'' stated that a development cartridge of ''SimCity'' for the NES was found at Nintendo headquarters. Never released, it is reportedly the only one in existence.
* Additionally a terrain editor and architecture disks were available with tileset graphics for settings of Ancient Asia, Medieval, Wild West, Future Europe, Future USA and a Moon Colony.
* Versions of ''SimCity'' for the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, and Acorn Archimedes computers were published by Superior Software/Acornsoft. Programmer Peter Scott had to squeeze the 512k Amiga version of the game into 20k to run on the aging 32k BBC Micro and Acorn Electron. Despite this, it kept almost all of the functionality of the Amiga game and very similar graphics (although only using four colors).
* DUX Software published a Unix version of ''SimCity'' for the NeWS window system using the HyperLook user interface environment, and a multiplayer version of ''SimCity'' for the X11 window system using the Tcl/ Tk user interface toolkit, both developed and ported to various platforms by Don Hopkins.

Reception

''SimCity'' was a financial success, selling one million copies by late 1992. In the United States, it was the ninth best-selling computer game from 1993 to 1999, with another 830,000 units sold. It was critically acclaimed and received significant recognition within a year after its initial release. As of December 1990, the game was reported to have won the following awards:

In addition, ''SimCity'' won the Origins Award for "Best Military or Strategy Computer Game" of 1989 in 1990, was named to ''Computer Gaming World''s Hall of Fame for games readers highly rated over time, and the multiplayer X11 version of the game was also nominated in 1992 as the Best Product of the Year in ''Unix World''. ''Macworld'' named the Macintosh version of ''SimCity'' the Best Simulation Game of 1989, putting it into the Macintosh Game Hall of Fame. ''Macworld'', in their review, praised its graphics as well as its strategic gameplay, calling it "A challenging, dynamic game, realistic and unpredictable", and notes how "as the population grows the city's needs change." ''SimCity'' was named No. 4 "Ten Greatest PC Game Ever" by PC World in 2009. It was named one of the sixteen most influential games in history at Telespiel, a German technology and games trade show, in 2007. Sid Meier in 2008 named ''SimCity'' as one of the three most important innovations in videogame history, as it led to other games that encouraged players to create, not destroy. It was named No. 11 on IGN's 2009 "Top 25 PC Games of All Time" list. In 1996, ''Computer Gaming World'' declared ''SimCity'' the 6th-best computer game ever released. In 2018, Complex rated SimCity 50th on its "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time." In 1995, Total! listed SimCity 89th on their "Top 100 SNES Games." IGN ranked the game 35th in its "Top 100 SNES Games of All Time."

Mike Siggins reviewed ''SimCity'' for '' Games International'' magazine, and gave it 5 stars out of 5, and stated that "Overall, ''SimCity'' must be ranked right up there in the all-time Amiga classics. It is the first title that I have come across to turn a 'serious' theme into a passable simulation while also making for an excellent game."

''Entertainment Weekly'' gave the game an B+.

Johnny L. Wilson reviewed the game for ''Computer Gaming World'', and stated that "Dynamic is exactly the right word for this product. There is constant strategy involved in the placement of zones, road building, political decision-making, and damage control."

In 1991, '' PC Format'' named ''SimCity'' one of the 50 best computer games ever. The editors called it "a town planner's dream".

The University of Southern California and University of Arizona used ''SimCity'' in urban planning and political science classes. Chuck Moss of ''The Detroit News'' found that Godzilla attacking the city in the 1972 Detroit scenario caused less destruction than the mayoralty of Coleman Young. In 1990 ''The Providence Journal'' invited five candidates for Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island to manage a ''SimCity'' town resembling the city. Victoria Lederberg blamed her close loss in the Democratic primary on the newspaper's description of her poor performance in the game; former mayor Buddy Cianci, the most successful player, won the election that year.

The ''SimCity Terrain Editor'' was reviewed in 1989 in ''Dragon'' No. 147 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the expansion 4 out of 5 stars.

The ZX Spectrum version was voted number 4 in the ''Your Sinclair Readers' Top 100 Games of All Time''.

In 2004, ''SimCity'' was inducted into GameSpot's list of the greatest games of all time.

On March 12, 2007, ''The New York Times'' reported that ''SimCity'' was named to a list of the ten most important video games of all time, the so-called game canon. The Library of Congress took up a video game preservation proposal and began with the games from this list, including ''SimCity''.

Legacy

''SimCity'' yielded several sequels. "Sim" games of many types were developedwith Will Wright and Maxis developing myriad titles including '' SimEarth'', '' SimFarm'', '' SimTown'', '' Streets of SimCity'', ''SimCopter'', '' SimAnt'', ''SimLife'', '' SimIsle'', '' SimTower'', '' SimPark'', '' SimSafari'', and ''The Sims'', which spawned its own series, as well as the unreleased '' SimsVille'' and '' SimMars.'' They also obtained licenses for some titles developed in Japan, such as '' SimTower'' and ''Let's Take The A-Train'' (released as ''A-Train'' outside Japan). ''Spore'', released in 2008, was originally going to be titled "''SimEverything''"a name that Will Wright thought might accurately describe what he was trying to achieve.

''SimCity'' inspired a new genre of video games. "Software toys" that were open-ended with no set objective were developed trying to duplicate ''SimCity'''s success. The most successful was most definitely Wright's own ''The Sims'', which went on to be the best selling computer game of all time. The ideas pioneered in ''SimCity'' have been incorporated into real-world applications as well, as urban developers have recognized that the game's design was "gamification" of city planning by integrating numerous real-world systems for a city or region interacted to project growth or change. For example, VisitorVille simulates a city based on website statistics. Several real-world city improvement projects started with models inspired by ''SimCity'' prior to implementation, particularly with the onset of more connected smart cities.

The series also spawned a '' SimCity'' collectible card game, produced by Mayfair Games. Rick Swan reviewed ''SimCity: The Card Game'' for ''Dragon'' magazine No. 221 (September 1995). Swan says that "While the card game doesn't scale the heights of the computer game, it comes close."

Dr. Wright from the Super NES version has made appearances in several video games. He is a non-player character in '' The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening'', and an assist trophy in the '' Super Smash Bros.'' series.

See also

* Government simulation
* Municipal government, the basis for ''SimCity''
* Urban planning
* Regional planning
* List of open source games

References

External links

*

Official website for the Super Famicom version
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