We have just released game update V0.5.9 which introduces neighbourhood zones and mayors! We're really excited about this one because it means every lot is now part of a wider, social part of the world.
Introducing Neighbourhoods!
What is a neighbourhood zone?
The world map has been divided into named zones - you can hover over the map and you will see the areas light up and their names show.
All existing lots have been automatically opted into a neighbourhood based on their location, and if you decide to move in the future that may mean you become part of another!
Neighbourhoods all have their own unique identity such as name, description, and unique perks/drawbacks. These unique traits include things like slower motive decay or quicker crop growth, as examples.
To view more about a neighbourhood, click on the neighbourhood name to see:
- Info - the area's description, its ranking, and unique traits
- Lots - showing all of the lots in the neighbourhood
- People - listing all residents and roommates
- Mayor - who is currently the mayor, if there's an election, etc.
- Noticeboard - residents and roommates can post notices, updates, etc! Post about your upcoming party, something for sale, its up to you.
Mayoral Elections
Neighbourhoods can elect their own mayor! A neighbourhood becomes eligible for this once it has 10 active lots - not just 10 lots, but 10 residents who actively play.
The mayoral cycle looks like this:
- Candidacy - 5 days: Anyone eligible can put themselves forward to be a mayor in the mayor panel. You need to have owned al ot if that neighbourhood for at least 14 days and be an active player. This means a mayor is someone who lives there and hasn't just moved their lot to win a title.
- Voting - 5 days: Every resident gets one vote to cast! The winner will be the person who gets the most votes out of all votes cast.
- Mayoral Term - 30 days: The winner will hold office for a month before the next election opens.
If nobody stands, the neighbourhood will try again a week later. Roommates are able to vote but can not stand as mayor - this means they haev a real stake in the area and can say who represents it. Candidacy is reserved for people who own a lot.
What Can Mayors Do?
A title with nothing behind it would get old very quickly, so we have ensured mayors get real and visible powers.
- The noticeboard - You can post up to 3 notices at one time; announce a party, run a competition, welcome new residents. Your notices will get priority and be more prominent.
- Neighbourhood name - The mayor can propose a new name for the neighbourhood zone and residents can vote to approve or reject it. This allows you to truly leave your mark!
- Neighbourhood description - The mayor can re-write the description of the neighbourhood. Every player who clicks on the neighbourhood zone will read this, and it sits alongside the original.
- Welcome message - A short message shown to any player who places a new lot in the neighbourhood!
A moderation process exists for neighbourhood names before they go live.
Elections are already live!
Elections have already opened in The Narrows and River Point, the first neighbourhoods to reach the threshold. If you live in either, check your inbox for information!
Other neighbourhoods will follow as they grow - its all automatic.
What's next for neighbourhoods?
- Ambience - neighbourhoods will have their own unique ambience such as sound effects and lighting.
- Ordinances - A mayor will be able to propose a local rule, neighbourhood will vote, and it will be enacted for the duration of their term.
Other Changes and Bug Fixes
As always, we have made some changes to improve gameplay.
- Players should no longer clip toilets when sitting on them
- Updated day & night lighting - especially at night to make lots more visible
- Photo mode will no longer highlight other players/objects when moving the camera
- Active skilling object failure and warning states will now clear and not persist after the event
- Lot thumbnails no longer capture the terrain - this is because they are used as 2d billboards on the world map and this was causing visual issues when zoomed out