Cities: Skylines 2: A New Update Focused on Mortality

Iceflake Studios Takes the Helm

As players of Cities: Skylines 2 welcome a new era of development, Iceflake Studios, which took over from Colossal Order in late 2025, has rolled out its very first update. The gaming community has eagerly anticipated this new chapter, hoping it would breathe fresh life into the beloved city-building simulation. One would expect a flood of innovative features, gameplay enhancements, and perhaps some joyous updates to brighten the landscape of this urban paradise. Instead, we get an obsession with mortality that takes players by surprise.

First Frost: An Update with a Grim Focus

Dubbed “First Frost,” this initial patch might just as aptly be called “Last Rites.” With humor and irony, the developers have prioritized players’ encounters with the great beyond, tweaking systems that affect population mortality in ways that are both amusing and targeted.

Perhaps most notably, the update fixed a bug that led to citizens’ deaths occurring with irresponsible regularity between midnight and six o’clock, which had previously skewed the death rates in ridiculous ways. Now, with an impressive quadrupling of death calculations—from four to sixteen—the game has taken significant steps to ensure that citizens meet their end with a bit more distribution.

A Peculiar Immortality Bug

Interestingly, the “First Frost” update addressed another notable quirk from earlier gameplay: a bug that rendered the majority of citizens in easy mode effectively immortal. A staggering 80% of them reportedly never succumbed to old age. This oversight not only created a bizarre in-game scenario but also made managing an aging population impossible. With this fix, Iceflake seems to be steering the game towards a more balanced and realistic simulation.

Reducing Bicycle Trips: A New Reality

In a rather cynical reflection of life, the update reduces the amount of time citizens spend cycling around your dazzling metropolis by a whopping 80%. This reduction in bicycling may have unintentional parallels with real-world health trends, suggesting a trade-off where citizens choose less exercise while perhaps facing life’s more existential challenges.

User Interface and Gameplay Improvements

Beyond its eerie focus on mortality, the “First Frost” patch brings several other improvements aimed at enhancing player experience. New user interface icons for crucial features like roundabouts and pollution types help clarify gameplay for both new and seasoned players. Enhancements to terraforming tools lessens their aggressiveness, curbing the tendency to accidentally shape the world into a nightmarish landscape.

With visually appealing changes, such as improved shadow rendering and dynamic fog based on weather conditions, the update also improves graphical fidelity. Players can enjoy a visually immersive experience as they build and manage their cities.

The Auto-Save Feature: A Long-Awaited Addition

In a much-belated but welcome change, the update activates the autosave feature by default—an addition that is as practical as it is overdue. With the now-automated backup processes, players can focus on city planning rather than worrying about losing their hard work to unforeseen crashes or mishaps. Given its long two-year wait time, this feature is a testament to player feedback and serves as a reminder of the game’s evolving development history.

Community Response and Looking Ahead

While Iceflake Studios’ debut patch may not have introduced sweeping new gameplay features, it appears to have successfully addressed several pressing issues that clouded the game’s initial release. Recent player reviews are notably improving, as current feedback on Steam shows a significant uptick in positivity—from 54% overall to 67% positive at the time of this update’s launch.

This change in sentiment hints at the possibility for Cities: Skylines 2 to ascend from its rocky beginnings, marking the “First Frost” not merely as an update, but as a potential turning point for this city-building simulator. With a commitment to improving gameplay, addressing community concerns, and adding whimsical touches—even when focused on death—Iceflake Studios may very well be setting the foundation for a resurgence in player engagement and satisfaction.

As the game evolves, city planners and aspiring mayors alike will be keeping a close eye on what future updates will bring to their urban landscapes.