SomaSim, San Francisco-based creator of simulation video games, recently announced their first video game 1849 is available for download worldwide. Check out the official game website here.
A California gold rush simulation set in Northern California in the year 1849, their first video game is a city management simulation that challenges players to manage the local economy, while trying to balance the needs and desires of citizens.
Developer Robert Zubek says,
“Over the last few years casual city management games have gained popularity, but they’re nothing like the in-depth simulation games that defined the genre back in the day. Those were games I could lose myself in for hours, building a massive empire out of nothing. We’ve tried to bring back this gameplay and experience in 1849... It’s a game tuned for today’s technology and players – the scenarios are designed so you can play for a few minutes on the bus if that’s all the time you have, or spend hours building a huge bustling city. At its heart 1849 is a classic city management game with all the bells and whistles that make this genre so much fun.”
1849 is playable for PC, Mac, and iPad gamers and also Android tablet users. Gamers play through 20 levels of gameplay set in California cities of the period and reminiscent of popular simulation video games like SimCity and Caesar III.
SomaSim has only been in business for a year, and is the brain-child of lead video game developer Robert Zubek and art director Mathhew Viglione.
Robert once worked for EA, Three Rings Design, and Zynga, where he was a major contributor in the development of popular video games like CityVille and Farmville 2. Matthew has ten years under his belt as a graphic designer and communications specialist in the publishing industry. Together, they made 1849 to try to relive the magic of the simulation video games they loved as young gamers.
Two different versions of 1849 are currently available, one for the iPad and Android tablets and another for PC and Mac computers. The desktop version is the same as the mobile edition, except for the open sandbox mode. PC and Mac gamers can purchase the video game through Steam, GOG, IndieGameStand and GamersGate. Android tablet and iPad users can buy it through the App Store and Google Play.
Give 1849 a try. You could strike it rich in the gold rush of Northern California and become the next tycoon!
