Maxis apologises for SimCity woes with free game

We all know some SimCity players have been suffering from the game's network connection issues since its launch, although as Joaby says in his outstanding review, it's still a great game. Maxis have been working hard on the issue however, as catalogued on the official blog - server response time has improved forty-fold, server down times have been reduced and they have doubled the amount of players able to play at the same time.




Maxis knows that that's not nearly good enough for those still unable to access the game however, so they have offered something by way of apology - a free game from the EA library. As Maxis' Lucy Bradshaw explained in an official blog post:

And to get us back in your good graces, we’re going to offer you a free PC download game from the EA portfolio. On March 18, SimCity players who have activated their game will receive an email telling them how to redeem their free game.

I know that’s a little contrived – kind of like buying a present for a friend after you did something crummy. But we feel bad about what happened. We’re hoping you won’t stay mad and that we’ll be friends again when SimCity is running at 100 percent.

Meanwhile, if you were hoping Maxis would introduce an online mode to alleviate the suffering, don't hold your breath. As Bradshaw explained in her Twitter Q&A session:

.@azbiker72 The game was designed for MP, we sim the entire region on the server so this is just not possible

— SimCity (@simcity) March 9, 2013

Basically, it would mean a complete overhaul of the entire game - as it has been built from the ground up as an online title. This isn't new information, but it probably doesn't make those unable to play the game any happier. Maxis are currently rolling out new updates to each of the servers and plan to bring additional servers online later today - here's hoping it helps. Are you upset with the way SimCity has been handled? Does a free game appease that a little? Let us know in the comments below!