Key Highlights:
- Developers are updating Cities Skylines 2 to improve the rent system.
- The patch will also bring changes to building upgrades and existing city saves.
- Further updates are planned to add new buildings and UI improvements.
The city-building simulation Cities Skylines 2 is undergoing a major renovation.
Since its launch last year, the game has faced criticism from players. However, the developers at Colossal Order are hard at work, determined to transform it into the ultimate urban planning experience.
They outlined what’s in store in the latest development diary on the official Colossal Order website.
Fixing the Rent Rumbles
One of the biggest complaints has been the constant grumbling from citizens about high rent costs. The developers have listened and are revamping the entire rent system in the upcoming patch.
Here’s what’s changing:
- No more virtual landlords – All tenants will now share the building maintenance costs equally.
- New rent calculation formula – Rent will be based on factors like land value, building type, and lot size.
- Smarter notification settings – Citizens will only complain if their income genuinely can’t cover rent, preventing excessive pop-ups.
With these adjustments, the developers hope to create a fairer system where rent matches the citizens’ financial situations, allowing them to find suitable housing without constant grievances.
Building Upgrades Unleashed
Alongside the rent revamp, the patch will introduce exciting improvements to building upgrades. Gone are the days of bulldozing entire structures just to modify an add-on.
Now, players can selectively remove, move or toggle individual upgrades and sub-buildings with a few clicks.
This newfound freedom empowers urban planners to fine-tune every aspect of their cities without starting from scratch.
Existing Cities: A Transition Period
The developers understand the importance of preserving players’ hard work.
While existing city saves will remain compatible, there will be a transitional period as the new systems settle in.
Upon loading an old save, cities may initially experience economic instability due to increased service costs and subsidy removals.
However, the simulation will gradually adjust, and wise mayors can steer their metropolises back on track through measures like tax hikes, service budget cuts, or temporary building shutdowns.
Additionally, demand patterns might fluctuate temporarily as the population re-evaluates their housing needs based on the revamped rent calculations.
Patient players will be rewarded as the system stabilises, providing citizens with affordable housing options tailored to their financial means.
More improvements are on the horizon, the developers aren’t stopping there.
Further updates are already in the works, promising an even more immersive and user-friendly experience.
Planned features include:
- Expanded service imports, granting greater control over outsourced city services.
- UI enhancements to provide clearer information for troubleshooting urban issues.
- A fresh batch of free buildings to spice up cityscapes.
The team is also open to player suggestions, welcoming feedback on areas that need improvement or additional information to streamline the city-building process.
They recently received feedback from the community about the Beach Properties’ DLC, and ended up giving everyone who purchased the downloadable content a full refund.
With these exciting changes on the horizon, Cities: Skylines 2 is well on its way to becoming the ultimate sandbox for aspiring urban visionaries.
Stay tuned as Colossal Order continues to shape the city of your dreams, one update at a time.