Port Washington - Simulator Tricks

Sometimes I wanted to represent things not present in the simulator. In these cases I would often substitute visually-similar elements to give the desired effect. For example, tunnels in SimCity 2000 are restricted to follow straight lines, and have the entry and exit elevations be identical. I got around this in a few ways; using the magic eraser tool, you can build a tunnel and then erase one end while keeping the other, giving you just one tunnel end. Other times, I used Subway/Rail Connector sprites to give the impression of a roadway plunging below ground.

Here's a freeway tunnel that has on/offramps in the middle to access the stadium.

This highway first delves deep under Beacon Hill, then underground to cross the river. I've circled access points from the historic neighborhood of Central.

Here's a highway tunnel with different entry and exit elevations.

SimCity 2000 doesn't allow you to transport power across city boundaries‚ but I didn't want to clog up downtown with power plants. Instead, I created hydroelectric "substations" and used them for power generation, or to simulate a concrete retaining wall on a slope. I don't want to cheat, though! In the entire 81-city complex, there is more than enough power generated to supply everybody's needs (see statistics below), even ignoring the hydro substations which conceptually transfer power from the regional grid to local areas.

I created locks and portage systems to show how boats and cargo ships can pass the fall line on rivers.

I used seaports to represent the ferry system among the islands.

Here's the city zoo.

Here are some grade-separated rail and highway crossings.

I learned the farmland trick from Dale Floer; I also used rubble to represent an unpaved road.

I used power lines to designate "electrified" security fences, and radiation to designate "keep out" warnings.

I also used rubble to represent hiking trails.

Here are some scenic overlooks

Headwaters and bogs...

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