SimCity Release Date Announced

Maxis will launch its new and improved SimCity on March 5, 2013, a morning press release from Electronic Arts confirms. The studio's first return to the franchise since 2003's SimCity 4 introduces the new GlassBox engine and an elaborate, community-oriented online component.

Origin pre-orders are now open through both EA's virtual storefront and through the game's official website. The $59.99 "Limited Edition" comes with the bonus Heroes and Villains set, adding hero and villain characters (along with their respective lairs) to the game along with crime waves. 

There's also a $79.99 "Digital Deluxe Edition" which packs in the Heroes and Villains content as well as three other pieces of DLC: the French City Set, the German City Set, and the British City Set, all of which allow your cities to embrace the unique architectural features of each real world location.