GDC: EA builds a brand-new SimCity for PC

At a Game Developers Conference event, EA has announced that Maxis is creating a new SimCity for PC in 2013. Maxis senior vice president Lucy Bradshaw took to the stage to announce the title, with Maxis releasing a teaser trailer afterwards. The title is being developed using Maxis' proprietary engine, the GlassBox Engine.

"We'd like to thank the millions of fans who have helped make SimCity synonymous with the city-building genre. This is a franchise that means the world to us at Maxis and we're happy to be bringing it back home where we are reimagining it for an entirely new generation of players," said Bradshaw. "Using our proprietary GlassBox Engine, SimCity for PC will equip players with the tools to play the most sophisticated simulation of its kind. We are dedicated to making sure the experience - no matter the platform - has the fun, flavor and playability that has been intrinsic to the franchise since its birth."

"It's been nine years since Maxis made the last SimCity and computers have gotten so powerful. We can do all the things that we were dreaming of with SimCity 4. things like make a full bottom-up simulation where every Sim, every vehicle, every building is a real simulation," said SimCity creative director Ocean Quigley.

The game adds more multiplayer features this time around, with player cities being able to affect friends' cities. Players can work together to build structures that aid multiple cities.

"This is the first truly multiplayer SimCity. What makes the multiplay unique is that cities are actually connected, so the choices that you're making at the city level have a rippling affect across the region and the greater SimCity world. Each region will have many players, each with very different city types that are connected and influence one another," said SimCity lead producer Kip Katsarelis.

Players who preorder the game on Origin can receive bonus Heroes & Villains content featuring SimCity protector MaxisMan and his nemesis Dr. Vu.