Pretty sure I said EA should do exactly this in the last article. This is pretty much the only solution that doesn't piss everyone off, unless the free game is some shareware version of Tetris or something.
Anyway, good on you. Still not buying Sim City but hey, points for a small effort.
What they need to do is shut it down completely, take a week and fix the whole game. Patch it so single-player doesn't need to be connected. Open the servers back up when it's all fixed, and compensate those who purchased it early by giving them the first DLC free. Fixes the problem, helps a little bit with their image, and everyone moves on.
Come right out and say "we apologize, we are fixing the problem and we will compensate those affected", people won't bail on you, they will wait and see what they are getting for free, because no one can resist free stuff. You can even say "anyone who purchased the game prior to April 1st will be compensated" and people will rush out and buy it knowing they get something free.
I'm not going to run around saying I'm never buying a game from EA, because it's just not true. But I can assure them I will never be using Origin to "buy" (lease) a digital download. Buyer beware doesn't sit too well with me, and if you're telling me you aren't going to back your own product, I don't really see why I should take the chance.
I'm not one of those who pre-orders and HAS to have it on day one. I wait, see how it's playing, see how the hype is post-release, and maybe demo it. After seeing this mess, EA won't be getting my cash for this game, plain and simple. I don't really care if they fix it or not, I'm just not interested anymore.
@tachsniper @rollerloller @paul120987 It's already all over the place. http://www.develop-online.net/news/43465/EA-refusing-refunds-over-SimCity-server-woes
@King9999 LOL... I'd snap if I was trying to get a refund and they said no. Buying a game expecting to play it, and being unable to play it, that's not an exceptional circumstance? Classy move.
cbxero's comments