Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SimCity 'Amusement Park Pack' rides in May 28]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/simcity-amusement-park-pack-rides-in-may-28/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/simcity-amusement-park-pack-rides-in-may-28/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/16/simcity-amusement-park-pack-rides-in-may-28/#comments

SimCity's "Amusement Park Pack," which leaked like oil out of a tea cup ride a tad early, has been confirmed to arrive in two weeks by developer Maxis.
"Some of you may have seen thrilling new SimCity content that arrived too early at the gate. It's coming May 28th. We think you'll be amused," the official SimCity Facebook page now notes.

The pack will allow mayors to lay out the park how they wish, featuring several different rides and customizable entrances. The park will also generate cash by bringing in shoppers, tourists and boosting the local commercial economy. No price was listed for the expansion.

JoystiqSimCity 'Amusement Park Pack' rides in May 28 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 16 May 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity sales reach 1.6 million, 50% of sales online]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-sales-reach-1-6-million-50-sales-online/#comments Electronic Arts announced as part of its year-end financials that SimCity has sold 1.6 million units since its launch in March.

The company noted that 50 percent of sales were "digital downloads." Since the city-builder is only available through EA's Origin digital distribution network, we deduce that to mean 800k sales through there.

The company previously mentioned the game had sold 1.1 million copies in two weeks despite the title's launch complications, which are still being worked out.

Gallery: SimCIty (02/19/2013)

JoystiqSimCity sales reach 1.6 million, 50% of sales online originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-Artspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 07 May 2013 16:17:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity 3.0 update out this week, attempts to fix traffic again]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/simcity-3-0-update-out-this-week-attempts-to-fix-traffic-again/#comments SimCity will receive the 3.0 update this week, which will hopefully go down smoother than 2.0 released in late April. The 3.0 update (listed after the break) tweaks traffic routing, phantom air pollution, stuck school buses and university students crossing roads. Apparently SimCity grammar schools didn't implement the "buddy system" as a road-crossing teaching tool.

The SimCity update is another piece on the pyre of good news EA blasted out yesterday in preparation for today's financial call, where the company is expected to deliver bad news (harsh enough to make a CEO stand down). Yesterday's news included a Plants vs. Zombies 2 release window, the announcement of The Sims 4 and EA's Star Wars exclusivity.

Continue reading SimCity 3.0 update out this week, attempts to fix traffic again

JoystiqSimCity 3.0 update out this week, attempts to fix traffic again originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity 2.0 fixes bugs but adds new ones, users complain]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/simcity-2-0-fixes-bugs-but-adds-new-ones-users-complain/#comments The big SimCity 2.0 update dropped on Monday and even though it fixes its fair share of bugs, the update seems to have introduced new issues. Players have taken to Reddit and the EA forums, complaining of increased sewage levels and spontaneous pollution.

Taxis are crowding cities and some SimCity players have found their production rates slowed when in Cheetah Mode. Others are complaining of impotent firetrucks, unable to combat fires across the city, while others are reporting their cities are reverting to older saves. For some, buildings are endlessly mired in construction and never finish.

EA has yet to comment, so we've contacted the company to find out how it plans to address these complaints. SimCity currently has over 1.1 million players and is slated to launch on Mac in June.

JoystiqSimCity 2.0 fixes bugs but adds new ones, users complain originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity 2.0 update on April 22, mayors getting mansions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/simcity-2-0-update-on-april-22-mayors-getting-mansions/#comments EA will issue a patch for SimCity on Monday, April 22 at 4pm ET. SimCity v2.0 will be the game's first substantial update, adding mansions for mayors, fixing issues with Colorblind mode and squashing some of the bugs scurrying around in the game code. EA Maxis says players should expect server outages "for a few hours" while the update rolls out.

Some of the issues surrounding city processing will be resolved, as will problems with spontaneous fluctuations of tourists, school buses getting stuck, sudden air pollution creeping in, and more. The full list of changes is published on the EA Maxis forums.

Meanwhile, SimCity for Mac is still set to arrive in June.

JoystiqSimCity 2.0 update on April 22, mayors getting mansions originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ea-maxispatchpcsimcity-2013simcity-5updateversion-2version-2.0Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity Cheetah Speed returns, Mac version in June]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/10/simcity-cheetah-speed-returns-mac-version-in-june/#comments After several "non-critical" SimCity features were disabled over a month ago to improve server stability, one of the most significant is finally back online. SimCity players can now enable Cheetah Speed once again, invigorating their tiny Sims to work harder and faster than ever. Maxis is also working on "Update 2.0," though no date was offered regarding its expected release.

In other virtual city planning news, the Mac version of SimCity will be released on June 11. The Mac release will be available exclusively via Origin, with no plans for a retail version. As a nice bonus, those who own the PC version will automatically have access to the Mac version. Likewise, Mac players will be able to download the PC version at no extra cost. Cross-platform play between each version will be supported.

JoystiqSimCity Cheetah Speed returns, Mac version in June originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity DLC is a Nissan Leaf ad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/03/simcity-dlc-is-a-nissan-leaf-ad/#comments SimCity gets free, adbased DLC featuring Nissan LeafSimCity might be best known for its massive logistical problems, but, well, alternate sources of revenue are not among those problems. That part is locked down. By visiting this Origin page and then restarting the always-online game, you'll get access to the "Nissan Leaf Charging Station," which lets your Sims charge little Nissan Leafs (Leaves?), making them and neighboring businesses happy.

The Leaf Charging Station creates no garbage or sewage, highlighting the "green" qualities of the electric car ... but it somehow also doesn't use any power. If you want to volunteer to be advertised to, you have six months; the item won't be available after that.

JoystiqSimCity DLC is a Nissan Leaf ad originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcmacnissan-leafpcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 03 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Buy Dove products, get $20 off Dead Space 3, SimCity, or Most Wanted]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/25/buy-dove-products-get-20-off-dead-space-3-simcity-or-most-wa/#comments Soften the financial impact of Dead Space 3, SimCity, or Need for Speed Most Wanted, while you soften your skin, with an entirely random Amazon deal. Right now, through some totally nonsensical co-marketing, you get the $20 discount off of one of those three EA games if you buy $15 worth of "Dove Men + Care" products, including deodorant, soap, or shampoo.

The limited edition of SimCity is currently already discounted to $40, so this deal takes it down to an effective $20, provided you also need some unnecessarily gender-specific hygiene products.

JoystiqBuy Dove products, get $20 off Dead Space 3, SimCity, or Most Wanted originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonmicrosoftpcplaystationps3simcity-2013simcity-5xboxMon, 25 Mar 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Metareview: SimCity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/metareview-simcity/#comments Well, it's been two weeks since the calamitous launch of the SimCity reboot and the game currently has a Metacritic score lower than the abysmal Resident Evil 6. A small blessing for developer Maxis? SimCity dodges being the highest profile stinker of this still burgeoning year thanks to the dishonor of the utterly broken Aliens: Colonial Marines.
  • GameTrailers (80/100): "Aside from some issues with its online requirements, bugs, and restrictions on city size, it's still a satisfying and addicting simulator that will grant dozens of hours of entertainment with one well-designed city alone."
  • GiantBomb (60/100): "And while I expect many will fall head-over-heels in love with this SimCity's cooperative design, at its best, the game feels more like a really thoughtfully designed multiplayer mode for a larger, single-player capable game that, sadly, doesn't exist."
  • Gamespot (50/100): "The bugs will probably be fixed, the wrinkles smoothed, and the online problems sorted out. What hurts most, though, is that it didn't have to be this way. SimCity's makers looked to MMOGs for ideas on how to bring players together, but didn't absorb the lessons MMOG developers learned long ago on how to implement practical online play."
  • Eurogamer (40/100): "There was a time, perhaps eight or nine hours in, when I wondered why SimCity was so easy. Nobody ever complained about the air pollution, while using my depot to sell my recycling netted me endless profits. I kept playing because, back then, I kept having fun, I kept trying new things and I kept convincing myself that I was a good Mayor. Now I know that it was never really down to me."
  • Destructoid (40/100): "I wanted to like this game, I really did. At first I started to enjoy it, but soon all I found was frustration. I can't recommend this game to anyone, and I don't want to play it anymore myself because I am afraid of seeing all my efforts lost due to server issues."

JoystiqMetareview: SimCity originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxisMetareviewmetareviewspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity sales surpass 1.1 million in two weeks]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/simcity-sales-surpass-1-1-million-in-two-weeks/#comments Despite all of its launch complications, EA Maxis' series reboot SimCity has managed to sell over one million copies since launching two weeks ago. EA reports this is the biggest launch for the franchise, the majority of players - 54%, EA says - choosing to download SimCity. In fact, EA says 44% of total SimCity sales went directly through the publisher's digital distribution platform, Origin.

Two weeks ago, EA disabled some "non-critical" SimCity features in the interest of improving server issues. Also, EA added more servers and sought to quell dissatisfied customers with a free PC game. If you purchase and register SimCity before next week, you can choose between a free copy of Mass Effect 3, Battlefield 3, SimCity 4, Need for Speed: Most Wanted or one of several other eligible games.

JoystiqSimCity sales surpass 1.1 million in two weeks originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxisoriginpcsalessimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA offers choice of Mass Effect 3, SimCity 4, more for SimCity players]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/18/ea-offers-choice-of-mass-effect-3-simcity-4-more-for-simcity-p/#comments EA offers choice of Mass Effect 3, SimCity 4, more for SimCity playersAs part of its efforts to re-endear customers to the new SimCity, EA is handing out one free Origin game to all players, from a choice of Battlefield 3, Bejeweled 3, Dead Space 3, Mass Effect 3, Medal of Honor Warfighter, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Plants vs. Zombies and SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition. To be eligible for a free game, players must register their copies of SimCity before March 25 at 11:59 p.m. PDT, and must claim a free game before March 30 at 11:59 PDT.

Underage players will automatically receive a copy of Bejeweled 3 and SimCity 4.

Many players worldwide were unable to connect to Maxis servers following SimCity's launch in early March, locking the game completely since it requires an always-on connection. In the weeks after its release, EA and Maxis dropped "non-critical" features from the game and added servers to allow players to connect, and are now in the process of re-adding these lost features. This fiasco frustrated many players, as did the game itself.

JoystiqEA offers choice of Mass Effect 3, SimCity 4, more for SimCity players originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsfreeMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Maxis: SimCity's internet requirement not a 'clandestine' DRM strategy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/maxis-simcitys-internet-requirement-not-a-clandestine-drm-st/#comments Following claims yesterday that SimCity had been modified to run offline in a limited capacity, Maxis/EA general manager Lucy Bradshaw has since updated EA's official blog with a bulleted reiteration of Maxis' always-on design philosophy for the game.

In the missive, Bradshaw dismisses claims that SimCity's internet connectivity requirements are in reality "a clandestine strategy to control players" while listing a few of the ways in which server connectivity is essential to the design of the game, though she does not directly address whether the game can be played completely offline in its current form.

"So, could we have built a subset offline mode? Yes," Bradshaw added. "But we rejected that idea because it didn't fit with our vision. We did not focus on the 'single city in isolation' that we have delivered in past SimCities. We recognize that there are fans - people who love the original SimCity - who want that."

JoystiqMaxis: SimCity's internet requirement not a 'clandestine' DRM strategy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-onlinedigital-rights-managementdrmEAElectronic-ArtsLucy-BradshawMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Upcoming SimCity patch to resolve traffic jams, features returning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/15/upcoming-simcity-patch-to-resolve-traffic-jams-features-returni/#comments Server issues aside, SimCity players have noticed some other problems with Maxis' latest simulation game. One of the more obvious ones involves SimCity's traffic, as vehicles tend to take the shortest possible route between destinations. As a result, shorter roads wind up with traffic jams, even if there are wider roads available.

Maxis is working on a patch to solve this problem, as detailed by lead designer Stone Librande on the SimCity blog. The patch will essentially force cars to choose different routes as other routes become more clogged, which should help cities to run more smoothly. Furthermore, multiple service vehicles (fire trucks, etc) will no longer crowd around a given event, addressing one of the complaints from our review.

Finally, Librande noted that many SimCity features - recently disabled to lighten the server load - are "slowly" returning. Regional achievements have been reactivated on "a select number of servers," and leaderboards are now active on the Test server. Librande asks willing players to join the Test server in order to "expedite the timeframe in which [leaderboards are] brought back to the rest of our servers."

JoystiqUpcoming SimCity patch to resolve traffic jams, features returning originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: SimCity modded to disable disconnection timer, open debug mode]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/14/rumor-simcity-modded-to-disable-disconnection-timer-open-debug/#comments
Reddit user AzzerUK claims to have enabled SimCity's debug mode and to have disabled its disconnection timer, both of which imply that there is more to the game's inner workings than EA and Maxis originally stated.

Currently, a user that loses their connection to the server during gameplay will be logged out of the game after 20 minutes. This is supposedly because the client must sync simulation data back to the server on a regular basis, in order to ease the computational load on the user's machine and to ensure the simulation as a whole runs smoothly.

Though not demonstrated in the video above, AzzerUK claims to have disabled that disconnection timer, and that playing an offline city for extended periods of time resulted in no issues with the simulation itself. Since SimCity does not support local saves in any way, it is not possible for AzzerUK to actually save anything that happens in his offline city, but the important thing is that the simulation reportedly did not come to a screeching halt after being unable to sync with the server.

The modder/hacker also claims to have enabled SimCity's debug mode, which allows for cities to be edited beyond their typically imposed borders. Though clipping and texture mapping issues are easily visible in the above clip, the traditionally impossible highways created at least appear to function properly. This supposes that, at least theoretically, the game is capable of supporting city sizes that are larger than what is currently available.

JoystiqRumor: SimCity modded to disable disconnection timer, open debug mode originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-sizedebugEAElectronic-ArtshackhackedMaxismodmoddedofflinepcsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity review: They built this city to shock and troll]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/13/simcity-review/#comments I've written five different openings to this SimCity review over three days. Some felt ignorant of the game's disastrous launch, an element I openly wrestled with before writing this review. Others were too aggressive and awkwardly angry. I fired blindly with some fluffy paragraph about the fun of building, but that seemed disingenuous. I'm unlikely to go back to SimCity for some time. The game simply isn't fun.

Like 2003's SimCity 4, this new SimCity uses a regional map divided into playable zones that interact with one another, transporting commuters and allowing for a level of specialization in particular zones. Unlike SimCity 4's sprawling megalopolis created from a massive grid of connected tiles, the new SimCity's region zones are separated by gaps (think of a subway map where you play the stations but not the lines between). The current region selection supports as little as two and up to 16 zones.

SimCity is very user friendly and a hallmark of modern interface design and simulation transparency. I must stress that I'm speaking specifically about when players are in their particular zone, not when they are trying to discern anything from a regional perspective. Pipes and electricity now run along roads, removing two dull mayoral duties seen in previous games. Crime, pollution, education, and just about every other chart is no longer presented in some tiny pop-up window, but is instead delivered in full graphical glory as an overlay on the main game screen. It's also great that players can now expand on buildings, like giving the police more cars or adding classrooms to schools, but this also begins to highlight the cramped size of the zones.

Gallery: SimCIty (02/19/2013)

Continue reading SimCity review: They built this city to shock and troll

JoystiqSimCity review: They built this city to shock and troll originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Maxis insider claims SimCity servers not essential]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/rumor-simcitys-servers-less-necessary-than-ea-claims/#comments Though EA's official stance on SimCity's persistent Internet connection has been that it's absolutely required for the core game to function, a report from Rock, Paper, Shotgun claims that is not the case. An inside source who asked to remain anonymous told RPS the online servers are "not handling any of the computation done to simulate the city you are playing."

According to the source, the servers are coordinating social messages between cities in a region, as well as "cloud storage of save games, interfacing with Origin, and all of that. But for the game itself? No, they're not doing anything."

Even when the servers go down, certain cities have stayed online and playable for a period of time, suggesting off-site computation is not entangled in the main gameplay loop. The RPS source claims servers are also being used to repeatedly check for instances of hacking and cheating - and the game's verification messages to servers are creating queues and hampering responsiveness.

Finally, the source casts doubt on EA's claims that a single-player version of this SimCity would be impossible to produce. "It wouldn't take very much engineering to give you a limited single-player game without all the nifty region stuff." EA's current public reasoning about why the game needs to stay online has done little to quell frustration voiced over the game's tremendous launch issues.

Joystiq has contacted EA for comment regarding the source's claims.

JoystiqRumor: Maxis insider claims SimCity servers not essential originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anonymouscheetah-modecloudeaelectronic-artsgameplayofflineonlineoriginpcsave-gamesserverssimcitysimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 12 Mar 2013 19:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity receives official server status page]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/simcity-server-status/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/simcity-server-status/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/12/simcity-server-status/#comments SimCity receives official server status pageElectronic Arts and Maxis have created an official SimCity server status page.

The status page comes a week after the game's disastrous launch, which saw servers overwhelmed and players unable to access the game with any regularity up into the weekend, when developer Maxis added more servers.

Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw noted on Sunday that the core problems plaguing the game were "almost behind" them.

JoystiqSimCity receives official server status page originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcserversimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[NMA summarizes SimCity woes, sort of]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/nma-summarizes-simcity-woes-sort-of/#comments
The SimCity servers may still be having problems, but good news: NMA's video rendering servers are working just fine.

JoystiqNMA summarizes SimCity woes, sort of originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>macnmanma-tvpcsimcitysimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 11 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tomb Raider ascends to the peak of this week's UK charts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/11/tomb-raider-ascends-to-the-peak-of-this-weeks-uk-charts/#comments Lara Croft is the leader of the UK pack for the first time in nearly seven years, and she's there in some style too. Not only does Tomb Raider slot into the top spot in this week's UK charts, but it's easily the country's biggest launch of the year so far. True, the game's first week sales are boosted by arriving on a Tuesday rather than the typical Friday, but the same can be said for Aliens: Colonial Marines, the UK's previous biggest first-week seller in 2013. Tomb Raider's opening week beats that of Colonial Marines' by over double, which is particularly telling. After all, according to Crystal Dynamics, Lara's reboot notched up a million sales in under two days.

SimCity is the week's other big name release. Despite releasing on a Friday and, more pertinently, all its troubles across the ocean, the city builder installs itself in second place. On that Sim-note, the newly released University Life expansion for Sims 3 provides a timely reminder of the franchise's selling power by scoring fourth place, beaten by fellow new release Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, which arrives in at a very respectable third place.

That means after two weeks at the top, it's down to sixth for Crysis 3, while Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance clings onto the top ten in ninth place. Tumbling their ways out are Colonial Marines and Dead Space 3, down in 15th and 19th respectively.

Continue reading Tomb Raider ascends to the peak of this week's UK charts

JoystiqTomb Raider ascends to the peak of this week's UK charts originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dschart-trackchart-track-weeklycrystal-dynamicsEAea-maxismicrosoftnintendopcplaystationplaystation-vitaps3simcity-2013square-enixtomb-raider-2013ukvitawii-uxboxMon, 11 Mar 2013 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: Core problem preventing SimCity playtime 'is almost behind us']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/ea-core-problem-preventing-simcity-playtime-is-almost-behind-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/ea-core-problem-preventing-simcity-playtime-is-almost-behind-u/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/ea-core-problem-preventing-simcity-playtime-is-almost-behind-u/#comments SimCity developer Maxis says it has reduced game crashes by 92 percent since day one and players have connected and clocked more than 8 million hours in-game.

"I'm happy to report that the core problem with getting in and having a great SimCity experience is almost behind us," Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw writes. Bradshaw says the improvements stem from adding new servers, tinkering with their network and issuing client updates, such as Thursday's removal of "non-critical" gameplay features.

"I had hoped to issue an 'All-Clear' tonight, but there are still some elements coming together," Bradshaw says. "Tonight and tomorrow we'll be monitoring each server and gameplay metrics to ensure that the service remains strong and game is playing great. We need a few more days of data before we can assure you that the problem is completely solved and the game is running at 100 percent."

Bradshaw reports "tens of thousands of new players" join SimCity every day. We hope to be one of these players some day soon.

JoystiqEA: Core problem preventing SimCity playtime 'is almost behind us' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Sun, 10 Mar 2013 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Maxis: SimCity offline mode is 'just not possible']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/maxis-simcity-offline-mode-is-just-not-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/maxis-simcity-offline-mode-is-just-not-possible/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/10/maxis-simcity-offline-mode-is-just-not-possible/#comments
The issues barraging SimCity stem from its requirement that players are always online and connected to EA's servers, even if a player wants to experience the game alone. Making the game available offline could solve many players' issues, but that's "just not possible," developer Maxis General Manager Lucy Bradshaw said during a Twitter Q&A session.

"The game was designed for MP, we sim the entire region on the server so this is just not possible," Bradshaw said, in response to a question about offline modes. Previously Bradshaw responded to another question about an offline patch: "We have no intention of offlining SimCity any time soon but we'll look into that as part of our earning back your trust efforts."

Making SimCity offline would be a significant undertaking, if it were in the cards at all. Bradshaw further reiterated the sentiment of a leaked internal memo, noting that EA wasn't responsible for SimCity's issues; Maxis was.

"Hey, this is on Maxis," she wrote. "EA does not force design upon us. We own it, we are working 24/7 to fix it, and we are making progress."

Recent progress included increasing SimCity's server capacity by 120 percent, disabling "non-critical" game features, and a report that EA asked SimCity affiliates to stop actively promoting the game.

JoystiqMaxis: SimCity offline mode is 'just not possible' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-onEAElectronic-Artslucy-bradshawMaxisofflineonlinepcsimcity-2013simcity-5Sun, 10 Mar 2013 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA: SimCity server capacity increased by 120%, company to offer free PC game for troubles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/simcity-server-capacity-increased-by-120-ea-offers-free-pc-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/simcity-server-capacity-increased-by-120-ea-offers-free-pc-gam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/09/simcity-server-capacity-increased-by-120-ea-offers-free-pc-gam/#comments ImageSimCity developer Maxis' senior vice president and general manager Lucy Bradshaw gave a brief update last night of the game's unstable condition, noting the company is "committed to fixing" the game. Would have been better if the game had been working in the five days since its North American launch, but what can you do at this point?

How about a free game? Sure. As recompense, on March 18, SimCity players who have activated their game will receive an email (likely the one tied to their Origin account) explaining how to redeem the free game.

"In the last 48 hours we increased server capacity by 120 percent," wrote Bradshaw. "It's working - the number of people who have gotten in and built cities has improved dramatically. The number of disrupted experiences has dropped by roughly 80 percent."

She went on to say, "So we're close to fixed, but not quite there. I'm hoping to post another update this weekend to let everyone know that the launch issues are behind us."

As of this writing (8:46AM Eastern), we are still unable to access SimCity. We are told by the servers that it is either unable to load a city or we receive an endless loading screen - which is exactly what we stared at while writing up this post.

JoystiqEA: SimCity server capacity increased by 120%, company to offer free PC game for troubles originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Sat, 09 Mar 2013 08:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: EA asks SimCity affiliates to 'stop actively promoting the game']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-asks-simcity-affiliates-to-stop-actively-promoting-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-asks-simcity-affiliates-to-stop-actively-promoting-th/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-asks-simcity-affiliates-to-stop-actively-promoting-th/#comments

JoystiqRumor: EA asks SimCity affiliates to 'stop actively promoting the game' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eamaxispcserverssimcitysimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 08 Mar 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: EA Maxis takes 'full responsibility' for SimCity issues via internal memo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-maxis-takes-full-responsibility-for-simcity-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-maxis-takes-full-responsibility-for-simcity-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/rumor-ea-maxis-takes-full-responsibility-for-simcity-issues/#comments An internal memo from Maxis general manager Lucy Bradshaw details the state of the developer, who is hard at work trying to get SimCity fully operational in North America. "SimCity is an online game and critics and consumers have every right to expect a smooth experience from beginning to end," she wrote. "I and the Maxis team take full responsibility to deliver on our promise. Trust that we're working as hard as possible to make sure everyone gets to experience the amazing game we built in SimCity."

Polygon claims to have the internal memo in question, presented in a series of quotes. It claims that the issues experienced in North America are starting to spread overseas. "It's also now evident that players across Europe and Asia are experiencing the same frustration." It also claims 700,000 cities were built in the first 24 hours after launch.

Yesterday, EA Maxis disabled certain non-critical features in SimCity in an attempt to help lighten the load on the servers, which are also growing in number. SimCity is dependent upon a constant online connection. Being an unavoidable part of the experience, server woes have caused us to hold back our review.

Update: An EA representative has confirmed with Joystiq the internal memo in fact leaked today; however, this representative did not go into any further detail than that.

JoystiqRumor: EA Maxis takes 'full responsibility' for SimCity issues via internal memo originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5simulationFri, 08 Mar 2013 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA['Non-critical' SimCity features disabled to improve server issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/non-critical-simcity-features-disabled-to-improve-server-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/non-critical-simcity-features-disabled-to-improve-server-issue/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/non-critical-simcity-features-disabled-to-improve-server-issue/#comments Electronic Arts is sending out a hotfix to help improve the experience for beleaguered SimCity players. The fix includes some unspecified improvements and also disables a few "non-critical gameplay features," according to a community manager on the EA forums. These features include leaderboards, achievements and region filters, with EA promising their removal will "in no way affect your core gameplay experience."

SimCity has suffered from server issues since it launched earlier this week, with many players (including our own Alexander Sliwinski) unable to connect to the "always-on" required game and, thus, unable to play. EA will be adding new servers over the next two days. The publisher recently expressed confidence in the international launch, saying it would not suffer the same problems.

Update: Amazon has stopped selling digital copies of the game citing customer complaints.

Joystiq'Non-critical' SimCity features disabled to improve server issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA adding more SimCity servers over next two days]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/ea-adding-more-simcity-servers-over-next-two-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/ea-adding-more-simcity-servers-over-next-two-days/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/07/ea-adding-more-simcity-servers-over-next-two-days/#comments In order to help get more people connected to SimCity during a launch period plagued by intermittent (at best) access and data loss, EA has begun adding more servers for the online-only game.

"What we are doing is deploying more servers over the coming two days which will alleviate many of the ongoing issues," senior producer Kip Katsarellis said on the EA forum. "We are also paying close attention to all the bug reports we are receiving from our fans. We've already pushed several updates in the last few days. Our live ops team is working 24/7 to resolve issues and ensure that bug fixes roll into the game as quickly as possible."

On Tuesday, EA expressed its confidence that Origin services would be "stable" for international launches occurring later in the week. Despite that confidence, the Oceanic servers crashed at launch today.

JoystiqEA adding more SimCity servers over next two days originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>kip-katsarelismacpcserverssimcity-2013simcity-5simserverThu, 07 Mar 2013 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: SimCity, Diablo 3 and a review of customer service]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/editorial-simcity-diablo-3-and-a-review-of-customer-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/editorial-simcity-diablo-3-and-a-review-of-customer-service/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/06/editorial-simcity-diablo-3-and-a-review-of-customer-service/#comments Editorial SimCity, Diablo 3 and a review of customer service
I don't like writing game reviews. I'm a news guy, comfortable moving within and reporting on the binary conclusions of business in the video game industry. Reviews are emotional. Always have been. With SimCity and Diablo 3, I think the already tempestuous machine of game reviews in this industry has changed forever, and as a collective we haven't yet determined how to proceed. SimCity and Diablo 3 aren't just games, they are also services. The question: Should these games be reviewed separately from their service elements or should they be reviewed in combination?

Comparing this to the restaurant industry, the game is the food and the internet-required connection is the table service. Back of the house and front of the house. What we've seen following the launches of Diablo 3 and SimCity are people paying money to walk into the restaurant on opening day and not being served a meal. In a restaurant there would be immediate and dire consequences for such poor customer service. In the video game industry, there's no shortage of apologists justifying the outcome. Nobody genuflects to poor customer service excuses in a restaurant. Any restaurant review would treat the meal and service as one singular expression of the experience.

Continue reading Editorial: SimCity, Diablo 3 and a review of customer service

JoystiqEditorial: SimCity, Diablo 3 and a review of customer service originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Activision-Blizzardbattlefield-3diablo-3eaeditorialelectronic-artssimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA 'confident' Origin will be stable for international SimCity launches]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/ea-confident-origin-will-be-stable-for-international-simcity-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/ea-confident-origin-will-be-stable-for-international-simcity-l/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/05/ea-confident-origin-will-be-stable-for-international-simcity-l/#comments EA 'confident' Origin will be stable for international SimCity launchesElectronic Arts stated late this afternoon that the high demand for SimCity has impacted a small percentage of users accessing the always-online game's servers. (We're currently locked out.)

The Twitter account for the publisher's digital distribution network, Origin, went on to note, "We're making changes to prevent further issues, and are confident that Origin will be stable for international launches later this week."

You hear that, Europe? Confident! Let's see how it goes.

JoystiqEA 'confident' Origin will be stable for international SimCity launches originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity gambles on disaster in new footage]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/simcity-gambles-on-disaster-in-new-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/simcity-gambles-on-disaster-in-new-footage/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/01/simcity-gambles-on-disaster-in-new-footage/#comments

SimCity has all its permits and union payoffs in order to start building next week. Here's an example of a casino city, and another that won't be a city much longer. Fallout: SimCity, anyone?

Continue reading SimCity gambles on disaster in new footage

JoystiqSimCity gambles on disaster in new footage originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-ArtsMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 01 Mar 2013 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[From city-builder roles to caring for citizens in SimCity]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/from-city-builder-roles-to-caring-for-citizens-in-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/from-city-builder-roles-to-caring-for-citizens-in-simcity/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/19/from-city-builder-roles-to-caring-for-citizens-in-simcity/#comments SimCity's peoplefocused play exposes the shortfalls of past gamesRegions are the beating heart of Maxis Games' upcoming SimCity revival. The always-online game places a lot of emphasis on community, but it's less about the global fellowship and more about the ties that bind neighboring cities together.

Players face a choice when they're first starting out: break ground in a small region with only two or three city-sized plots of land to develop ,or jump into a more expansive location, one that supports as many as 16 cities. The cost/benefit for each choice is simple enough to break down; it's the difference between carving out your own, private space in the world versus leaving the door open for other players to join.

All of SimCity's regions are created in-house at Maxis - there's no plan to let players mold their own regions - and each plot of claimable land comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. A helpful status bar pop-up points out which resources are and aren't available when an unclaimed plot is highlighted, so you know what you're getting before you settle on a civilization site.

Maxis has been working to test against a whole galaxy of possibilities in the run-up to SimCity's March 5, 2013, release. It's to the point that sizable portions of the working day at the studio are now devoted purely to play, with staffers being assigned to a range of discrete city-builder roles.

"It's hard to go into every nook and cranny of the game because there's just so much. The breadth of the game is really large," lead designer Stone Librande told Joystiq. "We have different designers who are assigned to different tasks. Like, 'You're making university town, you're making casino town, you're making ore and coal mining town.'"

Gallery: SimCIty (02/19/2013)

Continue reading From city-builder roles to caring for citizens in SimCity

JoystiqFrom city-builder roles to caring for citizens in SimCity originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-MaxisElectronic-ArtsmacMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 19 Feb 2013 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity's second beta assembles Feb. 16]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/simcitys-second-beta-assembles-feb-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/simcitys-second-beta-assembles-feb-16/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/08/simcitys-second-beta-assembles-feb-16/#comments

If you missed out on the first SimCity beta, you'll be pleased to know EA has laid the foundations for a second closed beta, starting February 16. The publisher tells us the second edition features an "enhanced" version of the one hour's worth of city planning featured in the first one.

The beta begins at 9AM ET (6AM PT, 2PM British) on February 16, and runs through 24 hours until February 17. The deadline for sign-ups is 9AM ET on Monday February 11. The game proper launches in North America on March 5, which is when you can get your hands on its Limited Edition, as zanily promoted in the new trailer above.

JoystiqSimCity's second beta assembles Feb. 16 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betaEAmacmaxispcsimcitysimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 08 Feb 2013 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity's Euro sets teased in trailer, Mac version planned for spring]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/simcitys-euro-sets-teased-in-trailer-mac-version-planned-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/simcitys-euro-sets-teased-in-trailer-mac-version-planned-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/29/simcitys-euro-sets-teased-in-trailer-mac-version-planned-for-s/#comments
The latest SimCity trailer is intended to entice mayors to purchase the "Digital Deluxe" edition, which features three distinctive tile sets as a bonus, along with some well-known landmarks.

The Digital Deluxe version includes the Paris City Set with Eiffel Tower, German City Set with Brandenburg Gate and British City Set with Big Ben. The packs also include French police cars, German trains and British buses.

Developer Maxis also updated SimCity's release date on Mac with a "Spring 2013" window. The game is scheduled for March 8 on PC. The company notes that Mac and PC players will be able to play together on the same maps. Pre-orders are not currently available for SimCity on Mac and the company will have more information soon.

JoystiqSimCity's Euro sets teased in trailer, Mac version planned for spring originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmacmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCityEDU announced, bringing learning tools to classrooms in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/#comments SimCityEDU announced, bringing virtual learning tools to classrooms in MarchEA recently announced SimCityEDU, an online community that allows educators to create and share lesson plans based on the upcoming SimCity game. The community will include a curriculum and suite of tools that fall in line with the US Common Core State Standards Initiative, with the goal of stimulating student interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In development by GlassLab, a non-profit that creates educational environments for existing games, SimCityEDU is launching in March, around the time SimCity will arrive. In other words, just in time for spring break. Teachers that are looking to check out the program can head to the official sign-up page for the SimCityEDU beta.

JoystiqSimCityEDU announced, bringing learning tools to classrooms in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>common-coreEAeducationglasslabsimcity-2013simcity-5simcityeduSTEMSun, 20 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity beta next weekend, sign up now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/simcity-beta-next-weekend-sign-up-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/simcity-beta-next-weekend-sign-up-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/18/simcity-beta-next-weekend-sign-up-now/#comments SimCity beta next weekend, sign up nowDearest fellow city planners, the SimCity Beta is prepped to begin January 25 and run through the weekend until Monday, January 28. The SimCity Twitter account notes players will get the chance to try out a "one hour slice" of the game.

Interested participants should head on over to the SimCity site and sign up for the beta. The full game's final launch date is hopefully set in concrete and is expected to hand out building permits on March 5.

JoystiqSimCity beta next weekend, sign up now originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsmacMaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 18 Jan 2013 08:50:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity intro video receives permit for public viewing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/simcity-intro-video-receives-permit-for-public-viewing/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/simcity-intro-video-receives-permit-for-public-viewing/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/09/simcity-intro-video-receives-permit-for-public-viewing/#comments
If you like flyovers of modeled cityscapes, you are in for a treat with this SimCity intro trailer. Urban and industrial vistas are on display as the camera flies by buildings and uses convenient skyscrapers as edits. Enjoy!

JoystiqSimCity intro video receives permit for public viewing originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAElectronic-ArtsmacpcSimCitysimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 09 Jan 2013 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity and the art of amassing wealth]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/simcity-and-the-art-of-amassing-wealth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/simcity-and-the-art-of-amassing-wealth/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/28/simcity-and-the-art-of-amassing-wealth/#comments Cities don't just start out as metropolises, full to the brim with wealthy shoppers who live in penthouse suites. No, a city must work hard to become a bustling shopping mecha and beacon of wealth - and in SimCity, it's all about having a city full of Wealthy Sims.

Attracting Wealthy Sims to your town is the easy part; however, keeping them around is tough because Wealthy Sims are more sensitive to their needs and vocal when ignored. "Education, pollution reduction, better crime suppression, and consistency in all your services will become a priority as your Sims go up in wealth," EA says. A dearth of disasters probably helps, too.

Another crucial aspect is increasing land value, a byproduct of putting services and public transportation systems in place. As you build infrastructures, you'll start to shape your city and attract the corresponding kind of Wealthy Sim. It's key to build parks around your residential areas, giving the Wealthy Sims a much-needed place to go and offer condescending looks at the other, poorer Sims.

JoystiqSimCity and the art of amassing wealth originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaea-maxismacpcsimcity-2013simcity-5Fri, 28 Dec 2012 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity and the power to build with friends trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/11/simcity-and-the-power-to-build-with-friends-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/11/simcity-and-the-power-to-build-with-friends-trailer/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/11/simcity-and-the-power-to-build-with-friends-trailer/#comments

One of the most exciting ideas in the new SimCity is the "multi-city play" feature, which is showcased in this latest trailer. Around the 2:50 mark is where the co-op features start to really get shown off. Build a better city with friends starting March 5, 2013.

JoystiqSimCity and the power to build with friends trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 11 Dec 2012 09:45:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity creative director shows off more of game's interface]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/simcity-creative-director-shows-off-more-of-games-interface/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/simcity-creative-director-shows-off-more-of-games-interface/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/27/simcity-creative-director-shows-off-more-of-games-interface/#comments
SimCity creative director Ocean Quigley (rockin' a badass mustache) shows off the game's intuitive visual presentation, which we praised back at Gamescom. The trailer features nice examples of the immediate impact of civic structures and parks. SimCity will be out the first full week of March 2013.

JoystiqSimCity creative director shows off more of game's interface originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaElectronic-Artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCity delayed, launching March 5 in North America and March 8 in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/simcity-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/simcity-release-date/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/simcity-release-date/#comments ImageElectronic Arts announced this morning that SimCity will receive UK building permits on March 8, 2013. This is a slight delay from the February launch window the publisher had been promoting since this summer.

We've reached out to EA's North American PR to confirm whether the city builder got caught up in bureaucratic licensing and union issues on this side of the Atlantic as well. We'll update as soon as we receive a response.

Update: The official SimCity Twitter account notes a North American launch date of March 5, 2013.

Continue reading SimCity delayed, launching March 5 in North America and March 8 in UK

JoystiqSimCity delayed, launching March 5 in North America and March 8 in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artspcsimcity-2013simcity-5Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:20:00 EST<![CDATA[How SimCity deals with disasters]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/how-simcity-deals-with-disasters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/how-simcity-deals-with-disasters/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/15/how-simcity-deals-with-disasters/#comments

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When SimCity gives you meteorites, tornadoes and earthquakes ... you'd better hope there's more than a refreshing beverage around. As the latest trailer for next February's reboot shows, an adequate support structure helps alleviate the worst events.

Continue reading How SimCity deals with disasters

JoystiqHow SimCity deals with disasters originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eaelectronic-artsmaxispcsimcity-2013simcity-5Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:00:00 EST