I still don't understand the upset over always online is.
In my country, everything has to be done online. It's almost impossible to go to a bank these days to talk to an accountant. To order an appointment for a doctor, a dentist, or buy a ticket, or anything else, it's more and more, just done online.
I simply think that constantly online is the way of the future, and soon there will be fast internet everywhere.
Why do you presume to own your own games like it matters? Why cling on to some tangible discs that you bought with paper? I get the notion that, Valve can take down Steam any day and ruin mah day, but that's just a possibility and I don't see why they would do that.
Making games costs more and more, for every generation. We've established many times how few games actually earn back money. Nobody is going to take risks if there is not a good chance of gaining a profit. I don't mind. They gotta do what they gotta do.
It's just strange to me, because this is another one of those angry-at-about-changing-the-status-quo. It upsets me that so many people are holding technology back because they won't let go of their DVD Drives.
SimCity is one failure, one of many, but it's also amist in a sea of always-online games that work just fine. Finally, Steam is the best thing that has happened to gaming in recent memory. The value you get is amazing, and it's a really nice service, that while not even close to perfect, is something I am deeply satisfied with.
Whatever fears you have over this, rest your laurels. It should not be occupying your mind in contrast to the other technological horrors we' might see over the next decade. you saving a penny on games should be the least of your concerns when google glasses enabled drone strikes are emitting Monsanto GMOs powered by the disney Corp, over the Americas and Europe, to start the Brave New World, as envisioned by Aldous Huxley.
Finally, this is Microsoft. If you know anything about this company, it's almost an insult to their reputation to be upset or surprised at this point. This is just how they are!