Sim City 3000 (complete solution)

All fans of the famous Sim City saga, at the news of the release after four long years
of the latest episode Sim City 3000, they did not hesitate to run to the faithful retailer for
to get a copy of it. However, when they start building their own city, they will have
certainly discovered some significant differences compared to previous editions, including a greater
variety of infrastructures, the most demanding citizens, a very attentive and vigilant city council regarding
necessity of the metropolis. All features that have obviously made it more complicated to create
large populated centers, and especially keeping them alive without draining the municipal coffers and
considering all the needs of the Sims and the inhabited center itself.
For this reason, the authors of the game have been very careful in providing an excellent manual in
Italian language, dealing with all topics, explaining in detail the function of each one.
single element, and also introducing a small but effective tutorial, in which Step-by-step
All essential instructions are provided to grow our 'little capital'.
Despite this, we at Ludus have decided to satisfy the numerous requests from our readers,
creating a small guide, containing tips and strategies to follow to play and win.

Fabrizio Strazzera

Where do we start?

When starting a new game in Sim City 3000, as well as in its predecessors, it is possible to start from scratch, with
an initial budget and an untouched territory, or manage a large city that is already established. This second option can be
also used by those who want to start from scratch, at least as an example. It is indeed useful to note the strategic arrangements
of the various areas.
Starting instead directly from a new city, it is necessary first to set the characteristics of the terrain. A
The menu will allow us to choose how much water we want (whether it is fresh or salt) and where, if we prefer a certain area.
mountainous crossed by rivers or not, etc.
It is always advantageous to position oneself near water, whether it is fresh or salt, in order to take advantage of
abundant and inexpensive water resources provided by pumps and desalination plants, and not having to resort to the less
more effective and more expensive tanks. Of course, it is always possible to dig the ground to create small lakes.
artificial where there may be a need, but to save money it is always advisable to try to adapt to
maximum as set at the beginning of the match.
It is good practice to choose multiple favorable locations in the territory, thus creating small mini cities.
independent from each other that, as they develop, will reconnect. This allows the use of common infrastructures (which
you will take care to place them close enough to each center) appropriately connected, but at the same time not to be affected
sudden disadvantages due to urban overcrowding.

A good foreign policy can help

Another factor to consider is definitely the cities that, one on each of the four sides of the
territory, they accompany us. When aqueducts, power lines, or any type of route are built.
communication like roads or railways, it can always be advantageous to create connections with the borders, in order to
to have the opportunity to reach agreements with our neighbors on the supply (outgoing or incoming, according to the
reciprocal needs) of energy or drinking water, or on waste disposal.
All of this, however, must always be carefully considered: remember that every time contracts are signed, they do not
It will be possible to withdraw until we receive requests for changes to the terms, under penalty of payment.
of a fine that can sometimes also be heavily steep.
Furthermore, it would be pointless to conclude agreements in which one commits to selling water or electricity when not
we really have an abundance of it: the contemporary expansion of our city and that of the nearby one changes a lot
quickly the terms of proportion between availability and need, and it is not difficult to find oneself having to spend money for
ensure the water or electricity supply to our neighbors!!!
One last piece of advice on this matter: carefully consider the possibility of allowing waste disposal to
payment to neighboring cities. This will inevitably lead to environmental protests from the Sims, and consequently
obvious discontent.

What do we build and how?

When starting with a new city, the speed indicator for the movement of 'virtual time' is positioned on the
Pause. In this mode, it is possible to calmly lay the foundations of our settlement.
In order for the city to develop, it is necessary to provide the inhabitants with the essential infrastructure for their
daily life, or providing:

residential areas
industrial areas
commercial areas
4) electrical energy
drinking water
6) road connections
waste disposal

The largest portion in terms of space must be allocated to housing, which in this sense will occupy the
most of the territory. One must consider that no one will be willing to live in more distant areas
from the road of 3 squares, for which the maximum size of these areas cannot exceed 8X8 spaces.
Adjacent to them, we can arrange the commercial area, occupying no more than half of the space allocated to the
residential area, while it is essential to distance the industrial sector from these two areas, perhaps by dividing them with
a body of water, with the obvious purpose of reducing pollution in inhabited areas.
These three areas can be set to three density levels. To start, it is advisable to begin with the lowest level.
What has been said for industries also applies to areas designated for landfills, especially if one decides to place them next to a
incinerator (also advised against at least initially, when it is useless to allocate precious funds to
a significantly superior infrastructure to the needs.

At this point we can proceed with placing the power plant near the industrial area, taking care to do so carefully.
in such a way that energy reaches all territories. To this end, it must be considered that the areas can be connected both
through pylons that connect with each other (for example, a road that connects two points will serve as a link, while
two adjacent territories will feed off each other.
The last thing to do before starting the game is to provide the city with drinking water. To this end, we need to take care of
to place water pumps, if we are near freshwater streams, or if they are absent, reservoirs. It is
it is always advisable, where possible, to prefer the first solution, as this type of plants
they guarantee a greater water capacity at lower costs, although they have the disadvantage of necessarily having to be
installed at a maximum distance of 2 squares from the water.
To verify that all areas are supplied with energy and water, it will be necessary to consult the appropriate charts.
you can access by clicking on the appropriate icon in the bottom right corner), or by clicking on the objects with the left mouse button
By holding the mouse and the SHIFT key at the same time, it will be possible to see the properties of each of them. In
if some are found to be without one or the other service, we will need to extend the network accordingly
electric or the conduits.

Ready, set... GO!

The time has finally come to start our city, letting it be animated by the enthusiasm of its
inhabitants. From now on, we will have to manage a rapidly expanding town, taking care of,
obviously within the limits of possibility, to not overlook any aspect of his needs.
To start the 'virtual calendar', it is necessary to click on the 'Play' button (the interface is similar to that of a
normal tape drives), selecting one of the four possible speeds, fancifully named by the authors in
ordine di velocità “tartaruga”, “lama”, “ghepardo” e “rondine africana”.
At this point, we will start to notice that the areas we set, which until now only looked like little squares
colored, they begin to transform more or less slowly, and the number of inhabitants will start to rise.
Now it is up to each of us to try to make our city livable and appreciated. To do this best, we need to
take some small precautions that do not stray too far from common sense.
Safety and traffic

First of all, the Sims, like all citizens of this world, do not like crime, the risk of fires, and traffic.
To avoid all these inconveniences, it will be sufficient to keep these levels under control through the appropriate measures.
graphic cards, and invest some sums of money (always without exaggerating) to build police and fire stations
In the areas indicated as higher risk, widen the roads and strategically place stops for public transport.

Ecology

They don't even coexist with the pollution of inhabited areas. To avoid this, you will need to ensure that the
industrial and residential areas develop in diametrically opposite directions, but always connected by appropriate means.
road connections.

Listen to the voice of the population

One must then pay attention to the suggestions of civic advisors and the protests of citizens on various issues.
always fairly evaluating the pros and cons of any decision.

Build with criteria

The city will also need a balanced and coherent urban planning plan: you will therefore have to set the areas based on the
requirements that will be indicated in the small histogram at the bottom right. When the bars respectively of the areas
Residential, industrial or commercial areas will tend to rise, it will be the time to expand the city in that direction.

Weigh the expenses

Sometimes it will be easy to be tempted to build very large and expensive infrastructures, but before doing so we should
to ensure that we have the necessary funds and that we are not forced to neglect other essential aspects such as
healthcare or education. It is also always good to have a small fund for emergencies: it will not be rare to see entire areas
destroyed by hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and so on.

Limit debts, but do not disdain them when

You may find yourself in financial difficulties and need to make essential expenses.
like the restoration of roads, the construction of schools or similar. In these cases, it is useful to take out small loans, but
always bearing in mind that all the money that will be granted to us will then have to be repaid with interest.

Yes, I fear high taxes

The level of taxes must always be kept as low as possible. This will allow for a faster influx of
citizens in the urban area, and consequently an increase in revenue in the long term. In exceptional cases it will be
a temporary increase is tolerated, but you will need to restore optimal levels soon.