EXILE IN SIMSVILLE: THE COMIC BOOK SIMCITY MAXIS NEVER MADE

Maxis art director Ocean Quigley shows off this prototype for a post-SimCity 4 game eventually cancelled, then known as Simsville. Quigley explains the process, known as “impostering”, would have allowed for a freely moving camera around the city and much more detailed models than previously utilized, as the process renders out complex 3D objects as simple sprites.

And, of course, gives the game that wonderfully soft-shaded illustrative style.

Impostering in Simsville [Ocean Quigley]