Thursday, September 26, 2013

Spotlight: Subways

Thinking about a big city, one can imagine a lot of traffic. To avoid traffic jams (which are unfortunately not part of the game) your Sims should take the subway to reach their destination in time.



There will be subway stations all over the city and I am trying to place them according to real station's positions. For example you will find Times Square – 42nd Street, Rockefeller Center, City Hall or Wall street.



Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Another update on progress

Today I can show you the next steps I have taken towards the completion of this project. I am very confident with my progress and the city get's better every day. I hope you share my view and I am curious to hear your opinion.

I spent some time working on the churches this week.
St. Patrick's Cathedral is by far the most known church in New York. It maybe needs some finishing, but that's how it will look like:



 The church as viewn from GE building

 The church from a diagonal perspective

Trinity Church makes a good contrast to all that skyscrapers in the Financial District. It will be a calm place to take a break from the hurly-burly of the city. The outside still needs a lot of work, but I like how it looks right now.

 The church as viewn from Wall Street

 The church as viewn from the roof tops.


Financial District is already quite full. I have thought a lot about Ground Zero and I still have to decide what to do in order to pay the respect that is needed for a place like that. Maybe I will add it, maybe I will leave it. Let's see.




Something funny at the end: As I could not find any cost free model of the charging bull on the internet, I had to improvise and I am proud to present: 
The peaceful cow, symbol of Wall Street and the financial business ;)




Thursday, September 5, 2013

Current state of progress

I felt that it was time to give you some information about the current state of the project, also in order to reply to some recent comments.

In general, everything goes along very well. I have just finished the concrete sea wall that surrounds Manhattan.

The city comes more and more alive due to several lots I have added over the last two weeks. Storefronts, interactive places like Starbucks Coffee, appartments, high-end lofts and so on enhance the gameplay and add to the atmosphere.

You may have already seen Rockefeller Center with the GE building in the New York Winter Nights post. It's a seasonal lot and so it changes over the year. In winter you will have the famous christmas tree and the ice rink, in summer there is a stage for concerts and so on.




I have finally managed to make the Empire State Building become an interactive lot with a basement featuring boutiques, shops as well as Walgreens and Starbucks. There is still some work to do here, but I am quite confident with it right now.





Your Sims can also take the elevator to the observation deck and enjoy a fantastic view over the city.




If you are a couch potato and prefer to stay at home rather than straying through the city, this luxurious penthouse near Central Park could be just right for you.









Those are just a few examples. Next time I will show you St. Patrick's Cathedral, The New York Live Building and some more. Please don't mind that I can't tell you when it will be finished. I am doing my best to get it done as quick as possible.
Stay tuned ;)