At Gamescom, Paradox Interactive previewed LEGO Skylines, a new city-building game that reimagines the Cities Skylines formula around hands-on, individual construction rather than automated zoning. Unlike its predecessor, where players lay out zones and let the city grow itself, LEGO Skylines requires every building and prop to be placed and customised manually, with each structure carrying its own specific needs that must be met to keep citizens satisfied. This shift towards granular, personal city management, paired with a strong narrative element, could help the game bridge the gap between The Sims and Cities Skylines for a more casual audience.

The preview build allowed roughly 45 minutes of hands-on play, spanning both an early-game introduction with story-driven characters and missions, and a glimpse of the late game, where populations of around 2,500 citizens can support a sprawling, metropolis-style city. Buildings and props are notably large and detailed compared to other city builders, meaning even smaller populations create a strong sense of scale. Extensive customisation options, including colour schemes and add-on props, let players fundamentally alter how each structure looks, reinforcing the game's emphasis on personal creativity over broad-strokes simulation.