New SimCity 2013 details: system requirements, multiplayer, engine

New SimCity details including system requirements have popped up like a Starbucks on EA Origin.

Among those details: multiplayer for up to 16 people.

"Build a region with friends for the first time!" Origin exclaimed. "Collaborate or compete in regional and global challenges and make decisions that impact the greater SimCity World."

The SimCity GlassBox engine was named, too, and described as, "The revolutionary simulation technology that gives you the power to impact individual Sims lives, manage city level simulation, and balance multiple city simulations at once."

The contents of a Limited Edition (£44.99) and Deluxe Edition (£64.99) went on to reveal Super Hero HQ and Evil Villain Lair extras, plus new characters, mystery items and crime waves.

The Deluxe Edition goes one better to include regional city sets: British, French and German. These include landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Brandenburg Gate and Big Ben. They also pack things like double-decker buses from London, high-speed trains from Germany and police and fire services from France.

The full SimCity pitch on Origin read: "Create the city you desire and make the choices that shape your city and power the Sims within it. Every decision, big or small, has real consequences.

"Team up with your friends to solve global challenges: launch a space shuttle, reduce carbon emissions or build magnificent wonders. Compete on global and regional leaderboards to be the richest, the dirtiest, the happiest or the best place to visit!"

"Invest in heavy industry and your economy will soar - but at the expense of your Sims' health as pollution spreads. Implement green technology and improve your Sims' lives while risking higher taxes and unemployment.

"Team up with your friends to solve global challenges: launch a space shuttle, reduce carbon emissions or build magnificent wonders. Compete on global and regional leaderboards to be the richest, the dirtiest, the happiest or the best place to visit!"

Those system requirements:

Processor

• AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ or better / Intel Core 2 Duo Processor 2.0GHz or better

Operating system:

• Windows XP/Vista/7

RAM:

• 1.5GB (Windows XP)
• 2GB (Windows Vista / Windows 7)
• 2GB (built-in graphical chipset)

Graphics card:

• ATI X1800 or better*
• nVidia 7800 or better*
• Intel 4100 Integrated Graphics or better*
• (*Minimum of 256MB of on-board RAM and Shader 3.0 or better support)

DVD-ROM:

• 8x or better

SimCity was unveiled at GDC last night. It's to be released on PC next year.

Developer Maxis talked of a "painterly" style, curvy roads and focus on renewable resources to power your city.