SimCity 5 requires always-on internet connection

Good news everyone!*

*Also, some bad news.

The bad news is that the new SimCity (AKA SimCity 5) is going to need one of those always-on internet connections that people get so angry about, even though they already have them, because now they have to have them. I don’t really get it either, but I suppose the two and a half people still on dial-up might have a legitimate problem with that.

There’s a good reason for the requirement, though – the game features a persistent regional and global economy system that’s influenced by all players, so it makes sense to be connected to everyone else. See? Exactly.

The good news is that the game will also be available to buy from digital distributors other than EA‘s own Origin store, as confirmed by EA to Joystiq. Participating stores haven’t been confirmed yet, but unless EA and Valve has resolved whatever it was that kept Battlefield 3 from launching on Steam, it’s possible Steam won’t make the list.

The game is scheduled to launch sometime next year.