Does TM understand the Lamas?

[Cobblepot]

I fear that TM will fail to understand the lamas and therefore SS will not live up to the standards that Simcitites have come to expect. No offence TM but this may be to much steak for you to digest.


If you are not a simcity fan, you will not know the meaning of the lamas.

[Hardin]

I'd hate to see a sim city game without lamas.

[DanoruX]

Such would be blasphemy.

[BarbulaM1]

*bows* to the mighty llamas. What would happen to the llama awards if we didn't have any llamas to give out! :o

I am sure we can persuade them to add some llamas in, maybe even a rubber duckie or bunny with red eyes too.

(llamas = the best, bunnies = an ST thing, rubber duckies = also a ST thing)

Time to spread the bunnies! and llamas! I personaly extend a welcome to the TM community to share llamas and bunnies, you'll have to ask the dirk if he is willing to share his rubber duckies.

[ManagerJosh]

We'd give windmill awards instead :)

[Cobblepot]

Are you for real...did you even play simcity or is it that you are supporting SS cuase it is being developed by a game company that you like.

[King Faticus]

heh look at his posts prior ;)

I have played simcity 2000 for months on end when I was little and I did catch all the Llama jokes in the newspaper and the Llama dome (the unlockable building ) - Llama sightings in the dome aswell... I think it would also make SCS more enjoyable to older players even if just out of nostalgia:)

however I am not sure where the "joke?" originated from, could you enighten all of us who don't know?

[ManagerJosh]

Cobble, it was meant to be a joke. Lighten up a bit.

[Cobblepot]

the llama in sims games as been around for a long time.. It is like a trade mark.

llama is frequently referenced in Maxis/Electronic Arts's line of "Sim" games. SimCity's second lowest speed is "llama speed", SimLife organisms occasionally say "I'm a llama,", in SimCity 2000 the population of Zoo's are measured in various types of llamas and in SimCity 4, the cheat code "Dollyllama" would turn advisors into llamas. Also, the llama consistently appears in the game The Sims 2, usually in random events (example: a detective must uncover the "Maltese llama", or a hospital worker must treat a llama). The phrase "The llama is a quadruped" is also a SimCity 3000 cheat code. Also, when SimCity 3000 is first booted up, it provides a tip, with the heading, 'The Llama Suggests', instead of 'Tip of the Day', as one might expect, and the llama continues to re-appear as a running gag in the nonsense news topics in the news ticker.

The joke is basicly why are the sims so infactuated with llamas.

It has become a symbol for all sim game fans.

but where it started is best stated by this interview with the man himself

Why are there so many references to llamas in "SimCity"?

Will Wright: Good question. Actually, many years ago, we had a company-wide vote for our informal company-wide mascot, and the choices came down to the Boston tree fern, beef tape worm and a llama. And somehow the llama won the vote!

[King Faticus]

I have played a sims game on the PS2 a while ago.. I think it is Sims busting out... inside the foliage selection there is a llama topiary it's description mentioned that llama land was closed and these were "saved" so that a piece of the park can live on... something to that effect

[Cobblepot]

So a sim game without the llama is just not a sim game at all. No matter who is doing the programing.

It is like having the X-men without wolverine.


So I have ot ask again ---- Does TM understand the LLAMAS?

[MarkDuffy]

Llamas !!!

Oh yes!

(Desperate search for SCS llamas beginz)

<signs petition>

[Alex Mullins]

My fantasy baseball team is named The Alpacas ;)

[King Faticus]

Llama Llama Llama Llama Llama Llama! lol



P.S. if you cannot laugh at yourself and all that...
just trying to have fun lol

[Mike Lattiak]

I am a big fan of the Llama. But only on the weekends. I like to keep that part of my life secret.

[offspring_dude]

Sorry for the inevitable pessimest viewpoint, but I sense a failed attempt at borrowed humour on the cards for SCS.

[JuliaSet]

Mike, Adam or Norman need to get some fancy Llama avatars for this group to make them feel at home.

Welcome Alex. Has TM issued you the standard co. uniform? (Shark suit and steel mesh gloves?)

Mike you must be hanging around http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David too long. Has he written a company manual on how to tease the fans?

http://www.funny-games.biz/animations/9-thellamasong.html

[King Faticus]

and here I am talking to people with just the cloths on my back
lol I wasn't aware that was so dangerous:rolleyes:

[Mike Lattiak]

Mike, Adam or Norman need to get some fancy Llama avatars for this group to make them feel at home.

Welcome Alex. Has TM issued you the standard co. uniform? (Shark suit and steel mesh gloves?)

Mike you must be hanging around http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David too long. Has he written a company manual on how to tease the fans?

http://www.funny-games.biz/animations/9-thellamasong.html

If he has, I haven't seen it! I'd be the last person to know how to tease fans anyway, especially with you-know-what happening with the you-know-what.

[Rnett]

Yeah, where did all the new TM's come from.... http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/konfus/a035.gif

[Hardin]

I am a big fan of the Llama. But only on the weekends. I like to keep that part of my life secret.
Ok I thought that was pretty funny :)

[MarkDuffy]

Yeah, where did all the new TM's come from.... http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/konfus/a035.gif

*cough* (http://www.tiltedmill.com/)

[JuliaSet]

http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif

Maybe they got them in the Andes?

TM has found wonderful employees. Every one is a gem, full of fun and talent, all stirred in with kindness.


http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama2.gif <--- http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David, leader of the Pack

[King Faticus]

talented or not taking on a title like Sim city is a huge task:eek:

[Mike Lattiak]

http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif

Maybe they got them in the Andes?

TM has found wonderful employees. Every one is a gem, full of fun and talent, all stirred in with kindness.


http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama2.gif <--- http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David, leader of the Pack

Oh jeez...now I'm crying again. Gaahhh....

And I haven't been to the Andes ever since "the incident".

[MarkDuffy]

http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama2.gif <--- http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David, leader of the Pack

Ummm, well, er...

I wouldn't call Chris Beatrice, Jeff Fiske, Mike Gingerich, Mike Malone & Will Jennings, along with their respective departments exactly chopped liver, JuliaSet. ;)

[BourneID]

cant say that I am a huge player of there games.... but dont they usually have some inside jokes... maybe a enduring nod to both the history of SC as well as their own history....
Caesar LLamacus IV reconized as greatest of all the Caesars ??


or a reward to be given out ingame... that has a tilted windmill and Don Quixote riding a LLama?? :)

[mouse]

David is the lead devil with a very wicked sense of humor which seems to be a requirement for being a TM:D Good to see more TM folks to join in ;)

[Azeem]

And I haven't been to the Andes ever since "the incident".

The "incident"? Does anyone on the team have pictures? :D

[EmperorJay]

The "incident"? Does anyone on the team have pictures? :D

If the rumours I heard were true, the last thing you want is to see the pictures.

[JuliaSet]

I wouldn't call Chris Beatrice, Jeff Fiske, Mike Gingerich, Mike Malone & Will Jennings, along with their respective departments exactly chopped liver, JuliaSet.

They are cool too, but David seems to be a viewable target.. and also likes to target shoot out here. It seems hes trained a few more wicked cuties to tease us in the forums.

When it comes to naughty, Davis IS leader of that pack. ::snot::

[offspring_dude]

http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama.gif

Maybe they got them in the Andes?

TM has found wonderful employees. Every one is a gem, full of fun and talent, all stirred in with kindness.


http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/llama2.gif <--- http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David, leader of the Pack
Phew, it's a good thing all the employees at Tilted Mill are 'Wonderful' and 'Full of fun and talent'. Now I can be rest assured Sim City Societies will not turn out to be a cartoonish tycoon crossbreed of the Sims and Simcity! :)

[JuliaSet]

Yea, they have always included a few animation jokes in their games. Have you seen the oil boy slipping? The Guys at the Forge break dancing? They are small jokes to find.

Wait till David finds this thread, we are going to be in trouble!

[wodinoneeye]

heh look at his posts prior ;)

I have played simcity 2000 for months on end when I was little and I did catch all the Llama jokes in the newspaper and the Llama dome (the unlockable building ) - Llama sightings in the dome aswell... I think it would also make SCS more enjoyable to older players even if just out of nostalgia:)

however I am not sure where the "joke?" originated from, could you enighten all of us who don't know?


I see the need for a Posting:


STOP THE WHINING OR THE LLAMA GETS IT !!!!!





Oh and BTW for all those who are ignorant of the fact, 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' was 1975, so any other llama joke stuff would just be copycatting -- couldnt they (for SimCity) have at least found their own mascot animal to make the subject of their eastereggs???

[King Faticus]

they usually have some inside jokesplebs are neeeeeeeeded!

Im still rooting for the Llama TM:D

[Avalon]

I fear that TM will fail to understand the lamas and therefore SS will not live up to the standards that Simcitites have come to expect. No offence TM but this may be to much steak for you to digest.


If you are not a simcity fan, you will not know the meaning of the lamas.

Well you spelt it wrong for starters.

[Romaq]

(*snip*) If you are not a simcity fan, you will not know the meaning of the lamas.

I believe Llamas are a general theme of programming. Ultima Online not only has llamas, but on rare occasion an Energy Vortex will spawn as a purple llama, and on occasion llama herders will pop up in the game.

The theme is so common it would be surprising if llamas did *not* turn up in SC5, somehow.

--Romaq

[mikeseith]

Yes.

Everyone knows a good game needs llamas. I'll be waiting for my llama themed avatar now. ;)

[Rnett]

Here you go Norman....;)
19800

[MarkDuffy]

Daaaaaamn !!!

Dat Llama looks HOT! :)

<but do I have to give up mah udder one?>

[deathtopumpkins]

Noooooooooo!!!:eek:
I love the llamas. It is NOT sim city without llamas.
TM, you better put in llamas, or you will have very unhappy customers.

[Chris Beatrice]

Yeah, where did all the new TM's come from.... http://www.cosgan.de/images/smilie/konfus/a035.gif


We've been growing our development support group for many months now. These folks are the unsung heroes of the gaming industry, contributing to design and development in a wide variety of areas with invaluable work. We've also had a few new people join us in the programming, audio, and art departments. We're certainly delighted to have this new crop of team members on board!

-Chris

[JuliaSet]

Yay Team TM! http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/go-team.gif

We thought the http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/tail_fire.gif chased the 'Millers inside!

Welcome to all of the new TMillers! http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/beret.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/nerd.gif Pull up a chair and have mug of (root) beer with us. http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/keg.gif

Here is a present for the many women at TM! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUDIoN-_Hxs

[Cobblepot]

Well you spelt it wrong for starters.


Yes I know I did...



But the question remains.

[Azeem]

There's what looks like a Buddhist monk in one of the pics. Maybe there's also a "[B]Dalai Llama"? :D [/bad pun]

[King Faticus]

http://www.dollfactory.com/ProdImages/Delton%20Janet-m.jpg
Dolly +
http://magickcanoe.com/farm/llama-2-small.jpg
Llama =

Azeem :D

[JuliaSet]

Have you seen the llamas with the bright red (identity) tassels in their ears?

They are SO cute when the tassels waggle when they eat. (TV shows are showing more travel to South America)

[Natasha]

Thanks JuliaSet,

I really enjoyed that youtube link.:D


Natasha
As always mad as a hatter. . . .

[Chris Beatrice]

I fear that TM will fail to understand the lamas and therefore SS will not live up to the standards that Simcitites have come to expect. No offence TM but this may be to much steak for you to digest.


If you are not a simcity fan, you will not know the meaning of the lamas.

No problemo, we're all over that.

http://www.space-debris.com/spy_lamas_reneg.jpg

[Cobblepot]

No problemo, we're all over that.


Well now, we shall see.

[David Beebe]

http://img.yezzz.com/zm3157054.jpeg

we shall indeed.

[ManagerJosh]

LOL!! :p :D

[bosiydid]

What is GOING ON in this thread? :eek:

[JuliaSet]

Woot! Something good for us old laddies! http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/heat.gif

I'm wondering who is the head nut around TM. lmao http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/musik_016.gif http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/superman.gifir David has some competition.

[NappySick]

Back to work everyone we got a project to complete ...

[mouse]

Ahhh Julia think Chris is only teasing us little old ladies (be still my heart):D Wicked sense of humor is a requirement for being hired by TM;)

[Chris Beatrice]

Woot! Something good for us old laddies!

Another great misspelling misfire!

[Chris Beatrice]

What is GOING ON in this thread? :eek:

It's a madhouse, a m-a-a-a-d house!!!

[callagrafx]

It's a madhouse, a m-a-a-a-d house!!!
Now I understand where the "Tilted" bit comes from :D

[majortom1981]

Since this thread is a little off topic I will say this. I am so glad thatwe have tilted mill employees actually posting here. I hope no matter how big this forum gets that they continue to do this.

It atleast makes it feel like they are listening to their fans .

[arcan]

Since this thread is a little off topic I will say this. I am so glad thatwe have tilted mill employees actually posting here. I hope no matter how big this forum gets that they continue to do this.

It atleast makes it feel like they are listening to their fans .
It doesn't only "makes it feel like they are listening". They do listen.
And don't worry, they won't stop coming. I know a certain David (among others) who just loves to come and tease us...
So feel free to post all your ideas, what you'd like to see, your impressions, what you like...
Welcome on board!

[JuliaSet]

Another great misspelling misfire!

Am sure it was deliberate.. lmao.

Beef cake is good! http://www.citybuildingcontests.net/vbulletin/images/smilies/bananas.gif

TGIF, you guys are going bananas.

[JuliaSet]

It doesn't only "makes it feel like they are listening". They do listen.
And don't worry, they won't stop coming. I know a certain David (among others) who just loves to come and tease us...
So feel free to post all your ideas, what you'd like to see, your impressions, what you like...
Welcome on board!

You bet they are listening, and don't feel badly that one's initial suggestions don't get in, cause they are in a position to propose additions to EA. Who knows, maybe they get more work from EA and have the time to put in the most requested things?

[Cobblepot]

After viewing 36 screen shots and a video I am starting to feel that TM truely missed the mark on what makes up the heart of simcity.

But they still have a few months. We are still watching.

[wodinoneeye]

It's a madhouse, a m-a-a-a-d house!!!


Shouldnt a picture of Chuck Heston to go with that???

Firehose time.

[dvchronique]

well... this another things that tells me it is NOT a SimCity...

IT IS just another sity builder...

dv

[DJAvenger]

well... this another things that tells me it is NOT a SimCity...

IT IS just another sity builder...

dv

What's a sity? I've never heard of a sity builder before. Now, a city builder, on the other hand...

[Romaq]

After viewing 36 screen shots and a video I am starting to feel that TM truely missed the mark on what makes up the heart of simcity.

But they still have a few months. We are still watching.
Yeah, I have some disappointment in my hopes for SC5 as well, but having my wife happy is more important to me than having 'SC4 in 3D'. SC4 has already been done anyway. SC:Six can be about Spore with the SC4 game mechanics for release Christmas 2012 for Windows 2010 on the new fangled holographic projectors. SC5 is SC5, and I'd really love constructive, creative, positive push on objectives that TM can contractually accomplish before Christmas 2007's release date. I really *would* like to get *some* things I want, and I could really use all the positive help I could get on bending TM's ear on it.

"Screw TM they suxors CL2 rocks!" doesn't help *me*, even if I sympathize with the points underlying the rants. Is my point of 'non-ranting' getting out to the TM bashers out there? Not that you (Cobblepot) are ranting or being like those other people. It's just the 'we are still watching' sounds rather sad, and doesn't offer ways for TM to incorporate those things you want the most out of SC5. Likely the very same things *I* want. Would you be willing to help me positively talk TM into fitting those things we both want into the game, if it can be managed?

Fortunately, it's clear TM has a good sense of humor as evidenced in this very thread. Life is simply too short, and a good dose of humor will be needed by both those of us who read and wait, and those who are *on* the design team. I suspect a 'feature freeze' is still between three and five months away. That's a *LONG TIME* of 'TM/ SC5 suxxors, I want SC4 in 3D, CL2's one screenshot beats all of SC5' on these message boards. We could sure use the time we have left before 'final feature freeze' to get in those things we want that are *contractually feasible* for TM. And even if we can't get what we think is worth playing personally, we gave our wishes the best possible chance to fly.

And, of course, *Monte Cristo* is watching. >:) And it sounds like they are still working on basic gameplay, if the unconfirmed rumor is based on reality. And MC will have three to six additional months to ‘get it right’ if TM is ‘totally wrong’. We shall see. Meanwhile, I’ll plug away at what I think I can accomplish.

--Romaq

[Cobblepot]

"Not that you (Cobblepot) are ranting or being like those other people. It's just the 'we are still watching' sounds rather sad, and doesn't offer ways for ...
--Romaq

It is more of a toss down the glove kind of thing. A call for them to convince me that SC:S is a worthy title. I have seen too many games die over the years. Take Elder Scolls 4, it was ok but lost the appeal that the other titles had. Sid Meier's railroads, airport tycoon 3, and Resident Evil Code: Veronica all fell below the mark..
BUt I will say the resident Evil team saw this and jumped back with a better game in res 4.

then we can look at rockstar and GTA... each title has been a blast and the next one promises even more fun.

As a follower of the sim empire I do expect a set standard. My biggest thing is transportation, This is what I loved about simcity. I can live without the pipes and power lines but not having the rail and road systems just won't be the same. I really am not into building candylands, I want real cities with highways and byways.

SIMCITY is not the only game nor is TM the only developer I have tossed this challege to. I expect the developers of KOTR 3, AOE 4, and X4 to show they have the stuff.

As for changes, nothing major will happen this late in developement. They may get some minor stuff in as the game should be hitting final testing in 2 months and head for printing 3rd to 4rd week of oct.

[Romaq]

I understand the feeling of having some of the hope sucked out of SC5. The problem with 'http://www.thefreedictionary.com/To+throw+down+the+glove' (quote - to challenge to combat) is to pick a 'fight,' in some sense, as a single person challenging a company trying to sell a legal product. If that is, in fact, what you intend with 'tossing down a love'. If you believe SC5 is at that point, it's much better to drop the 'watching' stance and attempt to become involved with Monte Cristo's CL2 product at as close to the entry point as possible. Or maybe give up and focus on promoting SC4. X-COM: UFO Defense is still being enjoyed, and I played it within recent years. There is active development on the Commodore 64. And it’s as valid a form of entertainment as any other. I expect to continue puttering in SC4 unless I have real reason to enjoy SC5 past watching my wife have fun with it, and wait for what CL2 has to offer. What matters in the end are the checks cut between everyone involved and the reasonable expectation TM has of ‘pinball’, the reasonable expectation to get to ‘play again’ making yet another game for EAGames. If sales are poorer than expected, there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to blame everyone else. If sales do well, then everyone except ‘our’ group of players is reasonably happy. And Monte Cristo has the opportunity to capitalize on our dissatisfaction with SC5. Or not.

But if you’ve given up, why bother ‘watching’? If you feel the need to challenge TM to … what, throw out their current game engine? On what basis would you ‘challenge’ them beyond not making a purchase at all, or waiting to purchase CL2?

And yes, there is not much time left for anything but minor tweaks if they are pressing in late October. And that’s when CL2 is supposed to open their ‘official’ website. So … what, we give up on SC5? Or press for as much as we can? Even if I were certain I would not pay to play, I’m certain my wife would, and that’s my incentive to shoot for what I can out of the final shipping version. My hope is that you would find ‘wiggle room’ for things you could see for personal friends to enjoy SC5, even if you are pretty sure it’s worthless to *you*. I’m not clear on how a ‘throwing down the glove challenge’ will help towards that end. Perhaps that is merely my own self-interested short-sightedness. Or perhaps I misunderstand you, and for that I must apologize. If I can get enough out of I want into a shipping product that I can enjoy SC5 with my wife, that beats *not* being able to participate with her at all, and cuts EAGame’s money potential in half.

Anyway, thank you for your reply. TM and MC are both watching this board, I’m sure. I have money I want to spend on entertainment. One of those teams, neither, or both might get one to three units sold. I’m in favor of both teams making products well enough I’d want to buy three copies of each. My hope is that there is opportunity for everyone involved.

Tell us, Chris, is there ‘wiggle room’ for some of the things we would like, even if you can’t tell us which things at this point of development? Is there a rough guess on how much of the feature set is cast, even if you can’t tell us specifics on those features? Have changes been made based upon positive input from the last week? And does SC5 have ‘Llama humor’ that you may admit to at this point?

--Romaq

[Cobblepot]

Yes I do think you mis-understand, I am not sure I can fully explain what I mean but it is all good.

If this game was called mycities or something else , then it i would view it as a stand alone title to be judged/loved/hated after it hits the stores. As a title that bears a name of a 15+ year line then everyone should expect us to break down each and every press release.

What we have seen so far is a single road type that can be either brick, smooth , and broken up. What we have not seen is things that simcity fans fought for in each and every prior title...more and more road options.
I think what those of us that love laying our transportion networks want and where expecting in the next title of simcity was more and better options.

Yet what we have seen so far is a single road type. maybe SC:S has more options that TM is hidding either to keep the hype up and to draw out ideas or the game is lacking such things and may find very limited play time with those that wish for more.

A clear way to end the show me stance would be for TM to post a complete transportation list. This they may not do as they might actually be enjoying the strife that it is cuasing. Then in the end they can dance and shout "Ha we knew you woul love it!"

Then again we may decide we like the game on it's own merit.

if I decide that I do love the game, then I will gladly post a statement on these forums declaring so.


Would they get more pleasure from just having everyone kissing thier backside and posting they love the game before it comes out, or from winning over secptical simcity fans after the game hits the market?

I do see that those of TM are doing thier best to take everything with a light heart and a sense of humor which i do give props for. Therefore I bet they desire the greater victory of winning us over.

[Romaq]

Ah. Well, the game that bears the title is a direct function of the wishes of the copyright holder, and their marketing assessment of what's going to make money. As far as for me, it’s just a name. They could refer to it as Civ City: Synergy, and I’m more interested in the feature set than the title. I’d be just as happy someone ‘open sourced’ a copyright free close match to SC4 in full 3D and called it ‘LinCity 5’. Or if City Life 2 can produce what you and I would think of as ‘SC5’ in all but name only, I’m happy with that too. I’m pretty agnostic about naming conventions, though I still refer to Windows ‘eXperience Pain.’

So we’ll see what features *really* come out of this thing, and likely have a copy for Mikaela. I’ll discover to what degree I can make a ‘concurrant multi-player competitive/ cooperative’ game out of it, if at all, and decide on a second copy based upon ‘file format’ stuff nobody else will care about.

If I really cared all that much as people *seem* to in this forum, I’d have to work on an open-source development group to recreate SC4 as an open source project with full 3D. And in about 50 to 75 years of pain and having no life, based on what I see of every OTHER open source game project, I’d have something that might almost sorta work. Kinda. Or maybe I’d go bowling for llamas instead.

McDonalds by another other name is still a burger joint, and SimCity as a franchise is what marketing thinks will push units out and checks in. If EAGames guessed wrong, Monte Carlo Games won’t complain. And I’ll still look forward to reading the Post Mortem in Game Developer on it.

Anyway, good luck to you on the path you’ve chosen. I’ll see what comes of the little tugging I can do with Tilted Mill.

--Romaq

[Cobblepot]

I have City life but never installed it, it would not work with vista. But I see that they released a patch June 12 for it that should make it run. SO I guess this weekend I will try it out.

[Romaq]

I look forward to some specifics on City Life in light of SC5’s available info I'm not going to buy CL just to pick up CL2 in 2008. I might *possibly* purchase CL2 *and* SC5. Possibly. But I don't bring in money just to fritter it away. I'm not going to buy a prior version with high expectations of the next version coming along.

By the by, that *is* one advantage for the SC4 custom content authors. SC5 is so different in many respects that it could keep SC4 interest and activity going much longer, such as with X-Com. If SC5 were 'too much' a 3D version of SC4, that would effectively kill of new SC4 activity.

It doesn’t sound as if SC5’s approaching release will be a problem for fresh SC4 development based on the info we have to date, but we shall see.

--Romaq

[JuliaSet]

I have City life but never installed it, it would not work with vista. But I see that they released a patch June 12 for it that should make it run. SO I guess this weekend I will try it out.

Vista has been problematic with modding. It sees the new files as illegal to the original version.

Windows Vista "VirtualStore" file protection

Windows Vista protects installed programs (programs installed in "Program Files"). Some file protections are obvious, for example you receive an error if you try deleting a file. For file modifications (example: .ini files) as backwards compatibility Microsoft Vista introduces the "VirtualStore": If a user (or a mod installer) edits an original file, invisible to the user (or mod installer) a copy of the original file is edited and goes into the "VirtualStore".

For the user it then appears as if the original file has been successfully edited if the file is accessed later, but Vista invisibly diverts the file call to the copied file inside of the VirtualStore. The game files need to be organized properly to have localization and modded files function properly.

[Cobblepot]

Well I tried City Life after loading the vista patch. I found the game boring. Guess I will go back to SIMCITY 4.

[Romaq]

Yup... that's the line I was thinking after I'm done playing with my wife's copy of SC:S. That is, until CL:2 comes out and shows some of the depth of SC:4

--Romaq

[Doctorevil2425]

i still want llamas...

They truly would make SCS seem more like the old SC's even if they are totally differrent.

[Kinneas]

Wow. Thank goodness I am not the only one who has thought that.

I am truly among llama friends.

[Corinthian]

From this image, they are on to the llamas! :D

Hint: look at the news ticker at the bottom.

[Mike Lattiak]

That doesn't say llamas. You didn't see it. It was a weather balloon. No comment. Get out of my house!

[MarkDuffy]

Ding! :D

[John-SJ]

That doesn't say llamas. You didn't see it. It was a weather balloon. No comment. Get out of my house!
Methinks he doth protest too much.

I know a llama when I see one! ;)

[stcammo2003]

Heh.

One thing I will give you folks at TM credit for is your sense of humour, which is the main reason I'll still be hanging around. :D

I don't laugh much, but I've had quite a few solid laughs in my short time here.