Kalypso Announces Urban Empire

The Finland-based studio Kalypso Media announced a new project Urban Empire today, a complex city-builder/social simulator hybrid.  The game, in development for PC, is a strategy game in which players will choose between four different ruling families with different characteristics, and bring that family from the beginning of the industrial age to present day.  The mayoral family will make every decision about the city, from ruling style, city zoning, debating political decisions, all with goal of staying in power through political, technological and social unrest.  According to the press release from Kalypso, players will “Establish infrastructures, plan city districts, debate political decisions at the town council, bribe or blackmail your opponents, empower the democratic rights of your people or ignore them and reign supremely by yourself — the decision is yours!”
The Civilization-esque game is set to release this fall.  You can view the teaser trailer here.