Update News
1849 Gold Rush Sim Releases
SAN FRANCISCO - May 8, in
the year of our Lord 2014 - The year is 1849, and gold
has just been discovered in Northern California! Grab a pickaxe
and claim your fortune in SomaSim's new game 1849, a bustling
Gold Rush sim reminiscent of city management classics like
SimCity and Caesar III. Following an early access beta release
and acceptance by Steam Greenlight, the final version of 1849 is
now available worldwide for download on PC, Mac, iPad, and
Android tablets.
Set during an unparalleled period of American history, 1849
features 20 levels set in existing California cities brought to
life with graphics inspired by period photographs and surviving
architecture. In each level, players must establish and grow the
local economy while balancing citizens' needs against the
backdrop of real Gold Rush scenarios and challenges. Should
Sacramento be a mining town, a farming community, or a hub for
trade? Will the pioneers flocking into Monterey become
productive prospectors?
Two versions of 1849 have been released:
Mobile version (iPad & Android tablets) includes a story mode
and the ability to replay scenarios to try different strategies
in each city. This version sells for $4.99 USD from the App
Store and Google Play.
Desktop version (PC & Mac) includes story mode, the ability to
replay scenarios, and an open-ended sandbox mode. This version
sells for $14.99 USD from Steam, GOG, IndieGameStand,
GamersGate, and the developers' website.
In both versions, the gameplay has been tuned to accommodate
brief play sessions or longer marathons, with no in-app
purchases or incremental charges to mar the experience.
"Over the last few years casual city management games have
gained popularity, but they're nothing like the in-depth
simulation games that defined the genre back in the day. Those
were games I could lose myself in for hours, building a massive
empire out of nothing. We've tried to bring back this gameplay
and experience in 1849," says developer Robert Zubek. "It's a
game tuned for today's technology and players -- the scenarios
are designed so you can play for a few minutes on the bus if
that's all the time you have, or spend hours building a huge
bustling city. At its heart 1849 is a classic city management
game with all the bells and whistles that make this genre so
much fun."