The really amusing part about all of this is reading the various threads on EA's support site because no one is able to play --
http://answers.ea.com/t5/Miscellaneous-Issues/bd-p/sim-city-misc-issues
And by amusing, I mean 'laugh my ass off' at some of the replies.
This I have a difficult time believing. If they are truly doing some heavy lifting with their servers because gaming PC's can't handle the game then EA will need an insane hardware $$$ investment to handle the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of game clients running all the time.Maxis has already stated in interviews that a lot of the simulation is done on the cloud, and also mentioned that this is the main reason it had to be cloud based, because a pc wouldn't be able to process all of it.
This I have a difficult time believing. If they are truly doing some heavy lifting with their servers because gaming PC's can't handle the game then EA will need an insane hardware $$$ investment to handle the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of game clients running all the time.
My guess is it's a PR coverup for the desire to justify "always online", but it's just a guess.
Maxis has already stated in interviews that a lot of the simulation is done on the cloud, and also mentioned that this is the main reason it had to be cloud based, because a pc wouldn't be able to process all of it.
I don't know how much of that I believe though, since those details came out around the time everyone was complaining it was online only, so to me it had a damage control feel to it, like Will Wright's interview where he basically outlined and defended the game's shortcomings.
This is insane. I installed the game, which requires you to "load it into your account". It requires a constant internet connection. And to top it all off, I can't even play the fucking game because the "servers are busy - please wait 20 minutes"! WTF is this shit?!?!
Caveat Emptor, my friend.This is insane. I installed the game, which requires you to "load it into your account". It requires a constant internet connection. And to top it all off, I can't even play the fucking game because the "servers are busy - please wait 20 minutes"! WTF is this shit?!?!
It's bizzare I don't have any of these problems. I've played for like 30 hours since I got it. Made 2 full cities and am about to start another. specialize in something different each time.
The game is really fun. I realize people are mad but it's the connection, you will get to play eventually and you will have fun. I wish people would stop trashing the actual game out of frustration and giving up so soon. It sucks but it'll get better and you'll forget all about the log in problems.
I don't know how the people at AT have fallen for this game. Sure the game looks gorgeous but hasn't there been enough talk about the DRM to keep u off it forever? Especially after what happened with the Diablo 3 release. I can understand people who do not have any understanding of an all time online Internet connection requirement, but those who do and gave still gone on to purchase 1st day or pre order are really nuts. The online requirement is just a very sad ploy to counter piracy, a ploy which may well doom single player games forever. It is not because our pcs cannot compute/simulate the apparent high tech wizardry since that would be utter bullshit. Vote with your wallets people and no other corporation will dare throw this shit at us.
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I wish people would stop trashing the actual game out of frustration and giving up so soon.
but you are forgetting that most people now days are all about the now. instant gratification ect.
They paid and can not play, what else to do when you are hyped up about something?
Maybe in future the release of these always on games will follow the gmail release, where you can only get in to play (once you purchase the game) by waiting for a friend to be allowed in, then have them invite you. Now that would suck as a midnight release.
I don't know how the people at AT have fallen for this game. Sure the game looks gorgeous but hasn't there been enough talk about the DRM to keep u off it forever? Especially after what happened with the Diablo 3 release. I can understand people who do not have any understanding of an all time online Internet connection requirement, but those who do and gave still gone on to purchase 1st day or pre order are really nuts. The online requirement is just a very sad ploy to counter piracy, a ploy which may well doom single player games forever. It is not because our pcs cannot compute/simulate the apparent high tech wizardry since that would be utter bullshit. Vote with your wallets people and no other corporation will dare throw this shit at us.
You're assuming everyone cares about the always-online requirement. I don't. I'd venture to guess that most everyone who bitch about it end up playing it on a computer that will be hooked to the internet 24/7 anyway. I'd also venture to guess that when/if in 5 years, EA shuts down the SimCity servers, you guys will be right back bitching about it but won't have even thought about playing it in 4.5 years.
This is the company you are defending
http://pastebin.com/mFMt375v
Adrian: I am sorry for any inconvenience that this has caused. I can offer you a 15% off coupon from Origin with your next purchase.
Adrian: I am sorry, but I can not offer you a refund.
you: Why can't you offer me a refund?
you: Your product is defective
Adrian: Return Policy
you: I can call my bank and have the refund done that way.
Adrian: I can offer to assist you with any trouble shooting issues.
you: Why can Amazon users get refunds but I can't?
Adrian: That is understandable, but I must inform you that if you choose to dispute it, your account will be banned.
Adrian: I am sorry, but I can not speak on another company's policy.
Adrian: Now this just released.
you: I am at a loss of words
Adrian: So the servers are having issues, with more servers opening up as other countries release then we will show these issues resolving themselves.
you: Yes, but it is not capacity demand I am debating
Adrian: I can understand this causing frustrations and I do apologize for this.
you: Your servers are not the issue
you: The game/back end is
you: "Game updates" are not an excuse to hide behind
Adrian: I am sorry, but I am not able to process a refund.
Adrian: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
you: You were offering refunds according to your press release!!!!
you: In response to the launch day trouble Hatam said " If you regrettably feel that we left you down, you can of course request a refund for your order at http://help.origin.com/contact-us , though we are currently still in the process of resolving this issue. "
you: Why lie??
you: I have done nothing wrong in expecting what is quoted.
Adrian: That is correct, that this is where you can request a refund, but as our policy is stating it is also the our discretion to process a refund.
you: http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/210/9330019.page#top
you: Process a refund.
Adrian: As I stated before, we are not able to offer a refund.
Adrian: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
you: This chat text goes viral.
you: Thanks
but you are forgetting that most people now days are all about the now. instant gratification ect.
They paid and can not play, what else to do when you are hyped up about something?
Maybe in future the release of these always on games will follow the gmail release, where you can only get in to play (once you purchase the game) by waiting for a friend to be allowed in, then have them invite you. Now that would suck as a midnight release.
Dispute it, start another origin account if you have to, or just don't buy any more origin titles, because they are all EA anyway and origin sucks.