With the release of the Subscription Service for Cities: Skylines (1) , we have looked at the questions that were asked when we launched the Subscriptions Services for other Paradox Games. We might update this to include other questions when we receive them!
Why do you launch a subscription?
We’re launching a subscription service to make our large Cities: Skylines catalog more accessible for new players that want to explore our DLCs.
When are you launching the subscription?
The subscription will be launched on March 13th around 18:00 CET.
If I already have a lot of DLCs, what do I get out of this?
For our longtime players who already own some DLCs or those who prefer permanent access, we have special offers on our catalog & bundles during the launch period—making it easier to complete your DLC library at a great price. The subscription service is something that we’ve seen that more new players have taken advantage of, and we want to provide something for core players, too, hence the many sales and discounts launched at the same time.
Will I lose access to my existing content purchases?
No. All existing purchases will remain, and you will not have to sign up for the subscription service to maintain your access to your previously purchased content.
Will future content be subscription-only?
No. We have introduced a subscription service to lower the barrier of entry for new players.
Does the subscription model signal the end of development on Cities: Skylines?
As part of Cities: Skylines’ 10-year anniversary, we are launching two new Content Creator Packs on March 25th. If there’s continued interest, we are open to bringing even more content in the future.
Who asked for this?
We see this as an opportunity to provide our players with more options - based on our experience with other Paradox games using this model, we know many players are interested in experiencing the full game with all content—without the upfront commitment of purchasing every DLC.
Why did you not just create content bundles?
We already offer bundles, including the Collection Bundle, designed to help players complete their DLC collection. We believe we have set up a good variety of bundles to appeal to different players, but we are happy to revisit and update our offers for whatever needs we see communicated.
Are there any plans to expand the subscription service to other stores/platforms?
Not currently, but if we see there’s interest, we’ll definitely explore the possibility!
Will individual content still be available for sale?
Yes, subscription will not affect how we participate in different promotional events.
Why isn’t there a discounted price for the subscription for players who already own some/all of the content?
The subscription offers full access to all DLCs, including future ones, at a monthly cost, making it a separate option from ownership. So, for those who own a large portion of the content, we’re instead offering special bundle discounts on both old and new content.
Can I buy Cities: Skylines content while my subscription is active?
Yes, of course!
Is subscription going to be an option on both Cities: Skylines (1) and Cities: Skylines II?
No, we will only offer subscriptions on Cities: Skylines (1) for now.
We hope this provides more clarity into our process and alleviates some of the concerns of the Community with regards to the Subscription Service. If you have further questions, feel free to ask them in the thread below and we will do our best to provide answers!
Thanks, The Cities: Skylines Team
Honestly looks good to me. As long as it does stay optional and people can still buy individual DLC piecemeal if you prefer. An extra option, especially for the sort of game that has huge amounts of DLC where buying them all might be prohibitively expensive for someone who might only play the game a few dozen hours.
If this is a sneaky way to discontinue direct sales 6 months down the line, that’s scummy. But if not, I approve.