Can't Play SimCity? Civitas Has You Covered

SimCity's continued server problems are a major source of frustration for players, but the timing couldn't be better for one indie studio.

Last week Brandon Smith launched his Kickstarter for Civitas, a 3D city-building simulation game for PC and Mac. Civitas has a funding goal of $250,000, a relatively modest sum considering the developer's ambitious plans to include real-time terraforming, mod support, and single- and multiplayer modes. Smith also stresses that the game is going to be 100-percent DRM free, allowing you to play it "whenever, wherever, and however you want." We're sure that's something SimCity fans would probably appreciate right about now.

Smith's team is made up of developers from the Austin, Texas, area, many of whom lost their jobs due to studio closings and post-launch layoffs. While we're guessing some gamers may feel compelled to support the project out of sympathy for the developers – or spite towards EA – Civitas plans to include some impressive features not seen in most city building simulation games, including public transportation, curved and customs roads, and tools that will allow players to create their own custom structures.

Those who pledge $15 or more will get a digital copy of the game when it releases, and those who pledge $25 or more will have access to an early beta. For more on the game, check out the Civitas Kickstarter page.  

[Via: IGN]