SimCity BuildIt is a captivating mobile-only city-building simulator developed by TrackTwenty and published by the gaming giant, Electronic Arts. First released in late 2014, it has since become a staple for mobile gamers, available on Android (Google Play Store), Amazon’s Android devices (Amazon Appstore), and iOS devices (Apple’s App Store). Here, we delve into the game’s intricacies and offer valuable cheats, tips, and tricks to enhance your gaming experience.
Introduction to SimCity BuildIt
SimCity BuildIt empowers you to become the all-powerful mayor of a thriving metropolis. Much like the original 1989 SimCity, this game requires players to manage urban environments meticulously. You will face challenges such as maintaining fire departments, sewage systems, handling traffic incidents, and controlling pollution. Starting with a modest budget of 25,000 simoleons and 50 SimCash, your goal is to grow your city and ensure the happiness of your citizens through strategic planning and resource management.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
SimCity BuildIt combines classic city-building elements with modern mobile gaming conveniences. The game is free-to-play, supported by in-game purchases and advertisements. Players can engage in both single-player and online activities, including chatting, trading, and joining clubs for a communal experience. The primary objective is to create a balanced and efficient city that keeps its inhabitants happy and prosperous.
Managing Essential Services
Your city’s success hinges on how well you manage its services. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the services you’ll need to keep your city running smoothly:
- Power: The first service unlocked at level 1. There are ten buildings available in the Power tab, and these can be placed anywhere as long as they connect to residential areas via roads.
- Water: Available immediately after Power, this service features three buildings that must be connected to residential areas by roads.
- Fire: Unlocked at level 5, the Fire service includes four buildings, such as the Maxis Manor, which must be placed near residential zones to be effective.
- Sewage: Available from level 8, this service includes four buildings that must be connected to residential areas by roads, similar to Power and Water.
- Police: Unlocked at level 12, the Police service includes four buildings that must be strategically placed near residential zones to ensure effectiveness.
- Waste Management: Unlocked at level 14, these buildings can be placed anywhere as long as they are connected to residential areas by roads.
- Health: Available at level 16, the Health service includes four buildings that need to be close to residential zones to maintain the well-being of your inhabitants.
- Regional: A unique service that includes region-specific buildings available at higher levels. This service includes three area coverage buildings and a unique storage facility, with buildings priced in regional simoleons.
- ControlNet: Unlocked at level 30, featuring three buildings that must be placed near residential zones.
- Drones: Also available at level 30, the Drone service includes three buildings that function in OMEGA Zones, providing fire, police, and health services. These buildings’ costs increase progressively.
- Government: Unlocked from level 1, this service includes nine buildings essential for the city’s infrastructure, though they do not directly cater to Sims’ home needs.
SimCity Series Overview
SimCity BuildIt is part of the renowned SimCity franchise, which started with the original SimCity developed and published by Maxis in 1989. Electronic Arts acquired the franchise in the late 1990s, producing numerous titles across various platforms. The series has evolved significantly, culminating in the release of SimCity BuildIt. Here is a chronological list of the main SimCity titles:
- SimCity (1989)
- SimCity 2000 (1993)
- SimCity 3000 (1999)
- SimCity 64 (2000)
- SimCity 4 (2003)
- SimCity 4: Rush Hour (2003)
- SimCity DS (2007)
- SimCity Societies (2007)
- SimCity DS 2 (2008)
- SimCity Creator (2008)
- SimCity Deluxe (2010)
- SimCity Social (2012)
- SimCity (2013)
- SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow (2013)
- SimCity BuildIt (2014)
The franchise has also inspired the highly popular The Sims series, which focuses on the individual lives of the city’s inhabitants.
Tips and Tricks for Success
While SimCity BuildIt does not include built-in cheat codes, there are several strategies you can employ to optimize your gameplay and build a thriving city:
- Club Wars Participation: Engage in Club Wars, the game’s PvP mode, to earn valuable rewards. Joining a club early on and actively participating in these events can provide significant benefits.
- Social Networking: Add friends via social networks like Facebook to enhance your gaming experience and collect gifts by visiting their cities.
- Strategic Placement of Services: Optimize the placement of essential services, such as Police, Health, and Fire departments. Ensure maximum coverage by strategically placing these buildings among residential areas to prevent problems and maintain order.
- Unlock Achievements: Completing various tasks can unlock achievements and rewards, accessible from the Mayor’s Mansion. Aim to complete these tasks to gain valuable resources.
- Challenge Yourself with Disasters: Engage with the challenging missions available at Dr. Vu’s tower. Completing these missions earns Vu points, which can upgrade the tower and unlock new missions. Additionally, you’ll gain keys to unlock specialization buildings, such as Parks, Landmarks, and Entertainment facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play SimCity BuildIt on a PC? While officially available only for Android, iOS, and Kindle Fire, you can use emulator applications like Bluestacks to play SimCity BuildIt on a PC.
Is SimCity BuildIt free to download? Yes, the game is free to download and play, though it includes in-game purchases and pop-up advertisements.
Conclusion
SimCity BuildIt is a dynamic and engaging city-building game that offers endless possibilities for creative and strategic planning. By following these tips and optimizing your management of essential services, you can build a prosperous city that keeps its inhabitants happy and thriving. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned mayor, these insights will help you get the most out of your SimCity BuildIt experience. Happy building!
