General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDRM disaster plagues SimCity launch
Despite being a primarily single-player title, the new version of SimCity is saddled with a DRM scheme that requires an online connection to EA's servers. The game was released yesterday, and predictably, EA's servers are swamped. The situation is so bad that some folks haven't been able to even download the game. Others were able to complete the download but not unlock it to play. Then there are those who got through the installation process but are having problems connecting to online servers. Wait times are reportedly as long as 30 minutes just to get into the single-player game.
Kotaku has a series of posts detailing the problems associated with the game. While it appears that some users have been able to get online and play with few problems, they may be in the minority. SimCity's Metacritic page is filled with negative user reviews that have lowered the user score to a measly 2.5 out of 10. That's a stark contrast to the critic score, which sits at 90 out of 100.
Patches are being applied to EA's various regional servers to try to address the connection issues, and more machines have apparently been brought online to handle the load. It's unclear whether those efforts have resolved the issues many playersor would-be playersare facing, though.
While I can understanding publishers and developers wanting to protect their investments with anti-piracy measures, I'm shocked that the SimCity launch has been botched so spectacularly. It's the early adopters who are getting screwed here, and they're likely the biggest fans of the storied franchise. To make matters worse, a cracked version of the game will almost surely show up on BitTorrent sites before long.
http://techreport.com/news/24460/drm-disaster-plagues-simcity-launch
Junk, serves them right. EA one of the most hated companies in America screws the pooch and destroyes a franchise.
Comrade_McKenzie
(2,526 posts)But on day 3 now, I'm still having issues.
formercia
(18,479 posts)To get a fucking Life!!
el_bryanto
(11,804 posts)And, on a more serious note, isn't is possible that playing computer games can fit into a normal, healthy, balanced life?
Bryant
formercia
(18,479 posts)If you have time to play games, you're not busy enough.
The World is burning while you fiddle with your Joystick.
To each his own. What will you tell your Grandchildren? Oh, wait, you gotta get laid first.
bobduca
(1,763 posts)Everyone knows that insulting strangers on a message board is the real path to unlimited poon-tang.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)messages a month on a message board?
I wonder who isn't being kept busy enough?
EOTE
(13,409 posts)And if you have the nerve to insult others about their priorities while wasting your own time, you're a pretty huge hypocrite. Not to mention an idiot. Why'd you have to leave, the CIA still needs you! LOL.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)fiddling with your keyboard while the World burns? What will you tell your grandchildren?
Dash87
(3,220 posts)Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)Seriously...find something to do...
Occulus
(20,599 posts)Exactly that behavior, right there.
In fact, comments about "fiddling with your joysticks" was, word for word, one of his favorite lines.
I'm insinuating exactly what you think I am.
OwnedByCats
(805 posts)stuck ups would look down on other people just because they don't have an interest in a particular hobby and those that do need a life.
I can think of far worse things to be doing in your spare time than playing video games. Get some perspective and stop being so judgemental.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)Read it.
randome
(34,845 posts)DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)all you can do is wrinkle your nose and carry on.
This is such a case.
Sorry you disapprove of gaming. I disapprove of you.
formercia
(18,479 posts)Sorry to hear that. Wank-on.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)And wanker? Mirror mirror...
Javaman
(62,534 posts)you accused someone of "having to get laid" and you think that post was personal?
Then you tell them to "wank-on"?
Dang, you're something else.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)what a catch you'll make.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Ironically, you're acting like the stereotype that you mock.
Javaman
(62,534 posts)If you weren't already aware of it, DU is a video game of sorts as well.
Cheers!
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)Soundman
(297 posts)Ea Games is a scourge upon the gaming industry. As far as I am concerned every thing they touch turns to crap.
Hayabusa
(2,135 posts)I think that's all I need. Especially since they're not filled with crappy DRM and I won't have to wait 30 minutes to play a game I freaking payed for...
theKed
(1,235 posts)So long as the game isnt working, those people aren't being turned into remorseless killing machines, as we all know video games do.
You should see the look of glee on my face when I unleash a tornado, fire, plane crash, earthquake and alien robot attack upon a city ALL AT THE SAME TIME in 2000!
FSogol
(45,555 posts)abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)JVS
(61,935 posts)Mike Daniels
(5,842 posts)Forcing people who don't want multi-player to log into a multi-player server before they can play a game just seems inane.
DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)You could pre-load the game, not have to download it. And your games and items are saved in the either so wherever you are in the world you can play. No matter what 'server'ou're on in your home country.
DIII lacks content, not as bad as SimCity
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)Funny, too, because pirates will always get around it anyway.
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)They acquired Ultima Online at one point in it's history and could not manage the server loads and other technical problems.
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)I find it ironic that so many worry the government is controlling or spying on it citizens when corporations pull this on their customers.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)GOG has SimCity 2000. http://gog.com
You can also get SimCity 4 from EA via Origin.....if you want to give them some more money.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)problem solved
sakabatou
(42,186 posts)The need to be online to play (no offline single player mode).
malthaussen
(17,217 posts)Electronic Arts, the Microsoft of the gaming industry.
-- Mal