Challenges and excitement in developing cities: Skylines 2
In an unusual frank moment, CEO of Colossal Order, Mariina Hallikainen, referred to their latest release, Cities: Skylines 2, as “cursed” in an official video. The unconventional developer aims to create a city-building game that can last a decade, leveraging cutting-edge technology and constructing everything from the ground up. This bold vision demonstrates that Colossal Order is, “like fighting against ourselves,” according to game designer Henri Haimakainen, as they endeavor to outdo the success of the original Cities: Skylines. Despite the challenges mentioned by Hallikainen, Cities: Skylines 2 has garnered the interest and excitement of fans worldwide, eagerly awaiting the game’s innovative features and improvements over its predecessor.
With such ambition and dedication, the Colossal Order team strives to exceed expectations and redefine the city-builder genre, while maintaining the essence that made the original Cities: Skylines a beloved classic. The first installment had nearly a decade of active production and over 60 DLC packs, making it difficult to replicate. In order to surpass its predecessor, the upcoming sequel will need to provide a rich and engaging gaming experience for players, with an extensive variety of content and features.
High expectations and the pursuit of innovation
Developers are facing high expectations, so they will have to work tirelessly to ensure the new game offers both quality improvements and exciting innovations to meet these demands. Hallikainen shares the hurdles and thrills of developing a sequel that not only meets the original’s standard but also surpasses it. Hallikainen emphasizes the importance of understanding the core elements that made the original successful while also exploring innovative ways to enhance the sequel.
Balancing the preservation of the original’s essence and injecting fresh, creative ideas proves to be both challenging and exhilarating for developers. She is particularly enthusiastic about the forthcoming modding support feature for Cities: Skylines 2, offering intricate details to gamers and discussing specific challenges the team is tackling.
Enthusiasm for modding support feature
Her excitement regarding the modding support feature is evident as she passionately describes the possibilities it’ll open up for gamers to personalize and expand their cities, as well as forge thriving communities within the game. Addressing the challenges faced, she explains how the development team is working relentlessly to ensure compatibility across various systems, thereby offering a seamless experience that complements the unique visions of the players.
Already welcomed by gamers, even without official tools, modding is expected to further unleash the possibilities of the simulation, according to Hallikainen. The introduction of official modding tools will allow for an even greater range of customization, enhancements, and new features, bringing the gaming experience to new heights.
Community engagement and the future of Cities: Skylines 2
As these tools become more accessible and widely adopted, developers can expect a surge in community-generated content, enriching the game and fostering increased player engagement. With the continuous development of Cities: Skylines 2, it appears that the developer’s singular commitment to transparency and progress will only enhance the game’s likelihood of becoming an enduring city-building classic.
The dedication to incorporating player feedback and innovative ideas contributes to the shaping of an immersive gameplay experience that fans of the genre will undoubtedly appreciate. Furthermore, the consistent updates and open communication will foster a loyal community while setting a high standard for fellow game developers in the industry.
First Reported on: arstechnica.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of Colossal Order in developing Cities: Skylines 2?
The main goal for Colossal Order is to create a city-building game that lasts a decade, using cutting-edge technology and building everything from the ground up. They aim to surpass the success of the original Cities: Skylines by offering improvements, innovative features, and maintaining the essence that made the original a classic.
What challenges are the developers facing in creating Cities: Skylines 2?
Some of the challenges the developers face include meeting and surpassing the high expectations of fans, replicating the success of the original game that had nearly a decade of active production and 60+ DLC packs, and balancing the preservation of the original’s essence while implementing fresh and creative ideas.
What is the modding support feature and why is it important for Cities: Skylines 2?
The modding support feature allows gamers to personalize and expand their cities, create thriving communities within the game, and offers an avenue for a wider variety of customization options. This feature will bolster community engagement, resulting in an increase in player-generated content and customization that enhances the gaming experience.
How is Colossal Order addressing the challenges in developing Cities: Skylines 2?
Colossal Order is working tirelessly to understand the core elements that made the original successful, while exploring innovative ways to enhance the sequel. In addition, the development team is ensuring compatibility across various systems for a seamless user experience and incorporating player feedback and innovative ideas continuously.
How will community engagement affect the future of Cities: Skylines 2?
As modding tools become more accessible and adopted by the gaming community, developers can expect a surge in community-generated content that enriches the game and fosters increased player engagement. The open communication and continuous updates will help build a loyal community and set a high standard for fellow game developers in the industry.
