Maxis not part of SimCity Societies

EA confirms new PC title will be developed by Children of the Nile shop Tilted Mill; due Holiday 2007.

It's been more than four years since the last all-new SimCity game, the SimCity 4: Rush Hour expansion pack, hit store shelves. Today, though, Electronic Arts confirmed the series will return with an all-new installment, SimCity Societies. The game will be released solely for PCs this coming holiday season, with a price and rating to be announced.

One thing that will definitely be different about SimCity Societies is its developer. With series creator Maxis currently split between working on Spore and churning out Sims expansions, indie shop Tilted Mill Entertainment is taking over. Most famous for its ancient civilization sim Children of the Nile, the Massachusetts-based company is excited about assuming the helm of such a high-profile franchise.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this venerable series, are extremely proud of what we have put together," Tilted Mill president and director of development Chris Beatrice said in a blog post.

Beatrice also revealed that SimCity Societies will differ from previous SimCity titles--though he wouldn't say exactly how. "This SC is not a realistic urban simulation," he bluntly said. An EA rep would only say that the title will move the series "in a new and exciting direction" that would "take the franchise back to its roots, and create an accessible, flexible game that will continue to appeal to avid SimCity fans, as well as attract new players to the franchise."

GameSpot will have more details on SimCity Societies as they become available.

238 Comments

  • pulsar_21

    Posted Feb 1, 2008 7:58 pm PT

    wha' the hell? **ck.. I thought this one was Maxis'!! I should have had a small doubt when I saw the very small crappy manual. I should have atleast realised it when I saw there was no zoning ability! But, no I just realized it when the game kept crashing every 15 minutes.. Crappy technically, crappy gameplay wise, crappy all the way.. please give me Sim City 5!!

  • asgh0r

    Posted Aug 26, 2007 4:38 am PT

    oh...man, why EA not to make a other or this simCity is different and better, this SimCity is same as City Life....I bored this game, is not different with City Life.

  • StaticPlayer

    Posted Aug 5, 2007 2:57 pm PT

    Seems like a tyccon game more then a Sim game. I'm sure this game is good enough to be released. However, I do question whether it should carry the Sim name....

  • J_J_Efferies

    Posted Jul 8, 2007 11:11 am PT

    C'mon, u cant knock it till u try it, maybe this will be WAY more fun than any of the other Sim Cites, SimCity 4 was great but it could've been better, and really, maybe there will be changes to the game, the things nearly finished and it would be hard to cancel it. It does look a little unreal at this point, but its not a national disaster, if u dont like the game, then keep playing sim city 4 but i really think u would enjoy the exprience of it

  • SimsFreak4Life

    Posted Jun 28, 2007 5:04 pm PT

    I bet nobody would buy this game. They should just cancel it and make it into a city building game. If this is going to be made... I'll just keep playing Sim City 4 (and never buy any more EA Games stuff)

  • FFDmh2223

    Posted Jun 25, 2007 10:42 am PT

    This is a tragedy. Please someone wake me up, tell me it is just a bad dream, tell me I have not been waiting for 4 years, anticipating, dreaming only to have a sh!t pie shoved in my face. I really feel sick. They talk about leaving maxis out of it like that is a good thing. What a bunch a a-holes.

  • teohyx

    Posted Jun 24, 2007 2:18 am PT

    we will be lost for the maxis'icm

  • nemesis2403

    Posted Jun 23, 2007 10:25 am PT

    For me, theres 2 problems. The first being that i'm rather skepticle that a 'foreign' company can design Sim City to the same standard and value that Maxis has set. Secondly, the Sim City novelty value has run out entirely. I personally just don't find the game entertaining any more. Stick the series on the 'classic' shelf and let it rest...

  • apisonline

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 6:26 am PT

    This is CRAP! i cant imagine the game will be a hit again after this.. they have developed a very idiot looking game that erase all its legasy.. i wont buy it.. or EVEN download it..

  • packernation31

    Posted Jun 21, 2007 4:34 pm PT

    i hope that they don't make it for only vista and that it'll bring that feel i used to get from playing it, too bad i'll get addicted and lose my social life

  • cteclaw

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 3:21 pm PT

    I love sim city but... if it isnt realistic then i going to be upset.
    Thats why i loved them so much in the first place! oh well

  • King_Reaper

    Posted Jun 19, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    ...Wow, it looks bad. The whole reason why some people played SimCity was because it was a realistic simulation. "SIM" "CITY" not "*SCIENCE FICTION SIM*" "City"... i hate to say it but - it looks kinda cartoony. I liked Sim City because of its realism, I've always wanted them to make a new Sim City..you know like update it a bit, new features and more variety. But like... look at this Sim city Societies? It ..doesn't even look like a city! I don't know if people get what i mean. No Maxis? Maxis was like..god in this game. Simcity isn't simcity without Maxis...

    ...but hell. I guess ill get this thing. Hope its worth it!

  • 10171981

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 10:44 pm PT

    Ok let me get this straight according to the EA rep he states "This SC is not a realistic urban simulation," and it will "take the franchise back to its roots, and create an accessible, flexible game that will continue to appeal to avid SimCity fans, as well as attract new players to the franchise." Theres one BIG problem with that statement There's NO Will Wright and there's NO Maxis. So in other words this is gonna be some hack game at the very least and at the VERRY best it's gonna be a B-rated version of the real simcity. My question is this what's the REAL reason behind Will Wright not wanting to put his name on this product. And Maxis is too busy making money off other games to have time to make a game that built Maxis into what it is today. ARE YOU KIDDING!!!! Since when did major corporations have no time or manpower to make money. What a joke!!!!!!

  • Glordit

    Posted Jun 18, 2007 3:27 am PT

    last time I played Sim City was Sim City 2000! it's been a while.....

  • Moshi_Rae-Won

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 2:03 pm PT

    If it's not Maxis, it's not SimCity.

  • coblexkitten

    Posted Jun 17, 2007 1:38 pm PT

    Awful visuals up close, but it looks like you can customize the city very detailed. The part I didn't like about SC4 is the way it worked. You had to build a certain way and optimize it for your population to grow. You couldn't really do anything fancy. Also I love decorating, it looks like you can get pretty close and do some customization to make your city looks like your city.

  • oliver_475

    Posted Jun 16, 2007 2:15 pm PT

    Been a longtime Simcity fan this looks dissapointing to say the least... although if they make it unique than i might just get my wallet out

  • Firestorm101

    Posted Jun 15, 2007 7:45 am PT

    hopefully this won't be the next simcity, it looks like a simcity classic remake with 3d visuals and extra features, looks promising but i'll wait for the next maxis simcity

  • Pharoah6

    Posted Jun 15, 2007 5:35 am PT

    Chill out people! Its not like they called it SimCity 5. Some things must change and just because this game is coming doesn't mean we wont see a return to the original formula.

  • dashalcondoin

    Posted Jun 15, 2007 12:21 am PT

    Boo EA! Here's to a boycott.

  • KD_VB_FS

    Posted Jun 14, 2007 6:05 pm PT

    I've been waiting for a sequel for a long time now.. The last thing to come to my mind is a change of developer!
    SimCity has always been a slang for the word Maxis! I can't believe how it's gone to another studio..
    I'm so disappointed, but still, there's some hope they won't mess it up very much..
    Fingers crossed..

    P.S.: if it's going in the CityLife direction, please don't bother releasing it, SC:Rush Hour will be more than enough for me..

  • mattstone12

    Posted Jun 13, 2007 5:55 pm PT

    they just made it into a city life clone,i played it and HATED it, worst game ever.

  • CaptainCrazy

    Posted Jun 13, 2007 12:56 pm PT

    I don't care what kind of game this turns out to be as long as it's in full, lushous 3D!!!!!!!!!

  • Jqoc

    Posted Jun 12, 2007 3:48 am PT

    all i'll say is if this game fails (if . . . ha), EA better not use it as incentive to axe the series altogether.

    hopefully Will Wright still has some interest in the franchise that he'll ressurect it if it falls flat on its face (sadly it doesn't seem that way right now, considering his non-involvement in the series since SC3k).

  • Cobra5

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 3:15 pm PT

    "New and Exciting Direction" that will "Take the series back to its roots"

    ...wtf...? That doesn't even make sense... those are exact opposites... This gives me a bad feeling.

    Also, "This SC is not a realistic urban simulation," so then its not really SimCity at all, huh?

  • shizwill03

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 4:37 am PT

    BlahBlahCOMPLAINCOMPLAINCOMPAIN!!!!!

    God, I just can't wait for the game to come out. New developer eh? DON'T MESS IT UP, KTHXBAI.

  • NeoNavarro

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 2:12 am PT

    For god sake I hope this Sim City will at least have the Sears Tower, Taipie 101, The Burj Dubai, and some other super structures. I am always up for change but I'm not so sure about this change...

  • talshiarr

    Posted Jun 11, 2007 2:05 am PT

    I'm sick to death of the "attracting new gamers" mantra equalling "make it stupid so the Deer Hunter and Solitaire crowd will think it's pretty". Have you also noticed that "take the franchise back to its roots" equals "scrap whatever you want even if it makes it unrecognizeable"?

    Without Maxis, this will go down like Sid Meier's Railroads.

  • soc1ety

    Posted Jun 10, 2007 6:45 pm PT

    w...t...f...

  • shiftysim

    Posted Jun 10, 2007 12:02 pm PT

    I always liked SIM Tower the best. When are they gonna make a sequel for that?

  • Poshkidney

    Posted Jun 10, 2007 9:52 am PT

    it won't be much of a sim game if maxis or will wright isn't on it

  • mykyg18

    Posted Jun 10, 2007 5:32 am PT

    i love sim city, lets hope its fresh though

  • ctbrimley

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 10:48 pm PT

    Who knows, perhaps a fresh developer will bring fresh ideas but I find that bloody unlikely.

  • Elias_Vaughn

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 5:51 pm PT

    There are games that are more complex than Sim City 4 and people play those. I don't understand how SC4 is too complex. Yes, learning wasn't easy but that doesn't mean the game was too complex.

    Nearly all RTS games are the same and people still play them. Of course, recent RTS games have tried to bring new gameplay elements to the table after years of being the same but the core of the RTS genre is still there.

  • tsduv21

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 1:32 pm PT

    Hope that this new developer does a decent job.

  • Schwarte

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 6:04 am PT

    Actually after so many years slight changes are not that bad..
    As long as the game is recognizable as part of the Sim City franchise I'm fine with it.

  • gbrading Site moderator

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 5:37 am PT

    It's too early to judge fully, but I will say this: Why change a winning formula? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. They should have left it in the capable hands of Maxis I think.

  • 09n

    Posted Jun 9, 2007 1:33 am PT

    poof goes my happyness....
    Sim City was never really serious... this is so damn depressing....
    Makes me want to burn someone.

  • Brian_WCU

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 10:46 pm PT

    sad day for simcity fans i say. "This SC is not a realistic urban simulation" ... /sigh

  • EQHammerkeg

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 9:26 pm PT

    ARGH!

    YEARS I have been waiting! Now only to hear they will not develop it themselves and try to "attract new players."

    I will NOT buy until this game is reviewed! Makes me so disappointed; this is the only game that I have waited years for and then I heard this horrid news!

    UNBELIEVABLE: "not a realistic urban environment." IT IS WHY I PLAY THE FREAKING GAME! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • acu02151

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 8:59 pm PT

    Always makes me nervous when they talk about attracting new players whilst still appealing to the fans buy going in a new direction.

  • Khoo1992

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 7:13 pm PT

    I can't understand why not maxis do this game?

  • lordkosc

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 3:19 pm PT

    Old Sim City fans are in revolt. I hope everyone waits until this is reviewed before buying it... I just know its not going to be good, these are the guys that made Caesar IV and Children of the Nile, both these games were horrible.... HORRIBLE!!!!!!

  • Hardin4188

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 1:34 pm PT

    I'm glad that they are letting Maxis finish Spore without too many distractions well except for the sims 2 expansions. I'm looking forward to this. Sim City 4 was too hard when compared to Sim City 3000 which I think was the best in the series.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 1:03 pm PT

    They have a big name to live up to. I hope they can do it.

  • -DarthVader-

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 12:25 pm PT

    The death of one of the greatest and long running PC franchise ever

    Its sad day for gamers around the world.

  • onlineps2player

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 12:19 pm PT

    Let's just hope it would be a good game...

  • Kool_j

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 11:11 am PT

    not going to be a realistic urban simulation? .... poo

  • tclvis

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 10:56 am PT

    I certainly understand the various apprehensions voiced here, but I think a healthy dose of new blood and fresh perspective for this admittedly venerable franchise is a bit overdue. I played Children of the Nile and enjoyed it (I seem to be the only one) as the new approach it was, and certainly the graphics were better. I haven't had much time to explore Caesar IV (not since I finally bought Oblivion), but certain features such as diagonal building were welcome. I am keeping an open mind on Societies. While I agree it could be a disaster, I am hopeful it will go our way and be a fresh new direction for the series. And I am reasonably sure the Maxis squad will, if not outright develop it, do some playtesting and have input. EA may be a bunch of opportunistic goons these days, but they're (presumably) not stupid enough (yet, although the bloody Sims movie may prove me a liar) to torpedo one of their finest franchises unchecked.

  • Crew_SK

    Posted Jun 8, 2007 10:14 am PT

    You are just cryin' about EA and the new style of the game and seem very very ridiculous while you are at it. What's the point of making a SimCity 5 with the same game play. If It was made exactly as SimCity 4 with only very few additions and then all you haters would have complaint that the game is just a rip off that doesn't worth the money. They just realized that cannot improve anymore SimCity 4 (think you can, then you make a game better if it's that easy) ... so they have to change the gameplay in order to make another game that may or may not have succes. It's not as if the game is called SimCity 5. It is SimCity Societies. It's a brand new game, a brand new thing and it would probably have it's SC Societies 2, and it's ton of expansions but that's another EA thingy. The reason you are complaining about here is totally ridiculous.

    Good for them they want to finally change something instead of offering me some new buildings and a lot of crap to get my money.

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