TheSimCityfranchise has been dormant since the release ofSimCity2013, and it does not seem like Maxis has any plans to revive it soon. Paradox’sCities Skylinesseries has risen to fill the void, and city-builder fans have flocked to the original release in droves. What was once one of the biggest names in the genre has faded into relative obscurity, but that could all change with a little push byThe Sims 5.
The Sims 5is currently in development, and it will more than likely evolve the popular life-sim series in exciting ways. Not much is known about the project yet, but given each entry is very different from the last,The Sims 5has a chance to show players why Maxis is the king of the life-sim genre. One of the best ways to do that may be by adopting some ofSimCity’sgameplay mechanics. If theSimCityfranchise isn’t set to continue, its city management features deserve to live on in the more popular spin-offs.
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How SimCity Could Live on in The Sims
SimCitykickstarted Maxis' career, andThe Simswould end up being its most popular spin-off. The core concept ofThe Simssees players controlling people within SimCity, and that simple premise has drawn players in for years. It has gone on to be one of the biggest video game franchises around, and while it may have risen above its creator,The Sims 5should still take inspiration from the iconic city-builder series.
The Sims 5could take the core concept ofSimCityand adapt it intoThe Simsframework. Players have been able to customize various aspects of their towns inThe Sims,but never to the extent thatSimCityallows. They do not have to manage the layout, they do not have to ensure the city has all the resources it needs, and there is no reason for them to manage city services. SimCity is mostly just set dressing for their Sims to explore. They can place down buildings in specific plots and manage who lives in what house, which has led to uniquecreations like towns inspired byThe Last of Usif they want, but that is pretty much the extent of it
Maxis should take some ofSimCity’smanagement features and include them inThe Sims 5. It could be cool if players build their cities like inSimCity,and then manage the day-to-day life of the people inside it. They could construct an entire street, fill it with houses that have everything they need, and then control one of the families that call it home. It would take the best of both franchises andfold it into one fantastic life simulator.
The focus ofThe Simsseries should be on the day-to-day life of the Sims, as that sets it apart from other simulators on the market. However, the next couple of years will seemajorSimscompetitors likeLife By Youenter the ring. IfThe Sims 5does not do enough to innovate then players may look elsewhere, so adding variousSimCitymanagement features to the mix could be what the series needs right now.
TheSimCityfranchise may be dead, but that does not mean that Maxis' city-building mechanics need to die along with it. Those features could just take on another form and become a part ofThe Simsseries. While not every mechanic from the original franchise should make the jump over, adding more city management features could lead to a life-simulator series that is a step above the rest.
