I tried playing Cities Skylines in 2013 but I couldn't stay hooked. For one, the game got too monotonous every few hours. I found the lack of special events somewhat disconcerting.

In Sim City 3000, you get events in the form of "petitioners". Occasionally you get lucrative business deals, such as a "Mega Mall" that gives you a fixed monthly income but operates at the expense of local businesses (demand for commercial zones) and so on.

Did something in Cities skylines change since 2013 to give it a somewhat organic semblance?

I know that other Paradox games like Stellaris and Mount & Blade occasionally let outside circumstances guide your path once in a while. But Cities Skylines didn't have any of it. I hope things have changed since 2013.