Home Tycoon – What Could The Future Hold?
by Burbie52, HSM team writer
Now that Hellfire Games’ Home Tycoon has had a chance to settle in with the populace of Home, what would we like to see in the way of developments in the game? I’ve talked about this game with a wide variety of people, some friends and some from the general public, about their satisfaction levels with Home Tycoon; there are a lot of people who have become passionate about this game already, both for it and against it.
I see this game as a great opportunity for Home in many ways; it tapped into our creative streak as few games in Home can. Some people have said they wish they could decorate, but to me the very game itself is a creative decorating experience. It is like Blueprint, because you build something from scratch with prefabricated choices, but in Tycoon you build a city and have quests to complete within it. The memory allotment required for this is taking up what would be used to furnish areas, or even allow us to go inside or sit on a bench. The sounds, lighting and time changes in the game are very well done as well.
Some people aren’t sure this game will be a good one for socialization. I disagree, though; my friends and I have had a lot of fun already, just showing up in our various cities and checking out what others have done. We also had fun goofing around with the cars and the race packs. Also, the fact that people you don’t even know can come into your city at any given time — if you leave the settings public — open up possibilities for meeting new people who could become friends as well if you happen to be there at the time. You can even invite your friends to another person’s city while you are there, which is a very cool addition to the game.
Movies! Got to have movies!
Since decorating is out the window for the space, what can be added to enhance the experience? More prefabricated pieces with or without attached mini-games, of course. Here are a few examples of what could be added to not only grow the city, but also the experience — because that is why we truly come into Home, isn’t it? To experience something new and different?
The first suggestion is a theater, and there are many versions of this that could be applied. How about a theater with a marquee for use within the town’s inner city areas? The marquee could be used to do something fun and creative by the developers — a sense of humor added to the mix they already have displayed here. Another theater that could be used is a drive-in theater. You could drive your car in and sit; even if there is only a picture stuck on the screen without movement applied, it would be a hoot to have one, and a very nostalgic touch for those of us who remember these places. There could be NPC cars coming and going into this place as well to give the static environment more life. Another theater would be the kind people perform in. Once again, the marquee could be used in a tongue-in-cheek fashion like the signs outside the mall already available to us. Adding these small touches is a step in the right direction.
The sporting life!
Another great addition would be a sports stadium; outdoor would probably be best, instead of a dome. This one opens up a lot of possibilities for mini-games. There could be a batting game if they choose baseball, or a football toss or kicking game for either soccer or football. The Feva Arena was extremely popular because people loved the kicking mini-game associated with it and the rewards, even if they never used them again. The sports stadium would provide revenues like any other space built in the city does. This adds to the incentive to buy an expansion like this, especially if the revenue is a high one.
The arena itself could have mini NPC avatars in the stands, roaring like a crowd would, and even little players on the field running about to add life to it and therefore life to the city itself. This would be a good move, as one of the complaints I have heard is that people love the game, but the streets are too empty and the environment too staid.
Who wants a roller coaster?
The next suggestion is an amusement park. Once again, if it had movement, it would add to the feeling of the city being alive and dynamic, and there could also be mini-games attached to it such as a roller-coaster. That would be extremely popular, even for people who don’t like roller-coasters in real life because of motion sickness. This area would also bring in added revenues like the others, and be an attractive addition too.
Another thing you would find in any real city would be schools of various types. A college, public schools, these are all parts of a growing metropolis. I am not sure there would be much in the way of games involved here but they could have just some virtual representations that might have some influence in the happiness stats of the city. Libraries could also be a part of this as well.
The one area I have found to be most blatantly missing in Home Tycoon so far, though, is food; there is a farmer’s market and a doughnut shop only. So unless the population here eats nothing but veggies and sweets, where are the restaurants and grocery stores? There could be a variety of restaurants — outdoor bistros, fast food, fancy establishments…the possibilities are endless. I know these might already be in the minds of the Hellfire developers, and may already be in the works, but it is an obvious gap.
Hmmm, where is the meat?
One idea that was voiced to me is the idea of themed cities. The person I spoke to said something about a medieval town, but I am not sure that would work in this format at all. But an old western town would for many reasons. First, you could still build a large variety of buildings; a saloon, stores, gunsmiths, stables, hotels, housing and the like. There could be outlying ranches as well that bring in population and revenues, and though the population factors would be lower, I think people wouldn’t really care about that part, as many aren’t leaderboard chasers anyway, myself included. You could ride horses instead of cars, which would be purchased as expansions along with farm animals like cows and steers to add to your landscapes. There could be a shooting mini-game or perhaps one where you have to harvest food or tend animals to gain the rewards associated to it.
A Red Dead Town? Oh Yeah!
Is it possible to have thematic cities in Home Tycoon? A western town, a medieval town and so forth? This is just one more way to appeal to a broader cross-section of users who want to differentiate the overall look and feel of their cities from that of their neighbors; it’s also a nifty method for appealing to users who want to create settings akin to what they’ve experienced in their favorite video games.
There are many themes that could be winners here. A futuristic city with all of its associated ideas like monorails and flying cars is one, and I am sure that people could come up with many more fantastic ideas. Home is built on imagination, and the imaginings of these very creative developers have already taken us a long way. I look forward to seeing where they will take us next.
October 13th, 2012 by Burbie52 | 3 comments
Burbie52 is a 62 year-old published author and founder of the Grey Gamers group within Home. Born and raised in Michigan, she has lived there her entire life, with the exception of a twelve-year residency on the Big Island of Hawaii. She enjoys reading and writing, as well as video games, especially RPG's. She has one son in his twenties.
Having just started this Home Tycoon adventure in the last few days, I have more appreciation on what others have done. Goodness, there are some magnificent cities out there. I’m farm oriented myself.
As to the different variety of themes, I think that’s all well and good. Kind of like BluePrint a way which doesn’t have proper saving in my opinion.
Before we get to different themes on Home Tycoon there are problems to be fixed which are talked about on the Home PS3 Community board. Hellfire is trying.
As is, new themes or not, playing for free at least so far is fun.
A strange thought crossed my mind. I don’t know how many people can visit a city. I know one can, that is, two can be in. If more can (friend option), could Home Tycoon be a Clubhouse? I surely don’t have a clue.
And back to themes, all of a sudden I’m thinking of the movie Westworld. But I may be crazy. Perhaps a mixture of themes, sci-fi to western in one city? Nevermind. I’m may be committed to an institution but not a mixed bag of themes. Not me.
I am really enjoying Home Tycoon, so far. It’s a great sandbox game that gives freedom I haven’t seen in a Home game so far, and the possibilities are endless. Great Article Burbie.