SimCity BuildIt, developed by TrackTwenty and published by Electronic Arts, is a mobile-exclusive city-building simulator that offers players the opportunity to design, build, and manage their own bustling metropolis. Launched in late 2014, this popular game is available on various platforms, including Android, iOS, and Amazon’s Android devices. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned city-builder, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about SimCity BuildIt, including gameplay mechanics, strategies, tips, and tricks to help you succeed in building your ideal city.
The Premise of SimCity BuildIt
SimCity BuildIt places you in the role of a powerful mayor tasked with the responsibility of creating a thriving urban environment. Much like the original SimCity game released in 1989, this mobile version requires players to manage various aspects of city life, including infrastructure, services, and the overall well-being of the population. The goal is to balance growth, resources, and happiness to create a city that can stand the test of time.
When you start the game, you’re given a modest budget of 25,000 simoleons (the in-game currency) and 50 SimCash (the premium currency). These resources are crucial for laying the foundation of your city, so managing them wisely is key. As you expand your city, you’ll need to address challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, fires, and more, all while keeping your citizens happy and your economy thriving.
SimCity BuildIt offers both single-player and online multiplayer experiences. In the multiplayer mode, players can connect with others, trade resources, join clubs, and participate in social challenges. The game is free to play, but it includes in-game purchases and advertisements, which can enhance your gameplay experience if you choose to invest in them.
Key Features and Mechanics of SimCity BuildIt
SimCity BuildIt is designed to be an intuitive and engaging city-building experience, with a variety of features and mechanics that allow players to create and manage their cities effectively. Here are some of the key elements that define the game:
1. City Building and Zoning
At the heart of SimCity BuildIt is the city-building mechanic, where you place different types of buildings and structures to create your city. The game uses a zoning system similar to previous SimCity games, where you can designate areas for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes.
- Residential Zones: These are the areas where your Sims (the in-game residents) live. Building and upgrading residential zones increases your city’s population, which in turn generates more tax revenue.
- Commercial Zones: These zones are where businesses operate, providing jobs for your Sims and contributing to the city’s economy.
- Industrial Zones: These areas are dedicated to factories and production facilities, which are essential for producing goods and materials needed for city development.
Balancing these zones is crucial for maintaining a healthy economy and ensuring that your Sims have access to jobs, goods, and services.
2. Services and Infrastructure
As the mayor, you’re responsible for providing essential services to your Sims to keep them happy and ensure the smooth operation of your city. These services include power, water, fire protection, police, health care, sewage, waste management, and more. Each service is unlocked as you progress through the game, and managing them effectively is key to maintaining a thriving city.
- Power: Power is the first service you’ll unlock, and it’s crucial for keeping your city running. You can place power plants and other energy sources throughout your city, ensuring that they’re connected to residential and commercial zones via roads.
- Water: Water service is unlocked shortly after power, and it’s essential for providing clean water to your Sims. Like power, water facilities must be connected to residential and commercial zones.
- Fire Protection: Fire stations are unlocked at level 5 and are vital for preventing and responding to fires in your city. Placing fire stations near residential and commercial zones ensures quick response times.
- Police: Police stations, unlocked at level 12, help maintain law and order in your city. They should be strategically placed near residential areas to prevent crime.
- Health Care: Hospitals and clinics, unlocked at level 16, provide medical care to your Sims. Placing them near residential zones helps keep your population healthy.
- Sewage and Waste Management: These services are essential for keeping your city clean and preventing pollution. Sewage plants and waste management facilities should be placed strategically to avoid affecting residential areas.
Each service has a specific coverage area, indicated by a colored overlay when placing the building. Ensuring that your city is fully covered by these services is critical to maintaining high levels of happiness and productivity among your Sims.
3. Specializations and Landmarks
In addition to basic services, SimCity BuildIt offers a variety of specializations and landmarks that can enhance your city’s appeal and provide additional benefits. These include parks, landmarks, entertainment venues, transportation hubs, and more.
- Parks and Recreation: Adding parks and recreational facilities to your city increases land value and attracts higher-income residents. Parks also boost the happiness of your Sims, making them more likely to stay in your city.
- Landmarks: Landmarks are iconic buildings that add character to your city and attract tourists. Examples include the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State Building. Landmarks can also increase land value and generate additional income.
- Transportation: Efficient transportation systems, including roads, bridges, and public transit, are essential for reducing traffic congestion and keeping your city running smoothly. Upgrading roads and adding public transit options can help alleviate traffic problems and improve the overall flow of your city.
Specializations and landmarks not only make your city more attractive but also provide functional benefits that can improve your city’s economy and the happiness of your Sims.
4. Economy and Resource Management
Managing your city’s economy is a critical aspect of SimCity BuildIt. You’ll need to balance your budget, generate income through taxes and commercial activities, and invest in city development.
- Taxes: Taxes are your primary source of income in SimCity BuildIt. The amount of tax revenue you generate depends on the population of your city and the happiness of your Sims. Keeping your Sims happy is crucial for maximizing tax revenue.
- Trade and Production: Your city’s factories and commercial zones produce goods that can be used for city development or traded with other players. Trading resources with other players or selling them on the Global Trade HQ can provide additional income and help you acquire rare materials.
- Budget Management: As you expand your city, you’ll need to carefully manage your budget to ensure that you have enough funds to maintain services, build new structures, and invest in specializations. Balancing income and expenses is key to sustaining long-term growth.
Effective resource management involves making strategic decisions about where to invest your money and how to allocate resources to different areas of your city. Prioritizing essential services and infrastructure while gradually expanding your city’s capabilities will help you build a thriving metropolis.
Tips and Tricks for Success in SimCity BuildIt
While there are no official cheat codes in SimCity BuildIt, there are several strategies and tips that can help you achieve success and build the city of your dreams. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind as you play:
1. Use Club Wars for Rewards
Club Wars is a player-versus-player (PvP) mode in SimCity BuildIt that allows you to compete against other players and earn valuable rewards. Joining a club early in the game gives you access to these events and the opportunity to participate in battles. Winning Club Wars can provide you with exclusive rewards, including SimCash, golden keys, and rare materials, which can be used to upgrade your city.
Participating in Club Wars is also a great way to connect with other players, share strategies, and collaborate on city-building projects. The social aspect of the game adds an extra layer of fun and competition, making it an essential part of the SimCity BuildIt experience.
2. Strategically Place Services for Maximum Coverage
One of the most important aspects of city management in SimCity BuildIt is ensuring that your services are strategically placed to provide maximum coverage to your city’s residential and commercial zones. When placing services like fire stations, police stations, and health care facilities, pay close attention to the coverage area indicated by the colored overlay.
To maximize coverage, try to place services in central locations that can reach multiple zones. This will help you avoid gaps in coverage and ensure that all areas of your city are protected and well-served. Proper placement of services is essential for maintaining high levels of happiness among your Sims and preventing issues like crime, fires, and health problems.
3. Unlock Achievements for Extra Rewards
SimCity BuildIt includes a variety of achievements that you can unlock by completing specific tasks and milestones. These achievements are tied to the Mayor’s Mansion, which you can build as you progress in the game. Completing achievements rewards you with valuable resources, including SimCash, keys, and other bonuses that can aid in your city’s development.
To unlock achievements, focus on completing tasks such as upgrading buildings, reaching population milestones, and participating in special events. Achievements provide a sense of accomplishment and offer tangible rewards that can give you an edge in building and managing your city.
4. Challenge Yourself with Disasters
Disasters are a unique feature in SimCity BuildIt that allows you to test your city’s resilience and earn rewards by completing challenging missions. These disasters are triggered at Dr. Vu’s tower, and each mission involves causing and then responding to a disaster in your city.
Successfully completing disaster missions rewards you with Vu points and golden keys, which can be used to unlock specialized buildings and landmarks. While disasters can cause temporary damage to your city, the rewards are often worth the risk. Additionally, disasters add an exciting challenge to the game and allow you to showcase your city-management skills.
5. Plan for Long-Term Growth
As you build and expand your city in SimCity BuildIt, it’s important to plan for long-term growth. This means thinking strategically about how you allocate resources, where you place buildings and services, and how you manage your budget.
One effective strategy is to focus on upgrading existing buildings and infrastructure before expanding too quickly. Upgrading residential zones increases population density, which generates more tax revenue without requiring additional land. Similarly, investing in higher-level services and specializations can improve your city’s efficiency and attractiveness, making it easier to sustain growth over time.
Planning for long-term growth also involves considering the future needs of your city, such as transportation, education, and entertainment. By anticipating these needs and gradually building the necessary infrastructure, you can create a city that continues to thrive as it expands.
SimCity BuildIt: The Legacy of the SimCity Franchise
SimCity BuildIt is part of the long-running SimCity franchise, which has a rich history dating back to the original SimCity game released in 1989. Developed by Maxis and later acquired by Electronic Arts, the franchise has produced numerous titles across various platforms, each building on the core concept of city-building and management.
The SimCity franchise has been influential in shaping the city-building simulation genre, with titles like SimCity 2000, SimCity 4, and the 2013 remake of SimCity becoming iconic in the gaming world. The franchise also led to the creation of The Sims series, a spin-off that focuses on the lives of individual Sims rather than city management.
Here’s a brief overview of the main SimCity games:
- SimCity (1989): The original game that started it all, SimCity was a groundbreaking simulation that allowed players to build and manage their own cities.
- SimCity 2000 (1993): An expanded and more complex version of the original, SimCity 2000 introduced new features like underground layers, zoning, and detailed resource management.
- SimCity 3000 (1999): Building on the success of its predecessors, SimCity 3000 added more advanced graphics, new buildings, and improved city management tools.
- SimCity 4 (2003): Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the series, SimCity 4 offered deep city simulation mechanics, region management, and modding support.
- SimCity (2013): A controversial reboot of the series, the 2013 SimCity introduced multiplayer and online-only gameplay but faced criticism for its limited city size and technical issues.
- SimCity BuildIt (2014): A mobile adaptation of the franchise, SimCity BuildIt brings the city-building experience to mobile devices, with simplified mechanics and a focus on accessibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about SimCity BuildIt
Q: Can I play SimCity BuildIt on my PC? A: SimCity BuildIt is officially available only for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire devices. However, you can play the game on a PC using an Android emulator like Bluestacks, which allows you to run mobile apps on your computer.
Q: Is SimCity BuildIt free to download and play? A: Yes, SimCity BuildIt is free to download and play on all supported devices. The game includes in-app purchases and advertisements, which can enhance your gameplay experience but are not required to enjoy the game.
Q: How do I increase my city’s population in SimCity BuildIt? A: To increase your city’s population, focus on upgrading residential zones, adding parks and specializations, and ensuring that all essential services (like power, water, and health care) are fully covered. Happy Sims are more likely to stay in your city and attract new residents.
Q: What are golden keys used for in SimCity BuildIt? A: Golden keys are a valuable currency in SimCity BuildIt, used to unlock specialized buildings, landmarks, and other unique structures. You can earn golden keys by completing disaster missions, winning Club Wars, and participating in special events.
Q: Can I play SimCity BuildIt offline? A: SimCity BuildIt requires an active internet connection to play, as it features online multiplayer elements, global trading, and regular updates. You cannot play the game offline.
Q: What are the benefits of joining a club in SimCity BuildIt? A: Joining a club in SimCity BuildIt gives you access to Club Wars, a PvP mode where you can compete against other players and earn exclusive rewards. Clubs also provide a social aspect to the game, allowing you to connect with other players, trade resources, and collaborate on city-building strategies.
Conclusion
SimCity BuildIt offers a rich and engaging city-building experience that is both accessible and challenging. Whether you’re a casual player looking to pass the time or a dedicated city-builder aiming to create a sprawling metropolis, SimCity BuildIt has something to offer. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful mayor and building the city of your dreams.
