It's Official: SimCity Returns to the PC in 2013

Electronic Arts and Maxis Emeryville announced on Wednesday that the SimCity franchise is making a return to the PC in 2013. They call it a "true rebirth" of the franchise (AKA reboot) that will break new ground next year by implementing a "robust" multiplayer mode so that players can change the world together. Those who pre-order the game today (yep, already) on Origin will receive SimCity Heroes & Villains content featuring a battle between Maxis Man and his longtime nemesis Evil Dr. Vu.

Sounding almost MMO-ish and social in nature, the new SimCity entry uses the studio's proprietary GlassBox Engine which can create a world where anything can be simulated. According to Maxis, sims in each city will have jobs or can lose them, buy homes, be prosperous or be an economic drain on the city. Thus, whatever the choices the player makes will affect the character of his/her city, the state of the region and fellow players within the entire SimCity world.

"With its return in 2013, SimCity will engage an entirely new generation of PC gamers as they take charge of their own customized cities and build a world that co-exists alongside friends," EA and Maxis state in a press release. "For the first time in SimCity franchise history, players’ decisions will have long-lasting repercussions that will extend beyond their city limits. Together, players will address real global challenges such as climate change, the search for renewable resources and natural disasters.  It’s up to the players to decide whether to compete or collaborate to shape the world of tomorrow – for better or for worse."

The SimCity city-building franchise originally crashed the PC gaming scene in 1989 with the launch of the original SimCity title, captivating more than 30 million players worldwide. Maxis followed up with SimCity 2000, Sim City 3000 and SimCity Societies on the PC while also producing numerous versions for game consoles, handhelds and even iOS. Needless to say, the SimCity franchise has been a huge cash cow for EA and Maxis for more than two decades.

"We’d like to thank the millions of fans who have helped make SimCity synonymous with the city-building genre. This is a franchise that means the world to us at Maxis and we’re happy to be bringing it back home where we are re-imagining it for an entirely new generation of players," said Lucy Bradshaw, Senior Vice President of EA’s Maxis Label. "Using our proprietary GlassBox Engine, SimCity for PC will equip players with the tools to play the most sophisticated simulation of its kind. We are dedicated to making sure the experience – no matter the platform – has the fun, flavor and playability that has been intrinsic to the franchise since its birth." 

For more information about the new SimCity title, head here. The launch trailer, along with a screenshot and a piece of concept art, are available below.

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