Electronic Arts has confirmed rumours that a fifth instalment in its SimCity franchise, dubbed Societies, is under development.

Details are scarce, although a representative has said that Societies is a working title. The rep also said “it's completely different from SimCity 4, so they're trying to come up with something different than just calling it SimCity 5."^†

Further details are set to be revealed in the US Games for Windows Magazine, which will arrive with subscribers today. A full announcement from EA, complete with screens, is expected next week.

It seems likely that Societies will take the SimCity series beyond its traditional territory. Suggestive title and comments from EA aside, the game is being moved outside the publisher's stable of developers to Tilted Mill Entertainment. Tilted Mill specialises in simulation titles, and its latest offering, Caesar IV included citizenry management features.

Based on EA's usual publishing habits, the game will likely hit shops not too long before Christmas. If you really can't wait that long, there's always SimCity DS to dig into this summer.

And if anybody says, "Social Networking" or "Web 2.0"... we won't be surprised.

^{†Source: Joystiq}