Decoding the Cities Skylines 2 Console Release Announcement

Colossal Order’s recent announcement regarding the console release of Cities Skylines 2 has left many players wondering about the specifics. Let’s break down the key points and decipher what they mean for the game’s future on consoles.

The Apology and Announcement

In their YouTube apology post, Colossal Order directed viewers to a forum page on the Paradox Plaza website for their full statement. They openly admitted to facing challenges in optimizing the game for console release, leading to uncertainty regarding the release date. Contrary to earlier predictions of a Spring 2024 release, they now aim for a release candidate build in October.

What’s a Release Candidate?

A release candidate is a milestone build submitted by developers resembling a gold master, but it requires testing to ensure readiness. It’s not the final release but a step closer, indicating progress toward completion.

Release Build vs. Final Release

A release build isn’t the final release either. While it’s more optimized and runs at higher frame rates, it undergoes further testing and optimization before becoming the final product. Debugging symbols and system memory information are stripped for optimization, making it more efficient.

The Technical Jargon Explained

Colossal Order’s use of terms like “release candidate” and “release build” suggests ongoing development and testing phases. While they target an October release candidate, it doesn’t guarantee an immediate final release. The game must undergo thorough testing and optimization before hitting the shelves.

Conclusion: Managing Expectations

In essence, Colossal Order’s announcement emphasizes transparency and caution. They’re striving to deliver the best possible console experience for Cities Skylines 2 but acknowledge the uncertainties and challenges involved. Players should temper their expectations and await further updates as the development progresses.

By decoding the technical jargon and understanding the development process, players can appreciate the complexities involved in bringing Cities Skylines 2 to consoles. While the wait may be prolonged, the promise of a polished and optimized game experience makes it worth it in the end.