AdvertCity

Last updated
AdvertCity
Advertcity cover.jpg
Game cover image
Developer(s) VoxelStorm
Publisher(s) VoxelStorm
Programmer(s) Eugene Hopkinson, John Turner
Composer(s) Alexandre Caelles, Dorian Pilato
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X
Release17 April 2015
Genre(s) Tycoon game
Mode(s) Single-player

AdvertCity is a business simulation video game developed and published by VoxelStorm. The game was released on 17 April 2015 for Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X. [1] The player takes on the role of an advertising magnate in a dystopian future city with a cyberpunk aesthetic.

Contents

Gameplay

Megacorporations seen in the cyberspace view. AdvertCity screenshot cyberspace.png
Megacorporations seen in the cyberspace view.

Gameplay in AdvertCity involves selling advertising to client megacorporations; the player does this by moving around the city from a first person god-view perspective, selecting buildings and sites in cyberspace as targets for their advertising. Advertising technologies are unlocked progressively depending on reputation with various megacorporations, and range from flyers to billboards and blimps.

A key mechanic in the game is the ability to switch between meatspace and cyberspace at any time, [2] which is required to perform different actions in each space and to orchestrate advertising effectively.

The goal of the game is to take over the city, and to do this the player must gain the trust of the various megacorporations they interact with. [3]

The game has a roguelike save system [2] to increase the level of challenge - there is only one savegame available, the player has no choice but to save their progress when exiting, and the player cannot reload to a previous state if they make a mistake.

Development

Development of the game began when an early version of the game was built in 7 days for the 2014 Cyberpunk Game Jam. [4] [5] After receiving positive feedback during the jam, [6] the developers decided to continue work on the game to create a full-scale release. [7]

The game sought crowdfunding via Kickstarter on 25 March 2014, [8] and was fully funded on the second day of the campaign, going on be overfunded by 373% [9] at its conclusion.

AdvertCity was submitted to Steam Greenlight during its Kickstarter in 2014 [10] and was eventually greenlit after an unusually long delay [11] in April 2015.

AdvertCity entered a period of closed beta testing during development after its kickstarter; the final release was announced on 17 April 2015, and by June it had appeared on Steam and several other stores. [1] [7] [12]

Procedural city generation

Every city in the game is procedurally generated. [4] [13]

The procedural city layout is positioned on top of a procedurally generated landscape, which it conforms to and evolves around. The developers considered using the industry standard SIGGRAPH 2001 paper by Parish and Muller [14] as a basis, including the subsequent work on tensor fields, [15] but rejected the use of L-systems on the grounds of their design being unsuited to cities, which "don't grow like branches on a tree". [16]

The system instead uses:

"...maps calculated on a mix of realtime procedural projection and cached data about population layouts and terrain features (such as different terrain types, gradients, altitudes, population densities, whether the region should be considered urban or rural etc); the result is something that has the subtlety of the tensor field system, yet generates much larger cities than are feasible with the L-system at a far higher speed than possible with that design. The AdvertCity generator is an object-oriented system of roads, junctions and buildings that can be adjusted on the fly to interact with their immediate surroundings, so roads meet and cross at specific junctions, branch and fork (something not used in the L system design), and can also spontaneously degenerate from paved roads to footpaths etc as appropriate, due to terrain or other aspects of the landscape. Different classes of road or path can also have entirely different rules and code for how they react to different terrain types and other features, so it's possible to build a much more dynamic overall city map with those." [16]

Procedural descriptions

Every building in the city has a procedurally generated description; these vary in content but usually mention the architectural style of the building and some information about its history as well as factual info about its current owners and tenants in-game and its population.

All megacorporations are also described with text that is procedurally generated and updated during gameplay as their situation changes; this describes their standing in the city, their relationships with other megacorps, their financial status and their sentiments towards the player.

Soundtrack

AdvertCity's soundtrack is a full-length score, unusual in that it is presented in two "sides", one for meatspace and one for cyberspace, [17] with each track on each side having a beatmatched equivalent on the other; when the player switches between meatspace and cyberspace, the music smoothly crossfades between the two soundtracks. A bespoke sound engine was developed for this purpose, with EBU R128 2011 support and HDR capability. [18]

Reception

AdvertCity received mixed reviews from critics. [19] [20]

From its initial alpha launch, AdvertCity drew comment widely about its stark and "hyper-stylized" aesthetic. [21] Critics frequently praised the dark neo-noir cyberpunk aesthetic of the game, [22] [20] as well as its tone, [19] and referred to the vision of cyberspace as Gibson-inspired. Stylistically, reviewers appreciated the dystopian bleakness of the vision of the future in the game, mentioning that your adverts are the only splashes of colour on the cold and uniform city, [13] and the surreal building-linked conception of cyberspace. [23] Reviewers also praised the dark and cynical sense of humour throughout the game. [19] [23] Reviewers also expressed interest in the Oculus Rift support which was included in the game from the alpha stage. [24] One common complaint is the high level of difficulty and steep learning curve at the start of the game. [19] Reviewers also cited the disorientating nature of the interface and immutable fast pace of the game as a negative. [20] The developers cited games such as Dwarf Fortress as an inspiration, which is well known for its steep learning curve and difficult interface. [23]

The game also drew praise for its high-performing engine, which enables the game to run on previous-generation hardware; [25] the minimum system requirements for CPU on Steam are stated simply as "Anything made since 2004" [18] and the game supports Windows XP despite Microsoft having discontinued support for that operating system before development of AdvertCity began. [26]

Critics praised the "cyber-jazz" [19] soundtrack's "postrock, jazz & glitch" [2] qualities and praised the way it dovetails with the gameplay and "backs your every move" [20] in the game.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voxel</span> Element representing a value on a grid in three dimensional space

A voxel is a three-dimensional counterpart to a pixel. It represents a value on a regular grid in a three-dimensional space. Voxels are frequently used in the visualization and analysis of medical and scientific data.

Megacorporation, mega-corporation, or megacorp, a term originally coined by Alfred Eichner in his book The Megacorp and Oligopoly: Micro Foundations of Macro Dynamics but popularized by William Gibson, derives from the combination of the prefix mega- with the word corporation. It has become widespread in cyberpunk literature. It is synonymous with syndicate, globalist- or transnational capital. It refers to a corporation that is a massive conglomerate, holding monopolistic or near-monopolistic control over multiple markets. Megacorps are so powerful that they are above the government laws, possess their own heavily armed private armies, are operators of privatized police forces, hold "sovereign" territory, and even act as outright governments. They often exercise a large degree of control over their employees, taking the idea of "corporate culture" to an extreme.

<i>Outcast</i> (video game) 1999 video game

Outcast is an action-adventure game developed by Appeal and released by Infogrames for Windows in 1999. The game was critically acclaimed and was named the "Adventure Game of the Year" by GameSpot in 1999. In 2001, Appeal developed a sequel, called Outcast II: The Lost Paradise, which was never finished due to bankruptcy. In 2010, the game was re-released via digital distribution on GOG. In 2014, Outcast was remastered as Outcast 1.1, after the original developers reacquired the franchise intellectual property. In 2017, a remake titled Outcast: Second Contact was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. A sequel, Outcast: A New Beginning, was released for Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Procedural generation</span> Method in which data is created algorithmically as opposed to manually

In computing, procedural generation is a method of creating data algorithmically as opposed to manually, typically through a combination of human-generated content and algorithms coupled with computer-generated randomness and processing power. In computer graphics, it is commonly used to create textures and 3D models. In video games, it is used to automatically create large amounts of content in a game. Depending on the implementation, advantages of procedural generation can include smaller file sizes, larger amounts of content, and randomness for less predictable gameplay. Procedural generation is a branch of media synthesis.

<i>Dystopia</i> (video game) 2007 video game

Dystopia is a team-based, objective-driven, first-person shooter video game, developed as a total conversion modification on the Valve's proprietary Source engine. It is based on the cyberpunk literary and aesthetic genre; it is somewhat based on popular role-playing game Shadowrun, created by an amateur development team and released to the public for free. Its first playable build was released on September 9, 2005, after a year of planning and nine months of development. The first full version of Dystopia, Version 1, was released after 3 years of development on February 25, 2007.

<i>Steam Bandits: Outpost</i> Video game

Steam Bandits: Outpost is a free-to-play steam punk themed city building and indie game by American developer Iocaine Studios. The title is the first one planned out of three, all taking place in the same game world with the goal of eventually allowing players of one game to interact with players of the other two.

<i>FTL: Faster Than Light</i> 2012 video game

FTL: Faster Than Light is a roguelike game created by indie developer Subset Games, which was released for Windows, OS X, and Linux in September 2012. In the game, the player controls the crew of a single spacecraft, holding critical information to be delivered to an allied fleet, while being pursued by a large rebel fleet. The player must guide the spacecraft through eight sectors, each with planetary systems and events procedurally generated in a roguelike fashion, while facing rebel and other hostile forces, recruiting new crew, and outfitting and upgrading their ship. Combat takes place in pausable real time, and if the ship is destroyed or all of its crew lost, the game ends, forcing the player to restart with a new ship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vox (video game)</span> 2012 video game

Vox is an independent voxel-based adventure and role-playing video game developed by Canadian studio AlwaysGeeky Games.

<i>7 Days to Die</i> 2016 video game

7 Days to Die is a survival horror video game set in an open world developed by the Fun Pimps. It was released through early access for OS X and Windows on December 13, 2013, and for Linux on November 22, 2014. Versions for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were released in 2016 through Telltale Publishing, but are no longer being developed. A 1.0 version was released for the PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on July 25, 2024.

<i>Dex</i> (video game) 2015 video game

Dex is a side-scrolling action role-playing game developed and published by Dreadlocks Ltd. The game was crowdfunded on Kickstarter, and was released in 2015.

<i>Race the Sun</i> (video game) 2013 video game

Race the Sun is an endless running video game developed and published by American indie studio Flippfly and released on August 19, 2013 for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux platforms. In Race the Sun, the player controls a solar-powered spaceship, dodging various objects on the way such as laser beams, other ships and other stationary obstacles, while gathering pick ups that can be used in game, all while the sun slowly sets on the horizon. The game ends either when the player hits an object and the ship gets destroyed, or when the sun sets.

<i>Paranautical Activity</i> 2014 video game

Paranautical Activity is a first-person shooter video game developed by American indie studio Code Avarice, and later by Digerati. It was released for Microsoft Windows in a beta form in February 2013, and after completing the Early Access program on Steam, was fully released on October 20, 2014.

<i>PULSAR: Lost Colony</i> 2021 video game

PULSAR: Lost Colony is a science fiction space exploration video game being developed by independent developers Leafy Games, LLC. The video game was greenlit on Steam Greenlight on October 3, 2013, and was later funded successfully on Kickstarter on October 31, 2013. The game was released in an Alpha state on February 25, 2014, and was later available on Steam's Early Access program following an official release on June 23, 2021.

Okhlos is an action and roguelike video game developed by Coffee Powered Machine and published by Devolver Digital. It was released on 18 August 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VoxelStorm</span> British independent video game development studio

VoxelStorm Ltd is a British independent game development studio, video game publisher and music publisher. The company was founded by Eugene Hopkinson, and is based in England and Scotland. VoxelStorm has developed and released several games, most notably AdvertCity and sphereFACE.

<i>Planet Nomads</i> 2019 sandbox video game

Planet Nomads is a 2019 science fiction sandbox video game developed by Craneballs Studio.

<i>Midair</i> (video game) 2018 video game

Midair is a free-to-play first-person shooter by Archetype Studios. The game emphasizes freedom of movement with jetpacks and skiing, while also featuring large open maps and vehicles. The game was developed using Unreal Engine 4, and was released on May 3, 2018.

<i>Coffee Crisis</i> 2017 beat em up game for Sega Genesis

Coffee Crisis is a game for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Microsoft Windows, developed and published by Pittsburgh-based company Mega Cat Studios. The console version was released on February 24, 2017, as a physical cartridge with printed manual.

StarCrawlers is a dungeon crawler and role-playing game that was released for Windows, macOS, and SteamOS on 24 May 2017. It was the first game produced by Juggernaut Games, which funded it using a Kickstarter. It is set in a sci-fi universe with cyberpunk elements, and features a mixture of pre-built and procedurally generated content. The game aims to revitalise dungeon-crawlers as a genre, billing itself as a "modern take on a classic cRPG dungeon crawler", and is available on Steam or GOG.

<i>The Ascent</i> (video game) 2021 video game

The Ascent is a cyberpunk-themed action role-playing video game developed by Swedish indie game studio Neon Giant and published by Curve Digital for Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One on 29 July 2021. It was developed using Unreal Engine 4 by a team of 12 people and is Neon Giant's debut in the industry. The game received positive reviews from critics upon its release, with praise for its visuals, combat, and soundtrack, but criticism for the emphasis on grinding.

References

  1. 1 2 O'Connor, Alice. "Advertising For The Megacorps: AdvertCity Released". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 Chris, Priestman. "Affect The Economy Of A Cyberpunk City With Advertisements In AdvertCity". Siliconera. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Lambert, Liam. "Kickstarter of the Week: AdvertCity". Gizorama. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  4. 1 2 Smith, Adam. "Outpunned And Outgunned: AdvertCity". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Cyberpunk Game Jam". itch.io. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  6. ↑ "AdvertCity by VoxelStorm for Cyberpunk Jam - itch.io" . Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  7. 1 2 Brown, Fraser. "AdvertCity, the cyberpunk tycoon sim, launches on Steam tomorrow". PCGamesN. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "AdvertCity by VoxelStorm — Kickstarter". Kickstarter. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  9. ↑ "AdvertCity by VoxelStorm :: Kicktraq". Kicktraq. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  10. ↑ "Steam Greenlight :: AdvertCity". Steam Greenlight. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  11. ↑ Christiansen, Peter. "[Update: Greenlit] Stuck In Greenlight Limbo: AdvertCity". Wraithkal's Indie Gaming Corner. Archived from the original on 2015-07-05. Retrieved 2015-07-04.
  12. ↑ "IndieGameStand Blog – Check out IndieGameStand's new release,..." IndieGameStand Blog. Retrieved 4 July 2015.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. 1 2 Brown, Fraser. "Drown a cyberpunk city in adverts with AdvertCity". PCGamesN.
  14. ↑ Parish, Yoav I. H.; Müller, Pascal (2001). "Procedural modeling of cities". Proceedings of the 28th annual conference on Computer graphics and interactive techniques - SIGGRAPH '01. pp. 301–308. doi:10.1145/383259.383292. ISBN   158113374X. S2CID   2417221.
  15. ↑ Chen, Guoning; Esch, Gregory; Wonka, Peter; Muller, Pascal; Zhang, Eugene (August 2008). "Interactive Procedural Street Modeling" (PDF). ACM Transactions on Graphics. 27 (3): 1–10. doi:10.1145/1360612.1360702 . Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  16. 1 2 "AdvertCity"Facebook Simulator 2014, but with more cyberpunk!"". Facepunch. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  17. ↑ "AdvertCity OST". Bandcamp. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  18. 1 2 "AdvertCity on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 Lambert, Liam. "Swings and Roundabouts™ – AdvertCity Review". Gizorama. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Chaz (2015-07-03). "AdvertCity Review". Twinfinite. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  21. ↑ Glass, Garrett. "Kickstarter Weekly: AdvertCity and Still Alive". The Koalition. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  22. ↑ Liles, Nathaniel. "Weekenders Sunday News 8/10". Cliquist. Archived from the original on May 31, 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  23. 1 2 3 "Twenty Dollar Gaming: Episode 2: AdvertCity". Twenty Dollar Gaming. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  24. ↑ Duncan, Alasdair. "AdvertCity is the cyberpunk tycoon game I didn't know I wanted". Destructoid.
  25. ↑ Hawkins, Charlie. "CyberPunk Advertisement Tycoon Game Discovered- Altered Confusion™ The Place to Alter your Gaming Confusion". Altered Confusion. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  26. ↑ "Businesses urged to ditch XP". 3 News NZ. April 9, 2013. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.