SimCity 5 Announced!

Image from 1up.com

Rumors have been flying around the net for the past couple of years that SimCity 5 was in the works. Today official news was posted about the upcoming title of SimCity, SimCity Societies.

Development is being handed off from EA/ Maxis to Tilted Mill. Chris Beatrice, Tilted Mill developer responded today to comments from the SimCity community over at the Tilted Mill forums,

Chris Beatrice, Tilted Mill developer.

"Given the somewhat heated nature of this thread, and the hazards of misinformation, I thought it would be a good idea for me to drop in and say a few things. First let me say, as always, thank you so much for the attention and diligence so many of you show toward TMill and our projects.

When the new SC comes out we'll obviously leave it to you to decide whether you love it, hate it... or fall somewhere in between, or whether you even choose to play it at all. I hope you do try it, and I really hope that you do not pass judgment based on the title or some preliminary speculation on some web site.

However, I do not want to mislead anyone: This SC is not a realistic urban simulation, which I understand, to many, represents the heart of what SC is. No one is blind to that. And if you're just completely turned off, even angered by the mere notion of any game called "SimCity" that is not a detailed, realistic urban simulator, I absolutely understand that viewpoint, and absolutely respect it. Passionate fans like you are the lifeblood of the gaming industry, and that is one reason why TMill provides what I think is a great outlet for this type of discussion and even complaint. But please keep in mind the irony in that - we are just a lowly developer after all :)

I do want to say, though (with no insult intended to die hard SC fans) that we are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this venerable series, are extremely proud of what we have put together, and make no apologies about what we have managed to create. And while our past experiences (including contributions from many of you) certainly inform all our ongoing efforts, this SC is its own unique creation.

- Chris"


1up.com has a exclusive sneak preview of SimCity Societies. Go and see it here.

New York in SimCity Societies? We'll have to wait and see. Stay tuned for more developments on SimCity Societies.