Eep² - The Sims - Multiplayer

From: Eep²
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 9:27 PM
To: Will Wright
Subject: general comments & inquery

I've loved your games for years (ever since first playing SimCity on the Mac back in [1989]). Since then I've played (in order) on the PC: SimCity Classic, SimAnt, SimEarth, SimCity 2K, SimTower, SimFarm, Streets of SimCity, SimCity 3K, and currently The Sims. I really dig the open-endedness of your games and how they don't require mindless, prepubescant, blow-away-everything-on-the-screen, knee-jerk, trigger-finger reactions to play. It's a welcome change from all the rehashed games that seem to spring up each year.

I have some questions about some of your games. With the release of nVidia's GeForce, and faster and faster CPUs, will a true 3D version SimCity (4K?) come to realization? I was really excited when I first heard SC3K was going to be 3D, but then disappointed it was back to the 2.5D isometric view of SC2K. I've read GameSpot's Maxis' history article so I know why SC3K 3D didn't happen at the time, but computer tech is rapidly advancing all the time and it's been a couple years or so since SC3K so perhaps now a true 3D version can be created?

I really dig the immersion 3D provides and have been formulating my thoughts on a "3D holodeck" for a few years now. http://tnlc.com/eep/aw/ to read more about it. Have you ever thought of something similar? Would it have promise as a "game" (more of a simulator though)? I would love for such a game to be developed and would gladly help contribute ideas/suggestions/whatever (I've done a couple years of software/hardware QA testing) to bring it into fruition.

Subject: RE: general comments & inquery
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000 10:40:01 -0800
From: Will Wright
To: Eep²

Thanks for the kind comments,

Yes, we're working on 3d worlds right now. I think a 3d SimCity will be feasible in the near future.

I think the key to the 3d "Holodeck" idea is starting small and letting the players build the world (especially in the programming realm) over time. The old text based MUDs are still the best example I've seen of a player-grown world.

-Will

From: Eep²
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2000 5:37 AM
To: Will Wright
Subject: Re: general comments & inquery

Yea, but imagine if, instead of text, an integrated 3D multiuser real-time level editor could be developed. I'm not sure if you considered making The Sims multiplayer but I think that would rule. Imagine connecting to a neighborhood (or even a town/city) server, picking the neighborhood (if one of the latter), and then doing what The Sims currently allows: terrain modification, house building, etc. But what would probably REALLY trip people out is being able to interact with other sims...only to find out they are being controlled by other people! Of course the game would have to be real-time and not The Sims' 1 second real-time per 1 minute Sims time. There's a lot of potential here and I can guarantee you people would practically LIVE in/on the game just like people do in EverQuest, Ultima Online, Active Worlds, etc.

I think multiuser, massively parallel gaming really is "the next big thing", and giving the player control over the environment (i.e. level editing) should be a part of it. It should be fairly obvious that game mods, level editing, and customization keep games around longer--just look at Duke Nukem 3D, Doom, Quake, Half-Life, Thief, Unreal, etc, etc, etc. I'm glad you made The Sims modular in thiss respect and perhaps as The Sims becomes more popular, you guys (Maxis/EA) will be motivated to create something along the lines I mentioned above.

Subject: RE: general comments & inquery
Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 10:19:14 -0800
From: Will Wright
To: Eep²

Eep,

Yes, we're working on an online version of The Sims right now. It's quite similar to what you envision (minus the 3d right now).

-Will

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