GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links.

EA considering offline mode for SimCity

EA is canvassing player feedback on offline mode and content for future expansion packs.

490 Comments

EA may be looking at the possibility of adding offline play and other features to SimCity as part of its future updates for its world-building series, according to a customer survey that has surfaced on Reddit.

No Caption Provided

The survey, which can be seen here in screenshots, seeks player feedback on potential upcoming features. These include: farms, faster rebuilding after disasters, overpass and underpass roads, cities twice the size of current land plots, terraforming, cooperative city building with friends, and Classic mode. The latter is described as allowing players to, “In offline or online mode, play a single, fully functioning city using cheats and unlocks that allow you to create your perfect city.”

Among other possible changes are four new additions to an upcoming expansion pack. Simulate to the Sky is described as adding the ability to build up instead of out to create SuperScrapers. Players will also be able to zone the new building type residential, commercial, and industrial concurrently, as well as create multi-layered transportation, and improve overall city density to raise populations.

Greed cities add a resource-consuming mega corporation that boosts profits--a robotics augmentation business--and increases the total amount of trash and pollution produced. Conversely, green cities add an academy to research advanced technology and generate wealthy, highly skilled workers, and your city will better collaborate with others on research.

The last component of the new expansion pack is called Transform Tomorrow. It will allow players to watch their cities change as future technologies are added, or see your region become affected by the actions of your future cities.

Launching to low review scores and server troubles, Maxis co-founder Will Wright described the game's initial release as being "inexcusable" for consumers, saying that both EA and Maxis failed to adequately communicate with players.

GameSpot contacted EA seeking clarification regarding the customer survey. A spokesperson from the publisher was unavailable at time of publication.

Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.
This video has an invalid file format.
00:00:00
Sorry, but you can't access this content!
Please enter your date of birth to view this video

By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

Join the conversation
There are 490 comments about this story
490 Comments  RefreshSorted By 
GameSpot has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to toxic conduct in comments. Any abusive, racist, sexist, threatening, bullying, vulgar, and otherwise objectionable behavior will result in moderation and/or account termination. Please keep your discussion civil.

Avatar image for Mr_Mark_Legion
Mr_Mark_Legion

1170

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 18

User Lists: 0

didnt ea say this was an MMO? i guess its not noe? what about all the calculations that are needed to be made hence online always? its funny how many times things like this happen and then backtracking happens and it just shows us how gamers were always right and saw through the companys lies

Upvote • 
Avatar image for 93ChevyNut
93ChevyNut

1396

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Mr_Mark_Legion All the server calculations that are currently required can be replaced by a 16 KB executable that will come with the offline version of the game :)

Upvote • 
Avatar image for GSyynoandnoyyGS
GSyynoandnoyyGS

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By GSyynoandnoyyGS

Considering? CONSIDERING? You should've done it before you even release this game!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for cowbellkid
cowbellkid

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

So this mega corporation that is all about profits. Can we name it EA?

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Wrathesoul
Wrathesoul

95

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

All I shall say considering I truly despise EA is it should have been made offline in the first place like all before it.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for frozenux
frozenux

174

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Considering? lol I think hackers already "considered" it for you....

27 • 
Avatar image for GSyynoandnoyyGS
GSyynoandnoyyGS

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By GSyynoandnoyyGS

@frozenux Hackers>EA

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Toysoldier34
Toysoldier34

2384

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 0

-Offline mode

-Game logic problems fixed

-Decent price

With these I might pick up a copy

4 • 
Avatar image for Gamer-Geek
Gamer-Geek

357

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

@Toysoldier34

And all profits were redirected to charity, then maybe I would.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for alastor529
alastor529

1263

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By alastor529

LMAO theey are CONSIDERING! bfftt hahahahaha
they should've CONSIDERED that way before the launch of the game..

it was obviously a beta test for them to see how the public liked "always online" before Orths comments and the actual XBOX One would release.
Now that Xbox One changed the policy EA as a partner of M$ should've changed it first thing.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for ihateds2
ihateds2

324

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

God damn


Coming up next:


North Korea says they "Love them sum capitalism"

Upvote • 
Avatar image for AdamK47
AdamK47

1127

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Do it EA and I'll finally buy the game.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for toddx77
toddx77

3395

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 9

User Lists: 0

I will buy it is it comes with an offline mode. If this happens I would hope Blizzard does the same with Diablo III.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sexyeyes79
sexyeyes79

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Next up, Dragon Age: Inquisition Online Only Drm.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Koited
Koited

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Wow! a offline game,full of Bugs,isses what you did not fix, more heavy DRM! Good luck find people to buy!

3 • 
Avatar image for RealHarry
RealHarry

307

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I'm trying to remember the last time a news article was received positively, almost unanimously. Something to do with CD Projekt I think. We need more of that.

5 • 
Avatar image for Juon408
Juon408

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Oh Jesus! SimPocalypse continues!

Upvote • 
Avatar image for penpusher
penpusher

3573

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By penpusher

If they include this, as they should have done right from the start, then I'll pick it up.

7 • 
Avatar image for EDFXNights
EDFXNights

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By EDFXNights

ahhh... might be a little too late... i found other games now... maybe i might visit it... if it works

Upvote • 
Avatar image for wongph
wongph

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I think ppl will stick the "crack" that allow single player

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Jedilink109
Jedilink109

1609

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By Jedilink109

CONSIDERING IT?!?! This should never have been "considered"! It's a single player and multiplayer game, it's not a multiplayer only game, and it's certainly not an MMO. So why was it never included to begin with!? Not every game needs to be a "service", ok? Some games should be games. And a game with a single player mode....should be single player. It should NEVER require someone to connect online to play single player!

18 • 
Avatar image for wongph
wongph

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Sim CIty Premium Edition

features: expanded size which should already been in the original game, new monster, new disaters, new buildings, collapsing buildings from BF4 and COD:G, fish AI, more DRM and more stuff u dont ask for

only for $60 dollars

2 • 
Avatar image for Cloud_imperium
Cloud_imperium

15146

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 103

User Lists: 8

@wongph Pick it when it's on sale .

Upvote • 
Avatar image for sexyeyes79
sexyeyes79

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@wongph

No it's actually $79.99

Upvote • 
Avatar image for thermalmotion
thermalmotion

250

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 39

User Lists: 0

YES to all of those things.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for RealHarry
RealHarry

307

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I still don't get what they were trying to achieve with the original launch.

15 • 
Avatar image for sexyeyes79
sexyeyes79

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@RealHarry

People bending over and getting used to being told when they can play a game they legally bought.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Cloud_imperium
Cloud_imperium

15146

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 103

User Lists: 8

Edited By Cloud_imperium

@RealHarry They thought they will get Diablo 3 sales but they forgot that Diablo 3 was sold because of Diablo 2 and people hated it after buying it . They forgot that people won't make the same mistake of buying always online game again .

Greed , that's all I can say .

Upvote • 
Avatar image for red666devil
red666devil

128

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 0

Edited By red666devil

@Cloud_imperium Diablo 3 is a nice game. I still play it with friends and random people.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for RealHarry
RealHarry

307

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

@Cloud_imperium I don't know if that's better or worse than being stupid.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Cloud_imperium
Cloud_imperium

15146

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 103

User Lists: 8

@RealHarry @Cloud_imperium worse

Upvote • 
Avatar image for wongph
wongph

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By wongph

nah they gonna give u premium edition charge for 60 dollars

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Cloud_imperium
Cloud_imperium

15146

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 103

User Lists: 8

Edited By Cloud_imperium

Do it morons . I may pick it up then .

Remove City size restriction too . How much power it will need to do so is my PC's personal matter ;-)

10 • 
Avatar image for sexyeyes79
sexyeyes79

62

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

I still won't buy it. They lost a Sim City fan for life. Any company that wants to take away your consumer rights can burn.

6 • 
Avatar image for MikeFeeney431
MikeFeeney431

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 0

Why do they even need to ask? Everyone told them pre-release and since release they want an offline mode! Just do it and stop acting like it's your bloody idea, the community have been begging for offline since always online was announced!

6 • 
Avatar image for Cloud_imperium
Cloud_imperium

15146

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 103

User Lists: 8

@MikeFeeney431 They are just trying to be like "Hy see .? We listened "

Upvote • 
Avatar image for kagento
kagento

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

But, but... what about the can't-play-without social experience?
In any case, it's about time.

Upvote • 
Avatar image for Hiddai
Hiddai

6117

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 65

User Lists: 0

@kagento yeah

Upvote • 
Avatar image for lextexrex
lextexrex

1311

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By lextexrex

I will buy this game if they remove the online requirement. Simple as that.

4 • 
Avatar image for sirus13019
sirus13019

26

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

At this point I don't really care about offline mode all I really want is the ability to build a city without any size restrictions


4 • 
Avatar image for Godoakos
Godoakos

25

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Yay, I guess?

Upvote •