Editing SimTower

{{Short description|1994 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title     = SimTower: The Vertical Empire
| image     = SimTower Coverart.png
| alt       = A video game cover art. A skyscraper is in the foreground; fire is coming out of one of its floors, and a helicopter flies towards the building.
| developer = [[Vivarium Inc.|OPeNBooK]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|OPeNBooK|NA/EU|[[Maxis]]}}
| director  = [[Yoot Saito]]
| series    = ''[[List of Sim video games|Sim]]''
| released  = '''Windows, Mac'''{{vgrelease|JP|1994|NA|November 1994|EU|1994}}'''Sega Saturn'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 1, 1996}}'''3DO'''{{vgrelease|JP|March 29, 1996}}
| genre     = [[Construction and management simulation]]
| modes     = [[Single-player]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[Macintosh]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]]
}}

'''''SimTower: The Vertical Empire''''' (originally published in Japan as {{Nihongo foot|'''''The Tower'''''|ザ・タワー|Za Tawā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}) is a [[construction and management simulation]] [[video game]] developed by [[Vivarium Inc.|OPeNBooK]] and released in 1994 for [[Microsoft Windows]] and [[System 7|Macintosh System 7]]. Outside Japan, the game was published by [[Maxis]] and branded as part of their [[List of Sim video games|Sim series]]. Ports for [[Sega Saturn]] and [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]] were released in 1996. A sequel titled ''The Tower II'' was released in 1998 and called ''[[Yoot Tower]]'' outside Japan.

The game allows players to build and manage a tower and decide what facilities to place in it, in order to ultimately build a five-star tower. Random events take place during play, such as terrorist acts that the player must respond to immediately.

Critical reception towards the game was generally positive. Reviews praised the game's formula, including its open-ended nature and its ability to immerse the player into the game. Criticism targeted the game's lack of documentation, which some reviewers found made it harder to learn how to play the game. The in-game speed was also criticized for being too slow, which was a crucial issue in the game because time must pass for the player to earn income to purchase new facilities.

==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 />

==Development==
Developed by [[Yoot Saito]] of [[Vivarium Inc.|OPeNBooK]], ''SimTower'' was originally titled ''The Tower''.<ref name="GameAxis">{{cite journal| journal = GameAxis Unwired| publisher = [[Singapore Press Holdings|SPH Magazines]]|date=September 2000| issue = 60| title = Origin of Species| first = Jonathan| last = Leo| page = 27| issn = 0219-872X}}</ref> It works on computers running the [[Microsoft Windows]] or [[System 7|Macintosh System 7]] operating systems; the game will operate on 68k-based Macs at a minimum. It requires [[8-bit color]]s and four megabytes of [[random-access memory]].<ref name=southchina /> Graphics and sounds used in ''SimTower'' are similar to those of [[List of Sim video games|previous ''Sim'' games]], and high-resolution graphics are also used. The sound effects are kept to a minimum; noises that are played in the background include office "buzz" and elevator bells.<ref name=theage />

While attending [[Waseda University]], Saito played ''[[SimCity (1989 video game)|SimCity]]'' on the Macintosh, which prompted him to pursue video game creation after graduating. His first game was a simulation title that was part of a future media project for a publishing house. When Saito asked to develop a second, the business refused because it was not a video game company. He left the company to personally produce the second game, which built on ideas he conceived while working on his first: elevators and towers. Saito teamed up with freelance programmer Takumi Abe to complete the project.<ref name="gamesTM-Retro">{{cite journal| journal = [[GamesTM]]| publisher = [[Imagine Publishing]]| title = Sonic Yoot| pages = 252–255| author = GamesTM Staff| series = The Ultimate Retro Companion| year = 2010| volume = 3| isbn = 978-1-906078-56-0}}</ref> To research the gameplay, Saito contacted an elevator company to learn about elevator scheduling and management. However, the company declined to provide the information.<ref name="Dragon217">{{cite journal |title=Eye of the Monitor |author=Jay & Dee |journal=Dragon |issue=217 |date=May 1995 |pages=65–74}}</ref> Saito handled the graphic design, starting with a monochromatic scaled tower created in [[HyperCard]]. The designer added color to differentiate between office- and hotel-type buildings. As development neared completion, Saito noticed that the Mac's performance had improved and decided to increase the [[Palette (computing)|color palette]] size from 16 to 256&nbsp;colors. Saito enlisted a second designer to produce animation for the graphics and improve the details for the color increase.<ref name="gamesTM-Retro" />

==Release and reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=allgame />
| Dragon = 3 &amp; 3{{frac|1|2}} of 5<ref name="Dragon217" />
| rev1 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev1Score = B−<ref name="EW" />
| NGen = {{rating|2|5}} (MAC)<ref name="NGen3" />
}}
''SimTower'' was successful in Japan, earning the developers a profit. The ''[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]]'' awarded Saito the "Best Young Manager/Venture of the Year" for his work on the game. After the initial Japanese release, Maxis president Jeff Braun contacted Saito regarding a worldwide release; ''SimCity'' creator [[Will Wright (game designer)|Will Wright]] had informed Braun of the game.<ref name="gamesTM-Retro" /> The company localized the game for sale in the United States, and changed the name to capitalize on the popularity of the ''Sim'' franchise and increase sales figures.<ref name="GameAxis" /> Maxis published ''SimTower'' for the Windows and [[System 7|Macintosh System 7]] operating systems in November 1994 in the United States.<ref name=southchina /><ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 22, 2010 |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/simtower-the-vertical-empire/release-info |title=Release Information for SimTower: The Vertical Empire |publisher=MobyGames |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908175821/http://www.mobygames.com/game/simtower-the-vertical-empire/release-info |archive-date=September 8, 2009 }}</ref> In 1996, it was ported to the [[Sega Saturn]] and [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer]] in Japan.<ref name="gamesTM-Retro" />

The ''[[South China Morning Post]]'' praised the game's formula, noting that it followed in the footsteps of previous open-ended Maxis games. Comparing ''SimTower'' to ''[[SimCity 2000]]'', the review remarked that it was more interesting to watch people live out their lives in a tower rather than to observe cars moving around. They also appreciated the "homely" feeling of ''SimTower'', in contrast with other ''Sim'' games such as ''[[SimEarth]]'' and ''[[SimLife]]'', which they felt were too universal to take on a personal identity.<ref name=southchina>{{cite news |title=The race to build is on! |work=South China Morning Post |date=February 26, 1995 |author=Chan, Margaret }}</ref> Benjamin Svetkey of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' praised the game and commented that it is "more fun than [the concept] sounds". However, he stated that the gameplay may be too much for fans of the series.<ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/01/13/simearth/ |title=SimEarth Review |first=Benjamin |last=Svetkey |date=1995-01-13 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |issue=257 |access-date=2010-11-01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501024634/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20184081%2C00.html |archive-date=2011-05-01 }}</ref> A reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' panned the game, saying it lacks the bustling interactivity of previous games in the Sim franchise: "There are bug infestations and the occasional fire with which to deal, but most of the time, ''SimTower'' sees you standing around waiting for cash reserves to grow in order to add more floors. Not much fun at all."<ref name="NGen3">{{cite journal|title=Condemned |journal=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=March 1995|page=91}}</ref> Australia's ''[[The Age]]'' found ''SimTower'' a pleasing return to form for Maxis, after the release of the disappointing ''[[SimFarm]]''.<ref name=theage>{{cite news |title=Tower infernal |work=The Age |date=July 20, 1995 |author=Bowtell, Jed |page=34 }}</ref> Lisa Karen Savignano of [[Allgame]] stated that the game had decent graphics and sound. However, she also felt that ''SimTower'' had good [[replay value]] due to the non-linear gameplay, giving the game four stars out of five.<ref name=allgame>{{cite web|access-date=2010-04-24 |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=642&tab=review |title=SimTower |publisher=Allgame |year=1997 |author=Savignano, Lisa Karen |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115143324/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=642&tab=review |archive-date=2014-11-15 }}</ref>

The game was criticized by the ''South China Morning Post'' for lacking documentation, making it more difficult to learn how to play the game. They also predicted that players would be unhappy with the game's speed, as time plays an important role in earning money from tenants. Before the player can purchase new facilities, a long period of time must pass before income is earned from tenants. The newspaper was also unhappy with complaints from tenants; specific reasons for their dissatisfaction are never given.<ref name=southchina /> ''The Age'' was disappointed by the lack of pre-built towers and scenarios, suggesting that one along the lines of ''[[The Towering Inferno]]''{{'}}s plot could have been included.<ref name=theage /> ''[[Game Informer]]'' referred to ''SimTower'' as a "lesser-known" simulation game, and described it as "fun and addictive".<ref>{{cite magazine| magazine = [[Game Informer]]| publisher = [[GameStop|GameStop Corporation]]|date=June 2007| issue = 170| title = Classic GI: The Forgotten Sims| page = 124}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[San Diego Union-Tribune]]'', Matt Miller felt that, when compared to ''[[SimCity 2000]]'' (1993), gameplay in ''SimTower'' moved slowly. He also disliked the moments when he had to wait several minutes to pass by before he could make enough money to purchase new additions for his building.<ref>{{cite news |title=High-rise anxiety builds with Maxis treat Addictive CD-ROM turns kids, adults into developers, tower landlords |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |date=1995-06-06 |author=Miller, Matt |page=6 }}</ref> ''[[Dragon (magazine)|Dragon]]'' magazine's reviewers Jay and Dee praised the visuals and gameplay. However, the two commented that the game can feel slow because it lacks gameplay elements and options present in other strategy games.<ref name="Dragon217" /> In 1995, the Software and Information Industry Association listed ''SimTower'' as the "Best Simulation Program" in the Consumer software category of their annual [[Software and Information Industry Association#CODiE Awards|Codie award]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siia.net/codies/2009/pw_1995.asp |title=Past Winners - 2009 SIIA CODiE Awards |publisher=Software and Information Industry Association |access-date=2009-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015120544/http://www.siia.net/codies/2009/pw_1995.asp |archive-date=2009-10-15 }}</ref>

The game was followed by ''[[Yoot Tower]]'' (called ''The Tower II'' in Japan), also designed by Yoot Saito, which was initially released on November 24, 1998, for the Macintosh.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 12, 2010 |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/yoot-tower/61-4881/releases/?r=93799 |title=Release Summary |publisher=GaintBomb.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406070606/http://www.giantbomb.com/yoot-tower/61-4881/releases/?r=93799 |archive-date=April 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| journal = [[Maximum PC]]| publisher = [[Future plc|Future US]]|date=February 1999| volume = 4| issue = 2| title = Yoot Tower| page = 44| issn = 1522-4279}}</ref> It was later made available for the Windows operating systems in January 1999. ''Yoot Tower''{{'}}s gameplay is similar to that of ''SimTower''—players build hotels, resorts, and office buildings, and work towards building a five-star tower.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Interactive Games Make Their Play |work=Daily News of Los Angeles |date=July 7, 1999 |author=Bloom, David }}</ref> [[Vivarium]] launched a version of ''SimTower'' for the [[Game Boy Advance]], called ''[[The Tower SP]]'', published by [[Nintendo]] in Japan on April 28, 2005, and by [[Sega]] in the United States on March 15, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2009-10-07 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/725/725107p1.html |title=The Tower SP |publisher=IGN |date=2006-07-06 |author=DeVries, Jack |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008000408/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/725/725107p1.html |archive-date=2008-10-08 }}</ref> A version of ''SimTower'' called ''The Tower DS'' was published by DigiToys in Japan on June 26, 2008.<ref name=tower-ds>{{cite web |access-date=2010-04-18 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ds/strategy/thetowerds/similar.html?mode=versions |title=The Tower DS – Related Games |publisher=GameSpot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=July 12, 2010 |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/725/725107p1.html |title=The Tower DS announcement |date=6 July 2006 |publisher=IGN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101205174342/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/725/725107p1.html |archive-date=December 5, 2010 }}</ref> ''[[Yoot Tower]]'' was also released for [[iPad]] devices via the online iOS App Store.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2012-02-27 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yoot-tower/id379197311?mt=8 |title=Yoot Tower in iTunes iOS App Store for iPad's |publisher=iTunesiOSAppStore |author=DigiToys Inc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128113657/http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yoot-tower/id379197311?mt=8 |archive-date=2012-01-28 }}</ref>

==See also==
* ''[[Project Highrise]]''

==References==
{{notelist}}
<references/>

==External links==
* {{Moby game|id=/simtower-the-vertical-empire|name=SimTower}}

{{Sim series|sim-misc=yes}}
{{Good article}}

[[Category:1994 video games]]
[[Category:3DO games]]
[[Category:Business simulation games]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:Maxis Sim games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Windows games]]