IMPERIAL CITY - All you ever wanted to know!

[Master Zen]

During the past couple of days I've been working on a SimCity 3000 representation of Imperial City. I wanted to make it as authentic as possible so I used a 5x5 tile radius around the city (which includes Camp Cod and Camp Concord as "satellite cities"), and tried to copy as close as I could the terrain of each tile in a 256x256 size city.

I used the undocumented .bmp feature built in SimCity 3000, which for those of you who might not know, allows you to import a correctly-sized 256-color grayscale .bmp image and it turns the shades into elevations. This allows very detailed maps, much better than those which you can do with the in-game editor. The hills, the river, etc.

This is the Civ area I worked on for the SimCity conversion:

[Master Zen]

In SimCity, the finished city looks like this:




I have used various real-life urban concepts. The first and most obvious is a European-style historical core. The center of the map is the historic center and work was done to carefully demolish all "modern-looking" buildings until the older style ones were built and then marking them up as "historic" so they don't go away. For the record, this sector is entirely medium-commercial in SC3K terms.

The next step was a clear separation of the historic core and the financial district. This is not usually done (unfortunately) despite it's esthetical and practical advantages. The city in which this design is more apparent is Paris, which has only one major skyscraper in the historic part of the city (Tour Montparnasse) and all others concentrated in the La Defense area to the west. Frankfurt does this to a lesser extent, and other cities like London have both modern and historical parts mixed in which IMO does not look as good (Mexico City also has this).

Finally, the "camp cities" were designed as satellite cities for this map giving the whole urban area a more diverse look. The rest of the map is dominated mostly by dense and medium residential areas. I avoided low density areas to give the impression of greater size, you want to go to the 'burbs? then go off the map

Finally, other smaller commerical zones were created in a broad perimiter, connected all with a large beltway which creates a ring around the metro area except in the hills. To improve traffic in the center, a viaduct was created which criss-crosses the financial districts with the other parts of the city.

[Krill]

You, sad, sad man. You have too much spare time on your hands, it seems...

[Tassadar500]

Still looks good, though.

[Master Zen]

Day 1 - The Historic Centre

Imperial Department of Tourism


The tour starts here: the heart of the city, it's historical core.

Legend says that Imperial City was founded by a band of marauding lunatics, who thought themselves descendants of a great conqueror. Adopting his name despite misspelling it, with their family lineage, the Farbs, this eventually because the first ruling dynasty of what later was to become the Glory of War.

The city has, for the most part, avoided the decadence and squalor of other parts of the empire and it's historic core has recently been given a major modernization and improvement program. It's wide, tree-lines avenues all the more splendorous by the beauty of its belle-epoque-ish neo-classical architecture. Dominating the north-south Boulevard of Heroes is the Farbian Gate, traditionally the outpost which separated the residential quarters with the government zone.

To the west, and with the imposing skyscrapers of the financial district as a backdrop is the Arc d'Aggie. Inscribed in this monumental arch is a visual history of the Bobian War, represented via classical motifs. In the inside are inscribed the names of all the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Rider, made with the body of an unrecognizable horse which fell in battle.

At the center of the historic core is Victory Square. It is the site of most national celebrations as well as popular protests, like those of the toilet-paper producing union which went on strike last week. Nevertheless, Victory Square is one of the must-see attractions when you are in the city.

Last but not least are the Luxian Steps. Basically a marble-built sidewalk aside the Boulevard of Heroes as it rises towards Imperial Hill, an address in this zone is considered the most prestigious in the city. More to the east is known as Farbtown, an area of posh, expensive historic apartments where most of the government leadership lives.

[Master Zen]

Day 2 - The Government Zone

On top of Imperial Hill is the government zone, dominated by the Imperial Palace. Built by the ancestors of the Farbian dynasty, this is the oldest structure in the city, as well as its most imposing. Flanked by majestic pools and gardens it remains as a uncharacteristically serene sector of the city. To the east are most government ministry buildings including the City Hall and the Imperial Court.

The best reason to visit this part of town is, however, the Imperial War Museum. Dedicated specifically to the military conflicts in which the empire has participated in, it also has galleries devoted to wars around the world. Among the artifacts on display:

- Trip's redhead wig, captured by Arab soldiers and donated to the museum.
- The Persian Sabre collection, taken from the Voxian war.
- The Voxian Pecked Sandal. A sandal taken from a Voxian soldier after it was pecked by stormchickens in the Voxian war.
- The Ansar Spear collection also donated to the museum.
- Imperial Musket collection, the oldest collection of muskets in the world
- A perfectly preserved stormian War Chariot.

[Master Zen]

Day 3 - The Financial District

Imperial City is the financial capital of the empire. 25% of the firms in the Misfortune 500 have their headquarters located here, in the financial distric which gives the city its unique skyline. The financial district is divided into two section, Uptown and Downtown, separated by the Trafalgar River.

Uptown is home to the Imperial Stock Market, the Palace of Fine Arts where our world-renowed Bearded-Rockettes make dazzling presentations with their unshaven legs. On Riverside Park is The Spire, the tallest structure in the empire. Doubling as a radio relay station and an observation deck, it is said that on a clear day a person can see as far as The Hill.

For ease of transportation, the Financial district is served by a number of subway stations, bus routes, and the Viaduct elevated superhighway.

[Master Zen]

Downtown is located across the river. It's main attraction (besides the skyscrapers) is the City University, in which the Panzerius Medical Research Centre is located. Around the forested hills of Downtown are some of the most luxurious apartment blocks in the city. Much of the city's business elite, live in this area.

[Master Zen]

Day 4 - Camp Cod

After so much sightseeing, time for a break, and no better way to spend it than at Camp Cod, the party capital of GoW.

Camp Cod is famous for its old role as a massive military base. Today it is known for F.U.C.C., the Femenine University of Camp Cod. It is said that this is the only university in the empire where the women actually shave their legs... and beards, this, coupled with the party atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for the bachelor or the tourist looking for a good time with the locals.

The best part of Camp Cod is the beach, the only non-polluted strech of coast in the north. Surrounded by luxury condominiums and hotels, as well as the coolest night-spots in the city, Camp Cod is where the daiquiris and the bikinis are all part of one damn good fiesta!

(no wonder the students at F.U.C.C. rarely study)

[Master Zen]

Day 5 - UnOvania

More fun on the way at spooky UnOvania. Though now a modern apartment-filled sector, UnOvania was once the home of the maniatical Count UnO. His old castle, long-abandoned, has now been turned into a massive Haunted House attraction, destined to scare the bejeesus out of anyone, young or old.

UnOvania is also where the Ruins of Lux Amusement Park is located. Due to the success of the first park in Skulgaria, it was only fitting that a similar one be built in the imperial capital. Besides all the rides we have come to know and love, it features some unique attractions like the Ansar Assault(tm) and Immortal Rush(tm) rollercoasters as well as the Trip's Ego(tm) skyrocket.

[Master Zen]

ok, I'm done for today, more pictures to come tomorrow

[Jon Shafer]

Okay, that is just wrong. Participating in a DG is bad enough. But this goes to new depths of shame.

Who else thinks we need to send this to all of his relatives and potential female acquaintances?

[vondrack]

Insanity.

[rendelnep]

Oh come on. this wouldn't happen if there was a war on and besides I'm quite impressed with his level of asethetic design.
One comment though - bet you a Simcity 4 region map would be more impressive

[ZargonX]

Try that in SC4, though, and you'll be running a defecit like nobody's business!

Yeesh... I forgot about SC3's terrible excuse for avenues...