Reports about a new SimCity game in the works at Maxis go back over three years, when two of the studio's leaders (general manager Luc Barthelet and general genius Will Wright) confirmed that development on SimCity 5 had already begun in January 2004. But it wasn't until last November that Electronic Arts finally dropped a hint of their own, by announcing that they are planning sequels for several franchises, including SimCity.

No actual title was given at the time, but now GameStop has a listing for a certain "SimCity Societies" game coming in November 2007. We wouldn't bet on their release date, but the title itself sounds good enough for the change of direction that the series will follow in the next iteration. We still don't know exactly what direction that is, but we should find out soon enough.

That's because SimCity 5 could very well be the next cover-story of the official Games for Windows magazine. In Jeff Green's blog from 1UP, the editor keeps a tight lip about what it will really be, only saying that "it's the new game in one of PC gaming's oldest franchises - a series [with] bazillions of fans". I know, that could mean a lot of things, but the next issue's alleged cover makes it pretty clear that it will be a new SimCity game.

Well, better start cleaning your mouse pad: if this turns out to be true, you're in for a whole lot of clicking!

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)