EA Closes Maxis

It's also affect "The Sims" guys too

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Update: The Sims isn't unaffected by the closure of Maxis Emeryville. EA is also laying off "a handful of people" from the Sims team at the company's Redwood Shores offices, an anonymous EA source told Polygon. We've reached out to EA for comment, and will update this article with any information we receive.

I've not played Sims 4 but I remember it got a bit of bad press just before release due to some content not making the game (swimming pools etc). I wonder if that, coupled with the huge price tag on Origin, has affected sales at all?

this makes me sad, but I suppose that sim city disaster at launch was one of the nails in the coffin, I want more games like sim city, just done right

Was still a lot of potential in that place, it's really sad, but it hardly comes as a shock after their games the last few years. AFAIK Sims 4 was far and beyond the worst selling entry in the series, so that's probably in part what prompted this.

Quote from 2d-chris

this makes me sad, but I suppose that sim city disaster at launch was one of the nails in the coffin, I want more games like sim city, just done right

There might still be a chance that those same people will go on to create their own studio an do a SimCity done right. I don't think an entire genre like this will just die out if people still want to play it (and apparently they do).

Anyway, RIP in peace. I'll always remember playing SimTower way back when.

Quote from Sentura

I'll always remember playing SimTower way back when.

That shit needs to be on GOG. Such a good game!

It sort of makes me sad, but Maxis couldn't go back to what it was after Will Wright left, imo. I wish they would've kept doing "software toy" type stuff, instead of being another no risk sequel company.

Damn shame. And damn shame the latest Sim City didn't live up to it's name.

Quote from 2d-chris

this makes me sad, but I suppose that sim city disaster at launch was one of the nails in the coffin, I want more games like sim city, just done right

An attempt will be released in a few days. I'm hoping, but not very optimistic.

Ahh shitty for all the employees
Man this industry sure is "dynamic"

Hope they all find good jobs quickly.

Quote from dux

It's funny. They did what EA wanted, it doesn't work, so EA close them. Hurp.

Exactly what I was thinking. Total bullshit they have to pay for EA's mistakes.

Quote from DrywallDreams

That shit needs to be on GOG. Such a good game!

It sort of makes me sad, but Maxis couldn't go back to what it was after Will Wright left, imo. I wish they would've kept doing "software toy" type stuff, instead of being another no risk sequel company.

There's a game called Yoot tower which is the spiritual successor. I recall someone telling me it's made by the same guy who designed simtower.

Actually, other than the massive server/offline feck up, I heard the design issues, mostly city size where very much internal. At least from GDC talks ... don't be so fast to blame the big guy all the time, games politics are complicated in a company the size of EA/Maxis

But.. But... But... Sim Ant 2?

Quote from 2d-chris

Actually, other than the massive server/offline feck up, I heard the design issues, mostly city size where very much internal. At least from GDC talks ... don't be so fast to blame the big guy all the time, games politics are complicated in a company the size of EA/Maxis

I was only referring to the online stuff and them trying to claim that it was required because calculations are being done on the cloud.

I thought after x number of patches people had started to like the game. Is that not correct?

Tell them to come in France and help develop cities Xl and such games! Both expertise could make a masterpiece!

we'll your still limited to the size of the city which the game launched at, there are mods but it's still heavily restricted and messed up. That for me, and most people I talk to is more of an issue than the online only thing the game launched with. At least they fixed it by adding a SP mode eventually, but both the limited size, and forced MP together is enough to put a lot of people off.

I enjoyed the game, played about 40 hours, but i got it recently with SP mode and the cool future expansion pack, but the limited city size really hurts you wanting to make a bad ass city, it's more about adding multiple connected cities which just isn't as fun for me no matter all the benefits it offers.

Sim city for me was making a ton of failed cities, then when you have the knowledge you build an uber city that takes every single tile and runs like shit because it's so populated

Quote from AlexM

Exactly what I was thinking. Total bullshit they have to pay for EA's mistakes.

That shit needs to be on GOG. Such a good game!

It sort of makes me sad, but Maxis couldn't go back to what it was after Will Wright left, imo. I wish they would've kept doing "software toy" type stuff, instead of being another no risk sequel company.

There's a game called Yoot tower which is the spiritual successor. I recall someone telling me it's made by the same guy who designed simtower.

I looked it up, looks like a true successor. Too bad neither game is available outside of Dosbox. I wouldn't mind a remake.

I've managed to play it on a win7 computer. I think I still have that computer around. I should see how I was able to do it.

I think someone just made a windows client for the game.

Edit : I didn't realize Yoot Saito made this. Although in retrospect that should have been obvious. By far the least weird game he's ever made.

Oh wait, he did Seaman?! What?!

I think Simtower at least will run on modern Windows, at least 32 bit versions. I just don't want to mess with the disc. maybe I should just rip it and set up a VM.

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