Arcade vs Simulation
Choose a mode when creating a city. The choice stays with that city and its saves; it cannot be changed later. Arcade is the default and makes the city budget easier to manage. Simulation uses full construction prices and offers all building tools from the start.
The lite version offers Arcade only. Simulation is part of the desktop edition, which is coming soon. Both modes support the 2D and 3D views; visual mode is a separate choice. See Lite and desktop versions for the edition comparison and map sizes.
Main differences
| Feature | Arcade | Simulation |
|---|---|---|
| City construction costs | 10% of the full price | Full price |
| Private-property buybacks | 10% of the full price | Full price |
| Staff, upkeep and construction time | Normal costs and timing | Normal costs and timing |
| Private development | Normal costs and market rules | Normal costs and market rules |
| Tax changes | Change rates directly; effective the next day | Resident tax increases require a vote; cuts and business-tax changes do not |
| Votes and promises | Disabled | Residents vote on tax increases and bonds, and judge whether promises are kept |
| Bonds | Unavailable | Available through resident votes, subject to the city's finances |
| Building tools and density | Unlock through resident complaints and population growth | Available from the start |
Arcade finances
Arcade reduces what the city pays for roads, parks, buildings and other construction to one tenth of the Simulation price. Buying back private property receives the same discount.
Staff, upkeep, construction time and private development costs stay the same as in Simulation.
Arcade also starts with higher city income and sales tax rates. A smaller federal share of wages helps offset those rates for households, while more revenue reaches the city budget. Residents treat the Arcade starting rates as normal.
You can change taxes without votes or promises. Bonds are unavailable, so expansion relies on the treasury and bank borrowing.
Arcade unlocks
The first confirmed complaints unlock basic schools, police, fire protection, healthcare, shelters and parks. Other tools and larger facilities unlock as the population grows.
Some major milestones are:
- 10,000 residents: Medium density and junction controls.
- 20,000 residents: the first local utility facilities.
- 50,000 residents: High density, avenues, highways, bridges, road tunnels and buses.
- 250,000 residents: metro.
Terrain tools are available from the start. Once earned, an unlock stays available even if the population falls.
Simulation mode only
Simulation charges full prices for city construction and buybacks, with all building tools and densities available immediately.
Raising income, sales or property tax requires residents' approval. You can ask for a tax increase or a bond to fund services, with a promise to build for a stated purpose. Keeping or breaking those promises affects residents' trust. Tax cuts and business-tax changes do not require a vote.
Shared city simulation
Both modes use the same housing, employment, education, shopping, transport and city-service simulation.
Read Economy and budget for the city's income and spending, or Zoning for building types and plot sizes.