one dataset · paper, tables, graph, wiki
simgrammar the grammar of simulation

core loop

zone and draw roads -> citizens choose homes, jobs, and routes by cost, time, and comfort -> taxes and fees fund services -> milestones grant development points and map tiles -> unlock transport and services -> expand

design notes

Route choice is a weighted cost over time, comfort, money, and behavior, so parking fees, transit fares, and lane choice shift where agents go, and the first game's cap of about 65,000 rendered citizens is replaced by a hardware limit. One in-game day and night stands for a month, so daily traffic rhythms and seasonal climate run on different scales. The launch drew criticism for performance and its economy simulation, console versions were delayed indefinitely in 2024, and development moved from Colossal Order to Iceflake Studios after a November 2025 announcement.

relations

19 stored edges
influenced by
uses

Agent pathfinding

Citizens compare driving, transit, and walking with a cost combining time, comfort, money, and personal preference.

core
uses

Traffic congestion

Vehicles spread across lanes, parking fees enter route cost, and accident checks run per road segment.

core
uses

Zoning

Residential, commercial, industrial, and office zones along roads, with signature buildings unlocked at milestones.

core
uses

Day-night cycle

Each day and night cycle equals one simulated month.

supporting
uses
supporting
uses

Land value

Signature buildings and services change land value in their zone.

supporting
uses

Milestone unlocks

Milestones grant development points and map tiles, from 9 starting tiles up to 441.

supporting
uses

Modding API

Paradox Mods since 2024-03-25; mods can override game code.

supporting
uses

Power grid

Generation, a connected grid, and batteries; solar output varies with weather and time of day and wind with wind strength.

supporting
uses
supporting
uses

Random disasters

Floods, forest fires, and tornadoes, mitigated by disaster response services.

supporting
uses

Seasons

Each map has a preset climate; winters bring snow.

supporting
uses
supporting
uses

Taxation

Tax rates, fees, and ordinances fund the city.

supporting
uses

Tech tree

Development points are spent in a tree to unlock transport options and services.

supporting
uses

Travel mode choice

Citizens compare driving, transit, and walking using a cost of time, comfort, money, and personal behavior, and parking fees enter the driving cost.

supporting
uses

Weather

Weather and seasons affect solar and wind output and climate conditions.

supporting

backlinks

computed from other records

sources

3
Wikipedia contributors (2026). Cities: Skylines II. Wikipedia
Colossal Order, Paradox Interactive (2023-06-26). Cities: Skylines II Feature Highlight #2: Traffic AI. Paradox Interactive
Paradox Interactive (2023). Cities: Skylines II features: Electricity and Water. paradoxinteractive.com

provenance

runs in log/runs
2026-10-24
created2026-10-24-catalog-gacatalog
2026-10-24
reviewed2026-10-24-review-fixesmaintenance