I've built Sim cities for about 30 years, so I'm really impressed with the graphics for the new version to be released in March. I'm NOT impressed by the report at
Flesh Eating Zipper that this new version will require an internet connection
at all times. That's a game-breaker for me, as it is for many on the
Reddit thread.
I was lobbying really hard for this for my birthday, but now I'm going to give it a pass. That's a really ridiculous requirement.
ReplyDeleteI think on the SimCity FAQs it notes that the game won't fail/cause any issues if the network connection drops for a while. I agree it's over the top DRM but to be honest I can't remember the last time I used a computer that wasn't constantly connected to the internet so, for me, it really isn't that big a deal.
ReplyDeleteAlso may be worth posting this blog post from the SimCity creators (http://www.simcity.com/en_US/blog/article/The-Benefits-of-Live-Service) to help cover their side of the argument (server-side processing)
I understand her argument, Paulee, but I don't buy the necessity for the new arrangement. If I'm going to leave my city alone for three weeks (of my time), I don't want the neighboring cities to be modifying and improving or deteriorating in ways that I can't monitor or adjust to.
DeleteWhy won't they allow me to save my city (or world) on my hard drive or thumb and resume later where I left off?
And I do turn my computer off at night.
I sincerely hope this plunge sales. Isn't it after all a violation of consumer rights, to be put under scrutiny when you are dealing with a product that you have payed for, and should thus simply belong to you? Instead of it, licence agreements sell you only access to the game, and not the game itself; they want to profit while telling us we are fools to our faces.
ReplyDeleteI eagerly bought StarCraft II to later learn I could only play it online. I played hard for 6 months, and then my license expired. When they offered me to return for free, a year later, the kick of it was already gone.
It is so obvious that piracy is more related with lack of accessibility to original goods than with poor security... if software companies would just focus on marketing their products fairly, instead of creating draconian rules, I'm sure I would be much more of a gamer.
"should thus simply belong to you? Instead of it, licence agreements sell you only access to the game, and not the game itself"
Delete- I believe the same applies to some e-book arrangements.
Unfortunately, if a constant internet connection is required, I will not be buying this game -- internet usage is expensive in Canada!
ReplyDeleteA follow-up on the disastrous launch of this (formerly) much beloved game.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad death equivalent for a great game.
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