Is SimCity that bad?

[Vihzel 9]

Don't do it, the new Simcity is garbage and if you buy it your only supporting EA's DRM-obsessed philosophy (something that dearly needs to die in a very big way). Let this crappy simcity fail, sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

 

If this SimCity fails, there will never be another SimCity in the future. I actually like playing this game. I'm sorry if that means I'm supporting EA's always online DRM, which is kind of silly really. It would be like claiming pirates support theft. 

[Hellken 1,658]

 

Also everyone needs to remember how negative people were in 2003 when Simcity 4 launched.

This launch is more positive!

 

 

Sorry, that's false. I remember 2003 very well and I remember the transition from SC 3000 Unlimited to SC4. Hell, I played vanilla SC4 last year. 

 

I even have copies of gaming magazines from back then. SC4 was rated by most as a step up in many ways from the well - presented but terribly glitched SC 3000/Unlimited. It did not get many perfect scores but it was far from negative and nowhere near the server crisis EA is having right now. The general consensus at the time of release was that: "Only patches could save SC4 from all the bugs".  Otherwise most were somewhat okay with it and many praised the region and God mode idea. Compare it to this launch with hundreds of users across the internet demanding a refund or unable to unlock or play the game due to EA's poor servers. The standard deviation in scores for SC (2013) (as of the time I write this) is quite big.

 

Not many people found SC4 vanilla perfect or super positive but reception was at least acceptable. It was not praised immensely but it wasn't criticized to death either. It had a number of flaws initially but the flaws were not as crippling as SC (2013)'s.   

 

A more positive launch? Really? At least at launch, SC4 was a headache to install but playable by most people who got a copy. 

 

...and of course, people could save and load normally without all their progress deleted because... um... the servers failed to sync.

 

You obviously didn't have the internet and/or use internet forums back then.

 

The forums were a buzz with claims of EA buying the reviews and releasing a half baked product to market because the original game suffered from many issues that rendered it almost unplayable and constantly crashing.

 

To add insult to injury EA released Simcity 4 Deluxe to market in less than a year for $30 while releasing Rush Hour for $20.

Rush Hour contained a highly

 

Yes gamers didn't trust the reviews of Simcity 4 either.

 

This is ridiculous nonsense and baseless. SC4 vanilla was criticized by many people due to computer performance but the difference between mean scores, standard deviation, and range of scores between users and the press did not differ so ... "violently". Sure, the general consensus was that it could have been a better polished game if some time had been spent to test the game, but otherwise, SC4 was playable on launch day. Hell, I followed SC4's development back then and I can even remember the "Is it ethical to include the WTC Towers as landmarks in SC4?" debate.

 

Take a sample of video game magazines and internet reviews and blogs back in 2003. The lowest magazine review for SC4 I ever saw was from some computer magazine with a score of 50% and the highest from another gaming magazine with 100%. Internet website scores ranged from the upper 60's to the mid 90s.

 

Scores below 66 and above 93 were uncommon and we can safely say they were outliers; majority of gaming magazines and websites (some published around March or April 2003) gave scores that were between the upper 60s and lower 90s. That is a pretty reasonable range of scores and we can deduce that the mean score from reviewers were around the 70s to mid 80s region. (Actually majority of them were).

 

Most "normal users" in 2003 gave scores within the 60s, 70s, 80s (with some outliers in the 50s and 90s). It's a bigger range of scores but but the estimated mean average wouldn't be too far from the critic's reviews. Probably lower but the range of scores between the critics and "normal reviewers" did not differ a lot. Heck, I remember following Gamefaqs and IGN reviews after the launch. The reviews (mostly) gave SC4 an acceptable score. SC4 was far from perfect but it was decent enough.  If you can remember, a lot of the crappy reviews were complaints about Aspyr's crappy version of SC4. SC4 on the Apple with Intel Processors were the ones which received the butt of the criticism. Windows version was somewhat flawed but operated okay with a few hiccups.        

 

Seriously, EA was nowhere near the crisis they are having now. When was the last time the SimCity staff and company officers were forced to apologize to hundreds of users for problems with the launch? Was Will Wright running around in his pajamas, with a bag of money in the snow, in early 2003, just to refund angry customers just 48 hours after SC4 was launched?  

 

Compared to SC4' s bumpy but "okay enough" launch, SC (2013)'s launch is an epic PR disaster with so many people demanding refunds ...... and only 48 hours have passed.

[iowahawkeyedave 8]

I actually find this SimCity quite enjoyable, when it works.  Hopefully EA can iron out the server issues in the next week or two, then we'll see.  I'll reserve further judgment until then.  If they add modding and some good expansion packs and larger city sizes, what's not to like about it?

As far as always on DRM.  I'm not sure that the always on requirement is solely for DRM purposes, it's for actually being able to play with others in your region in real time.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

Don't do it, the new Simcity is garbage and if you buy it your only supporting EA's DRM-obsessed philosophy (something that dearly needs to die in a very big way). Let this crappy simcity fail, sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

 

If this SimCity fails, there will never be another SimCity in the future. I actually like playing this game. I'm sorry if that means I'm supporting EA's always online DRM, which is kind of silly really. It would be like claiming pirates support theft. 

I heard this one before too. Both from Societies and XL defenders. I now look at BoomTown. All some of the talented one from this community need is some support and a good break and it cannot fail. Guess it's gonna have to be by us for us. It's not impossible...hell I got diagonal bridges now.

[iowahawkeyedave 8]

"Compared to SC4' s bumpy but "okay enough" launch, SC (2013)'s launch is an epic PR disaster with so many people demanding refunds ...... and only 48 hours have passed."

Yes, only 48 hours have passed.  It means there are quite a few impatient people.  To me if EA fixes the server issues, how many of those people are just going to buy the game again anyways?

I'll just let it sit for a while, and see what EA does.  I didn't have SimCity on March 4th, March 6th doesn't have to be any different, life goes on.

 

[monsterjamp 42]

To be completely honest I'm enjoying it...

 

But you have to treat it as a completely different game. If you compare it to SC4, your mind will spin out of control, as mine did early in the beta tests. I kind of like the dramatic contrast between the two.

I wasn't ever gonna play it to replace SimCity 4.

 

To Everyone else: This topic seemed to get more responses than I expected.

I think I'll install the game (Probably one of the last games I'll ever buy from EA). Really the only thing holding me back was the small city sizes, but I think I can deal with it.

[mk11232 105]

No it's not. Its a separate service that's needed to play the game. Its not the game.

Spot the distinction?

 

You cannot be more incorrect on this point.  The server is an critical part of the game, part and parcel and cannot be separated from the game itself.  The server connects  you to the "back house" of data that supposed occurs and passes between your machine and the server to create your city.  It is not just some service, it is more akin to the back house database the client relies upon.  The quality of the server is directly and proportionally related to the quality of the game.  The crappier the server the crappier the game experience which has been proven.

[Mr_Maison 2,426]

No it's not. Its a separate service that's needed to play the game. Its not the game.

Spot the distinction?

Ok I understand where you are trying go with this. But it's failing. Let's look at a boat. It's useless without water correct? But even a boat without water is more useful than this situation. At least a boat can be converted into some kind of "alternative housing". But this product cannot even be seen without the server. In fact the server IS the game and what was bought was a key to get in it as long as the game requires absolute online to play. What you have is a hotel key for rent and cant even get in with your suitcases on the sidewalk and no where to go but home and hope for a refund.

[cshmech 30]

1.5 stars in amazon rating.. I rest my case!

What is your case? That 1.5 rating is pure fanboy rage and not accurate, look up my posts I have been very critical of sc 2013, but using nerd rage user reviews for proof is moronic. Remember mass effect 3 metacritic user bashing? People who never even played the game are bashing it because of DRm and ea polocies. GAme has issues, but it's hardly terrible

I accept 1.5 rating is moronic. But I kind of feel that my rage is justified. I don't have a problem with staying online all the time...  If there were some problems initially, I'm sure it will get sorted out.. But some key elements from SC4 had been taken away from Simcity, which is very disheartening. 

[ShadeSigma 16]

Stopped reading here, looked at your picture and made the conclusion that you just went full retard.

Whatever dude. You got a reason to go personal? 5 posts and you make your conclusions based on profile photos... says more about your own level of retardness.

 

Where were the Moderators when this happened? Dude came outta nowhere on Nique.

[cirugo 1,889]

 

Stopped reading here, looked at your picture and made the conclusion that you just went full retard.

Whatever dude. You got a reason to go personal? 5 posts and you make your conclusions based on profile photos... says more about your own level of retardness.

 

Where were the Moderators when this happened? Dude came outta nowhere on Nique.

never mind...

[ShadeSigma 16]

 

 

Stopped reading here, looked at your picture and made the conclusion that you just went full retard.

Whatever dude. You got a reason to go personal? 5 posts and you make your conclusions based on profile photos... says more about your own level of retardness.

 

Where were the Moderators when this happened? Dude came outta nowhere on Nique.

never mind...

 

I already saw the first post. You'd better hope they didn't or your gonna be on the naughty list and receive a lump of coal...

[alexss 1]

I was wondering if I should get the new SimCity.

- I don't care about online only.

- I'm over the city size limit.

- I don't care about server issues (it'll be resolved eventually)

- I don't care about teraforming (I found it a little too time consuming SimCity 4)

Is there anything else wrong with it? I actually have the game in my hands but I was wondering if I should install it or get a refund.

I'm asking this because of the low ratings on Amazon (It's the same as SimCity Societes!).

 

 

Update: This topic seemed to get more responses than I expected.

I think I'll install the game (Probably one of the last games I'll ever buy from EA). Really the only thing holding me back was the small city sizes, but I think I can deal with it (Eventually).

 

I've been playing since yesterday .... and honestly, the game is incredible! ...and addictive enough to me. Absolutely superior in every way compared to SC4. Even the small city size issue becomes irrelevant due to the depth of gameplay and beautiful graphics. I imagine how complex this game will become after a few years ... ...

[SirChick 184]

 

 

Mmmhh... I was reading the forums and created this account just to say this:

 

I can't help to think that EA employees are spamming the forums to defend Simcity...

 

Is it coincidence that new accounts with only few posts are defending Simcity?

 

EA strategy: busted!

 

You should use your money to educate your developers instead of paying them to defend your company in Simcity forums...

Uh you have 1 post and you came to this conclusion.

 

 

So do you ... but you can view the forums without needing to post so not seeing your point?

His point makes no sense at all. I'm quietly saying he is being stupid. 

 

True i forgot it was the internet

[halicem 16]

You can keep a steady water supply pretty easily after building a department of utilities.

Places your water towers next to the better waste treatment plant, or place the better water pumps (and build the filtration pumps) next to sewage outflow pipes. With this sort of setup, you clean your sewage and then ship it back out, so while it's quite a cost on your budget, it does give you basically infinite water supply. It's also what real cities of any size at all do. They don't just keep pumping water out of the ground. They clean the sewage and send that back out.

 

wow, i'll try that once i can actually login! i'm now in the same boat with everyone regarding unable to login, unable to load city, unable to reticulate splines, unable-to-feel-sympathy-for-gamers-who-have-to-work-in-the-morning-so-ill-throw-them-in-an-unable-loop.

 

but yeah, i didnt know you can recycle sewage that way!!

 

also, for anyone curious - no even the water table next to the lake still drops. yeah.

[AkemiAzula 280]

So what happens when water runs out? Water tables naturally refill over time irl

[Superbacon 380]

There's rain in the game. That refills the water tables.

[timmie 988]

De Morgen, a Belgian quality newspaper even writes about Simcity today. "European launch goes completely wrong", they say. "We will write a review - as soon as it works". Link

I wonder if EA will manage to turn the perception around.

[VazFox 48]

I love the game. I think it's 100% better than SimCity 4 minus the map size and region play (No direct city --> city connections/green space between cities).

 

Online play is great in my opinion. It effects your city a little but not enough that it no longer feels like it's your creation.

 

Also, I haven't had any server trouble. At all. The bugs I've experienced have all been graphical except for calculating water usage incorrectly.

 

I think that if you overlook those things, you'll love the game.

 

I'm sorry... but I just can't agree.. SimCity 4 is still far better. Yes, the new SimCity's graphics are better, and cities look more realistic (close-up only), and they've added a lot of really awesome features, like the city's direction, like trading, gambling, etc.. but for what I loved SimCity for, it just is not there. I no longer feel like I am in control of how my city grows and develops. I hate how the RCI lots just are placed along the roads without a clear outlining of where the whole lot is. Then there is the size issue.. you get a small square area to make a "city".. I'm sorry but if you look at Google Earth, pretty much every city in the world is not perfectly square.. That just bugs the hell out of me. I love how in SimCity 4 you could make the city look organic and fit in just nice around the foot of the mountains, or sprawl across a valley...  I'm sorry.. but I just can't get into this new one for much longer.. I've been thinking about returning it already.. I've already went back to playing SC4... 

[Pouria 8]

You know what... I'm thinking this game is actually not that bad if we were to call it simcity online. But many of us just expected it to be simcity 5. This simply isn't a game that takes the core of simcity 4 and tries to improve on it (oh, I wish so much they just did that). Maybe they shouldn't have called it simcity at all, because whatever this is, it isn't a true successor to the original simcity series. Yeah, the game isn't so bad to deserve an average score of 2/10 in metacritic or 1.5 stars in amazon. It's just that people's expectation of simcity was different and obvious obstacles like the always online DRM and tiny city lots made them rage to give 0/10 in many cases. IMHO this game deserves 6 or even 7 out of 10 if I can pretend this isn't simcity that I'm playing.

[pjburrage 1]

Having played the full version now, it's an okay game. Yes it is not Sim City 4, heck it's not even Sim City 3000 or 2000. From the little gameplay I had this morning before work, I feel that it's a respectable 6/10 game. The major problem is the Origin/Online DRM that has come with it, along with the server issues. I can understand the frustrations those would cause. I remember when Football Manager went onto the Steam platform and the first year they were on Steam there was horrendous issues with activation, which following the negativity on the forums for that game about going over to that system was not ideal for SI. Hopefully the server issues will ease, now that might be too late for some people and I can understand.

 

Hopefully Maxis get to build on this as there is a basis for a really good game. Unfortunately I think the negativity outweighs the positives and we might not see another game in this current branding of the series.

[Dargor 17]

Pouria, your comments are spot on. That is how I feel, this isn't really Sim City. Weird, because it obviously still is. But it's such a drastic step away from what the game once was.

Probably, well, I am quite about it actually, they didn't want to make a game like SC4. People still play that one. They could've just updated the graphics or something

I think most issues circle around the DRM/serves issues. The game mostly it rated for what it is not, rather than for what it is. It's not a toy to create realistic cities like SC4. It's a whole lot different. Maybe in some time a small group can actually appreciate for what it is.

[DazzaDazza 29]

I think once the dust clears , I think sc4 will be the game, I can't see people playing the new Simcity game for as long

[JessiLaurn 184]

When Amazon.com stops selling your game, you know you've got problems:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21712910

[zorkman 25]

Having played the full version now, it's an okay game. Yes it is not Sim City 4, heck it's not even Sim City 3000 or 2000. From the little gameplay I had this morning before work, I feel that it's a respectable 6/10 game. The major problem is the Origin/Online DRM that has come with it, along with the server issues. I can understand the frustrations those would cause. I remember when Football Manager went onto the Steam platform and the first year they were on Steam there was horrendous issues with activation, which following the negativity on the forums for that game about going over to that system was not ideal for SI. Hopefully the server issues will ease, now that might be too late for some people and I can understand.

 

Hopefully Maxis get to build on this as there is a basis for a really good game. Unfortunately I think the negativity outweighs the positives and we might not see another game in this current branding of the series.

There was an issue for a short time, but that was soon resolved. Many used it as an issue because they didn't like Steam, but you could play offline if you wanted. I should know, as I had the game on release with no problems. Anyway, SI have always been a very good company, supply large patches for free many months after release improving the quality of the game. This didn't have a lasting effect on them. You can't compare them to EA, probably the most greedy company in the computer/video gaming world.

[Sunfighter 186]

My simcity performance has increased 100% since yesterday......

 

I now get 2 screens on top of each other telling me im screwed...

 

[fetkokko 6]

The absense of terraforming along with the small city sizes, is a definite gamebreaker for me.

I want to be able to create my own regions from scratch and be able to save and play those regions locally from my HD.

 

I hate that every game nowadays needs to be integrated inte the online community.

 

One thing they have done well, is the GlassBox engine. It really looks good.

 

Also, Maxis says that the game has been designed with modders in mind. How will that work when the game is running online?

[oldbrokenlink 43]

yes and worse

 

been playing it for number of days now

 

glass box has turned out to be nothing but smoke and mirrors nothing more than bait and switch.

 

is not a simulation at all, more of an animation.

 

lots coming out now and not one of the things theyve said have turned out to be true.

 

real population sizes as low as 5000 and max 10000, the rest all fake and of the real ones theyre behavior is not based on the city that you are building, its all hardcoded and random events with no basis on the city, the population, the business, ect. so u can have everyone without a job buying away, business doing amazing not being a ble to ship their products or without employees, cops, firetrucks, ambulances, workes, ect all going to same location and not going where they supposedly should be going, the financials have no basis on what is happening, neither is hte population and what is happening to them or the business and what is happening to them. it just random events triggered to keep u entertained thinking something is happening, when its not. the worse things its all happening on your computer, no need for glassbox or always on! and forget that you are trading with other cities that too is all fake. basically the games does not communicate realtime to the servers! you can play for like 20 minutes without any problems only interrupted by drm checking if your stole the game or cheating!

[crashx 18]

Yep lots coming out now about how glassbox is a sham basically.

 

Basically the citizens run a lot like the power system, they just fill whatever house they can and etc etc. Hopefully these problems can be fixed because I can't get a refund on Origin apparently. So basically the game is broken.

 

I'm not even going to blame EA for that, That is on Maxis failing to deliver.

[snowhawk04 22]

Yep lots coming out now about how glassbox is a sham basically.

 

Basically the citizens run a lot like the power system, they just fill whatever house they can and etc etc. Hopefully these problems can be fixed because I can't get a refund on Origin apparently. So basically the game is broken.

 

I'm not even going to blame EA for that, That is on Maxis failing to deliver.

 

If you use the "my computer doesnt meet the system requirements" excuse everyone on reddit is using, then origin will give you a refund.