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If you played the first installment of the series, then you’re probably wondering: Is there a map editor in Cities Skylines 2? We have the answer to this burning question. Stick around for feature details, as outlined by developers.
With the PC release of Cities Skylines 2, you can choose from a selection of 10 map layouts and two themes to get started on your city’s build. More content is set to arrive with the drop of DLC packs, promising even more options to customize urban areas to a greater degree. That said, those who played the first installment of the series have hoped to see the map creation feature return. This would allow players to create entirely custom maps with hand-picked landscapes and waterways, lending endless opportunities to build the city of their dreams. Will we see this feature added? Here’s what we know.
Does Cities Skylines 2 Have a Map Editor?
At present, Cities Skylines’ sequel does not feature a comprehensive map editor. However, the feature is currently in beta testing. Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive plan to add a fully realized editor to the game post-launch, per the roadmap outlined in a dev diary on Paradox Forum. An official release date has not yet been set for the feature’s arrival.
Developers went into detail about what the map editor will entail at launch. Unlike that of its predecessor, the Cities Skylines 2 editor will place all creation tools in the same location. The official statement is “The Editor is currently in beta and being tested by our modding beta group, which consists of seasoned modders and asset creators. The Editor will be released in several steps, the first of which will include map creation, asset import, code mods, and sharing those as well as savegames through Paradox Mods” Whether you’re looking to create a new building or an entirely new map, you can work out the blueprints in the same place. Devs also mention a lifecycle for trees and citizens as they will now age over time, and this will include your custom character models.
This differs greatly from the editor featured in the last installment, which utilized separate editors. Paradox Mods will be available on both PCs and consoles, within the limits of each platform.
- Deep Simulation: Make choices that have ripple effects across the city. Intricate AI and economic systems mean players will need to strategize, problem solve and react to changes, challenges and opportunities.
- Epic Scale, Endless Possibilities: Build a thriving metropolis without compromise. In Cities: Skylines II, players will be able to build sky-high and across the map to realize their dream city like never before.
- Cities That Come Alive: Follow the lives of individual citizens, from love and loss to wealth and well-being. Player decisions will shape the lives of their city’s citizens.
- A Dynamic World: Pick a map to set the climate and biome of the city. These natural forces will shape the growth of players’ cities as they contend with rising pollution, changeable weather and seasonal challenges.
- English (Playback Language)
Can You Create Custom Maps in Cities Skylines II?
You can’t create custom maps in Cities Skylines II just yet. Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive plan to add a map editor to the game down the line. When the feature drops, it will allow you to work up the plans for customized maps, from terrain aspects like rivers and lakes, natural resources, mountain ranges, sea level, climate, right down to the smallest of details. “We want to give you the ability to create your very own vehicles, trees, and bushes, as well as the option to import custom citizen models.” said the Colossal Order’s Community Manager.
It is stated in the Development Diary that “The initial release of the Editor supports the creation of custom buildings with more asset types to be supported in the future. It allows you to import custom .fbx files with a matching set of textures, set up color variations, decorate the asset, and tweak its stats to fit your new asset. You can of course also edit existing assets, giving your favorite building a new look through different color variations and decorations. All the technical information about modeling and texturing assets can be found on the official wiki, which will be updated as more information is available.”
As the map editor remains in testing, we’ll need to await word from developers. The latest announcement is that Mod Support and Map/Asset Editors for Cities Skylines 2, along with the free content packs for international buildings, have been delayed several months. Patches are also going to be released less often after this week. For more on Cities Skylines 2, check out these additional guides from our team: