SimCity 3000
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| SimCity 3000 | |
Missing image Simcity3k.jpg | |
| Developer: | Maxis |
| Publisher: | EA Games |
| Release date: | 1999 |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Game modes: | Single player |
| ESRB rating: | Everyone (E) |
| Platforms: | Windows, Linux, Apple Macintosh |
| Media: | CD |
SimCity 3000 (SC3K) is the third computer game in the SimCity series of games. It was published by Electronic Arts (EA) and developed by series creator Maxis, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EA. While some users have managed to run SimCity 4 on Linux, 3000 was the first and only version to be specifically released for the operating system through an arrangement with Loki Games.
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Comparison with SimCity 2000
SimCity 3000 is essentially SimCity 2000 (SC2K) with several small features added and graphics updated to a standard appropriate for when it was published (1999). Some people consider SC2K to be a better game than SimCity 3000 since the two are essentially the same and because of SC3K's greater system requirements, and game-play issues. For example, SimCity 3000 Unlimited occasionally gives the player the option of hosting a parade, which gives a boost to the player's city. The animation for the parade lasts a long time, the game pauses during the animation with no option of skipping over the animation. Critics note other similar flaws.
Changes
Sc3kUScreen.jpg
Notable changes from 2000 to 3000 were the introduction of garbage management, better management of the power and water grids, the addition of farms, much larger maps, and a news ticker for status updates to replace the old popup-style newspaper (which many people were unable to close when SC2K was on the fastest speed setting). However, SC3K removed the ability to construct arcologies, but some feel that the huge buildings were only included because of SC2K's small map size, which prevented too many people from inhabiting a city at once.
Real-world landmarks were also introduced for the first time in SC3K, but were strictly for aesthetic purposes only. Landmarks in the game include the Sydney Opera House, Notre Dame, and the Empire State Building.
Unlimited
A re-release, SimCity 3000 Unlimited, was released in 2000. Unlimited added, among other things, Asian and European building sets, a snapshot feature, an improved version of the Building Architect Tool (a very basic psuedo-3D design tool based on cubes), and scenarios (along with a creator based on MS Access).
The SimCity 3000 Unlimited edition was distributed with different titles in some places outside of the USA:
- SimCity 3000 UK Edition in United Kingdom
- SimCity 3000 Deutschland in Germany
- SimCity 3000 World Edition elsewhere in Europe and Latin America
- SimCity 3000 China in China
- SimCity 3000 Japan in Japan
- SimCity 3000 Korea in Korea
BAT
Sc3kBuildingArchitectPlus.png
Like Simcity 2000's Sim City Urban Renewal Kit (SCURK) tool, Simcity 3000 had its own building modifier called BAT (Building Architect Tool). However, BAT was based on the idea of building blocks (not unlike LEGO bricks). Because of the negative reactions on the limited possibilities with SCURK, BAT2 (Building Architect Plus) was introduced with the ability to add custom-made props.
Sc3kBATtingProcess.png
Despite the huge amount of buildings and artists involved with BAT, it hasn't gained the cult-status SCURK has. Another possible reason is that BAT didn't allow people to create and edit cities by placing buildings free-of-charge, unlike SCURK's city editor, thus lessening BAT's appeal.