Building Lockeport: A Colonial City in Cities Skylines (Episode 1)

Welcome to Lockeport, a Cities Skylines project that will span through history, developing a North American city one step at a time.

Today, we're starting at the very beginning. The year is 1630, and explorer Matthew Grey is leading an expedition to North America, seeking a northwest passage. On the way, his discovery of a little-known island off of the coast of modern-day New Hampshire will change the history of America as we know it.

Special thanks to @GaseousStranger for his help with custom assets!

0:00 Introduction
2:23 The Expedition
6:45 Forming a colonial charter company
8:20 Building Pawtuckaway
11:40 Land Surveys
16:45 Laying the foundations
18:53 Postmedieval Architecture
20:25 Failed Colonies
21:00 Colonial land distribution
29:35 Cinematics and special thanks
32:55 More cinematics and plans for the future

[MarkitectYT]

Hi everyone,

I'm just going to leave a couple of comments here for everyone to see since I notice a lot of the same questions are being asked.

1. The project has not been abandoned! There are WIP screenshots from the episode 2 build on my discord. Additionally, I've done all of the research and written most of the script for episode 2 (it's currently almost November of 2024) but editing the video together requires a massive amount of time that I simply don't have right now. So I'm chipping away at it here and there when I have time. But I am very excited for the next episode and can't wait to bring it to you when it's ready!

2. If you're looking for a link to the modlist - here it is!

Thank you all so much for the kind words and outpouring of support that I've received in the past few weeks as the video has suddenly gotten out to a wider audience. I hope I can continue to bring you something really special for episode 2!

-Mark

[KrysFG]

the amount of views and subs probably feel underwhelming but that's just a reality of new channels, keep at it bro, this is some of the best CS content out there, if you carry on you will get noticed, especially as people start sharing this on the sub reddits and forums

[Manuel-emnv]

I love how the Youtube algorithm randomly decides to recommend this masterpiece an entire 8 months after it’s release. We need a next episode asap but please take all the time you need to stay at a high quality. This series really is already something special even if it consists only of one episode!

[DA_Doog]

This has got to be the most underrated video I have ever seen especially the intro

[TastingHistory]

This is amazing. Not only the history, but your command of Skylines. Makes me want to play again.

[zweimalzweiistdrei]

this is by far one of the beste cs youtube videos I have ever seen. The Cinematics and editing just feels like watching a documentary in school! Absolutely love this series

[anselcombs]

You MUST make episode 2. This is the most interesting and compelling thing I've seen on Youtube for a long time. This is education at it's finest. I was genuinely sad when you said "that's it for this episode". Please, dude. Keep going. This is so awesome. SO IMPRESSED. Keep going! You have to!

[FriedShrimpPoBoy]

After 8 months from uploading episode 1, I hope there is more to come and it's not just one off.

[tomi]

Can't believe I only got this reccomended today, hope there's more even if it was 10 months ago lol. I'll keep my notifications on just in case

[TarcFalastur]

I'm another person who randomly had this video recommended by the vagaries of the algorithm, and I have to echo what's being said here. This video is absolutely incredible, and the use of (what I presume is heavily modded) Cities Skylines to bring urban history to live is absolutely inspired. I see episode 2 is in the works and I wish you all the best in making it. I'll definitely be looking out for it!

[kevinouellette]

BEST CitiesSkylines video series I've ever seen. You are an expert map maker, builder, video producer, and storyteller, your work is accurate, informative, and you have a great sense of humour! I look forward to more in time!

[C-JAYY-]

I’ve never been more excited to discover a new series only to find out there’s only one episode, and never more excited again to see your replies in the comments trailing future episodes. Automatic subscribe - looking forward to them!

[greniermick]

Man you get youself a new sub la calité is simply so good

[davidlogan]

Nothing hurts more than finding a wonderful potential series 10 months after release and only seeing the one episode.

I completely understand why but you have created a foundation for something really wonderful here.

[RigidManReal]

Im really excited to see the full history of this settlement. Be it through the Revolution, towards the Civil war, and perhaps even to the Modern age if you would go that far. Seems like a cool project.

[thusspokethestruggler]

Literally this is the exact thing I do with all my sim projects. I love building lore, flushing out characters that are seen as pivotal, and just going ham on the development front from a narrative perspective. I find building cities and such in this manner makes them not just more authentic, but replicate life far closer.

I shall be watching this channel with great interest!

[vikesman]

As a social studies teacher, I love how you told about the history while creating your own story. Super great video, can’t wait for the 2nd one!

[Sheepdog]

I appreciate the historically accurate portrayals. There is a stark difference between what we learned in k-12 textbooks and actual history. You got another sub! Keep up the good work.

[Xucaboa]

Just finding this now, thanks to a friend. I was working at sea in ships bobbing around just like yours when this dropped. I cannot tell you how well-done this is, and I truly appreciate how much time it has taken you to make it happen. Years ago I started a historic build project that got put on hold, and it is a true labor of love for me. Seeing yours has renewed my desire to see it through. I hope you are able to continue, but even if it is years later, I will be there for the next video.

[Admiralofthedeeps]

As a historian, this is one of my favourite gaming videos in such a long time. I absolutely love the story you have weaved throughout your gameplay. Interspersed with historical fact and educational material. Well done, you've earned a like and sub.