Cities: Skylines 2 has robbed its younger generation of their money for realism

Train on a bridge
(Image credit: Paradox Interactive)

The new development diary for Cities: Skylines 2 has revealed a ton of new details about how this city builder works. 

One of the most interesting elements that stood out from Cities: Skylines 2 new dev diary was it's use of an AI pathfinding system. This new feature is infinitely more complex than Cities: Skylines one that operated solely on proximity. 

One of the factors that'll help this new AI figure out where to send people around your bustling city is cost, which, in a sadly relatable way, has had a negative impact on its younger residents. The cost of things like transportation and parking is incredibly influential in where young people go in this city building sim, because in the name of realism, young people have no money here. 

"In Cities: Skylines 2 agents choose a route based on a pathfinding cost," the dev diary said. It also explained how the cost is derived from four different elements: time, behavior, comfort, and money. Using these elements your residents will determine the most optimal path around your city. 

Crucially for realism's sake, the age of your residents will impact how they navigate the city. "For teens the most important factor is Money: they seek out cheap options when traveling, be it the means of transportation or parking behavior," the diary says. "Adults value Time, so the quickest route is usually the best for them. And Seniors prefer a high Comfort level. As long as the Comfort cost is small, seniors tend to choose that option."

There's also updates to how citizens use the roads in Cities: Skylines 2. While everyone will now be able to use all lanes while in traffic, meaning senseless traffic jams will now be few and far between. 

Different vehicles will also have various levels of 'danger'. For example, while delivery trucks and citizens will have a low level of danger, emergency services will have a high level, being more likely to speed or do U-turns in busy roads. 

This new AI is a fantastic feature to Cities Skylines 2, however we're still hoping to see these four things added to the sequel to optimize the realism. 

TOPICS
Elie Gould
Features Writer

Elie is a Features Writer for TechRadar Gaming, here to write about anything new or slightly weird. Before writing for TRG, Elie studied for a Masters at Cardiff University JOMEC in International Journalism and Documentaries – spending their free time filming short docs or editing the gaming section for their student publications. 

Elie’s first step into gaming was through Pokémon but they've taken the natural next step in the horror genre. Any and every game that would keep you up at night is on their list to play - despite the fact that one of Elie’s biggest fears is being chased. 

Read more
A graphic showing fleet tracking locations over a city.
How smart cities leverage AI to integrate services and improve efficiency
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Free updates are coming to Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 after launch, including the ability to get a haircut
SimCity BuildIt
I can’t remember a time when SimCity didn’t exist – now I’m hooked on the app version
Ada Lovelace as a leader in Civilization 7.
Sid Meier's Civilization 7 update 1.1.0 finally stops AI leaders from flooding your territory with armies of explorers
Assassin's Creed Shadows
Assassin's Creed Shadows' open-world exploration is 'much more free form' to allow for a more 'rewarding' experience
A shot of a cockpit, looking out the front window of an aircraft
Best simulation games 2025: immersive sims you can play right now
Latest in Consoles & PC
Asus ROG Ally using Steam
I think Asus could be the perfect partner for an Xbox handheld – but I have questions
Astro Bot PS5 bundle
Sony officially announces new Astro Bot PS5 bundles and they're available from PlayStation Direct right now for bargain prices we can barely believe
Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered
Future PlayStation games could have AI-powered characters, if this leaked prototype of Aloy is anything to go by
The artwork for The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller
Where to pre-order and buy The Last of Us Limited Edition DualSense controller today - UK pre-orders are live but stock has sold out already
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Latest in News
Google Pixel 8a in aloe green showing
Google Pixel 9a benchmark link teases the performance of the upcoming mid-ranger
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #1148)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #379)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, March 17 (game #645)
Apple iPhone 16 Pro HANDS ON
Leaked iPhone 17 dummy units may have given us our best look yet at all four models
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over