Amazon.com suspends SimCity sales pending EA server problems.

[QCne 8]

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-41018ted-Edition2-SimCity/dp/B007VTVRFA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362672031&sr=8-1&keywords=simcity

 

 

 

[mirrors90 1]

Ouch. Massive blow to EA/Maxis. 

[SirChick 184]

825 reviews 1 star ... thats horrendous and a heck of a way to ruin the SimCity franchise... yes i know its not SimCity 5 but 90% of the gaming world don't know that. They just think its the next SC game.

[shorty2 94]

Good. I hope this whole thing backfires on EA and it puts another nail in their coffin. It's a shame they'll probably drag Maxis down with them.

[crashx 18]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

[thatsarap 25]

It's still available on Amazon.  It now has a disclaimer about server issues. 

[Spatzimaus 77]

825 reviews 1 star ...

 

With more than half of those 1-star reviews being posted before the game went live.  Read the actual reviews, and you see a lot of people complaining about the DRM and map sizes on purely theoretical grounds, and a whole lot of "and that's why I won't buy it" comments.  That's right, you don't actually have to buy the product to review it...

[arcology 224]

It's still available on Amazon.  It now has a disclaimer about server issues. 

 

The PC version is still available, not the digital download.

[SirChick 184]

825 reviews 1 star ...

 

With more than half of those 1-star reviews being posted before the game went live.  Read the actual reviews, and you see a lot of people complaining about the DRM and map sizes on purely theoretical grounds, and a whole lot of "and that's why I won't buy it" comments.  That's right, you don't actually have to buy the product to review it...

 

Amazon doesn't allow reviews pre-release. Also those reviews mimic alot of people's complaints across every website, So i guess they can predict the future by your logic if they posted before release.

 

Infact if you could be arsed to sort it in order of oldest to newest theres 4 reviews before march 5th and they were complaining about the order process. All the others are AFTER release date.

[thatsarap 25]

It's still available on Amazon.  It now has a disclaimer about server issues. 

 

The PC version is still available, not the digital download.

 

Ah, gotcha!  Didn't see that initially.

[LillySatou 117]

Good for them. 

[XisBlue 3]

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

[crashx 18]

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

[Districtopia 23]

Only sales of the digital download have been suspended. I'm guessing (but am not positive) that this is to ease the traffic on the servers?

[hellmunkey 30]

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

Server issues yes, even the "infamous" D3 had a bad launch, but I got to play for a couple hours after I got home from work that night, and had some interuptions over the next day or 2, but I was not prevented from playing for 3 days, and neither were my friends.  Im not on the hate bandwagon.  I really wanted to love this game.  My hope is that this debacle sends a message to all devs to get their crap strait for launch and also realize that not every game needs to be multi player online only. 

 

I only have 2 EA games in my catalogue at home, Burnout Paradise and Madden.  The last EA game I bought was Dragon Age Origins.  I am showing my disgust the only meaningful way I can, by not buying their software.  It really is sad, because there are some amazing devs trapped under a terribad publisher.

[SirChick 184]

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

 

Battlefield 3 worked fine . Call of duty worked fine..... and they are 10 times the number of players.

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

Your an idiot, those launches were not near as bad, in fact GW2 had small issues but nothing major same as SWTOR.  Days later most cannot even sign in and play with sim city, and this isnt an mmo. The issues are way more widerspread, you can assure Amazion did this because of the sheer amount of complaints from customers. Get real and get your head outt of EAS arse.

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

Agaoin no they don't not like this. I buy and play a lot of games, D3 and guuild wars 2 had some issues but minor compared to this. D3 the servers would be down 20 mins max and you could play again, this is horrid. Another EA blind sheeple.

[ETK 14]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

 

Even though those releases were far from perfect, they pale in comparison to how badly this release has gone.

[crashx 18]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

Your an idiot, those launches were not near as bad, in fact GW2 had small issues but nothing major same as SWTOR.  Days later most cannot even sign in and play with sim city, and this isnt an mmo. The issues are way more widerspread, you can assure Amazion did this because of the sheer amount of complaints from customers. Get real and get your head outt of EAS arse.

> 

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

Agaoin no they don't not like this. I buy and play a lot of games, D3 and guuild wars 2 had some issues but minor compared to this. D3 the servers would be down 20 mins max and you could play again, this is horrid. Another EA blind sheeple.

 

 

First of all. If you were to call someone an idiot it would be "You're an idiot" not "Your". It's always nice to see someone resort to kindergarten name calling though while doing that.

 

SWTOR nor GW2 didn't have any problems? SWTOR's launch was pretty bad, the reason is they let a small number of people in, staggering the release and the QQ was everywhere about that. People couldn't play GW2 for a few days as well, I was around for both launches, you are way over exaggerating to pretend that both were smooth. Especially with all the issues NCsoft had with accounts.

 

D3 issues were minor? Alright then...

 

Also by definition this is a MMO.

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

 

Even though those releases were far from perfect, they pale in comparison to how badly this release has gone.

Exactly, even a MAxis developer said on Redit it was the worst PC launch ever, and its not even close to the scale or number of users as Guild wars  or SWTOR. Sad people on here are still defending this, it's is an absolutely horrendous launch.  Anyone who thinks other launches were as bad as this are clueless.

[mayorgeek 18]

Amazon has suspended both the DVD and the download. The DVD is available only from third party sellers--not from Amazon.

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

 

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

Your an idiot, those launches were not near as bad, in fact GW2 had small issues but nothing major same as SWTOR.  Days later most cannot even sign in and play with sim city, and this isnt an mmo. The issues are way more widerspread, you can assure Amazion did this because of the sheer amount of complaints from customers. Get real and get your head outt of EAS arse.

>>> 

It's nice to see Amazon react to a product that's having serious issues out the gate. 

 

However, I'd like to see them follow this up with warnings on all games that have issues or a warning on all new releases that use the Internet in some way.

 

I'm also curious if Amazon is going to let those 1,000+ negative reviews stand or if they'll do a wipe or if EA will "pad" it somehow. At this rate, it's going to take a ton of 5-star reviews just to get the overall score to 3 stars.

 

I agree, they can set the standard here to ALL companies because pretty much every major online only game has server issues at launch.

Agaoin no they don't not like this. I buy and play a lot of games, D3 and guuild wars 2 had some issues but minor compared to this. D3 the servers would be down 20 mins max and you could play again, this is horrid. Another EA blind sheeple.

 

 

First of all. If you were to call someone an idiot it would be "You're an idiot" not "Your". It's always nice to see someone resort to kindergarten name calling though while doing that.

 

SWTOR nor GW2 didn't have any problems? SWTOR's launch was pretty bad, the reason is they let a small number of people in, staggering the release and the QQ was everywhere about that. People couldn't play GW2 for a few days as well, I was around for both launches, you are way over exaggerating to pretend that both were smooth. Especially with all the issues NCsoft had with accounts.

 

D3 issues were minor? Alright then...

 

Also by definition this is a MMO.

 

I didnt say they never had any issues read much? I said they were small compare to this, people were able to play most of the time without issue with some bumps, GW2 in particular was thye smoothest MMO launch ever. THIS is not an mmo with not near as many users and the launch is horrid, you disagree with a maxis developer who admitted it was the worst launch he's ever seen? The issues those had are not near the same scale as this, its why amazon acted here and not with those games, you think amazon are fangirls or something? They are a business, that alone says it all. The number of people who could not play GW2 for days were minute, SC issues are widespread and not getting fixed, GW2 issues were fixed quickly and not as numerous.

 

This is not a presistent world MMO, sorry.

[crashx 18]

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

 

Even though those releases were far from perfect, they pale in comparison to how badly this release has gone.

 

Are you sure?

 

Areanet halted sales of their own game because of the issues they had. Not amazon...but the actual company selling the game decided that things had gotten so bad that they couldn't let any more in to make it worse.

 

Not only that but the trading post continued to go offline and generally not function. Which is a pretty big feature to have not working in your game for like...man that must have been a week.

[mastorofpuppetz 199]

 

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

 

Even though those releases were far from perfect, they pale in comparison to how badly this release has gone.

 

Are you sure?

 

Areanet halted sales of their own game because of the issues they had. Not amazon...but the actual company selling the game decided that things had gotten so bad that they couldn't let any more in to make it worse.

 

Not only that but the trading post continued to go offline and generally not function. Which is a pretty big feature to have not working in your game for like...man that must have been a week.

The trading post down for a few days compared to this? Grasp at straws much? Only proves my point, game was fully playable.  Arenanet offering refunds is just a courtesy and BS, and it just shows they are a lot better company then EA, the issues were not near as widespread, and the scale and number of users in GW2 dwarfs Sim City.

[crashx 18]

 

 

It's fine that Amazon has done this, but they should do this for every other MMO game that launches then and set the standard. I surely don't remember them doing this to GW2 or SWTOR.

 

Even though those releases were far from perfect, they pale in comparison to how badly this release has gone.

 

Are you sure?

 

Areanet halted sales of their own game because of the issues they had. Not amazon...but the actual company selling the game decided that things had gotten so bad that they couldn't let any more in to make it worse.

 

Not only that but the trading post continued to go offline and generally not function. Which is a pretty big feature to have not working in your game for like...man that must have been a week.

The trading post down for a few days compared to this? Grasp at straws much? Only proves my point, game was fully playable.  Arenanet offering refunds is just a courtesy and BS, and it just shows they are a lot better company then EA, the issues were not near as widespread, and the scale and number of users in GW2 dwarfs Sim City.

 

You can play Simcity too, in fact I've been playing it. The point is that Areanet HALTED their own sales of the game because of issues.

 

EA is also offering refunds...your point?

 

You say it's the smoothest MMO launch ever, yet a big feature like trading post (the entire game's economy) was down for several days, not a few days and it kept coming back on and off. This is not to mention all the other issues they had with accounts. Banning accounts by the thousands, unable to form parties and guilds, and all the accounts that were hacked.

 

I'm sorry no they are not excused from having a bad launch, you may want to excuse them so you can heap more of your hate at EA. But NCsoft(the publisher) is not much better. Of course you won't see that, you are likely one of the people whose sole purpose is to go on and on about hoe evil EA is.

Also all of these issues I've mentioned with GW2 ON TOP of people not being able to play the game. Just because YOU got to play it doesn't mean others weren't able to.

 

If you want to use that logic then hey! Simcity has had a smooth launch because I've been able to play!

[the_architect25 5]

Good they deserve it!

[gianthaiku 5]

Where do I even begin?

 

My Comrades, 

 

I woke up on the 5th of March 2013, I had not enough money left in my gaming funds to buy Simcity, I was cool with this, I knew the DRM would cause some problems, And that people would probably rage about it for a day, maybe two at the most. 

 

It is now Day 3, The British release is 2 hours away at time of writing, and anyone who bought this game is surely coming out this experience a hundred times more cynical. Tonight, my fellow British Simcity fans will log on, Only to find their product is defective, or their cities have been erased, Or they just can't play a game they actually payed 40 - 60 Pounds Sterling for. This, Ladies and Gentleman, I am sorry to say, Is our future. Because companies didn't understand that Pirates are literally everywhere, You, the consumer who legitimately pays for his copy with his or her HARD EARNED MONEY, Now has to suffer, because a few kids wanted a game for free. Piracy is not to blame for this. If EA says this wasn't my fault, All you have to do is say "This is your fault, You conned us out of money, for a product that should not have been released, EVER".

 

This is our future, We have the power to make it stop, but yet again, we $%&^! and whine without doing anything about this. We buy games. They turn out to be crappy, and not optimized very well as a result of games being aimed Console, This is not their fault, They're fellow gamers, they may be of a different mindset to us guys sitting all high and mighty on our Powerful PC's, but they are still part of the Zerg. They are still part of the Swarm of consumers who have grew up playing video games. We are not going to go anywhere at all. Nowhere. We've let publishers (Some, but not all) screw us over for far too long. It's time we finally said No. It's time we took matters into our own hands.

 

Also, reffering to the topic at hand, I feel I must commend the actions of Amazon, they have always been my favorite retailer when it comes to games, One because they provide physical copies, and two because they provide a very good customer service. The DRM incident has allowed Amazon's Customer Service to shine, they have refunded their customers, and have taken the game off sale until the server is back up.

 

As to how you guys want to do this, I'll leave it up to you

 

Cya soon Simtropolis,

[FrozenNapalm 1]

This is what keeps companies on their toes. Good for Amazon.

[KCJC 367]

825 reviews 1 star ...

 

With more than half of those 1-star reviews being posted before the game went live.  Read the actual reviews, and you see a lot of people complaining about the DRM and map sizes on purely theoretical grounds, and a whole lot of "and that's why I won't buy it" comments.  That's right, you don't actually have to buy the product to review it...

 

Except that if you look at the reviews by people who are verified purchasers, they aren't any better.

 

Also, where do you see these mysterious reviews from before launch? I don't see any. Amazon doesn't allow reviews before the game launches. There are a few before March 5 but if you look they're verified purchasers. (If you read one of them it remarks that Amazon released the download code earlier than they had said they would.

[SirChick 184]

 

825 reviews 1 star ...

 

With more than half of those 1-star reviews being posted before the game went live.  Read the actual reviews, and you see a lot of people complaining about the DRM and map sizes on purely theoretical grounds, and a whole lot of "and that's why I won't buy it" comments.  That's right, you don't actually have to buy the product to review it...

 

Except that if you look at the reviews by people who are verified purchasers, they aren't any better.

 

Also, where do you see these mysterious reviews from before launch, because I don't see any. Amazon doesn't allow reviews before the game launches. There are a few before March 5 but if you look they're verified purchasers. (If you read one of them it remarks that Amazon released the download code earlier than they had said they would.

 

 

LOL you said exactly what i said a few post back