Neighbours copying your design?

izabellatrix wrote:
I've just been wondering how people feel about neighbours "copying" your designs? I must admit, when I see something I really like, I do sometimes end up doing something similar, although I think I do usually alter it a bit so it's not exactly the same. Still, they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Anyway, I have one neighbour who will remain un-named, who seems to have pretty much duplicated two of my areas. I noticed it at Halloween. One time I went into his town, and his Halloween area looked shockingly similar to mine. Now, I suppose it could have been a coincidence, but just the way everything is arranged is so specific that I don't think it can be. And now with the new superhero event, I've noticed his HQ/Prison is arranged very similar to mine. Now, I don't really mind; like I said I take it as a compliment, but it is kind of shocking to go into someone else's town and see your own design.

How do you feel about it?

I find it to be the highest form of flattery. I had a nice neighbor who duplicated my large castle themed go kart track in their town, and they even improved a symmetry issue I was having, as well as added a vehicle in a place that I missed and the extra vehicle helped bring the piece together.

Very nice indeed.

I based the entire vibe of my Krustyland on Mopurglar's design, and although I didn't copy exactly, it's quite easy to see his influence.

nissa762 wrote:
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd be flattered actually. Your HQ/Prison design that was shared in showcase is awesome though.

Thanks. :)

Yeah, I don't mind either. I mean, I still have the person as a friend and all. I was just wondering how other people felt, because I know I've been guilty of "copying" in the past, so I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

nissa762 wrote:
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd be flattered actually. Your HQ/Prison design that was shared in showcase is awesome though.

Yes, I've seen izabellatrix's excellent prison/HQ design in more than one of my neighbors' towns. 8)

Several of my neighbors have copied design elements from my town, and I have copied elements from some of my neighbors. I'm often flattered to see someone use one of my ideas. It's never exactly the same thing arranged in exactly the same way, though. They'll use an arrangement I came up with in a different area, or I'll use a pattern for something but change the exact foliage I use. Little differences and adaptations are what allow us to be creative even as we copy.

I have used other people's Springfields as inspiration, but don't ever completely copy exactly what they have done. I really don't mind if my neighbors copy what I have done (not assuming that they would or anything!) I spend a lot of time making my town look good, and would be flattered if a person wanted to copy any of it!

izabellatrix wrote:

nissa762 wrote:
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd be flattered actually. Your HQ/Prison design that was shared in showcase is awesome though.

Thanks. :)

Yeah, I don't mind either. I mean, I still have the person as a friend and all. I was just wondering how other people felt, because I know I've been guilty of "copying" in the past, so I wouldn't want to offend anyone.

In that case, it may just inspire mine as well ;). I'm waiting for all Zenith City items before I go ahead with designs.

BeLikeTheBoy wrote:


While I confess to that - I was also the Barry castle copier - I only copy from the best!!

Thank you so much. I was blown away when I first encountered that in your town :D
You fixed an issue I was having on the east and west walls and even added the vehicle on the top roadway in the turn (located between Bart's throne and the Duff Brewery).


Thanks again. :D

EDIT: Link to my town in my sig in case anyone would like to see what we're talking about. Go kart track is opposite of the mountains, against new land.

barryriddl474 wrote:

nissa762 wrote:
Wouldn't bother me at all. I'd be flattered actually. Your HQ/Prison design that was shared in showcase is awesome though.

Yes, I've seen izabellatrix's excellent prison/HQ design in more than one of my neighbors' towns. 8)

Ah, really?? Awesome!

BeLikeTheBoy wrote:
As a serial copier from the other side, I am hoping people wouldn't care otherwise they wouldn't post them in showcase.

Some of us have no design tendencies whatsoever. Copying is kind of like doing an intricate puzzle - can I get it the same. Then afterwards I start modifying it.

BTW I copied your HQ/prison also. My entire event area is just a holding pattern mishmash and when I saw your take - it was too brilliant to pass up.

While I confess to that - I was also the Barry castle copier - I only copy from the best!!

Aw, cool! I'll end up doing some re-designing once I have all the items anyway, but I might keep that strip the way it is since everyone seems to like it. :P

I have a folder of screen shots of elements from neighbors' towns that I liked enough to hang on to for reference. I might be visiting and think "Oh wow, that's a great solution!" so I pocket it away for later, just in case. I think the only thing I straight copied was someone's O'Flannigans, but it was only a few weeks after I started playing so I just wanted a cool element (before I became more familiar with the gameplay). If someone copied any of my ideas, I'd be truly flattered.