Gamification for Resilience

6 Urban Planning Simulation Using “SimCity (2013)^®” Game

6.1 Introduction

A fundamental goal of playing SimCity^® is to build a city (Electronic Arts 2013; Vasuthanasub 2019). It may sound like a simple task, yet just like any game, there is a learning curve. When starting a new city, neither the best strategy nor specific technique can be used routinely – one needs to pay close attention to details. The game provides a lot of freedom in what the player can build, so many people tend to construct essential infrastructures and service facilities without pre-designing city layouts. In this case, a systematic approach to urban planning is unavoidable for non-entertainment purposes.

In SimCity (2013)^®, the player assumes the role and duties of a city mayor. The central aspect of this character is construction and zoning, which comprise a wide range of responsibilities, including laying down the roads, manipulating the land areas, providing the essential facilities, maximizing the service capacities, and otherwise balancing between the demand and supply of resources. Most of the time, the player will work with the main menu bar across the lower end of the interface. This menu bar contains fourteen buttons with fourteen different options. Each of them is distinguished by the symbols, such as a lightning bolt, plumbing, trash can, firefighter helmet, and police badge, as depicted in Figure 6.1. The interface will display the features in its particular category by clicking each button. ...