Cities: Skylines 2 has had a challenging start since its 2023 launch, and the latest news isn’t exactly a break for fans. The long-awaited Bridges and Ports expansion, initially expected in early 2024, has been delayed again, now eager for a release in the fourth quarter of this year.
The developer, Colossal Order, has been juggling various issues since launch. While they did release the Beach Properties asset pack earlier this year, it was met with disappointment. The pack was so thin on content that both Colossal Order and publisher Paradox apologized, issued refunds, and then gave it away for free. That was a rough patch for the community and the developers.
The Bridges & Ports expansion was supposed to follow shortly after, but it’s been pushed back multiple times. In September 2024, the team announced a delay to focus on improving the base game, with a new window set for Q2 2025. Now, it’s clear that won’t happen either.
On the official Cities: Skylines 2 forum, Colossal Order shared that after five months of work and feedback from early access players, the expansion’s bridges and ports are promising but some parts need more attention. They said, “the bridges are super interesting, and the port works well, but there are aspects of the expansion that are not as polished as they could be.” As a result, the release has been moved to Q4 2024.
It’s interesting because “polish” usually means minor tweaks, yet it seems more significant work is needed here. The developer also mentioned wanting to “add more depth,” which is a more substantial task than simple finishing touches. They’re still figuring out exactly what to improve, which might explain the extended timeline.
Honestly, a delay might be the right call. The base game was released too soon, with optimization issues and bugs that made it feel like a beta rather than a finished product. Players understandably felt shortchanged. I’m hopeful that the game will grow into what many hoped for, especially with the upcoming asset editor that could open up modding possibilities — a key part of the original game’s success. However, that tool still feels a bit far off.
Meanwhile, some good news: a free update tied to the expansion is expected on June 11, offering a sneak peek at what’s coming. So there’s something to look forward to, even if the full expansion needs more time.
What do you think about these delays? Are you still hoping for Cities: Skylines 2, or have the setbacks changed your mind? Let me know in the comments below — I’m curious to hear your thoughts!
