IDLE CITY

Inspiration

Idle City was inspired by the charm of tycoon-style games and the joy of watching a world evolve. Games like SimCity and Idle Miner Tycoon shaped the interactive and progressive elements. We also drew inspiration from the simplicity and playfulness of low-poly art styles found in modern indie games. The goal was to create a world where players could casually explore, complete tasks, and watch their efforts translate into tangible in-world growth.

What it does

Idle City lets players immerse themselves in a vibrant city where they can earn money by completing engaging tasks like delivering newspapers, ice cream, waffles, and pizzas, taking out trash, fixing broken hydrants, and even helping lost pets. Players can purchase and upgrade properties, earning passive income from tenants as their buildings grow larger and house more residents. The game combines fun activities, strategic upgrades, and a rewarding sense of progress to create an enjoyable and interactive city-building experience.

How we built it

Idle City was crafted using Meta Horizon’s world-building tools. The process involved careful planning of the layout to ensure players could easily navigate and interact with the world. We used scripting to create dynamic gameplay elements like task progression, income tracking, and property upgrades. Each building and asset was hand-placed to provide a polished, immersive experience. The team collaborated on different aspects: one focused on the scripting and mechanics, while the other handled the artistic direction and world design.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was optimizing the scripts and assets to ensure smooth performance for all players, regardless of the device used. Balancing interactive gameplay with visual appeal was another hurdle. To overcome these issues, we iteratively tested the world, gathered feedback, and streamlined scripts to reduce lag without compromising interactivity.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re most proud of the seamless integration of passive and active gameplay mechanics, where players see immediate and long-term rewards for their actions. The low-poly design and interactive features, such as delivering items and fixing hydrants, provide an engaging yet relaxing experience. The progressive property system, which lets players see their houses grow as they invest, is a standout feature.

What we learned

Month is not enough for world idea like this

What's next for IDLE CITY

To enhance Idle City further, we plan to introduce multiplayer interactions, such as players collaborating on tasks or competing in mini-games. We’d also like to expand the city map with more tasks, properties, and customization options for player-owned buildings. If given more time, we would explore adding more dynamic NPCs and events to make the world feel even more alive