Understanding Lifespans in Cities: Skylines: A Comprehensive Guide

The typical lifespan of a citizen in Cities: Skylines is surprisingly short, clocking in at around 6 in-game years under normal conditions. This swift passage of time is a fundamental aspect of the game’s simulation, requiring players to constantly manage population turnover and related city services. However, while 6 years is the base lifespan, several factors can influence and extend it, notably through the use of specific in-game mechanics and mods.

Factors Influencing Lifespan

While the default 6-year lifespan might seem brief, it’s essential to understand that this is a deliberate design choice by the game developers to maintain the dynamic flow of the city simulation. Several factors, however, can alter this base lifespan.

The Eldercare Facility

One of the primary tools players have at their disposal to influence citizen lifespan is the Eldercare facility. These buildings are not just regular medical centers. Their specific function is to enhance the health and extend the lifespan of elderly citizens within their radius. If a senior citizen requires medical care and is not critically ill, there’s a 50% chance they will choose the Eldercare facility over a hospital or clinic, if one is available nearby. This mechanic emphasizes the importance of strategic placement of these facilities for optimal results.

Modifications

The Steam Workshop for Cities: Skylines is a treasure trove of community-created content, including modifications (mods) that can directly impact the lifespan of citizens. Some mods can substantially increase the maximum lifespan of your citizens, offering a more relaxed gameplay experience, allowing you to witness the long-term growth of your city and the generations within it. However, these mods alter the fundamental balance of the game and should be used with an awareness of their impact.

Simulation Speed

It’s also worth noting that while the numerical lifespan of a citizen remains at around 6 years, game time itself flows at various speeds depending on how the player has set the simulation speed (1x, 2x, 3x speed). Even though the game is advancing at different paces, this setting will not change how long a citizen lives.

Managing the Life Cycle

Understanding the lifespan of citizens is crucial for effective city management. The rapid turnover rate of your population means that you need to proactively manage city services, particularly deathcare. Having adequate cemeteries and crematoriums will ensure smooth operations in your city. This also means having a healthcare system that addresses medical needs.

Cities: Skylines II – Changes in Lifespan?

While the first Cities: Skylines kept to this relatively short lifecycle, the much anticipated Cities: Skylines II handles time differently, but the core gameplay mechanic of citizens dying at a standard rate remains. The sequel focuses on a more in-depth simulation, but citizen lifespans are similar with no major difference to the first installment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Citizen Lifespans

Here are some frequently asked questions that provide further insight into citizen lifespans and related game mechanics:

How long is one in-game year?

One year in Cities: Skylines takes twelve in-game days, with each month being one cycle through day and night, and each season lasting about three months. This condensed timeframe contributes to the relatively short lifespans of citizens.

Can you change the lifespan of citizens without mods?

While the Eldercare facility can extend lifespan for the elderly within its radius, you can’t directly change the base lifespan of your citizens without using mods from the Steam Workshop.

Is there a way to prevent citizens from dying of old age?

No, in Cities: Skylines, citizens will naturally die of old age as part of the life cycle simulation. You cannot prevent it completely, however, strategic use of the Eldercare facility can prolong the lives of seniors.

What happens when a citizen dies in the game?

When a citizen dies, their body needs to be collected and processed at either a cemetery or crematorium. If these services are not sufficient, the body will be abandoned and can cause problems such as health issues and unhappiness in your city.

Does a shorter lifespan make the game harder?

The relatively short lifespan does introduce a challenge as it requires active city management, especially regarding health, deathcare, and ensuring the younger generations can replace the aging ones. However, this is a core part of the game’s simulation.

Can the lifespan be extended indefinitely with mods?

Some mods can significantly extend lifespan, even to the point where citizens practically don’t die of old age, but most of the lifespan extending mods will add a more sensible balance to the game. While this offers a different game experience, it can also reduce the need to manage some aspects of the game.

How does the game track citizen ages?

The game uses a hidden system to track citizen age, even though it’s not directly displayed on the screen in years. This system determines when they age, move through their life stages, and eventually pass away.

Does health impact the lifespan of citizens in any way?

Yes, poor health can shorten a citizen’s lifespan. Cities with polluted water, a lack of medical services, and trash or sewage issues can experience higher mortality rates amongst all age groups, not just the elderly.

Is the short lifespan a realistic simulation?

The short lifespan is not realistic when compared to real life, but it is a design choice to keep the game running smoothly. The main focus in the game is city building and city management.

Can I influence birth rates in Cities: Skylines?

While you cannot directly influence birth rates, a healthy, happy city will often see more families with children, whereas an unhealthy city with a lot of unhappy residents may have lower birth rates.

Are there specific policies that can extend life?

No, there are no direct policies that directly target lifespan extension. The primary method within the game is the use of the Eldercare facility.

Do some professions extend lifespan?

No, a citizen’s profession or their level of education will not directly impact lifespan.

Does pollution affect a citizen’s lifespan?

Yes, all forms of pollution, such as air, ground, and noise pollution, can have a negative impact on a citizen’s health and can effectively shorten their lifespan.

Is there a limit to how many elderly can live in a city?

There is no specific limit to how many elderly citizens can live in a city, but the overall population has a hard limit of 524,287 Citizen Units, so once that is reached, no more citizens can be simulated.

How does the life cycle impact the gameplay experience?

The constant cycle of birth, growth, aging, and death keeps the gameplay dynamic, forcing players to maintain a stable city environment, balanced with proper management of services. It is an essential and foundational aspect of the game.

Understanding the intricacies of lifespan within Cities: Skylines is essential for long-term success. By knowing how the base lifespan operates and how factors like the Eldercare facility and other in-game mechanics affect it, players can better plan and manage their cities, ensuring a thriving, dynamic environment that will grow from generation to generation.