SimCity (time well spent compared to Civ?)

[Adagio]

Originally posted by FlameFlash
Well, I wasn't talking about zooming out... I was talking about urban sprawl.

You were talking about how much the computer can handle...and I was just pointing out, the computer has a hard time handling the mapsize as it is now, so the answer would be yes, the map size is as big as the (future) computer can handle...

[Eli]

Originally posted by ADG


You were talking about how much the computer can handle...and I was just pointing out, the computer has a hard time handling the mapsize as it is now, so the answer would be yes, the map size is as big as the (future) computer can handle...

You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

[Adagio]

Originally posted by Eli
You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

Oh...well, I'm good at misunderstanding others

[tniem]

Yeah but I think that is the point. Because of graphics ability the cities are limited in size. There is a hard limit because computers into the future will have a hard time processing things fast enough for the size and detail needed. As for what size that is, we will have to see but if it is more than a comp today can handle, it is going to be huge.

[Eli]

Originally posted by tniem
Yeah but I think that is the point. Because of graphics ability the cities are limited in size. There is a hard limit because computers into the future will have a hard time processing things fast enough for the size and detail needed. As for what size that is, we will have to see but if it is more than a comp today can handle, it is going to be huge.

From what I understand the problem is that when zooming out there are too many details for the computer to calculate and that's why it's so slow.

But if they could implement some (optional) way to reduce the graphics quality and double or triple map size, i'm sure many players will happily make the tradeoff.

[Adagio]

I'd prefer to have nicer graphics than a larger map, since in SC4 it's not about just making the greatest metropolis ever, like it was in previosly SC games...

[Grumbold]

I'd be happy to have a huge map and be barred from zooming out to look at it all without freezing time.

[Dauphin]

If on each zoom out the graphics detail is cut, what's the problem? The same amounts of processor usage and memory would be used at each level?

Given the choice between graphics and size, I'd go with size.

[Space05us]

Hmmm...seems like everyone inhere, only wants to buy the game to be able to destruct

nah. I get a city going, then when it hits an economic dip I release the people to the streets and lets the city burn.

[FlameFlash]

Originally posted by Eli


You're talking about the graphics part, while I think he meant the running-the-city part.

*nods* Though no harm done.

[FlameFlash]

Originally posted by Sagacious Dolphin
If on each zoom out the graphics detail is cut, what's the problem? The same amounts of processor usage and memory would be used at each level?

Given the choice between graphics and size, I'd go with size.

Heh... yes, because size matters...

[Grumbold]

Originally posted by Space05us

Hmmm...seems like everyone inhere, only wants to buy the game to be able to destruct

nah. I get a city going, then when it hits an economic dip I release the people to the streets and lets the city burn.

until I'm done building although I'm happy to cope with the naturally occurring ones. I prefer to build uninterrupted in sandbox mode and save disasters for the scenarios where you're given a specific target to reach in recovering from an event like an earthquake.

[FlameFlash]

So where do we go to find out what we can destroy things with?

[Kontiki]

There'd better be a freakin' terrain editor. That's my biggest beef with 3000. Sometimes the most fun part of building a city is designing the perfect terrain in advance, so you know where you could build a cool downtown, port area, airport, etc.

[Adagio]

There is a terraint editor...I have even seen several videos with it...it's really nice