General Information:
Developer: Colossal Order
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Players: 1 (Single-Player)
Important: The game focuses on city-building and management simulation; however, the game can be adapted to be used as an interactive tool when covering the topics of “Places Around Town” and “Giving Directions”.
Accessibility:
Available Platforms:
- PC/Mac OS/Linux
- Play Station 4
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch
Description of the Game:
“Cities: Skylines” is a city-building management simulation game. The game provides an in-depth system where you control everything in your city to make your citizens happy. Public transportation, amount and location of buildings, natural disasters, production of energy, and taxes are some of the aspects you need to manage.
Although this system is very complex and full of aspects to learn, for the purpose of this website, a simplistic way of playing was considered to include the game as a English language learning tool. The developers provided two mods (modifications) that allows to have an infinite budget and everything unlocked right away. This Creative Mode (watch the video below) allows the player to create the city they want without restrictions. Furthermore, community mods provide downloadable maps with real and fictional cities.
Recommendations:
- It is recommended that, if you are not experienced with this game or video games in general, you play the PC version. While creating your city, controlling your actions with a computer mouse is more precise and easier to understand that using a controller with analog sticks.
- As explained before, the game can be challenging and complex in normal gameplay. However, for language educational purposes, it is encourage to use the mentioned Creative Mode to develop your city.
- The game can be included as an interactive tool when working on topics related to giving directions and vocabulary about buildings and cities. For example: Create a city in Creative Mode; build it as simple or complex as you want. Use this city to create exercises about names of buildings and places. Present the city and ask your students to name places around town. The tool allows you to change perspectives, see people and vehicules move around, and interact with the buildings. This exercise changes the monotony of using printed, one dimensional cities as exercises.
- Another exercise you can create is giving directions using the city. While using the same city created on the bullet point above, ask your students to give directions of where buildings are. You can zoom in the street and follow your student directions.
- Finally, the PC version allows you download real life or fictional cities created by other players. You can use this cities to create the exercises mentioned above.
Videos:
Cities: Skylines | Official Trailer
Cities: Skylines | Creative Mode
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