TheoTown is a detailed, retro-style city-builder simulation game where you take the role of a mayor, urban planner, and economist all at once. For newcomers, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Without a solid plan, your city might end up with high debt or low popularity.
This guide provides a step-by-step approach to starting your first successful city in TheoTown.
1. Start with Infrastructure, Not Buildings
Many new players make the mistake of zoning residential areas immediately. Instead, start by building roads.
- Dirt Roads First: Use dirt roads initially to save money.
- Grid System: Create a basic grid pattern to allow for easy expansion later.
- Road Connection: Ensure all zones are connected to the main road network, as buildings cannot function without access.
2. Power and Water are Top Priorities
Before citizens move in, they need utilities.
- Power: Build a Wind Power Plant to start. It is more cost-effective in the long run compared to early solar panels.
- Water: Place a Water Tower near your planned residential area, but ensure it is not right next to heavy industry to avoid pollution complaints.
- Connections: Use power lines to connect your power source to your residential/commercial zones. Remember to lay pipes for water, as water does not spread automatically.
3. Zone Responsibly: The RCI Demand
Understand the RCI (Residential, Commercial, Industrial) demand bars at the top of your screen:
- Green (Residential): Where people live.
- Blue (Commercial): Where people shop.
- Yellow (Industrial): Where people work and goods are produced.
Important Strategy: Keep your Industrial zone far away from Residential zones to avoid pollution-related sickness.
4. Manage Finances and Taxes
Don’t be afraid to raise taxes slightly if you are running out of money, but keep them reasonable (around 10-12%) to keep citizens happy.
- Check Statistics: Click on the date in the bottom left corner to check your city’s cash flow.
- Don’t Overbuild: Only zone areas when demand is high to avoid spending too much on roads and pipes that aren’t being used.
5. Early Services
Once your city has a small population, you will need to provide services to keep them happy and safe.
- Fire Station: Absolutely necessary to stop your city from burning down.
- Park: Place a few small parks to increase happiness in residential areas.
6. Utilize Plugins
TheoTown has a fantastic community that creates plugins. You can download extra buildings, roads, and decorative items to make your city unique. Access these through the in-game plugin store (green arrow icon).