I changed gears and moved into the video games industry at the end of 2021.
I started developing a city builder called Metropolis 1998 [1], but wanted to take the genre in new directions, building on top of what modern games have to offer:
- Watch what's happening inside buildings and design your own (optional)
- Change demand to a per-business level
- Bring the pixel art 3D render aesthetic back from the dead (e.g RollerCoaster Tycoon) [2]
I just updated my Steam page with some recent snapshots from my game. Im really happy with how the game is turning out!
[1] https://store.steampowered.com/app/2287430/Metropolis_1998/
[2] The art in my game is hand drawn though
So pretty. But:
> Both adults in a family will now own a car. This is required since there are not other transportation options, and sidewalks are optional.
Is this temporary or are you planning to release it like this? SimCity leaned into euclidean zoning (separate industrial/residential/commercial zones) and pocketable cars which needed no parking, and thus failed to properly showcase how ugly car-centric cities actually are. I’m sure they did it because it made for an easy gameplay loop/balancing but I’d hope we could come up with more realistic and interesting mechanics in 2026
I actually would really love that in a city planner. A game that actually simulates walkable cities versus car centric abominations and would adapt families strategies based on the availability of sidewalks, public transports and incentives.
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I am one of those who grew up with Sim City/Transport Tycoon. I will definitely try this when it's released and go back into nostalgia but with a modern touch. Adding it to my wishlist right now. Good luck with wrapping this up towards a release!
I have been following you on twitter since I saw it. It looks amazing. Recently tried the demo. It is like under 50MB (the demo at least) which is insane these days. Placing building required construction of the building room by room which was tedious. I am sure some people will enjoy that. Will that be the core part of final game?
Can you tell more about your background? Making a sim like this also crossed my mind many times, but I learned in the past, that without much of any art skills, I would have to use resources of others or hire someone to make the graphics and so on. In the times of me playing around with RPG maker it was the missing story that was the problem. So it seems often that one core aspect is missing, when wanting to make a game. How did you learn to fill that gap, learn how to get that skilled with making the graphics?
We really do need more new isometric grid based games. They are less realistic but it is _so_ satisfying to build in them.
I've commented on it before: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39810716
Metropolis 1998 looks beautiful! (and addictive!)
Will you do a native Linux release, or has it been tested with Proton?
Also, just from watching the video and screenshots in the Steam page, it seems like a crazy amount of work. Are you doing everything by yourself?
The aesthetic is so incredibly 1998. Reminds me not just of SimCity 2000 but the lesser played "A-Train", with its gentle day-night cycle.
Logged in to agree with all the other comments: this is so, so pretty. Will try the demo soon.
Looking forward to the release!
Curious, What u used to do earlier ? before changing gears?
I only had to look at the first screenshot to think "yup, this was made for me, I am buying this".
I get a lot of "UFO: Enemy Unknown" vibe from the art.
I came across your game last year! Can't remember how. Any hopes of macOS support?
Would buy it if it has mac support as well
I'll throw a third (fourth, fifth because I know a couple of people who'd play this on Mac but who have no access to Linux or Windows) request for a Mac version on the pile.
Love the concept! I would love it even more if you could add support for SteamDeck/proton
Awesome to see your progress YesBox!
Didn't realise you'd swapped to isometric, it's looking fabulous!
Very very cool!
Did you roll your own engine, I know Godot has issues scaling past a certain number of simulations.
Thanks! Yes, I created my own engine to maximize efficiency (where needed). I think it was the right choice for me.
The visuals are stunning, great work!
Looks amazing, added to my wish list!
Cool! Isometric for the win :)
Looks amazing!
very cool