Quigley, along with two other veteran Maxis developers, are now heading up Jellygrade, an all-new independent studio already at work on a simulation game for tablets. Though the botched launch was troubling, Quigley said, he was planning to leave regardless.

"I was dismayed at the blundered launch of something that I had poured so much love and attention into, which made the leaving easier but it would have probably happened anyway," he said. "Honestly, I think I would have left regardless of whether EA's launch of SimCity was smooth or rough. It was basically my third SimCity. I did SimCity 3000 and SimCity 4 and this new SimCity."

Explaining his decision to leave and try something new, Quigley said that though he did not pitch his project to EA or Maxis, the idea for his new game is "too weird and science nerdy for EA."

"EA's strengths are executing things with hundreds of people, to well-understood patterns. The stuff that I want to do now is to explore some new simulation themes and some new mechanics and do some stuff that EA is not well set up to do," Quigley said. "So, not knocking EA, they do what they do, but it was time for me and the other developers Andrew Willmott and Dan Moskowitz to go off and try some new stuff."

SimCity's launch in March was .

From: www.gamespot.com

"I'm done with EA. This is a small, independent studio," Quigley .

Joining Quigley at Jellygrade are Andrew Willmott and Dan Moskowitz, who worked on SimCity as simulation architect and lead gameplay engineer, respectively. The trio have been with EA for years, serving in lead roles on .

"We love making simulations," Quigley .

Jellygrade's new game is a simulation title for tablets that is focused on the dawn of life on Earth, and will center on lava, water, rock, and the emergence of the first primordial creatures, Quigley said.

A few pieces of concept art are available on the . Quigley said he hopes to share more details about the project soon.

SimCity's launch in March was .

From: www.gamespot.com