New SimCity Will Require Always-On Internet - UPDATED

[ivc392]

UPDATE: Electronic Arts has clarified SimCity's online requirements, saying that the game won't actually require an always-on connection. "You will have to register an Origin account in order to play, and yes, you must be online at all times while playing in order to start playing," according to Gamespy. "EA has confirmed that you will not be kicked out if your connection is interrupted."

WHAT??? So you dont need to be all ways online. You just need EA permission to start the game? OHHH why didn't you say so earlier EA? Guess what? the pirated versions is not only free but also it doesn't require a "online validation" every single time you what to play the game.

I wonder, is it pirates or EA whats killing the gaming industry?

 

[Xanthious]

I don't care if it's Steam, Origin, PSN, XBL, or whatever else. I won't pay for a game I have to continually prove I legally purchased over and over. It doesn't matter if it's a simple phone home or always on DRM. Publishers that want to pull this shit with single player games need to have their heads held underwater until the fucking bubbles stop.

If I were a less scrupulous person like some gamers this would be where "they'd" say that money isn't an issue for "them" when it comes to buying games. "They" make a comfortable living. "They" can afford to buy what "they" want when it's released. However, when game makers pull this bullshit it's off to the torrents "they" go. If "they" are going to be treated like a thief either way "they" may as well fucking act like it since doing the right thing only get's "them" bent over and anally raped by the people they are choosing to support. It's a good thing I'm such a scrupulous fucking person though and would never say or think something like this . . . .

 

[viranimus]

Hooray for the update clarifying the matter. Doesnt change anything for me in the slightest because having to install a malicous spyware program on my PC is just as bad if not worse than having to have an always online connection.

So Much like diablo3, Damn near anything from ubisoft and other games that are obtrusively forcing adoption into procedures we should not have to do if we dont want to, EA will be getting money from me for this. Its regretable, but I would rather not play it than to perpetuate the precedent that this is ok for any company to do for any reason whatsoever.

 

[shintakie10]

That clarification is really worded poorly. Couldn't they have just said it requires a validation when you start up the game, but you don't need a connection afterwards? That seems like it'd be less confusin than sayin you must always be online...except when you don't.

 

[Carnagath]

Origin is getting nowhere near my computer, always-on or not always-on. That is all.

 

[Waaghpowa]

I do feel for the people with unfixable crappy connections, but like OP said, Steam does the same thing and nobody complains. Same with Blizzard and Battle.net - playing SC2 single-player requires being online all the time, then Diablo3 does the same thing and - oh noes!

Steam and Origin don't do the same thing, though. They do use the internet for DRM but it can be disabled in offline mode and even in regular, online mode, they don't crap out by default if the connection drops. They're both problematic for similar reasons, but not as bad as the always-on DRM practiced by Ubisoft, and now Blizzard and seemingly EA.

I think that's a small misconception with offline mode that many people seem to be confused about. Some people seem to think that offline mode means no internet connection required at all. I've tested it myself, without an internet connection when you START steam, even in offline mode, it wont load your library. From what I can tell, steam requires an internet connection to retrieve your library first before letting you go offline mode. After it does that, you could be in the middle of no where without a connection playing your games.

It's part of the reason why I always put my laptop into standby rather than shut it down, so steam will still have my library listed without needing the internet connection. Sure it's not what people expect it to be, but it's still a million times better than always on.

 

[KiKiweaky]

This whole 'you must have an internet connection so you can play online with people and have more fun' is getting a bit much, having an mmo element to this game is a great idea for those who want it, but making an internet connection mandatory is a bit silly :/

 

[Rack]

That changes things pretty dramatically. I'm still not a fan of the mandatory "phone home" business and I think people on the fence should insist on getting the full DRM low-down before committing, but a Steam-style online check is a big improvement over DRM that gives you the boot if you get the boot.


Permalink

Really? Isn't it pretty much exactly the same thing? I mean I'm sure it's annoying when your connection goes down and you're booted from the game, but that's as nothing compared to the immeasurably more frequent times when the Internet is down on either your or EA's end, not to mention when they shut down the servers in a few months from now.

And for all Steam isn't absolutely the ideal system you do have the option of offline mode.

 

[Royas]

UPDATE: Electronic Arts has clarified SimCity's online requirements, saying that the game won't actually require an always-on connection. "You will have to register an Origin account in order to play, and yes, you must be online at all times while playing in order to start playing," according to Gamespy [http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/sim-city-5/1221798p1.html]. "EA has confirmed that you will not be kicked out if your connection is interrupted."

That changes things pretty dramatically. I'm still not a fan of the mandatory "phone home" business and I think people on the fence should insist on getting the full DRM low-down before committing, but a Steam-style online check is a big improvement over DRM that gives you the boot if you get the boot.


Permalink

Nope, doesn't change things at all. This isn't a Steam style check, not if it doesn't allow a completely offline mode like Steam does. If it allowed that, I'd consider it. As it is, it's only slightly better than Ubisoft's requirements. At least it won't dump you out after you convince the server you aren't a dirty, filthy piratical scumbag.

Still a no-buy game for me, which is a real change given that I own just about every Sims game made since the original SimCity.

 

[Rack]

I think that's a small misconception with offline mode that many people seem to be confused about. Some people seem to think that offline mode means no internet connection required at all. I've tested it myself, without an internet connection when you START steam, even in offline mode, it wont load your library.

I think there's something wrong with your installation, or you're just missing the library tab. I've tried this for several months, if you start in offline mode you have full access to your library, you only ever need to go online for patching, cloud saves and community features. If your net is patchy you can just load it up on offline mode and get full access. But you DO need to select offline mode when online.

 

[lacktheknack]

WITH UPDATE: Much better. Now, if only it wasn't Origin exclusive.

 

[Jodah]

I was excited about the game at first. Now, the more I read, the less I want it. Not to mention I won't touch Origin with a 10 foot pole.

 

[willsham45]

Do these guys not listen to anything, Worce the DRM the more likly people will download it without it.

 

[Weaver]

So if my internet goes down while playing I just have to NEVER CLOSE THE GAME or I won't be able to play it again.

Sounds fair.

 

[WhiteTigerShiro]

Well, I was interested in this game. Once they release an Origin-free version, I might look into it again. EA really needs to learn that jamming Origin down our throats isn't going to endear us to it.

 

[chadachada123]

Steam doesn't require always-on for single-player games. Your story is kinda wrong as written, or is written based on how Steam USED to be and not how it currently is.

 

[LosButcher]

I don't hate Origin but I won't accept the EULA as it's strips away all my rights.
This isn't the first game I wanted to buy but couldn't (BF3, Warp and now Sim City 5)

 

[Andy Chalk]

Steam doesn't require always-on for single-player games. Your story is kinda wrong as written, or is written based on how Steam USED to be and not how it currently is.

Never said it did. Origin doesn't require always-on either. SimCity was originally reported as requiring an always-on connection, which is an entirely separate thing from Origin, until EA Maxis clarified/corrected the next day.

 

[FoolKiller]

I'm just waiting for the inevitable "but you're complaining online, this doesn't affect you!" argument I always get, because the other person hasn't considered my internet sometimes goes down for days at a time, usually once every two weeks.

I live in a well developed UK town to, I hate to think of what gamers in the EU have to deal with

...we should discuss our mutual annoyance over this with some sort of beverage and snack. I went batty counterpointing that. s'all over my post history from last fall.

it just adds an unnecessary mess. to be fair, I've never played Sim City, so i don't know in what manner its normally been playable, but it sounds to me another option when the nets down just got clipped, and outright denied- ooh, I wonder how this ones gonna monetize to account for it!

Here's a good quick counter point to anyone saying "you're online now" crap. And it applies to me.

Computer that is attached to the internet is in family room with internet and consoles. My bedroom has my high end gaming computer. Not near the internet even for wireless (too many walls/floors between for reliable connection)

Cheers.

 

[FoolKiller]

Well, I was interested in this game. Once they release an Origin-free version, I might look into it again. EA really needs to learn that jamming Origin down our throats isn't going to endear us to it.

As someone wise pointed out the difference between Steam and Origin is simple yet very important.

EA makes you use Origin to play your games.

Valve makes you want to use Steam to play your games.

The idea EA doesn't get is that we should want not need Origin. That's why Steam kicks ass.