Paradox Interactive have announced the first expansion for Cities: Skylines at this year’s Gamescom expo.
Dubbed simply “After Dark,” the new expansion will naturally focus on what happens after nightfall. The central feature to the new expansion is both the game’s day and night cycles, opening up a veritable can of worms that players can expect after nightfall.
Fans can expect the typical “perils and misadventures” that come with frequenting the city at night, although the above trailer doesn’t show off what this can be like. However, Paradox have detailed the expansion, saying it includes a revamped crime mechanic, commercial areas that are specialized for nighttime, and more beach activities.
Here’s a list of key features for the expansion:
- Day and Night Cycle: Day and night changes in the city and affects citizen schedules. Traffic is visibly slower at night and some zoned areas do not work with full efficiency, further easing the traffic. Service vehicles move around as usual. A free update for all users.
- Leisure specialization: Commercial areas can specialize in leisure activities. Leisure areas are especially active during the night, but work like regular commercial areas during the day.
- Beach specialization: Commercial areas such as beach bars and restaurants, small marina and fishing tours on the shoreline can specialize in beach activities.
- Expanded City Services: Criminals will now be taken to Prison from Police buildings. Taxi service will help citizens and tourists travel around the city. Cargo hubs are harbors that accept cargo trains straight to the terminal. International airport is a huge airport, allowing much more traffic than the previous airport. It has a metro station attached to it. Bus terminal allows citizens to transfer to other bus lines in the terminal building.
- New transportation options: Bikes and dedicated bike lanes and bike ways let citizens opt for a faster alternative to walking. Bus lanes can be used to help the public transportation run smoother.
Players that currently own the original Cities: Skylines will get the day and night cycle update for free, while the full contents of the expansion will only be available via downloadable content.
A price and release date weren’t confirmed for Cities: Skylines After Dark, but we’ll keep you guys posted.