Cities XL

Platform(s): PC
Genre: Simulation
Publisher: Monte Cristo
Developer: Monte Cristo
Release Date: Oct. 9, 2009 (US), Oct. 8, 2009 (EU)

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'Cities XL' Special Edition Available for Pre-Order on Steam

by Rainier on Sept. 29, 2009 @ 3:42 p.m. PDT

In this next-generation take on the city building genre, realism will be pushed to the limit with cities that are bigger, more realistic and sophisticated than ever before. Cities XL, previously called Cities Unlimited, will expand upon all that make city builders fun and interesting, while letting players take their game online, as they interact with others in a massive online environment.

Get the Cities XL [PC] Demo off WP (1Gb)

Aiming to re-define the perennially popular city builder video game genre, CITIES XL offers an experience that pushes the limits of scale, realism and sophistication both in solo play and with the vast connected online community in the game’s massively persistent multiplayer ‘Planet’ mode.

Priced at $39.99, the Limited Edition offers players the entire game, along with five additional maps, five exclusive landmarks, two permanent blueprints, a unique city hall, an in-game t-shirt for players' avatars and a unique "web tag".

You can now pre-order Cities XL on Steam.


Online or offline, CITIES XL lets gamers develop cities on realistic 3D maps using a painstakingly crafted collection of unique structures and monuments based on European, Asian and American architectural styles. The numerous maps feature a variety of environments including mountains, hills, canyons, beaches and islands, all set in different climate zones ranging from tropical to desert, Mediterranean to temperate.

To get their city anywhere near the top ten best places to live list, players will need to cleverly combine and manage the resources, industries, social services, leisure activities, special events and employment opportunities in their cities. Whether it’s staffing the local fire department with heroes, building a new mega-highway, handling troublesome agricultural waste, or building a shiny new play park for the kids, there’s always a new and interesting challenge round the next corner to test the skills and grit of wannabe mayors and managers.

The product will be available on Monte Cristo's secure website, and will be delivered to consumers via:

  • Mail order of the boxed version covering USA and Canada (Shipping will be free of charge!)
  • Digital download

The following digital download networks will also support Cities XL -

  • Steam
  • Direct2Drive
  • Trygames
  • Impulse
  • Gametap

The Cities XL Standard Edition box will include the installation DVD for the game, two instruction manuals, a 7-day trial code for the online Planet Offer and a trial offer on a second DVD so that one of your friends can discover the game.

On top of that, the Limited Edition box will include the following additional content:

  • Five additional maps for solo mode,
  • Five exclusive landmark buildings, (Berlin’s Victory Column, Kiev’s St. Vladimir’s Cathedral, New York’s 40 Wall Street, Paris’ Opera Garnier, San Francisco’s Grand Hotel),
  • One exclusive city hall: Los Angeles’ City Hall,
  • Two permanent blueprints: the Mayan pyramid of Chichen Itza and London’s Big Ben. These blueprints will be available from the start and can be built as many times as you wish.
  • A bonus in-game t-shirt to make your avatar even more unique,
  • an honorific medal to display proudly on your personal profile page on CitiesXL.com,
  • Three postcards
  • A 41x34cm poster

Solo mode offers players 25 maps, approximately 500 buildings, a complex and diverse citizen structure, rich enterprise selection, complex yet accessible resource simulation, an ambitious traffic system, unique real-time construction tools, and an avatar studio with web-based profile pages.

The massively persistent online ‘Planet’ mode, offers players the chance to enjoy and manage their multiplayer experience both in-game and via the internet. Interactive features include trading resources with other players, cooperative working to build Mega Stuctures, web-based city management from any computer in the world, the ability to visit cities created by other players, the chance to create and participate in online events with other players, and regular additional content including new buildings and gameplay functionality.

In Solo mode, Cities XL will offer:

  • 25 maps featuring varying landscapes - from canyons to grassy hills and snowy mountains
  • Around 500 buildings based on various architectural styles (European, American …)
  • Diverse citizen structure: Four levels of wealth, four main different needs (Services, Environmental, Prices and Traffic) split into many sub-categories (Police and Fire departments, Education, Leisure, Commerce, multiple types of Pollution, Taxes, Cost of Life, Distance to work and more)
  • A rich enterprise selection ranging from agriculture to heavy industry, services, tourism…
  • A complex, but easy to access, simulation based on 12 resources to trade with an opportunistic AI (electricity, waste management, agriculture, water, fuel, etc.)
  • An ambitious traffic system including many type of roads (five different widths, costs, quality and capacity), highways, airports, ports, and much more
  • A set of never-before-seen real-time construction tools allowing players to create curved roads, building zones of various shapes, elaborate bridges...
  • An avatar studio and Web-based profile pages

The massively persistent Planet Offer.

Multiplayer gameplay both in-game and on the web:

  • Trade resources with other players to develop economic strategies, specialise your cities, maximise your possibilities in a global economy
  • Work cooperatively to build Mega Structures – special buildings that enhance your city aesthetically and economically
  • Web-based city management -- check your trade contracts, receive alerts, adjust your decisions from any computer in the world

Persistent MMO world:

  • Each player receives five slots to build five persistent cities on different Planets
  • Contribute to the life and statistics of the Planets (economics, population, pollution…): what you do has an impact on the world

Community features and animations in-game and on the web:

  • Visit one another’s cities, see other players’ creations and content, chat with other players
  • Create and participate in online events, discover virtual cities and real people

Regular upgrades :

  • All Buildings, Maps, simulation and functionality upgrades are free with the planet offer

Monthly costs:

  • 1 Month = 7€
  • 3 Months = 5€/month
  • 6 Months = 4.5€/month

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