SimCity to use always-on DRM, no mod tools at launch
SimCity will use always-online DRM, even for private, single-player matches, and won't support mod tools at launch.
SimCity looks to finally scratch that itch after a long absence -- with some new features to boot -- but the times they are a-changing in some less favorable ways as well. The game will use the contentious always-online DRM method, even during private, single-player games.
Our own in-depth preview noted the decision to include the DRM restrictions. This keeps players connected to the game's global economy and leaderboards, whether they're playing with others or not. Including always-on DRM has caused backlash at other publishers, most notably Ubisoft for promising not to include the measure and then taking a half-step back in its direction.
The preview also noted that the game won't support mod tools at launch, but Maxis acknowledges the value of adding that functionality. "The data set in Glassbox is modable," said artistic director/creative director Ocean Quigley. "The mod community re-created [SimCity]. We recognize it. We're not idiots."
For more on SimCity, check out our interview with lead producer Kip Katsarelis.
-
Shacknews
replySteve Watts posted a new article, SimCity to use always-on DRM, no mod tools at launch.
SimCity will use always-online DRM, even for private, single-player matches, and won't support mod tools at launch.-
-
-
Or just pirate it... as I posted elsewhere below: "I was going to buy Sim City V, but if it has always-online DRM then I'm just going to pirate it. I don't want to be connected to the global economy or leader boards. I don't want to see or know what other people are doing in the game. I want my game to be my own secluded and personal space."
So it looks like pirating will give me what I want, where a legit purchase won't.
-
-
-
"We're not idiots."
"The game will use the contentious always-online DRM method, even during private, single-player games."
I beg to differ
-
Thats too bad, some of the screens looked neat. oh well NEXT
-
-
WoW can be pirated...private servers, that type of thing.
I don't think DRM has ever worked in the history of anything. -
Nope.
I think these, they crack in record time because the groups see it more as a challenge, while the companies that pay respect to their consumers rather than treating them as enemies, they don't even bother or recommend them.
I know I respect companies that encourage sharing the game, like blizzard with starcraft. I remember you could pass the cd around and install shell games on every bodies computer.
And even further the good will generated from companies that spend more on the development rather than trying to deter potential game copiers.
I call them copiers, because they aren't stealing. They are fans that want to play the game. They could be turned into future sales. I think companies should maximize on that.-
[deleted]
-
-
[deleted]
-
-
-
No.
I also believe if you download a game without paying for it, just for yourself to play, does not make you a pirate. Someone who cracks and distributes (or just distributes) copied games is a pirate... no matter their reasons for doing so.-
Uh. Pretty sure you're dead wrong about your assertion that if you download a game without paying for it, you're not a pirate.
-
How can an opinion be wrong?
-
pretty easily, especially when it contradicts known facts. It should be easy enough for you to think of other examples of opinions that do this.
-
LOL, nice replies guys (not sarcasm).
Well I do not think your opinions are wrong.
Anyway, I'll elaborate my Pirate theory and include a comparison.
OK, I look at this way, the person downloading a pirated game is a consumer of what the pirates are distributing. For a comparison, I look at it like the relationship of a drug pusher (supplier) and a drug user. You would not call a drug user a supplier, because all he (the user) is doing is consuming the product, not distributing it. Or even in comparison to someone who steals physical products, and then people buy the stolen goods. Yes, you are encouraging (and condoning) the crime of theft, but you are not he one actually doing it, in the eyes of the law, the authorities will come down on much harder to the people at the top of the chain.
So, a pirate is a distributor, a user (downloader only) is the consumer.
(btw, I'm not saying what is right or wrong, there is no right or wrong (it's a perception) , just what is illegal and not illegal)
/rant-
I should have also said, even though I kinda touched on it in the last bracketed bit, is that I am not saying downloading a pirate game is legal, because it clearly is illegal... I am just saying that there ware different levels of crime, and illegally downloading a game does not make you pirate.
Yeah, I'm bored, (and have plenty of spare time) but I kinda like debates, so long as all sides actually listen to each other and not just come out and say "you are wrong" and that's it. Agree or disagree with my theory, it doesn't matter.... but your and my theory (opinion) does.
I like to think outside the square.
/rant (again.. lol)
-
-
-
-
-
[deleted]
-
Well by that rationale "modding" would be copyright infringement.
-
[deleted]
-
I wonder if EA has something in the EULA for Crysis mods. (Like the Mechwarrior mod)
It doesn't surprise me that Valve embraces it. Interesting nonetheless
-
-
-
-
-
[deleted]
-
-
Oh, I was going to buy Sim City V, but if it has always-online DRM then I'm just going to pirate it. I don't want to be connected to the global economy or leader boards. I don't want to see or know what other people are doing in the game. I want my game to be my own secluded and personal space.
-
-
where's my new simcopter game with double the trannies?
-
Welp, there went all my interest for this game.
-
Moar like SimPiracy, amirite?
-
So what about this comment from the interview posted earlier? http://www.shacknews.com/article/73061/one-on-one-with-simcitys-mayor
KK: I don't want to go too much into offline, but since we're asynchronous, you pull your plug out, it's not catastrophic. -
-
No because they make tons of awesome games
-
-
Publishing is part of making
-
-
-
-
-
[deleted]
-
I would be ok with always on DRM for a new SimGolf
-
I assumed this game would use Origin anyway, yes? So I have pretty much already made up my mind to not buy it, even though I really want it... but I'll get it anyway.
Besides Origin, it's EA, and I don't like giving them money. -
No thank you.
-
-
[deleted]
-
The Saboteur, Mercenaries, Destroy all Humans, Battlefront, Full Spectrum Warrior. In order from most to least sad they are gone :(
-
-
-
-
If it's going to run through Origin, I fail to see why this is necessary at all...
-
You know what? I want them to do it. I want them to take their flagship moneymaker brand and slap this ridiculous impractical limitation on it so that millions of moms, uncles, grandpas, and every non-nerd in-between who wants to play "that new SIMS game" flood their support lines and make them spend millions more in damage control.
In short, I want them to learn their lesson, and the only way it's going to sink in is when it hits their bottom line.-
[deleted]
-
They won't "learn their lesson"; they'll just become another Zynga.
-
-
Shit. I didn't think of that. Shit.
-
-
Nah they'll just resort by not making those kind of games and push in a different direction.
-
-
I was going to buy Sim City V, but if it has always-online DRM then I'm just going to pirate it. I don't want to be connected to the global economy or leader boards. I don't want to see or know what other people are doing in the game. I want my game to be my own secluded and personal space.
-
-
People want the freedom to do what they want with the product they bought.
-
-
-
They could eliminate 90% of the complaints and problems by switching to a daily check instead of needing a constant connection.
For something like Diablo 3 I understand it's more of a client server situation but for a single player game it seems like overkill.
Lets compromise and authenticate at x interval instead of constant 100% connection.
Down the road they could extend the grace period to a week or even 30 days.
This would also provide some breathing room if the auth servers fail or need to go down for maintenance.
Crazy talk sorry
-
The Diablo 3 situation is a lame excuse to protect Blizzards $ inflow on their new D3AH cash cow.
-
-
That's my purchase they've lost, same as with Diablo 3. I hope many others do the same, because treating gamers like thieves is the wrong way to deal with this.
-
[deleted]
-
Origin? Check. Always-on DRM? Check. Ok guys time to get working on some shitty DLC. Wait we don't have time before release? Ok just cut out that part of the game there and we'll sell it for $10 at launch.
-
[deleted]
-
[deleted]
-
-
