It is not uncommon for a new game’s launch to be marred by subpar performance. However, it's rather infrequent that the developers themselves put up a caution flag. Breaking this trend, the team behind Cities: Skylines II, Colossal Order, has done just that. After previously lifting their Minimum and Recommended PC specifications, they now openly admit that they failed to meet their targeted criteria, hinting at likely performance hiccups, even with a top-tier setup. Nonetheless, both Colossal Order and publisher Paradox Interactive are holding fast to their proposed October PC launch but have deferred the release for next-gen consoles to the following summer.

The development team, conscious of the next-gen capabilities of Cities: Skylines II and the accompanying hardware prerequisites, accepts that they have fallen short of their aimed benchmarks. Despite this, they firmly believe that the current release timeline is the most beneficial for the project in the long term. While they acknowledge the need for continual refinement post-release, they also chose to set realistic expectations for performance during the initial launch.

Standing by the distinct gameplay and features that Cities: Skylines II brings to the table, they anticipate its reception with confidence. Their commitment is directed towards the ultimate goal of making the game accessible and enjoyable to a wide player base. The team appreciates the support and loyalty of their vibrant community as they navigate through these challenges.

Now, let's delve into the elevated PC requirements for Cities: Skylines II.

Minimum Hardware Requirements:

  • Processor: Opt for Intel Core i7 6700k or AMD Ryzen 4 2600X
  • Memory: A minimum of 8 GB RAM is required
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780 (4 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 470 serve as decent choices

Recommended Hardware Specifications:

  • Processor: Consider Intel Core i5 12600k or AMD Ryzen 5 5800X
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM will keep the game running smoothly
  • Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3080 (10 GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT is recommended for optimal visuals

Furthermore, Colossal Order has shared that modding tools will be added post-launch shortly, starting with a basic framework. The developers pledge that their focus will pivot towards mods, one of the game's biggest selling points, once it’s up and running. The silver lining here for console users is the planned provision to utilize modded assets upon the game's debut on Xbox Series X/S and PS5.

Cities: Skylines II will hit PC platforms on October 24, with the next-gen console arrival set for June 30, 2024. How do you feel about the impending city-builder game amidst these warning signals?