Editing SimTower (section)

==Gameplay==
[[File:Simtower.gif|thumb|left|The player views a cross-section of the building from the side.]]

''SimTower'' allows the player to build and manage the operations of a modern, multi-use [[skyscraper]]. They must plan where to place facilities in the tower that include restaurants, condominiums, offices, hotel rooms, retail stores and elevators. To prevent tenants from vacating their properties, the player must keep their stress low by fulfilling their demands for medical centers, parking lots, recycling facilities, clean hotel rooms staffed with housekeepers, and an efficient transportation system, which involves managing elevator traffic.<ref name=southchina /> ''SimTower'', which was built around an elevator simulation program, places a strong emphasis on good elevator management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20041018/adams_01.shtml |title=Designer's Notebook |last=Adams |first=Ernest |date=17 May 2005 |publisher=Gamasutra |access-date=September 30, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916193335/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20041018/adams_01.shtml |archive-date=September 16, 2009 }}</ref>

The game begins with a one-star tower with limited building options. To increase the tower's star rating, it must attract more tenants by providing more living space (or office space, and later in the game, hotel and various types of commercial space). New facilities are made available while the tower progresses from a one-star rating to a five-star rating. The highest achievable rating is the designation of "Tower" which can only be awarded by building a cathedral at the very top of a five-star building with all possible tower levels above ground developed. The tower is limited to a maximum of 100 floors above ground and nine stories below ground. Standard elevators, which can span a maximum of 30 floors, and express elevators, which can span the entire height of the building, must be used efficiently to decrease tenant stress.<ref name=southchina />

Certain events can take place in the course of managing the tower. For example, terrorists may phone the player to let them know that they have hidden a bomb in the building, and that they demand a ransom. If the ransom is not paid, then security services must find the bomb before it detonates, or else the tower will incur significant damages.<ref name=southchina /> If the player builds facilities underground, the game may notify them that their workers have discovered gold treasure, which gives the player a significant amount of funds. At random intervals during the game, there are notifications that state that a [[Very Important Person|VIP]] will be visiting the tower soon, so the player must prepare for their visit. If the VIP enjoys their visit because of variables such as a comfortable hotel suite and efficient navigation, the VIP will give the tower a favorable rating. A favorable rating would then allow the tower to advance to the next star level, assuming the other qualifications are met. Although it does not have any impact on the tower, at the end of the fourth quarter every year in the game, [[Santa Claus]] and his reindeer fly across the tower.<ref name=allgame />