Sim City Formosa
International Distributor: Electronic Arts
Local Distributor: EA Taiwan
Platforms: Chinese and English for PC
Release Date: Jan. 11
Sim City has retained its popularity over 10 years and now is being released in its fourth generation. In a move indicative of Taiwan's importance in the PC gaming world, this edition has been subtitled "Formosa," and will allow players to select Taipei landmarks as they build up their city, a feature which is bound to appeal to Taiwanese players.
The reason for this prominence is because the head of EA's creative design is Taiwan native Hsu Ching-ling (
"In Sim City Formosa, the player not only manages and improves his city, but must establish the city within a larger regional infrastructure. The Taiwan map, for example, is divided into over 10 regions, and players have the option of setting up transport networks and mutually supporting specializations -- Taipei as the financial center, Hsinchu for technology development, the airport in Taoyuan and so on. The same applies for the other major cities included in the game, giving this new edition considerably more depth and appeal," Hsu said in an interview with local media when visiting Taiwan on holiday.
The 3D engine is pushing the refinement of the game's graphics to even higher levels, bringing unprecedented realism -- as buildings go up, the trucks delivering materials can be seen coming and going, and during the night, street and building lights turn on.
A development from Sim City 3000 is the three modes in which the game can be played. This includes "God mode," allowing control of forces of nature that can change the geography of the city's location, and "mayor mode" in which the player leads a group of consultants to build up the city. The newest feature is the "resident mode" in which the player can set up as many as five characters in his city and get feedback from them as he plays the mayor.
The Taiwan release incorporates an additional CD of elements that make the Sim world even more interesting, such as Air Force displays to celebrate success in building up the city. The release of this new edition is likely to re-ignite enthusiasm for this venerable computer game.
The Sims Online
International distributor: Electronic Arts
Local distributor: EA Taiwan
Platforms: English for PC
Release: Already available
The network version of The Sims allows gamers a more communal experience. After all, Sim City has international sales of over four million copies with millions of players around the world. To bring them together, EA established the Maxis workshop to develop this network edition of the game.
"Unlike most online games in which killing is the main motive, this online game allows gamers to communicate and share their experience," said Jack Lin (
To allow players to establish their characters, there are 50 preferences that can be set, in addition to countless attributes ranging from hair, features and clothing.
Modes of interaction have also been vastly increased. The server provides 50,000 places, with each player allowed a single spot, but with the addition of three gamers being allowed to share in a single building or open a shop. Selecting and decorating your virtual home is one of the attractions of the game, and while wondering around the city, you might want to take notes, just in case the house of your dreams suddenly comes up for sale.
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