[dmr87]

I don't know if this is a known thing but I looked through the leaked manual, page 9.

Click the banner on the main menu to enter the SimCity Store. Here, you’ll find special add-ons for sale. Select STORE to view the full list of additional game content (both free and paid) that can provide you with new gameplay possibilities

http://www.scribd.com/doc/121736732/...Simcity-manual

[MotorbreathX]

Awesome. The SIMsCity 5.

[Kunan]

They've been trying really hard to systematically destroy any hype they built with the initial reveal.

[zomgbbqftw]

I really want to buy this game, but every time there is an information reveal about it EA make me want to wait for a sale.

[GoddyofAus]

EA? Shoehorning microtransactions into 60 dollar AAA games?

[Lost Fragment]

Man, my hype for this game went from massive to non-existent in record time.

[Ysiadmihi]

Do they really not understand they're killing all interest for this game?

[Nugg]

Oooooof course it will. If Dead Space has one, there's no way SimCity does not. EA's gonna be EA.

[Fezzan]

Is this really news?

[Derrick01]

They've been trying really hard to systematically destroy any hype they built with the initial reveal.

The EA effect.

Personally the focus on MP and online only really crushed any chance I had of buying it but this is pretty dirty too. They may as well make it a F2P game so we can have that rapey F2P-feel without having to spend $60 first.

[EagleBurnn]

I AM SHOCKED

[Spookie]

I guess this is something we will be seeing in every EA game going forward then.

[Burgess_101]

I really can't justify a purchase anymore, I love SimCity its a game I have been waiting a long time for and its just hit after hit after hit that has killed any sort of interest in it. It's so sad.

Honestly I never thought EA was as bad as people made them out to be but its constantly making it hard for me to keep that view, micro transactions have no place in a AAA game, especially a city builder like this.

[grimshawish]

/sigh
I guess I'll see what its for first. I have a bad feeling now that they don't just view the social stuff as an evolution of the series as I did :(

[StoppedInTracks]

EA game. What did you expect?

[Sethos]

I'll wait for the dating and pet expansion.

[BolognaSoup]

Not surprising but still disgusting. I can see myself holding out for a $10 sale 4 years down the road now.

[Nugg]

guys guys guys wait! I think I found a screenshot!

[GMN]

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

[Jackano]

But can the in-game store being destroyed by a tornado or mecha-godzilla?

[TheLucifer]

It's funny how I had such a great hype a year ago and now is almost completely gone.

I shouldn't even be surprised, just EA being EA.

[demosthenes]

Sadly, the revenue they earn from the store will probably outweigh everyone in my shoes. Not wanting this game b/c of all the changes they've made. From initial reveal to now, it's gone so low :(

[Nugg]

But can the in-game store being destroyed by a tornado or mecha-godzilla?

Actually I would like to know if something you bought for a few bucks can be randomly swallowed whole by a wandering godzilla, forcing you to buy it again.

[Puppet Shadow]

I finally got around to playing my Steam sale copy of Sims 3 last night, and they have stuff for the Sim's store embedded right in the game's UI, in a bright yellow colour.

Jesus EA, ease up a bit.

[Fragamemnon]

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

This. The existence of a store doesn't mean that it will intrusive or needed. I don't know why Origin doesn't have some kind of hooks to manage in-game purchases though, seems kind of odd.

edit: I don't even like SimCity-just not my thing-but it's funny how people point out EA for being cynical with IAPs and then this thread is nothing but the very worst forumthink cynicism-GAF assumptions that any in-game store will be a horrific thing, despite the huge strides that in-game stores have made since the early days of the first F2P games in the mid to late 2000s.

[dimb]

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

If it's in game how could it not?

[injurai]

next-gen

[Mithos]

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

Said the same about "online passes" back in the day, to bad they eventually spilled over to and affected my offline singleplayer gameplay.

[Gleylancer]

Still waiting for a new Command & Conquer, where you have to buy the ammunition online.

...or the tiberium...

...or both...

[grimshawish]

It just breaks all the logic for some decisions. Always online is nothing to do with the social stuff or pushing for cooperation as for all I know my neighbour is going to be buying loads of stuff.

Instead always online and social features are there to force competition with the aim of pulling in whales who'll become obsessed with optimising their small wee space over the competitions.

/sigh

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

There is ZERO way in which this can not impact the gameplay.

[Burgess_101]

If it's in game how could it not?

Exactly, we have to nip this in the bud right now before it becomes common practise and all my games turn into Farmville.

[ymmv]

I guess this is something we will be seeing in every EA game going forward then.

Micro transactions, heavy emphasis on social networks, always online ... This is how you destroy a great single player experience.

[Forkball]

You need 500 gems to keep the electricity on for this block!

[Gooster]

The EA effect. Personally the focus on MP and online only really crushed any chance I had of buying it but this is pretty dirty too. They may as well make it a F2P game so we can have that rapey F2P-feel without having to spend $60 first.

The messed up part is I enjoyed the beta. There were certain questionable aspects in design, but I thought it had blended something pretty decently for newcomers and veterans. Then I remembered -- oh. Always online and, from what I understand, forced social structuring.

Sucks that the Reddit IAMA with Maxis that went to hell was all for naught.

[Colkate]

if it doesn't affect my gameplay i don't see the problem

Even if it's 100% vanity items/buildings, that's part of the gameplay of SimCty, the looks of your city, so it can't not affect the gameplay.

Also:

Click the banner on the main menu to enter the SimCity Store. Here, you’ll find special add-ons for sale. Select STORE to view the full list of additional game content (both free and paid) that can provide you with new gameplay possibilities

[epmode]

EA needs to be stopped.

Remember when they weren't awful for a few months? Good times.

[digita1alchemy]

My wife used to play The Sims religiously, and after hearing from her how much EA has fleeced fans of that series this does not surprise me.

[Gooster]

EA needs to be stopped. Remember when they weren't awful for a few months? Good times.

It's kind of sad that even when I read something like "EA rallies against DOMA," my reaction is "That's great. What's the catch?"

[EagleBurnn]

EA needs to be stopped.

They won't be as long as consumers eat this shit up.

Which they will. SimCity will sell very well because of EA marketing.

[+Aliken+]

Might cancel my pre-order to give me time to check what they are actually selling.
If it is just crap then I will get the game. If I get the feeling that they selling "things" which should have been in the game then I will skip this (god just saying it hurts...)

[Darklord]

...I think I'll just stick with Sim City 4.

[BolognaSoup]

next-gen

:( I fear you may be too right.

[Spookie]

SimCity will sell very well because of EA marketing.

There was me thinking Sim City will sell well because it's an enjoyable game.

[froliq]

Way to go, EA. Keep on destroying everything and I even was close to getting it day 1 based on my enjoyment of the demo.

[Killer]

I can't buy Dead space 3. I can't buy Simcity. I hope they don't fuck up Crysis 3.

[vareon]

So THIS why they have all that server active.

[Nugg]

I can't buy Dead space 3. I can't buy Simcity. I hope they don't fuck up Crysis 3.

At this point, I know they will, and I'm just curious to see how.

[Gooster]

They won't be as long as consumers eat this shit up. Which they will. SimCity will sell very well because of EA marketing.

I'm reminded of an old Jimquisition video that argues gamers should complain loudly over simply not buying a game because there's the chance of the publisher misinterpreting the message. This is where I started contemplating whether I'd be willing to spend the $60 for Sim City given some of the decisions being made, but I'm just still not sure. Maybe $20. Maybe $15. Or not at all. Then I wondered if EA would interpret that as "Well they don't want city-building sim games, MORE OVER-THE-SHOULDER THIRD-PERSON BRO MADDENS FOR ALL!" I already don't want Dead Space 3 based on that demo (maybe for the $20 or $15).

[syoaran]

Going to be the same as the Sims 3 then, where additional items made by the team will be priced in a in-game store. Like hats for buildings.

I don't mind reskins for pay. If you want your city to lake on a ancient Japanese city vibe, go and buy it for a few dollars. Types of buildings that change the dynamic of city building feels like a bridge too far though.

[Jibbajabbawockky]

Yup, this confirms my decision to give this a pass. This will no doubt be nickel and dimed to death like the Sims.