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Originally Posted by Nexis4Jersey
Looks very toyish , my hopes are going down everytime they post a picture...
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This pretty much confirms my expectations when the first images were released. Not that I'm saying "Told You So!" Really I wish I was proven wrong. I wonder if it's graphics limitation in a full 3d experience as opposed to an artistic problem. Looking close, you can see some of the more detailed elements appear as compressed raster textures...Much like the blur you see when zooming into google earth. However, simpler geometries like rooflines, columns, walls etc appear to have crisp rendition.
I think there needs to be more disciplined modularization of buildings. For example, a 2x2 building from the older series might be further subdivided as a 6x6. Buildings could multiply architectural "bays" instead of being these rigid standalone objects with setbacks on all side. There would also be a preloaded architectural catalogue of plug and play elements that would allow buildings to randomize facade characteristics.
So for example.... maybe you have 30 commercial skyscraper base files that are of different styles: classical, art deco, modern, pomo, etc. Say the game already loaded a 40 story glass and black metal modernist skyscraper. Maybe next time around, the black panel will be swapped out for red granite. Same could be done for rowhouses, or suburban neighborhood ranches... you name it.
I think EA or Maxis seem to invest alot of effort into experience, when alot of the loyal gameplayers simply like the art and aesthetics behind city building. There needs to be more focus on the architectural side. EA and Maxis should know better...after all several websites with thousands of modelers extended SC4's shelf life for nearly a decade.
That said, I hope there's the ability to add and create your own buildings, though I won't hold my breath.