CitiesXL: Wang Shaped Cities and the Building Thereof. (Beta on now.)

Retzinsky

(Beta info at the bottom)

CitiesXL! Ripped shamelessly from wikipedia:

"Cities XL (formerly Cities Unlimited) is a city-building simulation computer game under development by Monte Cristo, which has prior development experience in City Life. It was originally scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2009, but is now set to be released on September 3, 2009 in French and German. The game allows players to play online and interact with others on massive persistent planets, to work together to shape cities, manage the economy and care for the needs of city inhabitants. Players can also play in a single-player mode."

It's been a while since the last big city building release and so no doubt like me you are starved for modern metropolis forging pursuits. SimCity 4 came out in January 2003. That's like, pre-wheel and shit. So anyway, CitiesXL is supposed to be the spiritual successor to the colossus that SimCity 4 was. It's some kind of city building/MMO hybrid with neat-o 3d graphics and all that modern jiggery-pokery. Let me tell you, I cannot wait to craft some massive erections with my loving hands. Yes, I went there.

Anyway, enough of my bullshit:

Screenshots:

All my dicks etc?

Movies:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5fD_M4uTdc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrCJPUspt1I

Steam Group
The group is called Penny Arcade CitiesXL. If you want in, join the chat and ask for an invite. Those who are in the beta are building on the planet Hyperion.

OH SHIT IT'S A BETA
Closed beta started 17/06/09. You can't sign up on the website anymore, but lets face it, nobody ever wins those things anyway. Beta giveaways on third party sites are the way to go and there's plenty to have a go at. Sites having beta key giveaways listed below. Be aware that most of the sites that were giving out keys immediately to anybody that signed up have now run out of keys. You will have to try your luck with the ones running lottery-style mail-ins/competitions/easter egg hunts.

French:

* MondesPeristants - http://www.mondespersistants.com/news/cities-xl-la-beta-est-lancee:13488/
* JeuxOnline - http://www.jeuxonline.info/actualite/23164/500-acces-beta-gagner
* www.jeuxvideo.com - http://www.jeuxvideo.com/news/2009/00034980-500-cles-pour-la-beta-de-cities-xl-a-gagner.htm
* www.gamekult.com - http://www.gamekult.com/articles/A0000077295/
* www.jeuxvideopc.com - http://www.jeuxvideopc.com/news/26668-50-cles-gagner-pour-beta-cities-xl.php
* www.jvn.com
* www.factornews.com - http://www.factornews.com/news-26181-Concours_Gagnez_un_acc_s_la_b_ta_de_Citi.html

German:

* SimCityPlaza - http://www.simcityplaza.de/content/view/480/1/
* www.Gamestar.de - http://www.gamestar.de/betatests/citiesxl/
* www.pcgames.de - http://www.pcgames.de/?menu=license_key_mailing&lk_product_id=214989
* www.onlinewelten.com - http://www.onlinewelten.com/win/226-cities-xl-beta-keys/
* www.gamers.at - http://www.gamers.at/news/wir_verlosen_cities_xl_beta_keys-3210/
* www.4players.de - http://www.4players.de/4players.php/gewinnspieldetail/Allgemein/2878.html
* www.gamingxp.com - http://www.gamingxp.com/newsview-15828-kategorie-8-gewinnen_sie_und_bauen_sie_ihre_eigene_stadt_in_citiesxl.htm
* www.eurogamer.de - http://www.eurogamer.de/articles/cities-xl-wir-verlosen-300-beta-keys

English:

* www.mmohub.org - http://mmohub.org/forums/citiesxl/1436-citiesxl-beta-key-giveaway-official-thread.html
* www.filefront.com - http://files.filefront.com/CitiesXL+Beta+Test+Client/;13909660;/fileinfo.html
* www.zam.com - http://www.zam.com/story.html?story=18494
* www.strategyinformer.com - http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/4611/exclusive-cities-xl-beta-test-keys-for-strategy-informer-members
* Simtropolis - http://www.simtropolis.com/?p=citiesxl_beta
* www.fileplanet.com - http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/cities-xl/

More English sites are likely to be announced as the day goes on. (But as far as I know, there is no difference in the version of the game. If you get a key from some dirty foreigner it's just as good as an English key no matter what your parents might have told you.

Also, I feel compelled to include this:

MeepZero

Retzinsky wrote: »

lets face it, nobody ever wins those things anyway.

Well, I got in the Beta...then they made me sign an NDA.

Downloading now, I'll be sure not to tell anyone anything of any use at all.

Also, rereading the NDA to see if I can talk about anything at all about it once I start playing.

Edit...
Yeah, I can't say a damn thing about the game at all, let alone infer anything...bah

Retzinsky

Yeah I didn't read the NDA, I just assumed it was the same old shut-your-whore-mouth that it always is. Guess I was right.

I can't wait for all the posts along the line of:

"I am playing a game right now. I can't say if it's CitiesXL, but it is a game."

"I just (redacted) some (redacted) to my (redacted) and it looks fucking (redacted)"

Maybe we can just raise one eyebrow and lean in slightly? Everything will go unsaid.

neophilus

Just got a Beta key through http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=217716

Over at Simtropolis they are doing easter egg hunts or something.

xzzy

What's this French/German nonsense?

Why is their website in english if there's not going to be a release in an english speaking country?

Captain Eleven

Those screenshots... are... beautiful.

Fats

Retzinsky wrote: »

"I am playing a game right now. I can't say if it's CitiesXL, but it is a game."

You can't even go that far.

NDA wrote:

"...including without limitation, any information relating to existence and content of the Cities XL Game...."

I will say that if there were a beta of a game called Cities XL, I would have a key and be downloading right now. But there isn't. The game doesn't exist.

xzzy

Heh. Clearly these guys don't see a beta as a marketing device.

I bet you're in violation for even admitting there's an NDA.

Endaro

Well if anyone actually gets a key and gets in to this thing, anyone have an idea of how to get each other on some kind of beta friends list, or find some way to meet up on their beta forums without breaking the NDA here? That was we could at least talk about the game amongst each other within their system.

tsmvengy

neophilus wrote: »

Just got a Beta key through http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=217716

Over at Simtropolis they are doing easter egg hunts or something.

That site has the worst fucking registration CAPTCHA on earth.

Malkor

I have not heard of this at all.

I am/was a Sim City whore. Can I at least know if it is shaping up to be as good or better than 4?

xzzy

Malkor wrote: »

I have not heard of this at all.

I am/was a Sim City whore. Can I at least know if it is shaping up to be as good or better than 4?

This is what I want to know as well. I loved the shit out of SC4, even taking its silly traffic simulation into account, and have been drooling for a successor ever since.

The French/German thing concerns me though. Is there not going to be an NA release?

Retzinsky

The French/German thing is pretty much as follows: The developer (Monte Cristo) is French, but they didn't actually say that the English language release wouldn't be first or at the same time. They only said that they were announcing the French/German release. That news post caused a torrent of flames in the comment section and on the forums which they will have seen. The website and the beta is in English. There will definitely be an English language/North American/whateveryouwanttocallit release, they just haven't said when yet. You can draw your own conclusions from all that but the important bit is that there is absolutely going to be an English release.

Endaro wrote: »

Well if anyone actually gets a key and gets in to this thing, anyone have an idea of how to get each other on some kind of beta friends list, or find some way to meet up on their beta forums without breaking the NDA here? That was we could at least talk about the game amongst each other within their system.

I haven't really poked around in the planet part much, but given the MMO angle and the online-ishness of the whole thing (you can chat with other players while you build your city, for example) I would find it highly likely that there's some way for us to hang out without incurring the wrath of the gods (like I sort of did just then.)

MeepZero

How about a steam group for just beta people?

Goofball

http://www.onlinewelten.com/win/226-cities-xl-beta-keys/ still had keys just a couple of minutes ago...

You have to sign up for an account at the top of the site, activate it, log in and then fill out the grey form on the right hand side with a birth date, e-mail address and check both boxes.

leaf

leans in

raises eyebrow

Malyonsus

I hope this game is good. I've been despairing of a new sim city type game since the horror that was Simcity Societies.

Malkor

Goofball wrote: »

http://www.onlinewelten.com/win/226-cities-xl-beta-keys/ still had keys just a couple of minutes ago...

You have to sign up for an account at the top of the site, activate it, log in and then fill out the grey form on the right hand side with a birth date, e-mail address and check both boxes.

Sounds like a lot of work

edit: But ultimately worth it.

Apparently I know German. Who knew.

wobblyheadedbob

So, where can I get the client? I have a code.

Endaro

Well, for example, if there is an in-game form of communication, how would we make the jump from here to there without listing in-beta usernames here? That might be considered breaking NDA, and would list the usernames of the culprits. And if we made a steam group, how would we make sure only people in the beta got in?

Lux782

We need to get a group of people together to build Arcadia!

override367

Retzinsky wrote: »

Yeah I didn't read the NDA, I just assumed it was the same old shut-your-whore-mouth that it always is. Guess I was right.

I can't wait for all the posts along the line of:

"I am playing a game right now. I can't say if it's CitiesXL, but it is a game."

"I just (redacted) some (redacted) to my (redacted) and it looks fucking (redacted)"

Maybe we can just raise one eyebrow and lean in slightly? Everything will go unsaid.

Am I the only person who completely ignores NDAs for beta tests?

xzzy

Lux782 wrote: »

We need to get a group of people together to build Arcadia!

Hopefully the game uses some kind of culture-influencing mechanic, like how Civ 4 works.

"Tonight, robot cops and children patrolling the forest for monsters? In your city? Find out what you can do to stop it, tune in at 11 'o clock."

xzzy

override367 wrote: »

Am I the only person who completely ignores NDAs for beta tests?

This is probably a sensible decision, just for forum chatter. I would imagine most of the prohibitions in the NDA will only get exercised in the event someone starts running their mouth on the internet and causes a lot of bad press. I cannot imagine a situation where a company would try to silence people who are saying nice things about their game.

That said, I think the forum rules around here will get you in trouble for doing it.

Endaro

xzzy wrote: »

That said, I think the forum rules around here will get you in trouble for doing it.

I'd have to check the rules thread again, but with the ban on talking about pirating games and such because of the trouble it would generate for the forums, I would assume liberal breaking of the NDA wouldn't be approved of here either.

Edit: I assume it is roughly related to:

1 ) No discussion or linking to warez.

* This includes abandonware and leaked software. We have a zero tolerance policy on the discussion of bootleg games and ROMS. Discussing them means you will be banned. At the request of Gabe there will be ZERO discussion of emulators or ROMs at all except for commercial sites backed by the game publishers. This rule comes from above and is not subject to debate.

2 ) Piracy and emulation :

* These may still be discussed as news issues, but any passing mention to methods, techniques or resources is strictly not allowed. Any violation of the above rule is grounds for immediate banning. Just don't do it.

Really all that would probably happen to you is you get your beta access taken away if they figure out who you are, but I assume the forums would appreciate if you just kept everything to their beta forums.

algorhythm

Okay I got a beta key from a German site but I can't find a download link.. halp???


EDIT: Whoops I'm a noob.

Goofball

wobblyheadedbob wrote: »

So, where can I get the client? I have a code.

https://beta.citiesxl.com/download/

WMain00

I think i managed to get a key from that German website. THank you PA.

EDIT: Sweet jesus this is 2 CD's of downloading!

leaf

My pseudo understanding of german actually isn't too horrible either I found

Tharghor

Man, during the WAR shenanigans we weren't even allowed to hint at the google searchwords for the prime Beta Leaks site. It's still the first site to pop up, but it's disabled, it seems.

Lux782

For those who need a key,

http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/cities-xl/

It says you need to sign up but I don't have a subscription or anything. I just gave them my name and email address and I got a key + download link.

Retzinsky

Thanks, I'll throw that up in the op along with any others you guys find.

Also, if anybody is having any issues signing up/logging in, be aware that the servers are offline and the following message is on the login page for the beta site:

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties due to a peak of users.

We are working on fixing this; the game and web servers will be back as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience.

What are betas for, right?

algorhythm

Lux782 wrote: »

For those who need a key,

http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/cities-xl/

It says you need to sign up but I don't have a subscription or anything. I just gave them my name and email address and I got a key + download link.

Hmm... ?

FilePlanet wrote:

Congratulations! You're just a few steps away from completing your purchase.

??

jothki

Perhaps we people who have beta keys could pm each other detailed information about what the game is like?

elliotw2

Fileplanet makes you pay to access betas

http://www.onlinewelten.com/win/226-cities-xl-beta-keys/ seems to have a few more keys at least, just google translate and you should be fine

Synthesis

I hope this is good. I don't think we'll see a SimCity 5, the way things are going, and I'm tired of the love-hate relationship I have with SimCity 4. Every time I love it, it punches me in the junk.

They've really been promoting the crap out of the game, and I used to follow it a lot more. Well, the beta may shed some light.

xzzy

jothki wrote: »

Perhaps we people who have beta keys could pm each other detailed information about what the game is like?

Why would people playing the game need to be told what playing the game is like?

jothki

xzzy wrote: »

jothki wrote: »

Perhaps we people who have beta keys could pm each other detailed information about what the game is like?

Why would people playing the game need to be told what playing the game is like?

I can't tell you, that would violate the NDA.

Quetzatcoatl

I'm still kind of hesitant to see how the game will turn out. They seem to have made some decisions that may end up limiting user-created content which is where Simcity 4 really shined. Really wish I could get into the beta.

Fats

Endaro wrote: »

Well, for example, if there is an in-game form of communication, how would we make the jump from here to there without listing in-beta usernames here?

In a theoretical world, where I was in the beta for some theoretical city-building game, my username there would be the same as it is here.

hint hint

AngrySquirrel

elliotw2 wrote: »

Fileplanet makes you pay to access betas

http://www.onlinewelten.com/win/226-cities-xl-beta-keys/ seems to have a few more keys at least, just google translate and you should be fine

Thanks. Just got a key there.