SimCity DRM backlash inspired policy change at EA

24 July 2013
The sims 4 logo

Electronic Arts has had an uphill battle dealing with the problems caused by the always-online DRM requirements that SimCity forced; so much so that it lead the publishing and development giant to assure offline-play for the Sims 4.

“In the last few months, we have started making changes to the business practices that gamers clearly don’t like,” said EA labels president Frank Gibeau.

“In the spring, we dropped our online pass program for consoles – both next-generation and current-generation. We listened to the feedback on SimCity and decided that The Sims 4 would be built as a single-player, offline experience. We announced some new intellectual properties at E3 and will unveil more new games in the months ahead.”

While SimCity had some initial launch problems, Gibeau is pleased with its progress and popularity.

“The number of people logging in and playing is holding steady. SimCity is a success. However, underestimating demand in the first month was a major miss. We hope that the game and the service we’ve provided since then meets the fans’ high standards.”

In more SimCity news, it emerged, through a survey, that EA may be looking to bring offline-play to the city-building game.

Source: VentureBeat

More SimCity news

SimCity creator praises Microsoft’s DRM reversal

SimCity Amusement Park content expansion announced

SimCity update 4 re-adds launch features

SimCity brick by brick

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  1. St John Grimbly
    09.08.2013 at 21:20

    Personally I would only buy SimCity if they made it easier to get into it and made it offline! Otherwise i will stick with SimCity 2000 🙂

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