Five new screenshots and an article have been posted at the 1up website (affiliated with Games for Windows).

SimCity Societies Screenshots

Here are some excerpts from the article:

It’s with that spirit that EA sets out to reinvigorate the SimCity line with its upcoming SimCity Societies. Yes, there are many changes, and some of them will initially shock longtime fans. The mere fact that you can now select and place all the buildings (rather than watching them spring forth from your zoning) sets the stage for a major metamorphosis. But before panic sets in, know that despite the game’s new direction, the heart of SimCity still beats beneath it. While it may avoid some of the stricter city-planner roles, they’re replaced with a wide variety of social-engineering experiments that present would-be mayors plenty to play with.

#3 — As the working title implies, Societies adds a new layer of emphasis on the city’s citizens. The game introduces six “social energies” (such as Wealth or Obedience) that influence your city’s look and feel. Buildings and aesthetics change depending on how these six values develop. Focus on Obedience, for example, and your buildings will start automatically adding security cameras to monitor your citizens’ movements, Orwellian-style. Different energy balances unlock different building types, too.

Full article

I think it’s becoming more and more clear that the next version of SimCity will be the biggest flop in this franchise’s long history. EA, Tilted Mill, if you’re listening: make this game a real SimCity, or risk losing your entire community of fans! Yes, it’s that serious.