IBM to create 'serious' SIM CITY

[Paladijn]

On the IBM website [http://www-01.ibm.com/software/solutions/soa/innov8/cityone/index.html] I read about a 'serious' game they are doing: called CityOne. It is supposedly a game that offers its players a more realistic way of dealing with day-to-day management of a city then for example Sim City [http://www.mobygames.com/game/simcity-4-rush-hour].

The graphics look pretty good and I certainly like the more realistic approach. However a downside may be (no: quite possibly is) the fact that it seems to be an outright commercial for IBM, as I read on their website:

"Level-Up your skills and discover how to make our Planet smarter, revolutionize industries and solve real-world business, environmental and logistical problems using IBM solutions."

Wondering how long you can play before getting sick of their logo, however I want to give the benefit of the doubt and if they can manage to make a good, realistic and balanced sim game, I will give it a try.

Anyone else can share some insight on this game?

 

[Rhythm]

It actually looks quite interesting. I do like to play a 'serious' game now and then. I do wonder though just how deep it is. Is it going to be a game that you can complete in hours or will it take days/weeks/months?

And providing it's free I shall pick it up when it's available ^^

 

[Liberaliter]

I saw a video and it looked quite good, I've always enjoyed complex games in which I can sink hours into, learning the intricacies and ways of play. let's hope it's not to boring though, and like you said - I don't want to feel like I'm playing a commercial.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

As long as I can build the city on top of a super volcanic earthquake hot spot prone to alien invasion and random manifestations of Godzilla, I won't mind so much. I haven't really played a sim city in a while but of all things, why did the realism monster go after Sim City? Maybe the realism monster will leave out FPS's alone for a while

 

[Oktanas]

the trailer looks awesome

If you want a better simcity you should try geting City XL http://www.gametrailers.com/game/cities-xl/6898

 

[Sev07]

I don't know, when i see the word 'serious' i think realistic, and honestly a city game that's too realistic could be really hard, and i don't think it would be very fun.
P.S. I'm not a big fan of these types of games so my view is bias.

 

[Eerors]

From <a href=http://www-01.ibm.com/software/solutions/soa/innov8/cityone/index.html>CityOne's Website (and a <a href=http://uk.pc.gamespy.com/articles/108/1087925p1.html>GameSpy article on it), I get the impression that you'll start off with fully functioning cities and then have to manage them so they don't wither and die.
Or start with a dilapidated city and have to improve that.

you have to pay a monthly subscription fee to play it multiplayer AND get updates.

The planet multiplayer deal has come to an end so it is a solo only game now. Thank god.