New SimCity blogs

The past few days several SimCity blogs have been added on the SimCity website. I haven't had time to add all of them separately seeing as we're very busy with the server and the new website. But I didn't want to keep all the cool stuff from you guys. So here's a combined post about the new blogs.

The first one is about making money in a high-tech city. The second blog is about SimCity for Mac. And the third blog is about the Sandbox mode in SimCity.

How I Mayor: Dirty Secrets of High-Tech Industry

Welcome, Mayors, to my high-tech metropolis. Brian Bartram here, Senior Game Designer on SimCity, and I’ve been given the green light to show you how I built this city of the future. I’ve got a problem, though – investing deep in education has left my coffers nearly empty. But there’s a clever solution here, a protip that I’m going to share with you. Pay close attention, I’m going to make gold out of garbage!

SimCity Mac FAQ

Update for all our Apple Mayors -- SimCity for the Mac is releasing this spring and pre-orders will be available soon. For more information, please read our official FAQ below.

Q: When will the Mac version be available?
A: SimCity for Mac will be available in Spring 2013.

Q: Why is the Mac port launching later?
A: This isn’t a Mac port, but a full native version that runs on the Mac OS. Because of this, we want to take the time to ensure that Mac fans will get a version worthy of their platform.

Q: How will users purchase the Mac version?
A: You will be able to pre-order SimCity for Mac soon. Stay tuned for more information.

Q: Will the Mac version be available at retail?
A: The Mac version will only be available as a digital download.

Q: Will the Digital Deluxe version be available for Mac?
A: Yes. You will be able to purchase the standard, Limited Edition and Digital Deluxe versions for Mac.

Q: Does SimCity support cross-platform play between PC and Mac users?
A: Yes. Everyone is playing together on the same servers. That means PC and Mac users will be building the world of tomorrow, together.

Q: Will PC and Mac users be able to play with one another?
A: Yes!

Q: Will Mac players be part of the same SimCity World as PC players, or will they be separated?
A: Yes, Mac players and PC players will be part of the same world.

Q: What system specs are you targeting with the Mac version?
A: Like the PC version, we are aiming to make the game as accessible as possible. Any user with Snow Leopard and a Core 2 processor will be able to enjoy SimCity for Mac.

Q: Will the Mac version have any advantages or additions over the PC version?
A: The Mac version will have the same features as the PC version.

SimCity Sandbox Mode

Hello, Mayors! I’m Lead Gameplay Scripter Guillaume Pierre, also known as MaxisGuillaume on the forums, and I’m here today to talk about an often requested feature by fans: sandbox mode.

I'm not sure what to think about the Mac version. I am a Mac user and having to boot to Windows all the time to play my games is not something I really like to do. And that's why I absolutely love that there is a Mac version but... seeing as I've already pre-ordered (might I add not the cheapest version of them all) the Collector's Edition for PC, I don't feel like having to pay the same amount of money again for a separate Mac version. Especially since the Mac version will be available as a digital download only. On top of that the release date for SimCity on Mac is "spring 2013" and that's not good enough for me. I want to play the game as soon as it's released, with my friends of which most are playing on PC. So I'm glad EA took the time to make a Mac version, but I guess I'll just have to keep on using Bootcamp to play my games...