Iceflake Studios, the development team now responsible for the ongoing improvement of Cities: Skylines 2, has unveiled a new project: Lego Skylines. This forthcoming title promises a "playful" approach to city building, shifting from the realistic simulation of its predecessor to a construction experience built with iconic Lego bricks.
Announced during Gamescom Opening Night Live, Lego Skylines aims to blend the foundational mechanics of city simulation with the creative freedom inherent in Lego building. According to Paradox Interactive and Iceflake Studios, players will be encouraged to construct cities that are both visually appealing and functionally sound. The core gameplay loop involves establishing essential services such as roads, power, food, and water to ensure a smooth-running metropolis. Beyond these necessities, players can personalize their cities by adding residential areas, parks, shops, and public services like hospitals, museums, and sports arenas.
As a Lego city grows, new buildings and services become available, leading to an increase in the city's overall rating and citizen happiness. The developers have emphasized a wide selection of customizable buildings and plots, intended to allow for unique city designs that diverge from generic templates. Iceflake co-founder and game director Lasse Liljedahl stated that the goal is to make city building a more personal experience, limited only by the player's imagination. Fredrik Löving, SVP and Global Head of GAME at The Lego Group, expressed ambition for Lego Skylines to be considered among the best in its genre.
This announcement follows a challenging period for the Cities: Skylines series. Cities: Skylines 2, released in 2023, faced criticism for performance issues and design choices, leading to a handover of development duties from original studio Colossal Order to Iceflake Studios. The introduction of the Lego brand is seen by some as a strategic move to broaden the appeal of the series and potentially alleviate the immense pressure associated with creating a direct sequel to Cities: Skylines 2.
Lego Skylines is currently without a release date. In separate news, Paradox also revealed another new game, a post-apocalyptic tribe-battler titled Afterworld.