Cities: Skylines

Race Day Expansion launched on March 10, 2026, introducing exciting new gameplay elements where players could build custom racing venues and cycling routes. Alongside this major expansion, two new Content Creator Packs debuted on the same day, enhancing the creative options for players. Additionally, a free patch added a new Employment Info View, improving workforce management tools.

• New Content:
  • Cities: Skylines II Content Creator Packs launched on March 18, featuring Office Evolution and City Stations.
  • New radio stations, Smooth Vibes FM and Skyrail Radio, were added on March 18.
  • The Fence Tool was introduced, allowing players to place fences along roads.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • A new Employment Info View was added for better workforce management.
  • A free patch for Cities: Skylines II released on March 18, marking their second update.

• Balance Changes:
  • Garbage accumulation for Race HQ was halved, improving efficiency.
  • The spectator capacity at the Race HQ was reduced from 150 to 100.

• Modding Updates:
  • Patch 1.21.1-f4 warned players about potential mod compatibility issues due to significant code changes.
  • Improved compatibility with older mods, such as Unlimited Trees Mod v1.12.

• UI/UX Improvements:
  • New tooltips were added for the Employment Info View and the Fence Tool, enhancing user experience.
  • In-game compatibility warnings were implemented to help players manage mods effectively.

Race Day DLC launched on March 3, 2026, introducing new motor race tracks and event management, alongside the Content Creator Pack: Renewed Cities on March 6, which features assets inspired by urban renewal. Additionally, the game celebrated its 11th anniversary with a month-long event filled with fresh content and community activities.

• Major DLC Releases:
  • Race Day DLC introduced new racing mechanics and management features.
  • Content Creator Pack: Renewed Cities added urban renewal assets blending historical and contemporary architecture.
  • Shops of Shibuya DLC and Map Pack 4 were released on September 24, 2025, featuring unique assets and new maps inspired by Japan.
• New Gameplay Mechanics:
  • Event Scheduling allows players to plan racing events through the Race HQ, setting race types and ticket prices.
  • Introduction of Event Parks enables hosting parades and races, with dedicated Event Roads for smoother traffic management.
• New Content Packs and Assets:
  • The Iconic Brutalism Content Creator Pack released on March 9, 2026, featuring 26 buildings inspired by brutalist architecture.
  • New parks and venues were added, including those for the 10th Anniversary Celebration, expanding gameplay options.

• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • New Park Sizes and Combinations were introduced, allowing for more flexible park design.
  • Vertex Painting for Snow Build-Up Prevention ensured realistic snow effects in snowy environments.

• Seasonal Events:
  • The 11th Anniversary Celebration featured a month of special activities and content, enhancing community engagement.

Mountain Village Pack and Map Pack 3 launched on October 24 and 29, 2024, respectively, introducing new content focused on mountain villages and alpine terrain. Alongside these packs, the Alpine Tunes Radio Station was added, enhancing the immersive atmosphere with nature sounds.

• New Content:
  • Mountain Village Pack: A new content pack featuring mountain villages, developed by content creators.
  • Map Pack 3: A new map pack focusing on mountain peaks and alpine terrain.
  • Radio Station Alpine Tunes: A new radio station featuring sounds of nature for an immersive experience.
• Balance Change:
  • Rebalanced Pedestrian Area Garbage Capacity: Adjusted garbage capacity to account for increased capacity from the Large Garbage Truck.

• Performance Upgrade:
  • Upgraded Paradox Launcher for Linux: Enhanced launcher fixed issues preventing launch on Linux systems.

Cities: Skylines welcomed a major update with the Hubs & Transport Free Update on March 22, 2023, enhancing public transport options and introducing new vehicles and hubs. Additionally, the game saw a wealth of new content with the release of multiple Content Creator Packs on May 1, 2023, including the Railroads of Japan, Brooklyn & Queens, and Industrial Evolution packs, which added a variety of new assets and aesthetic options.

• New Content Packs:
  • Shopping Malls, Sports Venues, Africa in Miniature launched on March 21, 2023, introducing diverse architectural styles and new building options.
  • New Radio Stations were added, including Piano Tunes, 90’s Pop, and 80’s Movies Tunes, enhancing the in-game music experience.
• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • The Hubs & Transport Free Update introduced new public transport hubs and vehicles, significantly improving city connectivity.
  • New metro trains and capacities were added, along with decorative items and new roads to enhance city planning.
• Balance Changes:
  • Forest Fire Mechanics and Vehicle Upkeep were rebalanced to improve gameplay dynamics and resource management.
• Performance Improvements:
  • The March 21 update improved framerate in the main menu and with the economy panel open, enhancing overall game performance.

Financial Districts Mini Expansion launched on December 13, 2022, introducing a wealth of new content to enhance city management and boost the economy. This update included the Stock Exchange Building, new investment features, and a variety of new assets, significantly expanding gameplay options. Additionally, the Hearts of Korea and Skyscrapers Content Creator Packs were released, adding new buildings and aesthetics.

• New Content: A variety of new features and assets were introduced.
  • Stock Exchange Building: Unlocks tax income bonuses for nearby office zones.
  • Investment System: New investment opportunities created with associated risks affecting city funds and stock prices.
  • Financial District Specialization: Unlocks upon reaching the 'Big Town' milestone, generating higher taxes.
  • Map Pack 2: Added 10 new maps with diverse biomes for city building.
  • 72 New Office Buildings: Expanded options for urban development.
  • New Financial District Specialization: Enhances economic gameplay.
• Gameplay Mechanics: New systems were added to improve city management.
  • New Investments Feature: Provides a stock trading tab for better financial decisions.
  • Bank City Service: Improves safety by collecting cash from commercial zones, reducing crime rates.

• Seasonal Event: A Free to Play Weekend on Steam occurred from November 10 to 14, 2022, allowing new players to try the game at no cost.

• Quality of Life Improvement: Players gained the ability to select building variations for ploppable buildings through a new dropdown menu.

Cities: Skylines launched the Airports Expansion on January 25, 2022, significantly enhancing air travel logistics and city connectivity. This expansion introduced a variety of new features, including new airport styles, buildings, and transportation options, making it a standout addition to the game. Alongside the expansion, two content creator packs were released, adding new maps and vehicles to further enrich gameplay.

• Airports Expansion: Released on January 25, 2022, this expansion introduced modular airport design, new airplane types, and various airport buildings, transforming how players manage air travel in their cities.
  • New Airport Tools: Included the Airport Area Tool and modular design features, allowing for creative airport layouts.
  • New Vehicles and Buildings: Added new public transport options such as the Airport Bus Station and Airport Train Station.
• Content Creator Packs: Both the Maps Pack and Vehicles of the World Pack were released on January 10 and January 25, respectively, offering new terrains and 21 new vehicle types inspired by global transport.

• New Maps: The Airports Expansion brought three new maps—Asanu Beach, Hanami Bay, and Noyou Port—each tailored for distinct city-building strategies.

• Gameplay Changes: The introduction of Airline Economic Management on January 17, 2022, allowed players to adjust ticket prices for their airlines, adding a layer of strategy to airport operations.

• Quality of Life Improvements: New features such as soil management improvements and a tree replacement tool enhanced the building experience, making city planning more efficient and user-friendly.

Sunset Harbor DLC launched on March 26, 2020, bringing a wealth of new features including the fishing industry, new mass transit options, and five new maps. Additionally, the Content Creator Pack: Modern Japan was released on March 30, 2020, introducing 20 unique buildings and six props inspired by Japanese architecture.

• New Content: Several key features were added to enrich gameplay.
  • Trolleybuses: New trolleybus transport options and components, including depots and stops, were introduced on March 21, 2020.
  • Five New Maps: Players could create cities across Azure Gulf, Crater Falls, Desert Oasis, Fisher Enclave, and Swamplands starting March 25, 2020.
  • Fishing Industry: A comprehensive fishing infrastructure was added, allowing players to manage fishing routes and production.
  • North American Rail Network: Released on June 12, 2020, it included various tracks and custom props for a realistic rail experience.

• New Systems: The DLC introduced several new gameplay mechanics.
  • New Mass Transit Options: Included helicopters and intercity buses to enhance transportation options.
  • Waste Management Facilities: New facilities like Waste Transfer and various water treatment plants were introduced on March 25, 2020.
  • New Unique Buildings: The Aviation Club was added, featuring a terminal and runway for light aircraft.

• Balance Changes:
  • The upkeep cost for metro tracks was lowered on April 6, 2020, improving economic viability for players.

• User Experience Enhancements:
  • Mouse and keyboard support for console players was added, alongside improvements to service building highlighting and inspector window targeting on March 25, 2020.

• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • Games now loaded in a paused state by default, and players could save their camera position when saving the game, both implemented on March 25, 2020.

Cities: Skylines saw the release of the Campus DLC on May 21, 2019, introducing a wealth of educational content and gameplay mechanics. This expansion allowed players to create dedicated Campus Areas with various educational institutions, including Trade Schools and Universities, each featuring unique faculties and gameplay systems. Additionally, the Modern City Center Content Creator Pack launched in November 2019, adding new buildings and aesthetic options for city development.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Campus DLC launched on May 21, 2019, featuring new campus types, sports mechanics, and educational systems.
  • Modern City Center Content Creator Pack released on November 8, 2019, with 66 new buildings and a modern architectural style.

• New Content:
  • Added 5 new maps including Murky Coast and Wolf Creek on May 20, 2019.
  • Introduced Varsity Sports Mechanics and arenas, enhancing campus life with competitive sports features.
  • Launched University City Content Creator Pack on May 21, 2019, adding 36 residential and 32 commercial buildings.

• New Systems / Mechanics:
  • Implemented a Campus Reputation System that affects building availability and student enrollment.
  • Introduced the Academic Year System, a 40-week cycle culminating in graduation ceremonies.

• Balance & Gameplay:
  • Re-balanced the Education Mechanic on May 20, 2019, requiring citizens to progress through education levels at appropriate ages.

• UI/UX Improvements:
  • Added a new UI element for Academic Works in the Campus Info Panel, enhancing information accessibility on June 4, 2019.

Cities: Skylines introduced the Industries Expansion on October 23, 2018, allowing players to manage unique factories and customize industrial areas with new supply chains. This expansion also brought five new maps tailored for industrial development and introduced a range of new gameplay mechanics, including the Post Office city service and various industry area types. The Parklife Expansion, released earlier on May 24, 2018, continued to enhance the game with vibrant parks and recreational areas.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Industries Expansion launched on October 23, 2018, focusing on industry management and production chains.
  • Parklife Expansion released on May 24, 2018, introducing parks, playgrounds, and new city services.

• New Content:
  • Five new industries maps: Twin Fjords, Marble Canyon, Woodgarden, Green Peaks, Pearl Bay.
  • New city service: Post Office, enhancing mail delivery capabilities.
  • 16 Unique Factories added, offering diverse production options.
  • New vehicles and industry area tools introduced to improve gameplay.

• New Systems / Mechanics:
  • The Industry Area Tool allowed for more detailed management of industrial zones.
  • Players gained the ability to customize tours and set ticket prices with new sightseeing tour tools.

• Balance & Gameplay Adjustments:
  • Introduction of Toll Booths to generate income while managing traffic flow.
  • Adjustments made to the effects of trees on noise pollution, enhancing city planning strategies.

• Modding Features:
  • New modding capabilities included submeshmodding and improved camera systems for custom content creation.

Green Cities Expansion launched on October 19, 2017, introducing a wealth of eco-friendly options and new gameplay mechanics. This expansion allowed players to create sustainable cities with electric vehicles and included the Concerts mini-expansion, which added festival management features and three animated festival bands.

• New Content:
  • European Suburbia DLC: Added 81 new low-density residential buildings and 5 props.
  • 350 New Assets in Green Cities: Included eco-friendly buildings, organic stores, and new parks.
  • New Public Transportation Options: Expanded city transport with ferries, blimps, cable cars, and monorails.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • New Specialized Options for Zones: Players could implement combustion engine bans and waste filtering requirements for industrial buildings.
  • Traffic Management Enhancements: Improved traffic flow management across bridges and canals, introducing new traffic management scenarios.

• Balance Changes:
  • Noise Pollution Overhaul: Revised noise and ground pollution management mechanics to improve city livability.

• UI/UX Improvements:
  • Content Manager Overhaul: Enhanced sorting options and asset selection for better organization.
  • Updated Budget Panel: Added a new tab for income generated from tourist spending.

• Seasonal Event:
  • Carols, Candles and Candies Holiday Music Pack: Released for free, offering holiday-themed music to all players.

Mass Transit Expansion launched on March 1, 2017, introducing various new transportation options such as ferries, blimps, cable cars, and monorails, expanding the gameplay significantly. This period also saw the release of the Natural Disasters DLC on November 29, 2016, which added catastrophic events and new gameplay mechanics that challenged players to manage their cities during emergencies.

• New Content:
  • Natural Disasters DLC: Added disasters like massive fires and meteor strikes, along with a new Scenario Mode for custom challenges.
  • New Transit Service Buildings and Hubs: Introduced mass transit hubs to facilitate seamless passenger transfers between different transport modes.
  • New Road Types, Bridges, and Canals: Enhanced city planning and traffic management with new infrastructure options.
  • New Challenge Scenarios: Provided players with scenarios focused on solving traffic problems and implementing transit systems.
  • Scenario Mode for Custom Objectives: Allowed players to design and share custom game objectives via Steam Workshop.

• Gameplay Enhancements:
  • Emergency Response Abilities: Implemented new disaster responses, including helicopters and evacuations.
  • Mild Terraforming Capabilities: Enabled players to perform mild terraforming on city formations.

• Quality of Life Improvements:
  • Ability to Name Roads: A much-requested feature that allowed players to personalize their cities.
  • Free Update Features: Included mod-inspired features like extended public transport budgets and emergency vehicle overtaking.

• Seasonal Event:
  • Anniversary Celebration Contest: Offered players a chance to win a trip to Finland by submitting Chirper-related creations.

Snowfall expansion launched on February 18, 2016, introducing weather dynamics, new transportation options, and winter-themed attractions to *Cities: Skylines*. This update followed the earlier After Dark expansion, which added nighttime gameplay features and new city management mechanics.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Snowfall Expansion: Released on February 18, 2016, adding a new in-game weather system and winter parks.
  • After Dark Expansion: Launched on September 24, 2015, featuring a day-and-night cycle and new nighttime city services.

• New Content:
  • Tram System: A new tram system was introduced to facilitate winter travel, enhancing public transportation options.
  • Winter Map Theme: A new map theme featuring snow created unique challenges for city planning.
  • Winter Parks: Players gained access to winter-themed parks and landmarks to enhance their cities.

• New Systems / Mechanics:
  • In-Game Temperature Management: Players needed to manage city infrastructure to handle seasonal heating demands.
  • Snowplow Services: New snowplow services were implemented to keep roads clear during snowfall.

• Balance & Gameplay:
  • Tram Capacity Changes: Trams now had higher passenger capacity than buses but came with increased upkeep costs.
  • Road Segment and Building Limits: The limits for road segments and buildings increased by 12.5% and 50%, respectively.

• Seasonal Events:
  • The Monument Summer Contest was announced, encouraging players to design a unique city monument with prizes for the best entries.