Today Colossal Order and Paradox Entertainment released a new video about the upcoming city builder Cities: Skylines 2, focusing on zoning.
This is a deeper dive with plenty of developer commentary on the topics showcased by another video earlier this week.
We take a look at the zoning tools that let you paint either an entire block or a square. You can also go as detailed as you want by painting zones cell by cell. Thankfully, the ability to delete a zone isn't on a separate tool anymore, but it's simply bound to the right-click on your mouse.
The video also features a deeper look at the North American and European styles, which aren't limited to buildings. They also include service vehicles, road markings, and roadside props.
Density now includes a "medium" option on top and high and low. This includes mixed housing with shops at the bottom and low-rent housing for students, young adults, and singles. Mixed housing is also included in low commercial zones.
Industrial zoning includes manufacturing companies and warehouses. Interestingly, the zoning demand calculation (which was very flawed in the original game) has been improved.
Companies working on similar goods will get a specialization bonus when placed in close proximity to each other, increasing efficiency and profit. Another system that has been overhauled is the land value system.
We also take a look at Signature Buildings that are unlockable, ploppable buildings contributing to zoning demands. You can check out the video below.
Cities: Skylines 2 releases on October 24, 2023, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5. It'll also come to Xbox Game Pass on day one.
If you'd like to see more, you can enjoy the original reveal from March and a brand new trailer shared at the Xbox Games Showcase, where the release date was also announced, a video on roads and traffic, another deep dive on the same topic like today's video, one on cargo transportation and its own deep dive.