Well, I will give you 2 answers to your question my friend. What is supposed to happen, and what is actually happening as of yesterday in my regions wih Arcologies.
What is supposed to happen is, after you complete Arcology, ensure that it is watered, powererd, and able to be seen by all of the cities in your region (the last is a huge problem and what I believe is causing most of the problems still), the great works is supposed to automatically read the nead for your workers, shoppers, and students. The more need you have for these things, the greater the level of your Arcology, and the more workers etc. it is supposed to send to your cities.
What is actually happening. Arcology is still deeply, deeply, bugged in itself as well as being succeptible to the regular bugs being plagued by the great works in themselves. I have it built in multiple regions at this point, and each seems to be screwed up in its own special way. Mostly from what I can ascertain is, Arcology simply isn't connecting to the cities in the regions correctly, and thusly sometimes gets the right info, and more often doesn't. If you have had it built over the last few patches, its even worse. Half of the cities in my regions that should be able to see Arcology can't, and the other half aren't receiving the correct workers, etc.
But, they are working on that, don't you worry. It's only been 5 months since launch now, with 2 paid add-on packs, but I am very sure EA is getting to those bugs that have made the game unplayable since beta. Being the worst company in America 2 years running now, our enjoyment, and smooth gameplay is of their utmost priority. I am sure after they get done nickle and diming everyone with add-on packs that don't work either, they will get everything ironed out with the core gaming experience.
So far it looks like the bulk of the Sims I need from the arcology that are not showing up for work is medium wealth workers. My electronics factory wont work unless these folks go to work my traffic is still great and I have buildings shutting down all over the place due to lack of workers.
ok now my power plants have shut down due to no workers, my arcology has shut down. my whole quadrent is boned. way to go maxis.
I am sincerely sorry my friend, and can completely empathise with your frustration and aggravation. I have been building Arcologies since beta, using them in different situations and environments, and I have yet to have one not destroy the entire region. Well, I take that back. The most recent region I have built, completely new since patch 5.0 has an Arcology in it. We realized pretty quickly that it wasn't working and exhibiting the same exact symptoms, and have since quit the region. It's sad, but I keep losing the desire to even play anymore. I try and not be that way, but they are really making it tough. But enough of that non helpful nonsense.
All I can offer you my friend is some glimmer of hope, and that is, that I have been completely up Maxis' and EA's arse about this since before day 1, and done most of the leg work for you. After months of arguing, posting, flaming, and debating, they have finally accepted my bug as official, and QA is investigating. WTF that means.
You can find my official bug report here, and feel free to add your own. Just make sure you read the instructions to do it properly, just do not tag it on the end of mine or they will just delete it. Follow the instructions and do it perfectly, and they will tag it on the end of mine for you and maybe we can get Maxis and EA off their asses together. I'll put the link down below as well.
Hope this helps at all
how did you get power and water to it? I built a city and then an arcology, after it was completed it said it needed water and power. I made more than enough power and water to supply it but the arcology says it still needs power and water. is there some special screen where I can send it to the arcology
