SimCity and the Mechanics of Fire

The developers of the upcoming SimCity game have just released a new video providing an inside look at the robust Glassbox engine powering the game.

As with previous videos describing each of the engine's intricate mechanics, SimCity's lead gameplay designer Dan Moskowitz takes the opportunity to describe the Fire System in the game with the new video.

The Glassbox engine is, in this case, used to simulate the creation and spread of fire throughout a city.

Like with previous SimCity games, abandoned and derelict buildings have a much higher chance of catching (and starting) fires. Once a house catches fire, the simulation rules determine the amount of flammable material inside the building, which carry heat. The engine then simulates the spread of fire to nearby buildings based on heat agents, which spread out radially. When a building catches fire, the engine sends out an alarm agent that seeks out a fire department to put out the blaze.

It should be noted that the demonstration is fairly minimal in terms of graphics, and should only be taken as an example of SimCity's underlying mechanics rather than its final presentation.

SimCity is set for release on the PC in 2013. It is currently available for preorder on EA's Origin service.