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EA details free Origin games as apology for SimCity launch disaster

List of games being given away by EA includes Battlefield 3 and Dead Space 3.

348 Comments

EA has detailed the list of Origin games it will offer to customers affected by the disastrous launch of SimCity.

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All copies of SimCity registered on Origin before March 25 will give applicable customers a chance to pick one free game from the following list: 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.

The games provided, with the exception of Sim City 4, are all standard edition.

EA will roll out the redemption process across its three territories in waves, starting in North America by 5pm PDT on Wednesday March 20, before reaching Europe by March 21, and then Asia and South America before the end of March 22.

Games have to be claimed by 11:59 PDT on March 30.

"Our SimCity Mayors are incredibly important to the team at Maxis," said a statement on the EA website. "We sincerely apologise for the difficulties at launch and hope to make it up to you with a free PC game download from Origin."

"Starting today," continued the apology, "every player that has activated their copy of SimCity will receive an email that will give directions on how to redeem this offer, and you can also find more information on our FAQ. We'll be opening up the redemption portal country-by-country so some of you may see it a little sooner than others."

"The portal will be live worldwide for everyone to select their game by March 22. We don't want any of you to miss out on your free game, so please note that you must register your copy of SimCity before March 25, 2013 at 11:59 PM PDT and you must claim your free game by March 30, 2013 at 11:59PM PDT.

"At Maxis, our studio values dictate that we innovate and create something that is quirky, complex and challenging. Sometimes this bites us in the butt, but our servers are green and we're seeing record numbers of players all online and having a great time.

"Here is the list of games that you will be able to choose from once you are able to redeem. It's a great list of games across the whole EA portfolio, so pick one and add it to your Origin library on us!:

"We're getting great feedback from our fans and know that many of you are having fun and exploring this whole new expression of SimCity," the developer continued. "We're humbled by your patience and passion for the game. Thanks for building something very special with us, together."

For the latest on SimCity, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

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axelx666

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ATTENTION!!

if you are an UNDERAGE user on Origin (i bet most of you are) you can only choose SIMCITY 4 or BEJEWLED 3. (underage means under the age of 18). sorry, and you can't choose which one, they will automatically add it to your account and if you don't believe me, GOOGLE IT.

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slayerSS-3

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Edited By slayerSS-3

@axelx666 If you are underage you cant play mass effect, medal of honor, battlefield, dead space nor you cant buy them so what is your point?

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slayerSS-3

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@JachAnen doesnt have to say anything, you dont have the age you cant buy those games in the first place...

Not letting you choose, plants vs zombies or need for speed well that it's wrong but the other games is ok

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axelx666

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@Ba8emk they have REALLY REALLY good PR people.

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SY_shoot

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I would wait for dead space 4 and donate simcity

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axelx666

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@SY_shoot they said that 3 was the last one in the series. (see article on GS "dead space series cancelled". )

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Link3301

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@axelx666 @SY_shoot That was a rumor that Gamespot was reporting on, that EA later said was BS.

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PacoTaco

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I'm not just concerned about the server issue - which will go away in time. It's mostly about the fact that the cities are SO TINY. Also, the game is saved on the cloud so you can't just save your city, trash it with a ton of disasters for fun and then reload it to an pristine state.

Given the cost of games offered - it's about $10-20 bucks off. MoH SUCKS btw - they can't give it away.

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axelx666

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and i hate how all of you a few weeks ago were like "DOWN WITH EA!!" or "IM NEVER BUYING AN EA GAME AGAIN" then they shove these treats in your face and then all is forgiven..i mean seriously, talk about being bribed.

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peteyboi29

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Edited By peteyboi29

@axelx666 i believe the term is "selling out" :D ^^


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MidNightStrikes

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I'm Enjoying SimCity Anyway, Giving me a free game makes me happier

Dead space 3? Bloody hell thats only 1 month old!

Well, I'm From Asia so i did not have to stupidly queue the entire day like whats reported.

But i'll be dam if they actually included Bad Company 2 instead...

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axelx666

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Edited By axelx666

@RubMyDucky plants vs zombies is fun, but you can get it anywhere now an days

bejewled..well i don't have to say hwo much that sucks

medal of honor pretty much failed./.

ii all depends what you're interested in.

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axelx666

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well i guess i have to sacrifice a goat in EA's name..damn.

btw GET SIMCITY 4 AND GTFO OUT OF THERE!!!

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CBN16

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Wow. I almost wish I got SimCity because then I would get Dead Space 3 for free too.

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stziggy

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I love it. To thank us folks that bought Sim City 5, EA is going to give us a copy of Sim City 4. So finally I'm getting a working game. :)

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jcove2050

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Edited By jcove2050

@stziggy SimCity is a working game, it works great and can only get better

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jayjayboy

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Edited By jayjayboy

@jcove2050 @stziggy el oh el

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WafflePrime

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Edited By WafflePrime

It was directed to EA in general, but in regards to this if they had listened to the fans who didn't want to always have to be connected via internet and have a traditional Simcity experience there wouldn't have been any server issues since it would be singleplayer.

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Sefrix

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Hey that's not a bad deal. It's not everyday that you can purchase a game and then get the better version of it for free! *looks at SimCity 4*

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mescovic

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@SIDEFX1 @Sefrix 10 year old game that has better content then simcity and with mods better graphic. Google metropolis and look at the of the popular city journals. Jungle cities or middle eastern oil kingdoms.

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mescovic

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@SIDEFX1 The only hope they have is to open modding support and modding can fix all the terrible gameplay. They took out all the core features of simcity and made into a remake of non released 2001 game called Simvile. Thought even that game offered farming and all the sims had a house or job. This game they just randomly rush to fill a open spot each night and day.

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Dinostrich

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I like how Medal of Honor is on that list lol

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Edited By TJ-Leeland

And then there's the "There was a problem initiating your download. Please try again later." error I get when trying to select my free game. I guess they didn't expect such high traffic volume.

[facepalm]

EA! What a company! Sell 'em (their stock) if you got 'em.

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MidNightStrikes

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@TJ-Leeland

You can't get your free game yet... idoit

The free game portal will be rolling out in waves, and it will be available in the following regions by these dates:

  • North America by 5pm PDT/midnight GMT on Wednesday, March 20.
  • Europe by 5pm PDT/midnight GMT on Thursday, March 21.
  • Asia & South America by 5pm PDT/midnight GMT on Friday, March 22.

So unless you are lucky unlike me have to wait till march 22nd, stop complaining

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eddeyzel

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Edited By eddeyzel

@MidNightStrikes @TJ-Leeland Busy downloading my free game too in the UK and I also had that error earlier @TJ-Leeland but it's working fine now.

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deactivated-617422934ef91

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@MidNightStrikes @TJ-Leeland got mine like 7 hours ago.

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PDXmauler97

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Edited By PDXmauler97

@RubMyDucky Dead Space by far. I never got to play mass effect so im going with that.

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Armysniper89

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Edited By Armysniper89

Looks like they are already letting people pick their games up tonight in the US. I was showing my son my city and then quit out and it asked me to pick my game. ME3 was the only reasonable choice.

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