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.
This is basically a role-playing game, with increased skills accruing through performing activities and interacting with other characters. To have an income, it is necessary to engage in business activities, and it is possible to open all kinds of establishments, ranging from casinos to coffee shops. Or you could simply patronize the gambling establishments of others, and make -- or lose -- your money that way.
Hotel Giant
International distributor: Jowood
Productions
Local distributor: Unalis Technology Corp
Platforms: Chinese and English version for PC
Release: January
The German game designer is known for its lively games and on this occasion invited the creator of Seven Kingdoms, Trevor Chan, to create a game based on running a hotel.
The background can be placed in one of 23 famous cities. You start off with a small family establishment and gradually build up into an international hotel chain.
To start the player can select one of 19 types of hotels, but from there on, he must do all the interior design work, putting in all the facilities and ensuring that the hotel is planned well. Patrons of the hotel wander about the premises, and the player can follow them around, listening to their comments and complaints.
There are computer-generated competitors, and players must keep track of hotel rankings in the city and also spend money on advertising. While it is possible to go head-to-head with other businesses, players can simply seek to create a unique hotel. According to Antonio Lu (
Roller Coaster Tycoon 2
International distributor: Infogames
Entertainment
Local distributors: T-time Technology Co and Infogames Taiwan
Platform: Chinese and English for PC
This second edition of Roller Coaster Tycoon not only expands the map and allows for the creation of a bigger and better theme-park empire, it now also incorporates many new themes to help you create your ideal park.
The best part of any amusement park is its roller coasters. In this game you can create your roller coaster with all kinds of twists and sudden drops to get the patrons screaming with excitement and coming back for more.
In designing your ideal roller coaster, you still have to obey the basic laws of physics -- otherwise your patrons are going to be flying out of the cars. But the roller coaster is not everything. You must also see to all the other elements such as rest areas and haunted houses in order to appeal to customers and keep the money rolling in.
Making sure you have sufficient funding for your project is also important, and you can even set up an R&D group to help develop new elements for your roller coaster.
According to Michael Fu, a senior commentator for PC Games, a Cambridge University study sampling children between the ages of seven and 16 has shown that strategy games like Roller Coaster Tycoon are excellent for developing children's organizational skills. One advantage with Roller Coaster Tycoon is that many aspects of micromanagement are taken care of by the computer, so that players can focus on the theme parks bottom line -- and of course, designing a super roller coaster.
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