DRM disaster plagues SimCity launch

[DainBramaged]

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 players—or would-be players—are 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]

1. I have to admit... the first day was understandable.

But on day 3 now, I'm still having issues.

[formercia]

2. Just another good reason

To get a fucking Life!!

[el_bryanto]

4. Is a fucking life better than a regular life?

And, on a more serious note, isn't is possible that playing computer games can fit into a normal, healthy, balanced life?

Bryant

[formercia]

6. Maybe, but

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]

10. "gotta get laid first"

Everyone knows that insulting strangers on a message board is the real path to unlimited poon-tang.

[sharp_stick]

11. As opposed to posting about 186

messages a month on a message board?

I wonder who isn't being kept busy enough?

[EOTE]

14. If you have time to post stupid snark about silly issues, you're not busy enough.

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]

18. Aren't you wasting your time

fiddling with your keyboard while the World burns? What will you tell your grandchildren?

[Dash87]

21. Have sex while playing SimCity. Problem solved

[Katashi_itto]

29. Have you thought about getting out more?

Seriously...find something to do...

[Occulus]

32. We banned Mr. Benchley for that exact behavior.

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]

36. Only elitist

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]

38. In Praise of Idleness

Read it.

[randome]

13. Fucking is ALWAYS preferable!

[DainBramaged]

5. Every day when you're in a crowd someone farts

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]

8. You had to go and make it personal

Sorry to hear that. Wank-on.

[DainBramaged]

9. You broadbrushed the gamers here, I'd call that personal

And wanker? Mirror mirror...

[Javaman]

23. "You had to go and make it personal"

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]

25. It looks like you are the one who isn't busy enough LOL

[frylock]

31. wow. brains AND beauty..

what a catch you'll make.

[LittleBlue]

33. Ah, another internet warrior lecturing about getting laid

Ironically, you're acting like the stereotype that you mock.

[Javaman]

22. LOL says the guy who is sitting infront of his computer LOL

If you weren't already aware of it, DU is a video game of sorts as well.

Cheers!

[DainBramaged]

24. WONDERFUL analogy

[Soundman]

3. EA games is all you needed to say!

Ea Games is a scourge upon the gaming industry. As far as I am concerned every thing they touch turns to crap.

[Hayabusa]

7. I have my copies of Classic, 2000, 3000 and 4

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]

12. On the upside

So long as the game isnt working, those people aren't being turned into remorseless killing machines, as we all know video games do.

[Hayabusa]

15. True

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]

16. In SimCity, if you don't raise taxes, your city is doomed. n/t

[abelenkpe]

28. Don't tell Herman Cain. 999!

[JVS]

17. You're making a big assumption that disappointed gamers aren't turning to recreational violence

[Mike Daniels]

19. Didn't Diablo III have the same exact problem?

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]

20. No

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]

34. Yes, the DRM issue is much larger than this one game.

Funny, too, because pirates will always get around it anyway.

[Puzzledtraveller]

26. EA has a history of this

They acquired Ultima Online at one point in it's history and could not manage the server loads and other technical problems.

[abelenkpe]

27. DRM is ridiculous

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]

30. For anyone looking for a SimCity Fix....

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]

35. I don't give EA my money

problem solved

[sakabatou]

37. Similar reason why I'm not buy Diablo 3.

The need to be online to play (no offline single player mode).

[malthaussen]

39. Couldn't happen to a better company.

Electronic Arts, the Microsoft of the gaming industry.

-- Mal