so far, most anticipated game of 2013. came out yesterday (the 5th). It's very multiplayer. there have been some server issues but I expect maxis to get on top of it.
for those who don't know of the simcity series, ... well, it's ... a really good city building simulator. google it.
changes I've noticed from previous iterations: maps are smaller, perhaps due to the glassbox engine, so that it doesn't create too much processor strain... but I don't think this puts a dent in the fun. it's easier to specialize and create coordinating cities... such as all residential cities, or educational cities so you can have another one with no schools. pretty much every service can be sold to another city or acquired from another city. regions range from having 3 to 16 city sites.
some things are simplified to streamline the game, but it doesn't seem to have dumbed it down at all, rather I think its more complex but also more intuitive; all the challenges and changes in the game are driven by actual agents... individual criminals, individual police, individual cars, everything.
2 things I love so far:
non perpendicular roads. with really great road mapping tools. allowing you to make perfect straight lines, perpendiculars, 90 degree arcs, circles, or just curves. although I think I'm going to miss being able to make experimental train cities with hardly any roads.
and also, upgradable buildings, in which you add on modular components, in a really intelligent fashion.
Anyway. type in your Origin usernames if you play. mine is AeusDeif.