The SimCity franchise has been dormant since the release of SimCity 2013, and it does not seem like Maxis has any plans to revive it soon. Paradox's Cities Skylines series has risen to fill the void, and city-builder fans have flocked to the original release in droves. What was once one of the biggest names in the genre has faded into relative obscurity, but that could all change with a little push by The Sims 5.
The Sims 5 is currently in development, and it will more than likely evolve the popular life-sim series in exciting ways. Not much is known about the project yet, but given each entry is very different from the last, The Sims 5 has a chance to show players why Maxis is the king of the life-sim genre. One of the best ways to do that may be by adopting some of SimCity’s gameplay mechanics. If the SimCity franchise isn't set to continue, its city management features deserve to live on in the more popular spin-offs.
How SimCity Could Live on in The Sims
SimCity kickstarted Maxis' career, and The Sims would end up being its most popular spin-off. The core concept of The Sims sees players controlling people within SimCity, and that simple premise has drawn players in for years. It has gone on to be one of the biggest video game franchises around, and while it may have risen above its creator, The Sims 5 should still take inspiration from the iconic city-builder series.
The Sims 5 could take the core concept of SimCity and adapt it into The Sims framework. Players have been able to customize various aspects of their towns in The Sims, but never to the extent that SimCity allows. They do not have to manage the layout, they do not have to ensure the city has all the resources it needs, and there is no reason for them to manage city services. SimCity is mostly just set dressing for their Sims to explore. They can place down buildings in specific plots and manage who lives in what house, which has led to unique creations like towns inspired by The Last of Us if they want, but that is pretty much the extent of it
Maxis should take some of SimCity's management features and include them in The Sims 5. It could be cool if players build their cities like in SimCity, and then manage the day-to-day life of the people inside it. They could construct an entire street, fill it with houses that have everything they need, and then control one of the families that call it home. It would take the best of both franchises and fold it into one fantastic life simulator.
The focus of The Sims series should be on the day-to-day life of the Sims, as that sets it apart from other simulators on the market. However, the next couple of years will see major Sims competitors like Life By You enter the ring. If The Sims 5 does not do enough to innovate then players may look elsewhere, so adding various SimCity management features to the mix could be what the series needs right now.
The SimCity franchise may be dead, but that does not mean that Maxis' city-building mechanics need to die along with it. Those features could just take on another form and become a part of The Sims series. While not every mechanic from the original franchise should make the jump over, adding more city management features could lead to a life-simulator series that is a step above the rest.
The Sims 5 is currently in development.