![Citis.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmYeYcNX3nafkhgMSenx2athfudz1Ld35qaicArSRovKHL)

# Introduction

We are all unique when it comes to the type of games we enjoy. I personally never been so hot on first person shooters or sport related games. But since I am 8 years old, SimCity has been my favorite game. From the SNES version of it, all the way to Simcity 5 (Gosh...I must have played thousands  of hours of SimCity 2000), this is the time of game I enjoy the most. Anybody else can relate?

![snes_simcity.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/Qmcve8QNBYGMmwHrz6oR42GnTWJf6jbWENtMj6WbGPFfEU)


When I discovered Cities Skylines...I was hooked. In my humble opinion, this is most interesting and fun game of the genre. When it comes to building a city, this game allow you so much creativity with just enough real life challenge to make it a joy to play again and again.

350 hours later, I'm compiling here what I've learned in hope that it can shorten your learning curve.

## Getting Started Right

#### Get Yourself Good Mods

Mods enhance the game and allow you to do more. Below are my personal selection that I use:

1. [Precision Engineering](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=445589127&searchtext=)
2. [Automatic Bulldoze](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=406132323&searchtext=) (To get rid of abandoned building automatically
3. [Mod Achievement Enabler](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=407055819)
4. [All 25 Areas purchasable](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=405810376)

With those in place, you are good to go. 

#### Understand How Traffic Works

Traffic is the #1 challenge of this game. If you don't think ahead, later on, you'll face serious challenge and may have to completely rethink after the fact...and that can be costly.

##### Factor #1 Road Hierachy

If you want a complete guide of how traffic works, I would suggest [The Beginner's Guide to Traffic By brendan.rnp](https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=522776740)

Basically, the idea is whether you create a grid or a more fluid grid patter, you need to have multiple tier of roads. It goes like this:

**Highway --> Arterial Road(Red) --> Collector Road(Blue) --> Local Roads(Green)**

![Grid.jpg](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmegBNHE5t34t57omCT7137C5LuUM6ywXcgJdV5jFQBJSQ)

 This is an idea that you can play with and that is very useful as you learn how to play with it. 

##### Factor #2 - Zoning

Understanding how traffic works in relation to your zoning is crucial. The flow of traffic goes like this:

- **Residents** travel to work to the **Commercial** and **Industrial** area
- Raw Material comes in via the highway system to feed your **industrial** area.
- Finished Goods travel from the **industrial** to the **commercial** area AND to the highway.

![skylines.png](https://gateway.ipfs.io/ipfs/QmZzQ4GP2U8TZ9UtZxmJpaYm81L1upWEigfohcCgjoE67G)

Now balance out the zoning and the road hierarchy and you've got a good foundation to lay out your future city.

## Conclusion

Did you like this little tutorial? Would you want more guides like this or should I stick to playing the game for you on Dlive or Dtube? Please let me know in the comment box below.