New Books Network Chaim Gingold, "Building SimCity: How to Put the World in a Machine" (MIT Press, 2024)
Dec 15, 2025
Chaim Gingold, a scholar and author, dives deep into the cultural history of computer simulation through the lens of SimCity. He discusses how Will Wright's groundbreaking game melded cellular automata with user-friendly design. Gingold also examines Maxis's journey, highlighting the challenges faced after their IPO and how business dynamics affect creativity. He shares fascinating archival discoveries, including Eames photos of children creating model cities, offering a nostalgic counterpoint to digital simulation. This insightful conversation unveils the intricate web of influences behind one of gaming's pillars.
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Internship Unearths Maxis Prototypes
- Chaim Gingold recounted interning with Will Wright at Maxis and discovering dusty prototype source code on an old Macintosh.
- He described finding creative, unfinished projects like SimAnt prototypes that sparked his decade-long book project.
SimCity's Hybrid Simulation Architecture
- SimCity mixes diverse simulation traditions like cellular automata and system dynamics into a single playable model.
- This creative coupling made complex simulation techniques legible and appealing to broad audiences.
Reception Shaped By Diverse Audiences
- SimCity's success reflected a cultural moment where many communities saw their own interests in the game.
- Nintendo, the Santa Fe Institute, and venture capitalists each projected different meanings onto SimCity, shaping Maxis's trajectory.
