Cannot Wait Until Tuesday SimCity (JUMPING AND DANCING IN EXCITEMENT!)

[MandelSoft 2,775]

Because the UK always wants to do things differently than continental Europe

Just kidding

[Radioactive Chicken 10]

Not sure of the exact reasoning behind it but games have always come out on a Friday in the UK save for a couple of simultaneous worldwide releases which I think have happened on different days. 

[AkemiAzula 280]

Oh well it's just a couple of extra days to wait. The 8th is a Friday, I see

[Nique 291]

Simcity can't be pirated because of the always online requirement. In any other case (other games) this kind of release schedule works piracy right in the hand as people want to play the game as early as possible. The same problem happens with movies and music. Labels release these products spread out during a week. So i'm more willing to buy an American Version as it gives me 2 days extra to play this week.

[nhgriffith 179]

Nique, every game ever is released this way. The exceptions to this release structure are rare. World of Warcraft expansions are one of the few exceptions I know about (because of high competition of "world first" achievements between the continents).

[Nique 291]

I still don't understand why they do this. It's 2013 and i buy the digital version but have to wait for the DVD buyers.. wtf.. Its the same as i wasted a lot of money on a good pc... because the game is optimized for pc's from 2005. Modern people are being punished 

[Ardandy 28]

Just setting up my VPN trial (UK DDeluxe user) so I can start to play tomorrow!

 

 Can I assume no one can download it until the actual release time?

[nhgriffith 179]

The reason they do it is because of how sales weeks work.

In music, DVDs, and video games (and several other markets, but especially these 3), week 1 sales are an extraordinarily important figure. In the United States (where most major releases in these three categories are made), the Sales week runs from 12:01 AM Tuesday morning to 11:59 PM Monday night. So by releasing your game at that time, you get a maximum 168 hours to rack up your week 1 sales.

In these other countries, the sales week doesn't start on Tuesday. It starts on Thursday or Friday.

So the reason you have to wait, even for your digital version, is two-fold. First, even though you are getting a digital download, you're still part of the local sales total for whatever country you're in. So when EA goes to tout their Week 1 Sales figure for your country, they're including you, whether or not you got a digital copy. If they let you have the game Tuesday, then week 1 wasn't March 7 through March 13. It was Feburary 28 through March 6. But second, and perhaps more important, EA told these stores that the release date is March 7. I don't know about your country, but in most countries, it's illegal to release a product before the publisher's release date. Even if it's not illegal in your country, any store that did this wouldn't be putting another EA game on its shelves any time soon.

But just as much as the store needs EA games on its shelves, EA also needs the games on that store's shelves. And if EA says "Hey European game stores, you can't sell SimCity till March 7th... but it will be available to your customers online on March 5th" so EA massively undercuts the stores sales... and those stores decide they don't shelve another game.

As for your system specs versus the game's requirements? The fact is, most people who buy simulation games simply don't keep high end computers. It's not even so much that EA decided to include old computers as part of their target audience. The fact of the matter is, if they really look at who buy sim games, a lot of those people have old computers. If you want to keep a high performance PC and play games that max out your system, you're looking at the wrong genre of game. If you want a game that maxes out your system's capabilities, check out FPS games or MMORPGs. The people who play these sorts of games will spend $500+ on their headset/keyboard/mouse alone, nevermind their actual system.

Just setting up my VPN trial (UK DDeluxe user) so I can start to play tomorrow!

 

 Can I assume no one can download it until the actual release time?

Apparently, you should be able to predownload it today (if you're in the United States).

As for VPN... while there's nothing explicitly illegal about VPN (nothing explicitly illegal about torrenting either), I think using a VPN to get around a release date is probably getting into a very questionable legal gray area.

[Ardandy 28]

I think I can take the moral hit considering they're only delaying it to get better looking sales figures!

 

Especially at £65!

 

 

EDIT: Forgot to add that according to the EA Live Chat guy they're not concerned about it and it won't affect your account in any way.

[Nique 291]

The reason they do it is because of how sales weeks work.

In music, DVDs, and video games (and several other markets, but especially these 3), week 1 sales are an extraordinarily important figure. In the United States (where most major releases in these three categories are made), the Sales week runs from 12:01 AM Tuesday morning to 11:59 PM Monday night. So by releasing your game at that time, you get a maximum 168 hours to rack up your week 1 sales.

In these other countries, the sales week doesn't start on Tuesday. It starts on Thursday or Friday.

So the reason you have to wait, even for your digital version, is two-fold. First, even though you are getting a digital download, you're still part of the local sales total for whatever country you're in. So when EA goes to tout their Week 1 Sales figure for your country, they're including you, whether or not you got a digital copy. If they let you have the game Tuesday, then week 1 wasn't March 7 through March 13. It was Feburary 28 through March 6. But second, and perhaps more important, EA told these stores that the release date is March 7. I don't know about your country, but in most countries, it's illegal to release a product before the publisher's release date. Even if it's not illegal in your country, any store that did this wouldn't be putting another EA game on its shelves any time soon.

But just as much as the store needs EA games on its shelves, EA also needs the games on that store's shelves. And if EA says "Hey European game stores, you can't sell SimCity till March 7th... but it will be available to your customers online on March 5th" so EA massively undercuts the stores sales... and those stores decide they don't shelve another game. (As also the city sizes would rely on)

As for your system specs versus the game's requirements? The fact is, most people who buy simulation games simply don't keep high end computers. It's not even so much that EA decided to include old computers as part of their target audience. The fact of the matter is, if they really look at who buy sim games, a lot of those people have old computers. If you want to keep a high performance PC and play games that max out your system, you're looking at the wrong genre of game. If you want a game that maxes out your system's capabilities, check out FPS games or MMORPGs. The people who play these sorts of games will spend $500+ on their headset/keyboard/mouse alone, nevermind their actual system.

 

Just setting up my VPN trial (UK DDeluxe user) so I can start to play tomorrow!

 

 Can I assume no one can download it until the actual release time?

Apparently, you should be able to predownload it today (if you're in the United States).

As for VPN... while there's nothing explicitly illegal about VPN (nothing explicitly illegal about torrenting either), I think using a VPN to get around a release date is probably getting into a very questionable legal gray area.

Thank you for your excellent reply.

About the pc specs... still kinda weird because simulation applications need more computing power than a shooter (in a simulation everything has a meaning, in a shooter.. most things are just static). I'm a simulation fanatic and i have an high-end pc. Would be great if there was an min/max slider for graphical detail and simulation depth.

[B.C builder 291]

Lol you're all lucky !!
I have to wait for a french version of the game (not a download-version)

[Haljackey 17,398]

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

[nhgriffith 179]

Thank you for your excellent reply.

About the pc specs... still kinda weird because simulation applications need more computing power than a shooter (in a simulation everything has a meaning, in a shooter.. most things are just static). I'm a simulation fanatic and i have an high-end pc. Would be great if there was an min/max slider for graphical detail and simulation depth.

From a processing standpoint, yes, a simulation is more taxing than an FPS or an MMORPG, or any other type of game. AND, the absolute most powerful computers in the world are as powerful as they are (processing power) for the very reason that what they're doing is running simulations (galaxies colliding, etc). But from a graphical standpoint, FPS and MMORPG are significantly more taxing on your computer. And because the main point of a simulation game is the simulation aspect, significantly less time is typically spent making it look as nice as FPS or MMORPG looks at the highest graphical settings (audio is the same).

BUT, it's easier to upgrade the graphics and sound cards and drivers (and output devices) on your computer then it is to get a whole new processor put in.

Moreover, if I'm playing a simulation game, I don't get a better game play experience by having a faster processor. The game either runs or it doesn't, because it was designed with a certain processing speed in mind.

With an FPS, however, I get a competitive edge on the opposing team if my graphics and audio are better. If my graphics card has a draw distance 20% better than your graphics card, I see you 20% earlier, and I might be able to shoot you before your graphics card even draws me. If my sound card is better, if my headset is better, I'll hear you well before you hear me, etc. While hardcore SimCity 4 players regularly check the STEX for better, newer mods to enhance their SC4 experience, hardcore FPS players are constantly waiting for newer, better graphics/sound cards or drivers, or output devices to enhance their experience.

I feel lime an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

I'm buying my copy from a store too. Not sure whether or not I'm in the old demographic or not.

[boufa 0]

I have school AND WORK that day . I'll completely not be able to play the day it comes out and I pre-ordered it!

If you pre-ordered a digital download, you'll be able to start downloading the game as early as 9pm PST on March 4th (25 hours from right now). So I don't know how late you stay up, but you may be able to play a bit before you go to bed.

Unless you ordered from Amazon.. they are insisting that it will not be availible until Midnight Pacific... thats 3am Eastern.  Sucks to be us.  If I hadn't paid with a gift card, I would be cancelling my order.

[hardway 0]

Hi!

 

I will be able to play it in OS X for free... If I buy it for Windows first via Origin ?

 

Thanks

[zorkman 25]

Why does the UK have to wait longer than the rest of Europe? :s

For the first time there is an advantage in living in the UK. By the time Friday comes around everyone will see what a turd this game is. Very disappointing.

[yanmos 0]

When can I download it from Origin in Europe? Same day as the shops are going to sell it? Or at the same day the US can get it?

[Nique 291]

Settings

Depth of simulation 

Min [------0--] Max

 

 

Processor limitation solved.

[SImman123231 4]

it's going to be sold out in futureshop and bestbuy. online is sold out already. 

 

going to hassle to get in london ontario tomorrow!!

[nhgriffith 179]

Settings

Depth of simulation 

Min [------0--] Max

 

 

Processor limitation solved.

That would work if this were SimCity 4 and you were simulating simulation... but it's not SimCity 4 any more. I mean... I can't really comprehend a way for GlassBox to work with less depth, or than straight removing aspects of the game. Like, say for instance, water and sewage. If the game no longer had to keep track of water and sewage, then that's significantly fewer agents the game needs to keep track of. And you can have your bigger map.

But let's be honest, the SimCity 4 die-hards would complain about the removal of water/sewage gameplay just as much (if not moreso) then they're already complaining about map size.

Fact of the matter is, the game isn't SimCity 4 version 2, so the SimCity 4 diehards that have been playing SimCity 4 for ten years simply will not be happy, period. The extent to which you'd have to modify SimCity 2013 in order to appease the SimCity 4 diehards would be so drastic it'd be pointless to release a whole new game. Maxis would be better off releasing another expansion for SimCity 4, ten years removed from the original release.

[Sunfighter 186]

Settings

Depth of simulation 

Min [------0--] Max

 

 

Processor limitation solved.

 

The leaderboard standardization stops that from being available. Same reason why the maps are all the same size.

[Micah 16]

Pre-ordered it as well. My friend is going to bring me the game from GameStop personally. Can't wait to play it!

[Towel 76]

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

 

I am with you on that one ... Here in Australia our internet is billed on downloads, so if you download a 12GB game, that comes off your quota for the month. For a lot of us, we don't want to waste that much on downloading a game we can walk up the road and buy for a cheaper price anyway.

[nhgriffith 179]

They don't have cars in Australia?

[Spatzimaus 77]

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

 

You're not alone; I prefer having physical copies.  Maybe it's because I worry about what'd happen if I had to reinstall my OS; sure, I COULD just re-download games from Steam/Origin, but it's generally faster to just pop in a DVD-ROM.  But there's also just the tangible feeling of getting new stuff; having a new icon pop up on your desktop just isn't the same.

 

Besides, pre-ordering from Amazon gave me a $20 credit towards most of the things they sell, which was a heck of a lot better than Origin's offer of $20 towards a few specific games, which has to be used within the next two weeks.  So I bought from them, paid a few bucks to ensure delivery on launch day, and I get to have a physical copy.

 

 I can't really comprehend a way for GlassBox to work with less depth, or than straight removing aspects of the game.

 

The only way I can think of would be to "bin" the data.  That is, instead of simulating each person individually, you'd group like people into packets and simulate them as one entity.  So if you've got a nice 50-person apartment building, you say that 4 of them work at the local office building.  When one of them leaves the apartment each morning, all 4 do (instead of being spaced out a bit).  When one car drives along the road, it's actually 4 cars following the same route at the same time.  And so on.  Likewise for children going to school; if 20 kids in the local neighborhood go to school through the local bus stop, then there's no need to actually simulate all 20 of them for most of the day.  When the family is going shopping on the weekend, you treat them as a single unit for the entire day.  And so on.

 

But even if they could do this, they wouldn't.  SimCity is the proof-of-concept for GlassBox, so why would they compromise on that?  In the long term they'll be able to expand all those other things, but this underlying engine is going to be the core of quite a few EA games in the future.  If they can't convince people that its simulation depth is a worthwhile investment, they lose a lot of money in the long run.

[Nique 291]

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

 

I am with you on that one ... Here in Australia our internet is billed on downloads, so if you download a 12GB game, that comes off your quota for the month. For a lot of us, we don't want to waste that much on downloading a game we can walk up the road and buy for a cheaper price anyway.

 

But it is also very 'old' policy to have a quota contract with your internet provider. All providers in my country (Netherlands) have something like a Fair Use Policy or Truly unlimited bandwidth.

[Towel 76]

 

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

 

I am with you on that one ... Here in Australia our internet is billed on downloads, so if you download a 12GB game, that comes off your quota for the month. For a lot of us, we don't want to waste that much on downloading a game we can walk up the road and buy for a cheaper price anyway.

 

But it is also very 'old' policy to have a quota contract with your internet provider. All providers in my country (Netherlands) have something like a Fair Use Policy or Truly unlimited bandwidth.

 

Agree, but here in Australia there is only one type of contract you can get, and that's download quotas!!! We're the backwater of the internet world in that regard!!!

 

Although when the NBN comes around, hopefully that contract method goes!

[Nique 291]

 

 

I feel like an old man wanting to actually buy SC13 from a physical store.

 

I am with you on that one ... Here in Australia our internet is billed on downloads, so if you download a 12GB game, that comes off your quota for the month. For a lot of us, we don't want to waste that much on downloading a game we can walk up the road and buy for a cheaper price anyway.

 

But it is also very 'old' policy to have a quota contract with your internet provider. All providers in my country (Netherlands) have something like a Fair Use Policy or Truly unlimited bandwidth.

 

Agree, but here in Australia there is only one type of contract you can get, and that's download quotas!!! We're the backwater of the internet world in that regard!!!

 

Although when the NBN comes around, hopefully that contract method goes!

 

Ah, well you got better weather