How to play

Main Menu

• Freeplay: A clean map with nothing pre-built and where no goals need to be fulfilled.
• Scenario: Pre-built maps with specific goals that need to be met.
• Options: Variables for adjusting the game play experience.
• Help: Instructions on how to play the game.
• About: Legal section that provides customer service and copyright information.

How to Play
Before playing, determine which mode you prefer. Freeplay mode gives you the ability to build a city from the ground up without having to worry about satisfying any goals. Scenarios on the other hand offer 20 pre-built maps, each with its own win criteria (e.g. increase population to over 200,000). Once, the game mode is chosen, it's up to you to manage the city properly.

As mayor, you are responsible for everything that occurs in the city. Taxes need to be adjusted to generate income. Buildings need to be constructed for your Sims to live, work, and shop at. Crime, fires, and other disasters need to be taken care of. Finally, the budget must be balanced to avoid bankruptcy.

Saving/Loading
Game progress can be saved at anytime under Freeplay or Scenario mode. Go to the "System" menu, and select the "Save and Quit" menu item. Choose "Save" to save your current game progress and return to playing the game, or choose "Save and Quit" to save your current game progress and return to the main menu.

SimCity gives you the option to auto-save your game when an interrupt occurs and as each calendar year passes. Go to the "System" menu, and select the "Save and Quit" menu item. Choose "Autosave" to toggle it on or off.

Loading a saved game is done from the main menu. When you enter either Freeplay or Scenario mode, you will be prompted to "Continue" or begin a "New Game." Select "Continue" to load the saved game.

Tips and Hints

Tip #1
Civic Center is a hybrid Police/Fire Station.

Tip #2
Transportation systems provide traffic relief. Parks decrease Pollution. Stadium and Amusement Park generate revenue.

Tip #3
Don't build too many roads, police or fire stations too quickly. They decrease your budget.

Tip #4
A desirable city will increase population and density.

Tip #5
Transportation, Police, and Fire Station expenses decrease the budget annually.

Hint #1
Presents are awarded for an outstanding Mayoral performance.

Hint #2
A well balanced city will have 1 commercial and 1 industrial zone for every 2 residential zones.

Hint #3
Keep an eye on pollution and crime, bad things will happen! To assess problem areas refer to the pollution and crime maps in the map features. Darker colors represent higher density of that particular zone or civic problem.

Hint #4
Use the Map Feature to Display relative position of residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Also they indicate high crime and pollution areas of your city. Darker colors represent higher density of that particular zone or civic problem.

FAQ

Q: What is SimCity?
A: Simcity is a simulation, city building video game where you architect a city that accomplishes scenarios goals to unlock more scenarios. In building your city, you utilize different zones: residential, industrial, and commercial. In addition, you will need to supply the city with support buildings and infrastructure such as power plants, police stations, fire departments, and transportation structure.

Q: What scenarios are there?

A:	"Blackout" - Maintain power supply and increase population to over 100,000
	"Power Supply" - Guarantee the electric power to sustain 250 zones
	"Famous Town" - Increase the population to over 150,000
	"River City" - Increase population to over 120,000 by developing between the rivers
	"Reduce Pollution" - Fix Pollution and increase population to over 150,000
	"Stadium Town" - Increase population to over 200,000
	"A Better Life" - Improve resources and raise $30,000 in funds
	"Education Town" - Save $20,000 for an educational system

Q: What games speeds are there?
A: Cheetah which is highest speed, Rhinos which is medium speed, and Turtles which is slow speed. You also have the ability to pause the game.

Q: What does the upper right menu display of R, C, I mean?
A: The graphic represents demand for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial zones.

Q: I have a fire in my city, how do I put it out?
A: Build Fire Stations that help extinguish fires.

Q: My city is running out of money, how do I generate more money for my city?
A: City income is a factor of population, taxation, and city budget. A bigger population will generate higher income tax revenue. Higher taxes will generate more income per person, however if you go to high might drive away persons from you city. Decreasing your city budget by under funding Police, Fire, or Traffic will increase the amount of taxes used as income. However, under funding Police Department, Fire Department, and Transportation will lead to an increase in crime rate, fires, and traffic jams. All of these could lead to a decrease in population.

Q: How do I read the data Maps on Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Pollution Rate, and Crime Rate?
A: Darker colors represent higher density of that particular zone or civic problem.

Q: In the Statistics Menu, what does "Other" represent?
A: Other represents police stations, fire stations, power plants, amusement parks, and stadiums.