Can video games transform the world? As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of population growth and increased urbanization, could these digital platforms empower residents, particularly the youth, to engage in the planning and improvement of their urban environments? Today, games are being used to design, plan, and interact with public spaces and entire cities. This trend of ‘civic gamification’ is democratizing city architecture and urban planning. Cities have become the epicenter of digital innovation, sparking widespread discussions about their future development. We explore the journey of three gaming companies at the intersection of urban planning and gaming: Lydia Winters from Mojang, the creators of Minecraft; Paradox Interactive, known for Cities: Skylines; and José Sanches with his indie game Block’hood. What will our cities look like in the next 20 to 100 years?