Video Update! SimCity Beta, the preview of the new SimCity game, is starting on January 25th and going until January 28th. If you weren't convinced by our previous post with gorgeous screenshots to sign up and give it a try, we have the official trailer video to check out, as well as an unofficial new Beta Tutorial video.
The official release trailer has you zooming through industrial towns with trains and trucks busily driving to and from coal plants, more futuristic cities with renewable energy and nuclear power (and some sort of x-ray view where you can see the utilities delivering their wares through a series of tubes), a university that you can build, and even a rocket launching into space.
My favorite part of the new SimCity is the detailed traffic and lighting effects that the powerful 3D visuals can impart. Each vehicle sports its own set of headlights and moves independently in a pretty intelligent and realistic looking way, as buildings show off impressive lighting effects. I think I'll be playing SimCity in constant night mode, if such an option exists.
If you really want a feel for the new SimCity game, check out this beta gameplay tutorial, which is was not officially released by Maxis or EA but runs through more than ten minutes of gameplay. Until this game is released on March 5th 2013, the Beta will have to do. According to Geeky Gadgets, the beta will begin at 5pm UK time on the 25th and go until 8 am UK time on the 28th. You can sign up now, if all slots haven't been filled yet, and you can pre-order the actual game right now, too.