Note: SimCity Classic (Mac version) requires a monitor set at no more than 16 colors. Newer Macs don't have this option. (you can choose to run the B&W version with monitors set to B&W). Sim 2000 is the newer version of the simulation--much more complex--and would work well though I've not yet used it in the classroom.

• Assignments
  • Planning Objectives Form
  • Decision Logs
  • Written and Oral Reports
• Screen Shots
  • Maps Window
  • Edit Window
  • Graphs Window
  • Land Value Window
  • Budget Window
  • Evaluation Window
• Availability and Price Information

Edit Window - basic window with building tools for the city.

Graphs Window - time based graphs of various city data (10 or 120 year time span). Residential population, Commercial population, Industrial population, Crime Rate, Cash Flow

Land Value Window - relative land value within the city--used to established revenue generated in taxes.

Budget Window - Set funding levels for fire, police and transportation departments. Also used to set property tax rates.

Evaluation Window - Data presented in poll form, rating the overall job of the mayor and listing the most pressing problems of the city.

Name ________________________ Name ___________________

 

Before beginning your new city, complete this form. You will turn it in when you give your oral presentation/written report.

How will you be graded on this city building project? Your grade will NOT depend on the size of your city. You will be evaluated based on 1) Overall City Score 2) How well you meet the objectives you write on this form 3) Your Decision Log 4) Your final presentation/report

BEFORE starting your new city, complete the questions below:

1. Describe what type of terrain you want. Rivers? (north-south or east-west?) Lakes? Lots of shoreline? Lots of forest? An island? Regular shape? Irregular shape?

2. What size city do you plan to build? (Village (under 2,000) , Town, City, Capital, Metropolis, Megalopolis (over 250,000)? NOTE: The simulation is designed so that very large cities are difficult to sustain (= your funds may run out !)

3. Describe the atmosphere you want for your city?

¥Bustling megalopolis--lots of people, cars, tall buildings, high density living?

¥Smaller rural community or group of connected communities providing slow paced country living?

¥ Something in between these two?

Now, follow these steps exactly:

1. Double click on the SimCity program.

2. Click on "Start a New City."

3. Click on "Generate a New Terrain". Continue looking until you find a terrain that is similar to the one you described above. Then Click on "Use This Map."

4. Click on "Easy" for the Game Play Level.

5. Name your city. Click OK.

NOTE: I suggest that you copy your city to your own disk at the end of every class. Also choose "Save City" from the "File" menu often as you develop your city.

NOTE: Before making major changes to your city, choose "Save City As. . ." and give it a new name. This way, if your major changes are very UNSUCCESSFUL, you will have saved your previous version of your city.

6. Select "No Disaster" from the "Disaster" menu. NOTE: We all know how to embezzle funds (Shift "FUND"). If you do this, be honest and write it on your "Decision Log" Also, remember: If you embezzle too much, you will suffer DISASTERS !

STOP !

A. On the blank piece of paper attached to this handout, draw a map which looks like the "City Map: Comprehensive" on your screen.

B. Look at the map you have drawn. Draw in the following items:

NOTE: You may need to refer to your manual to decide the best place to locate these items ! A little good-sense planning now will save you LOTS of time/money later !

1. the downtown part of the city
2. the expensive waterfront homes which pay more taxes
3. bridges and tunnels across or under the water
4. power plants
5. large industrial areas (factories, warehouses, etc)
6. future parks
7. future airport, seaport and stadium

When your hand-drawn map is finished, you are ready to start building your city. You have more knowledge and experience than you had earlier in the course. Good Luck!

Part of your grade will be determined by this Decision Log. It is a way to know how your city developed, what problems occurred, how you tried to solve them and why. It also will show the trend of the data from the "Evaluation Window" This Log will be very useful for your written report/oral presenatation.

Make an entry in this log at least every five years. Add additonal pages when necessary.

If you are building a city with a partner, you should share time at the computer, make decisions jointly, and also share responsibility for keeping this log. Good Luck with your new cities !

Year _____ Public Opinion Is the mayor doing a good job? __ % Yes __% No What are the worst problems? ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________

Statistics Poplulation- _______________ Net Migration- ______________ Assessed Value_____________ Category: __________________ Overall City Score (0-1000) current score _______ annual change_______

Actions you will take:

Reasons for these actions:

Year _____ Public Opinion Is the mayor doing a good job? __ % Yes __% No What are the worst problems? ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________ ___% ________________________

Statistics Poplulation- _______________ Net Migration- ______________ Assessed Value_____________ Category: __________________ Overall City Score (0-1000) current score _______ annual change_______

Actions you will take:

Reasons for these actions:

*************************************************** Note: Students have as many of these forms as are necessary to continue recording until the end of their city building projects.

I. When will I present? _____________________
II. Where will I present? ____________________
II. To whom will I present? Your team will present to another team (more than one if time allows). You and your partner must divide the speaking time equally.

There will be time for 2 or 3 teams to do "whole class" presentations using the data projection equipment. Contact me ASAP (= As Soon As Possible) if your team wants to do this. A high quality "whole class" presentation will receive an extra credit grade.

IV. What and How will I present?

A. Before your presentation, you must collect and prepare:

1) Planning Objectives Form (with hand drawn map attached)

2) Decision Logs

3) Large poster-sized printout of your city (6 pages taped together)

This will take 20 minutes of printing time.

To print:

1) Go to Chooser under the Apple menu.
2) Select Appletalk ImageWriter
3) Select a Printer and close the Chooser.
4) Choose Print City from the File menu.

The following is a suggested outline. Of course, you may organize your presentation in a different way.

B. Your presentation should include the following:

1) Introduction

a) Describe how you and your partner divided the responsibilities for planning and building your city and for this presentation.

b) Pre-city planning- Explain your team's planning objectives (terrain, city size and atmosphere). Use the Planning Objectives Form and show the hand drawn map.

2) Current City Overview

a) Describe in detail your city as it now exists. Point out differences and similarities to the city you predicted in your Planning Objectives Form. (Use your large printed map) Tell why you decided to lay out and develop the city as you did.

b) Using your Mac to display the Maps window, describe your city according to several of the nine map views. Explain what future action is needed based on the information in these maps. (NOTE: For your written report, choose one map from the Maps window which you think is important and print it using the color printer--I will show you how to do this).

3) City Development

Using your Mac to show the six categories of the Graphs window, (and consulting your Decision Logs) discuss the "trends" (changes over time) in your city. Discuss why the graphs rose or fell during certain periods, what actions you took to improve the situation (check your Decision Logs) and whether your actions were effective or not. (NOTE: For your written report, display a graph showing several categories of data which are especially pertinent to your city. (Click on several buttons to get several graph lines in one window) Print this graph using a color printer. -I will show you how to do this). Since there will be several lines on the graph, be sure and label them for identification.

4) Conclusion

a) Summarize your city's strong/weak points and discuss the future actions you plan to take.

b) Discuss what you would do differently if you were building the same city again from the beginning.

V. How will I be evaluated? The oral presentation and written report will be combined for 20% of your course grade. For grading criteria, see the attached Evaluation Form. NOTE: If your partner is not doing his share of the work, you should inform me immediately.

*********************************************************************************

Due _____________________

Your written report should cover the same points as your oral presentations. Student working in pairs need to divide the writing equally. When you turn in your paper and computer disk, it should be in a manilla envelope.

What should I include in my written report?

a) Mac disk containing your city

b)Title page-Includes title of paper, your name(s), course title, term and date, instructor's name, ISALC, and Lewis & Clark College.

c) Division of responsibilities page- Explain in detail how you and your partner divided the tasks of 1) planning and building your city 2)writing the report (explain exactly which person wrote which part of the report).

d Report- Include introduction, body, and conclusion (cover all the points in your oral presentation)

e) Appendix (at the back of your report--Label Appendix A, B, C, etc.)

i. Planning Objectives Form and hand-drawn map

ii. Decision Logs

iii. Poster-sized printout of city.

iv. Color printout of one Maps window

v. Color printout of one Graphs window (include several graph lines)

How will my written report be evaluated? Your grade on the written report will be determined as follows:

Content & Organization = 50%
LanguageUse, Vocabulary, Spelling and Mechanics = 50%

Be sure and use your best English. Spellcheck AND proofread before turning in your report. You will NOT revise this paper.

SIMCITY PUBLISHER AND PRICE INFORMATION
Electronic Arts (follow the Maxis link)

SimCity Classic: School Edition = $44.95. Includes Teacher's Guide and User Manual.
Lab packs = 5 disks for $79.95. Includes Teacher's Guide and 5 User Manuals.
Site license for up to 30 CPU's = $389.95. Up to 50 CPU's = $559.95.
Additional User Manuals = $10 each.

SimCity 2000:
School Edition = $59.95; Lab pack = $119.95.
Site license for up to 30 CPU's = $539.95. Up to 50 CPU's = $749.95.
Minimum requirements=Color monitor with 8-bit graphics / 4 Megs RAM/ System 7 or above.
Other Sim programs: SimAnt, SimEarth, SimTower, SimTown

Return to Internet/Computer Writing Resources home page.

Created by: krauss@lclark.edu
Updated: 2/27/98