Week 4, Assignment 1: SimCity

An outstanding game that is not only challenging but very educational and entertaining is SimCity.  I first played the game on a Super Nintendo game system in the early 1990s and spent countless hours making numerous decisions to build and grow a dynamic and thriving city.  Unlike many other games, this one has longer term objectives that require strategic thinking, critical decision making and creativity.  This game also requires skills in math, reading, logical reasoning and planning along with an understanding of how local government works.  With technological advances since the late 20^th century, SimCity has transformed with the technology.  My children started playing a computer-based version since age eight.  The premise of the game remains the same but the graphics have improved dramatically.

There are numerous gaming elements in SimCity that provide a rich educational experience.  While a child may not realize the valuable knowledge they are accumulating while playing SimCity, a review of these elements can show parents and educators that there is indeed substantial value in this game.

Text:  Unlike games geared towards a younger audience or those based on popular sports, SimCity requires a relatively large amount of reading to get started, progress and eventually succeed.  Reading skills are needed to read the instruction manual even if it’s just required the very first time a player starts SimCity.  The manual that came with my SuperNintendo version was by far the most comprehensive of any other game.  Its 85 page manual easily dwarfed the ten page versions that came with most other games.  In the manual are critical information and tips that encourages reading comprehension and identification of new vocabulary.  While playing SimCity, onscreen text provides valuable information as well that gives players critical status updates, transactions, advice and procedures.

Visual graphics:  As a player’s city grows, the ever-changing visual graphics elements are key to realizing the successes and challenges of the city.  For example, residential structures will start out small and undeveloped and over time may develop into large houses or even tall apartment buildings.  Conversely, previously thriving commercial buildings may fail leaving abandoned and decaying properties.  Or, a thriving city may result in heavy traffic conditions on particular roads resulting in undesired air pollution.  The visual graphics of SimCity will depict each of these scenarios which give the player important information so that he or she can synthesize and utilize problem-solving skills to take appropriate actions.

Audio:  While SimCity does not rely heavily on the audio element, it does play a role in learning content.  For example, sounds of fire trucks or emergency alarms indicate the need to make quick, critical decisions to limit damage and preserve developed properties.  The occasional cheers of the city’s population positively reinforce a player’s decisions that are deemed favorable by citizens.  Of course, a collective moan may indicate unpopular actions by the player which may encourage further thought and consideration.

Game goals:  While the goal is simply to build a successful city, the element that keeps SimCity players in front of their screens is the dynamic nature of what success of their cities looks like.  Since there is no specific end goal for this game, the player could continue playing to capture an elusive level of success.  It really is up to the individual player to set a goal for success otherwise he or she can continue to build and manage a city indefinitely.  With ever-changing and aging conditions, managing a city requires constant attention as time continues to progress.

Game rules:  The rules of SimCity can be relatively complex but are logical.  They are based on how a city planner would go about developing a town from the ground up and how a government leader would make decisions on how to maintain a healthy and growing economy.

The decisions a player makes to plan, construct, destroy, and manage a city’s operations and finance all have cascading consequences. For example, a thriving city that started with minimal infrastructure may require additional power supply, water pipes, roads and access to emergency services.  Decisions to add more revenue by increasing taxes may result in citizens leaving the city which may result in failing residential and commercial properties.

Players need to work creatively within the rules to achieve progress and success. While the rules don’t change during a game, the player will need to scrutinize offers from neighboring towns to make the best decisions.  For example, a player could receive an offer to accept garbage from a neighboring town in exchange for revenue to bolster the city’s economy.  Such decisions engage strategic thinking, decision making, and financial planning skills.

Scenario design:  SimCity has a scenario design embedded in curriculum-related content in which students can learn real world applications through simulating the decisions a city planner and a government leader make to build and manage a real city.  Players learn about planning, constructing, managing growth and decline, making smart financial decisions, reducing pollution and evaluating possibilities for long term success.  This experience complements numerous learning objectives in various subjects including reading, math, and social studies.  Most importantly, the gaming experience encourages students to develop strategic thinking and critical decision making skills based on limited data, dynamic conditions and continuous feedback.