SimCity’s latest trailer showcases how players will be able to build cities across regions that can assist one another, or invite their friends to play alongside them. The feature, known as Multi-City Play, allows players to connect cities in a more measurable way than games in the past. Players can hop between these cities to build amenities or services that may be required in the other, such as power plants, and transfer these between the two. Friends can also be invited to set up cities in a player’s region, but of course you leave yourself open to the possibility that your friend will delete that power plant you were dependent on.
The trailer also explains a little more about the building customisation options as players will be able to add to existing buildings. If you feel that your casino needs to be more attractive, you can add hotel rooms, while if your city is a cesspool of crime you can provide the police force with additional facilities.
Lead Designer Stone Librande also drops a hint regarding teaming up with other friends who are building in the region to build Great Works out of the region. Unfortunately this process is to be left until the next video instalment. The latest screenshot also hints at this feature as the friends talk about building an “Airport Great Work.” It sounds less impressive than the Space Launch Centre, but it’s a step in the right direction.
SimCity will be released on PC and Mac on March 8th, 2013.