According to Gameworld Network, Electronic Arts, the leviathan that once gobbled up Maxis, has decided to split into four groups. Their names will be: EA Games, EA Sports, The Sims, and EA Casual Entertainment. According to GWN: “EA Games will be developing games such as Spore, Need for Speed, and Command and Conquer. EA Casual will continue their work with Harry Potter, Boogie and mobile games. EA Sports will no doubt continue to churn out the same tired old series’ year after year, while the new Sims team, now relinquished of any other burdens can focus solely on The Sims franchise.”

They hope “this reshuffle will make a little room for some of that risky ‘innovation’ we all keep hearing about”.

One can’t help wonder where SCS fits in in all of this. The link with the Sims, and Sims-like looks have been pointed out by many. Does this mean SCS will be developed under the Sims division? Or will it remain under Games?

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After previewing SimCity Societies at a pre-E3 event in Los Angeles, IGN appears to be slightly reassured of the quality of the SimCity series. They have posted a preview article and video on their website, which outline the basic gameplay items and also describe the various types of cities you can build. There are six “societal energies” that you will have to take care of, but the main element of SimCity has been reduced to the following:
If you don’t really want to think that hard, all you need to know is that there’s homes, workplaces, and venues, and that there’s the six societal energies which each building produces. But when you want to get right into it, you’ll see that every single building has its own unique attributes, and some of them have direct action that you can click on, so there’s always something for you to do
You build homes when you want more people, you build workplaces when you want more money, you build more venues when you want more happiness
IGN appears to be on the fence about whether this is good or bad, but they do say the demo lifted their spirits a bit. What they do say, though is that “It probably won’t be the SimCity that fans were hoping for, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be its own brand of good.”

View: Article | Video | Forum Discussion

Thanks to Gil for the tip!

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The SimCity 5 preview in Games for Windows has finally been released, but it’s not anything like we expected two weeks ago, when we first heard rumours it was coming. This SimCity is so completely different from anything we have ever seen before; it barely even looks like a SimCity. The game features cartoonish graphics along with the gutting of a lot of familiar SimCity gameplay. Some observers claim the new gameplay is geared toward an under 10 audience, not the typical 14+ age group past SimCities have attracted. In the place of city building, SimCity Societies will now focus on “culture building”, the article says.

The Monkey’s Uncle’s Review: OK, we can see what they mean about the water pipes and advisors, they did get annoying. However, we actually liked a lot about SimCity 4, even if there were a few vices. Why then, did they have to gut the entire game and start over from scratch? Thanks to Greyleaf for the tip.

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A week after the “unofficial” announcement by Tilted Mill and Games for Windows, SimCity Societies has been announced by EA.

This excerpt from the article describes some of the gameplay we can expect to find in the game, which is expected to be released Winter 2008.

SimCity Societies introduces an all-new, revolutionary feature set for players to combine buildings that will produce or consume new kinds of resources called “social energies.” How you mix and match these resources - industry, wealth, obedience, knowledge, devotion, or creativity–determines the social energy of your city. Will your city be happy and creative, spiritual and knowledgeable, will it be wealthy and powerful or obedient and fearful? Its fate is in your hands!

Not only will players be able to build from any or all energies, but the cities will look and behave differently depending on the energy combinations the player makes. From futuristic metropolises and fantastical haunted cities to obedient Orwellian states and devout contemplative towns - what to combine and connect is up to the creator.

All current evidence indicates that SimCity Societies will be nothing like any SimCity we’ve seen yet. What do you think, are the changes for better or for worse?

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Five new screenshots and an article have been posted at the 1up website (affiliated with Games for Windows).

SimCity Societies Screenshots

Here are some excerpts from the article:
It’s with that spirit that EA sets out to reinvigorate the SimCity line with its upcoming SimCity Societies. Yes, there are many changes, and some of them will initially shock longtime fans. The mere fact that you can now select and place all the buildings (rather than watching them spring forth from your zoning) sets the stage for a major metamorphosis. But before panic sets in, know that despite the game’s new direction, the heart of SimCity still beats beneath it. While it may avoid some of the stricter city-planner roles, they’re replaced with a wide variety of social-engineering experiments that present would-be mayors plenty to play with.

#3 — As the working title implies, Societies adds a new layer of emphasis on the city’s citizens. The game introduces six “social energies” (such as Wealth or Obedience) that influence your city’s look and feel. Buildings and aesthetics change depending on how these six values develop. Focus on Obedience, for example, and your buildings will start automatically adding security cameras to monitor your citizens’ movements, Orwellian-style. Different energy balances unlock different building types, too.

Full article

I think it’s becoming more and more clear that the next version of SimCity will be the biggest flop in this franchise’s long history. EA, Tilted Mill, if you’re listening: make this game a real SimCity, or risk losing your entire community of fans! Yes, it’s that serious.

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The speculation is over and the next SimCity has been announced, titled SimCity Societies (the working title at this time)! Yes, it’s actually official! Posted on Shacknews:
Shacknews has today learned from an EA representative that SimCity Societies is the working title for the fifth main game in the popular Maxis city management series. Details on the game are being held until the publishing of a story in the next issue of Games for Windows: The Official Magazine.

SimCity Societies will mark the return of the SimCity franchise following the 2003 release of SimCity 4: Rush Hour. It also appears to signal some type of change in gameplay or setting, based on its deviation from standard numerical titles. Recent entries in the series have experimented with showing a more personal level of urban life. SimCity 4 supported the importing of characters from Maxis’ The Sims into the urban planner, allowing players to track their movements and habits.

GameStop currently lists the PC title as releasing on November 13, 2007, although that date is unconfirmed and is likely the result of speculation. As always, the new Sim City will be developed by Maxis, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EA. SimCity DS, developed by EA Japan and based on SimCity 3000, is set for release this month.

Wow, it’s all happening so fast. For the most up to date information, make sure you check the forums regularly!

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Instead of “SimCity 5″, recent evidence suggests that the next version of the game will actually be called “SimCity Societies”. We think this for two reasons: On its website, Gamestop lists a “SimCity Societies” to be released in November of this year, around the same time frame most speculate the next SimCity is coming. Also, a domain search for www.simcitysocieties.com lists Electronic Arts as the owner (as of March 3, 2007). Will this be some sort of strange hybrid between SimCity and The Sims? We’re not sure, but speculation in the forums is ongoing. Join the discussion!

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