# Cytopia

> video game

**Wikidata**: [Q116678717](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116678717)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cytopia

## Summary
Cytopia is a free and open-source city-building video game first published on itch.io on 2019-05-20. It is a single-player, pixel-art city-builder with procedural generation, distributed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0 and with its source code available on GitHub.

## Key Facts
- Cytopia is a city-building video game and an instance of "video game."
- The game was published on itch.io on 2019-05-20 (itch.io publication).
- License: GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Game mode: single-player video game.
- Core mechanics include procedural generation and pixel art presentation.
- Source code repository: https://github.com/CytopiaTeam/Cytopia (GitHub username: CytopiaTeam).
- Official website and domain: https://www.cytopia.net/ (domain: cytopia.net).
- Distribution and listings: itch.io (numeric id 421507, https://cytopia.itch.io/cytopia), Lutris game id "cytopia", openSUSE package "cytopia", libregamewiki id "Cytopia".
- Community and presence: Patreon (id: cytopia, pledge id 17957670), subreddit "Cytopia" (English), Twitter handle @CytopiaGame, YouTube channel id UCJIzKBD3wl6KRohiX6i53GA, Discord server id 448344322887254018.

## FAQs
### Q: What platforms does Cytopia run on?
A: Cytopia runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.

### Q: Is Cytopia open-source and where is the source code?
A: Yes. Cytopia is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0 and its source code is hosted at https://github.com/CytopiaTeam/Cytopia.

### Q: How is gameplay generated in Cytopia?
A: Cytopia uses procedural generation as a core game mechanic to create game content and city layouts.

### Q: Where can I download or buy Cytopia?
A: Cytopia is distributed on itch.io (https://cytopia.itch.io/cytopia; numeric id 421507) and is also packaged for some Linux distributions (openSUSE package name "cytopia").

### Q: What file format does Cytopia use for readable data?
A: Cytopia uses JSON as a readable file format.

## Why It Matters
Cytopia combines the accessible, loop-driven design of city-building games with the transparency and community affordances of open-source software. Published on itch.io in 2019 and released under GPLv3, it provides players and developers with access to its source code on GitHub, enabling inspection, modification, and redistribution consistent with that license. Its procedural generation mechanics offer replayability and varied city layouts, while the pixel-art aesthetic positions it within a popular indie visual style. Cross-platform availability (Windows, macOS, Linux) and packaging/listings on services like Lutris, itch.io, openSUSE, and libregamewiki make it easy to obtain and run on multiple systems. The project maintains community touchpoints — Patreon, subreddit, Discord, Twitter, and a YouTube channel — which support ongoing engagement, feedback, and community-driven development. As a free and open-source city-builder, Cytopia serves as both a playable title and a practical example of collaborative game development workflows.

## Notable For
- Licensed under GNU General Public License v3.0 with source code publicly available on GitHub (https://github.com/CytopiaTeam/Cytopia).
- Procedural generation as a core mechanic in a pixel-art city-building single-player game.
- Cross-platform support: officially runs on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Published on itch.io (2019-05-20) with an active community presence across Patreon, subreddit, Discord, Twitter, and YouTube.
- Packaged and listed in community and distribution ecosystems (openSUSE package name "cytopia", Lutris listing, libregamewiki entry).

## Body

### Overview
- Title: Cytopia.
- Instance of: video game.
- Genre: city-building game.
- Visual style: pixel art.
- Game mode: single-player.
- Characteristic: free and open-source video game.

### Release and distribution
- Publication date on itch.io: 2019-05-20.
- itch.io URL: https://cytopia.itch.io/cytopia (numeric id 421507).
- Official website: https://www.cytopia.net/ (domain cytopia.net).
- Listed on multiple platforms and databases: VGList (video_game_id 52919), Internet Game Database (game id "cytopia"/124038), GamerProfiles (game id mz5ym), libregamewiki id "Cytopia", Lutris (game id "cytopia").

### Platforms and system context
- Platforms supported: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux.
- Runs on / Requires: Linux (Unix-like family), Microsoft Windows, macOS.
- Linux inception (contextual): 1991-09-17 (provided as OS family inception information).

### License and source code
- License: GNU General Public License, version 3.0.
- Source code repository: https://github.com/CytopiaTeam/Cytopia (GitHub username: CytopiaTeam).
- Copyright status: copyrighted (but distributed under GPLv3 terms).

### Gameplay and mechanics
- Core genre: city-building.
- Procedural generation is used as a core game mechanic.
- Single-player gameplay focus.

### Technical details and formats
- Software used for creation: Simple DirectMedia Layer (SDL).
- Readable file format used by the game: JSON.

### Community and online presence
- Patreon: id "cytopia" (qualifier id 17957670).
- Subreddit: "Cytopia" (English).
- Discord server numeric id: 448344322887254018.
- Twitter handle: CytopiaGame (associated identifier 1131458590361964544; activity referenced from 2019-05-23 through at least 2023-02-06).
- YouTube: handle "Cytopia", channel id UCJIzKBD3wl6KRohiX6i53GA (channel activity referenced from 2019-03-13 through at least 2024-08-18).

### Packaging and distribution identifiers
- openSUSE package name: cytopia.
- Lutris listing: lutris_game_id "cytopia".
- libregamewiki id: Cytopia.
- itch.io numeric id: 421507.
- VGList video_game_id: 52919.
- Internet Game Database id: cytopia (124038).

### Metadata and other IDs
- Domain name: cytopia.net.
- Holarse article id: cytopia.
- Discord invite / server short id qualifier: brrVspBUZu (associated with Discord server numeric id).
- Readable file format: JSON.
- GamerProfiles game id: mz5ym.

(End of entry.)

## References

1. Q124398839