About SimCity (1989 video game)
SimCity is the 1989 city-building game that created an entire genre. Designed by Will Wright, it lets you act as the mayor and planner of a city, zoning land for residential, commercial, and industrial use, building power plants, roads, and services, and reacting to the needs of your citizens. The game's magic is emergent: traffic jams, crime, pollution, and taxes all interact in ways that feel alive, and there is no winning condition — just the endlessly engaging challenge of keeping your city growing. It was a pioneer of the "software toy" philosophy, giving players a sandbox rather than a goal. The game's success spawned an entire series and influenced city builders for decades. The original is charmingly simple compared to modern entries, but it remains a fascinating piece of gaming history that anyone curious about the genre should try.
Game details
How to play
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SimCity FAQ
Is SimCity free?
No — it is a paid classic, available on GOG and other digital stores, frequently discounted.
Do I need to play the modern SimCity games?
No — the 1989 original is a self-contained classic, though the series continued for decades.
What is the goal of SimCity?
There is no fixed goal — you grow and manage a city, balancing budgets, services, and citizen happiness.
Is SimCity hard?
It is approachable — early cities are simple, and the game teaches you through gentle failure.
Is there a modern version?
Yes — the series continued with SimCity 2000, 3000, 4, and the 2013 reboot, plus spiritual successors like Cities: Skylines.