devmode experements

[pete1051]

OK, I just want to start a thread to talk about using the -devmode command and how to and experiments in devmode.

I've figured out a few things about devmode, but not a ton. maybe others have too.
Feel free to talk about questions or give hints related to devmode.

This isn't about my city I show as an example, just about what can be done with devmode.
Though I will give updates on how this city grows.

Those of us who are "making the best of the situation", and just trying to have fun with what we DO have.

The other side of that discussion is well represented in other threads. I think many of us are familiar with the game's flaws....

Anyway. I have decided to turn over a new leaf and just enjoy this game for what it is, use it as inspiration for my own projects.

Here, I have maxed the birth rate and made adjustments to city fees in devmode.
I find it a challenge to keep up with demand, as the game slows. the challenge to me is efficiency of layout. That seems to be the reward I am getting. If I build a mess it slows, if my city run smoothly I can play longer on that city.

So, I thought, ok, how efficient is a linear city? It not purely "one road" but all the residential is in two line sof high density, with a multi modal corridor in between, and the place sto work and make stuff strategically placed.

I'll need a lot of schools for such a high birth rate. I suppose an elementary capacity of 1.3 million is enough, I currently have 650k children in the city, a total pop of 1 million. the school is half full...

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3162494218

When it fills, I will gradually lower the birth rate and add more places for them to work when they graduate.

IF.........the game does not slow so much it becomes unplayable, it's already moving like molasses.

[pete1051]

BTW: devmode money exploit:
increase birth rate, doesn't have to be max, and max out education fees.

cims have no choice but to spend 1000 credits on each elementary student, and income can go up so long as you build enough schools.

That's the only down side, how much space all those schools take up, I have reserved 1/4 of the map to education. But ...WOW!... the income!!! maxed out to 2 billion in the bank by 2027.

So much income, I can give everything else away for free. My city is entirely funded by elementary tuition. Citizens get more of a negative tax incentive for higher education.

[pete1051]

forgot...

city fee adjustments are on the 'gameplay' tab, you can also get more money fast there if you just want some. and unlock everything.

and birth rate is on the 'simulation' tab, where you will also find a handy extra 8x game speed.

all those annoying icons can be turned off in the 'notifications' tab.

I have not tried the asset placement or any other tabs yet.

[Kappa_uxb]

Is there a way to force building demand?
I can see some stuff about residential and commercial demand in the 'watches' tab, but not really sure what I'm looking at.
I would like to increase office demand but I can't see that mentioned in any tab so far.

Edit: I found office building demand in watches/industrial demand system/office building demand, but I can't find a way to increase the value.

[icedude94]

If you select your Soften Terrain tool first, then bring up the dev tools, go to the Simulation page and start clicking Select Next, you will find the tools that let you paint resources on the terrain like fertile land, ore, oil, etc.

It's useful to build farms wherever you want or to square the resource zones so you can make nice square extractor zones on top.

Also on the Simulation page, NEVER click the remove residents/vehicles button. You think what you are doing is removing your traffic jams by clearing all vehicles in the city but this isn't CS1 where everyone automatically has a car in their pocket. All of your cims will have to buy new vehicles for themselves and it can really mess up your economy.

Have an accident or stuck vehicle you want cleared up quick? Select the troublesome vehicle first, then bring up the UI Bindings page in dev tools, open the ActionsSection drop down and click Delete. For Semi trailer's, you have to do it twice. Once for the truck and once for the trailer.

You can go under Gameplay and check Show Developer Info. This gives you a lot of detail about your residents, households, and companies that aren't shown in the normal UI.

[pete1051]

Here's a view in the central part of the city..

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3164181620