Monte Cristo's urban sim CitiesXL sees its release this Friday. The game is already available in demo-form, but Cristo has also put out a pair of handy walkthrough videos that thoroughly explain the offline and online modes.

First up is the single player video:

Please install Flash to view this Shackvideo

Click through for the multiplayer walkthrough:... Read more

Cities XL is an online multiplayer city-building strategy game, which, in The Demoman's mind, means it's probably sort of like playing SimCity while being called a fag by a bunch of strangers. One of the first things I see when I log in is someone explaining in chat how to get around the profanity filter by capitalizing every other letter. We're off to a fUcKiNg good start! I decide to name my city Columnville, as I am simply using it to crank out this column, but an administrative error (common in public works projects) occurs and my city's name is entered as Columnvilleq. This was due to me hitting the Q button, which I've mapped to take screenshots, at the wrong moment. Well, no matter, I'll just put some PR spin on it with a catchy city motto. "Columnvilleq: The Q is for Quality!"... Read more

The 1GB US demo of Monte Cristo's urban building and management sim Cities XL is now available over on FileShack, chasing last week's Europe-only demo release.

Expiring on October 7, the demo contains a slice of the subscription-based online 'Planet' mode, with only three locations on which to build a city and a population cap.

Cities XL will hit Europe on October 8 then America on October 9, available through Monte Cristo's website and assorted digital download platforms.

Monte Critso today announced that its persistent urban building sim Cities XL will be released in North America on October 9. The European version will be released the day before on October 8.

Cities XL will be sold through Monte's official site, and delivered either by mail or digital download. The game will also be available to purchase on Steam, Direct2Drive, Trygames, Impulse and Gametap.

Update: All the keys have been claimed. Enjoy!

Original story: With the SimCity franchise currently ambling about on the Wii and iPhone, Monte Cristo's Cities XL was clearly designed specifically to sate the desires of hardcore urban simulation addicts--and now you can start playing the beta tonight.

We've got 500 Cities XL beta keys to give away, and due to the volume, we're handing them out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

To grab a key, simply head to the beta client page on FileShack. A beta code will automatically be sent to the email address associated with your Shacknews account. During installation of the client, the game will automatically take you to the registration webpage which requires the code.

After that, load up the game, get playing, and share your impressions in the comments.

Gazing down upon your handiwork is one of the true joys of creation, which is why Cities XL lets players zoom right in until you can see your city's chimney pots and clothes lines.

Developer Monte Cristo recently announced pricing for the city builder's optional MMO 'Planet' mode, which sees online players sharing a persistent planet, allowing them to trade resouces, build special 'Mega Structures' co-operatively and visit others' cities.

No North American release date has been announced yet, though Cities XL is scheduled for French and German releases on September 3.

Developer Monte Cristo has announced pricing information for its upcoming MMO-enabled urban simulator Cities XL.

While the Sim City-esque game will come packed with a solo mode, the subscription-based "Planet" mode will allow players to trade resources, work cooperatively to build "Mega Structures," and visit player cities across persistent planets. Players will also impact the Planets themselves, having an effect on the overall population and pollution level of each world.

Cristo is putting a tiered MMO-style pricing plan in place for the Planet mode, with one month running 7 euros, or approximately $10. A three month plan will cost 5 euros per month ($7), while a six month plan will cost 4.5 euros per month ($6). Subscribers to the Planet mode will also receive all future Cities XL content upgrades, such as extra buildings and game modules, for free.

Cities XL is dated for a September 3 release in France and Germany. A North American release has not yet been announced.

Developer Monte Cristo today opened beta sign-ups for Cities XL (PC), offering applicants the chance to be one of those testing the city simulation-MMO hybrid.

Along with city-wide construction and management, Cities XL will also offer "tycoon-styled" gameplay, such as a ski resort, through various game extension modules.

Once slated for Q1 2009, the game is now expected to launch sometime this year.

Looking for a SimCity fix? Developer Monte Cristo is revving up to release CitiesXL (PC) this year, as evidenced by these new screenshots.

CitiesXL is set to expand the city simulation genre with detailed urban modeling and plenty of online features. Players will build cities on a persistent, interconnected planet, participating in a realistic global economy with other mayors.

Monte Cristo is also planning to release small, priced modules for the game. One such module planned is an airport expansion, which would essentially act as a Tycoon-style simulation played within your own city.

The ambitious title is expected to hit stores later this year.