They want to earn money, why would they run sims2 if you could be buying sims3 ^^

Dev wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 16:07:

Simon Says wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 06:52:
*looks at drm, looks at 56k modem* *facepalm*

Heck even steam nowadays is a no buy for me. Logging on takes forever, once logged on, *bing bing* mandatory update to steam. Once steam is updated *bing bing* mandatory 100+ meggers patch to download before being able to even try to start the damn game that's supposed to be playable in the shipping state. *ctrl-alt-del* *kill process* *throws 60$ in the trash* Thx bbye.

Steam updates are optional to restart the computer. They are also pretty small, since the client itself isn't that large
If you set steam into offline and play only there, you can get at least a few weeks out of playing most of their games without patching it. You can also set games to never update, although steam seems to have issues with respecting that.

If you are indeed on a 56k modem, there are some things you can do to help or mitigate the situation. For instance, libraries often have broadband access and/or wireless. Many free wireless hotspots are out there. Most of GoG titles once you download them they install and you are done. So if you were able to download them at a friends house, that would get the titles installed at least.

For once a constructive post about this issue, I HAD to underline it :).

But, I'm already doing pretty much everything you describe here. Still, buying a game, coming home and being presented with mandatory too huge to download on a 56k modem patches is a no-buy for me. For the really "wanted" games I have to haul my computer tower 25 kilometers away for steam to update and install it to be playable. And no, there aren't any local libraries/public services adressing this issue. I'm trying to get a free hotspot going but most of the population already being connected recently, they don't really care and see it as wasted taxes even tho it's only a small fraction ( the core ) of the village that is being serviced. You know the irony in this? If only they had taken the money we've been sending them the past 15 years ( 25 per month, that's around 4500$ per household ) to put a few repeaters on the line, we'd pretty much all be connected, but they didn't because they don't have any competition, so why bother? Even more ridiculous is the fact that the smallest high speed package they offer is LESS pricey than dialup by 5$, go figure...

DavoMacDave wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 14:39:
For those not believing that EA could pull the plug on SimCity servers, here are the list of games that EA has pulled the plug on:

http://www.ea.com/1/service-updates

Looks like you can get two years out of SimCity before they shut it down.

Holy shit, they're shutting down sims2.com? Admittedly it's pretty old, but the sims2 and its expansions are probably the best selling game of all time for EA (it's definitely in the top 5 all time for PC), and they're going to shut that down?

Yeah, no, put your entire game experience in the hands of a company that'll do shit like that. What can possibly go wrong??

Creston

SpectralMeat wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 16:23:
Here is one example (Ubisoft not EA) why always online DRM such a great idea for single player games: http://tinyurl.com/c3fod6q
You may think people on Blues over reacting but I think for a good reason.

That's just the tip of the iceberg. Games are buggy enough without connection crap in the mix. If EA wants to make an MMO then actually make one but everyone knows this is just their attempt to force an ongoing revenue model down our throats without actually having to provide the kind of ongoing support and meaningful content an MMO requires.

- DADES - This is a signature of my name, enjoy!

HorrorScope wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 16:25:
And I bet most that use the same things "in-flight", "military", these don't even affect them

It potentially affects anyone who has an internet connection and wants to buy the game. No one is trying to prove anything to you, they are interacting with Maxis and EA. We heard you the first 10 times, you don't care, go buy it then. Other people have different concerns from you and don't want to give up so easily on their favorite games.

- DADES - This is a signature of my name, enjoy!

Dades wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 14:39:
Your reality isn't the same as everyone else, people posted several different examples you have ignored.

And I bet most that use the same things "in-flight", "military", these don't even affect them, they are speaking for someone else. But that is EA's choice to leave them out, this is what their crack marketeers have come up with. Again, knowing ahead of time, is all fair to me... It won't be a bait and switch.

They should call this Sim City MMO then it would have taken the whole sting of this away, as everything that is being argued against are standards op for mmo's.

As for pulling servers, that is another thing to consider if you buy an EA product. So you have to ask is this good? Will it have a large audience? As I've mentioned I haven't decided if I will buy it or not, everything will be considered, always online for me is near a non-issue, because 99.5% of the time I can be online, the other .5% I'll manage. I haven't purchases a Sim City since like the first or second one, I always wanted cooperative play.

RollinThundr wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 06:33:

I really don't think this is as big a deal as you guys are making it out to be.

Here is one example (Ubisoft not EA) why always online DRM such a great idea for single player games: http://tinyurl.com/c3fod6q
You may think people on Blues over reacting but I think for a good reason.

Simon Says wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 06:52:
*looks at drm, looks at 56k modem* *facepalm*

Heck even steam nowadays is a no buy for me. Logging on takes forever, once logged on, *bing bing* mandatory update to steam. Once steam is updated *bing bing* mandatory 100+ meggers patch to download before being able to even try to start the damn game that's supposed to be playable in the shipping state. *ctrl-alt-del* *kill process* *throws 60$ in the trash* Thx bbye.

Steam updates are optional to restart the computer. They are also pretty small, since the client itself isn't that large
If you set steam into offline and play only there, you can get at least a few weeks out of playing most of their games without patching it. You can also set games to never update, although steam seems to have issues with respecting that.

If you are indeed on a 56k modem, there are some things you can do to help or mitigate the situation. For instance, libraries often have broadband access and/or wireless. Many free wireless hotspots are out there. Most of GoG titles once you download them they install and you are done. So if you were able to download them at a friends house, that would get the titles installed at least.

HorrorScope wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 13:07:
I still stick with the reality, we know what this game is requiring of us, sure we can talk against it, but add it all up and decide for yourself. To me this always online thing doesn't resonate because I do play mmo style games that require always online and next to no one complains about it.

Your reality isn't the same as everyone else, people posted several different examples you have ignored. It doesn't need to "hit home" with you, who says you need to be convinced for it to be valid? It's valid for the people who have created this shitstorm of bad PR for EA. There is no design rationale that explains the behavior of this game. Your MMO example sucks, of course people playing an online game that requires a persistent connection for its actual gameplay don't bitch about it being an online game, apples to oranges.

- DADES - This is a signature of my name, enjoy!

For those not believing that EA could pull the plug on SimCity servers, here are the list of games that EA has pulled the plug on:

http://www.ea.com/1/service-updates

Looks like you can get two years out of SimCity before they shut it down.

Suppa7 wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 12:27:
All HUGE companies DRIVEN BY WALL STREET want to turn games into platforms or "markets" for digital goods and services, this is going to suck. No thanks to the people who bought diablo 3 and starcraft 2 as well as STEAM based games.

They voted for this future so they have no grounds to complain.

Corrected. Good thing alternatives are also cropping up, because of the ability to distribute digitally. I like how that works, one side of it ugly doom, the other side a ray of sunlight.

avianflu wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 09:04:
lots of good points made here.

One thing I dont believe anyone has said is that EA may be setting up an online store for simcity digital "items" that gamers can buy. Another reason to keep the game on-line at all times.

Honestly I have zero interest in this game, just as with Diablo 3. Easy to pass on both of them.

I think that is a very strong possibility. Now I know we aren't fond of these things, but damn if this isn't wall street getting its hands into everything. These big publishers are now slaves to WS numbers. Good thing Kickstarter (Jesus in Games) rises from the ashes because the other side is so out of touch and going places many are against. It's not even about games anymore and just a way to fool people out of money. Nice world we have here.

I still stick with the reality, we know what this game is requiring of us, sure we can talk against it, but add it all up and decide for yourself. To me this always online thing doesn't resonate because I do play mmo style games that require always online and next to no one complains about it. Many times I solo in said games, aka make it a single player game. I do concede mileage may vary player to player, but it doesn't really hit home with me. If something is ever down, I'm completely stable to find something else to do and have yet to ever rage over it. Now if it's crazy down time, then I'm looking for some type of compensation, calmly.

All companies want to turn games into platforms or "markets" for digital goods and services, this is going to suck. No thanks to the people who bought diablo 3 and starcraft 2 as well as STEAM based games.

They voted for this future so they have no grounds to complain.

This will be the first Simcity game that I do not buy. And if EA persists with this garbage, I'm done with the series altogether.

Honestly, how many people use offline mode for steam on a regular basis?

I do.

This comment was edited on Dec 23, 2012, 09:24.

They may as well admit that at least part of the reason they went this way was to combat piracy. It would be interesting to see if the customers lost through this strategy is greater than the amount of customers lost through piracy.

lots of good points made here.

One thing I dont believe anyone has said is that EA may be setting up an online store for simcity digital "items" that gamers can buy. Another reason to keep the game on-line at all times.

Honestly I have zero interest in this game, just as with Diablo 3. Easy to pass on both of them.

RollinThundr wrote on Dec 23, 2012, 06:33:
The reason I don't consider it the same situation as D3 is really, this is EA trying to deter pirates, where as the only reason D3 was online only was Blizzard wanting to push everyone towards their real money AH.

No as it was explained to you several times already, that's not the only reason they are doing it. That's the same thing as saying blizzard only did it for pirates.

- DADES - This is a signature of my name, enjoy!

I'm ready, it's my monopolistic ISP that's holding me back ;).

That's really not Steam's fault... You're just not ready for the digital age.

*looks at drm, looks at 56k modem* *facepalm*

Heck even steam nowadays is a no buy for me. Logging on takes forever, once logged on, *bing bing* mandatory update to steam. Once steam is updated *bing bing* mandatory 100+ meggers patch to download before being able to even try to start the damn game that's supposed to be playable in the shipping state. *ctrl-alt-del* *kill process* *throws 60$ in the trash* Thx bbye.