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SimCity requires internet connection to play, will be sold outside of Origin
Good news: If you want to download SimCity somewhere other than Origin, you'll have the option to do so. An EA representative confirmed with Joystiq that the title would be available for purchase on other digital distribution platforms, though a list of stores has yet to be finalized. SimCity is arriving sometime in 2013.Lead designer Stone Librande confirmed that SimCity would be an internet-dependent experience. Players will need to be online on Origin while playing, even if that wasn't the point of purchase. The always-on connection becomes necessary with the game's emphasis on multiplayer and regional impact, and the use of a global economy that all players can influence.%Gallery-151600%
Take a (second) first look at SimCity's GlassBox engine, debug graphics and all
We gave you the first brief glimpse of the new SimCity in action back at GDC, albeit via shaky cam footage of a presentation. Today, we've got a much clearer look at similar footage, directly from EA's Maxis studio.Like the GDC clips, this video isn't meant to be a trailer or show off the game's graphical prowess. Instead, it's intended as a way to articulate SimCity's backend GlassBox Engine and how it assists in powering next year's series reboot. Unfortunately, this video features approximately 100 percent less fire ravaged houses. This is only the first video in a promised "Insider's Look" series, so we're holding out hope for flaming houses in the next installment.
The new SimCity in video form, flaming houses and all
Would you like to get a look at SimCity before anyone else? So would we! But all we've got is these prototype videos shown off during a Maxis panel at GDC 2012 yesterday, which partially feature debug artwork (read: not final!). Also, hey, houses on fire!
SimCity saves heading to the clouds, bringing the game beyond the PC
During the highly technical SimCity engine talk today at GDC 2012, a trio of Maxis creative leads went into more depth on next year's simulation. Specifically with regards to online play, the game will feature cloud saving which will work continuously in the background as you play online.SimCity was described as "built from the ground up to support online," which goes beyond the asychronus online play we heard about at last night's event. "Play anywhere" was mentioned, with the idea being that you could play the game across a variety of devices. We're thinking mobile as well as PC and (perhaps) console offerings, but the example given was accessing your games via web browser.Several videos were also shown off of the game in action, though heavily laced with debug graphics (read: placeholder, and not so attractive). Each of the four demonstrated different aspects of the game's building blocks and we'll hopefully have them up for you shortly. The internet here is ... not so fast.
'The buck stops at the simulation' with new SimCity
"We're building a simulation that really captures the world we live in today, where your decisions go beyond the boundaries of the city." Speaking at an EA press conference in San Francisco tonight, Maxis Senior Vice President Lucy Bradshaw shared some of the high-level goals for the new SimCity game, coming to PC in 2013.Bradshaw recalled shipping the first city builder in 1989, and described the return of Maxis to the franchise proper with great enthusiasm. "It's been about ten years since we shipped the last, true SimCity by Maxis," she said. Despite that passage of time, the developer still seeks to impart inspiration in simulation. "The buck stops at the simulation," Bradshaw said.%Gallery-150003%
New SimCity scraping sky on PC in 2013
The permits are all set for a new SimCity to begin building the next great metropolis, EA and Maxis announced this evening at GDC 2012. It's coming to PC in 2013, and going back to Maxis.The official word follows a string of leaked screens and a prematurely outed trailer that seemed intended for GDC. The game will run on the GlassBox engine, which EA plans to describe in more detail at tomorrow's "Inside the GlassBox" presentation at GDC. So far, we've confirmed that it'll have curvy roads!
Rumor: Leaked pre-visualization SimCity 5 trailer purports 2013 launch window
This may be our first up-close and personal look at the still-rumored SimCity 5, or at least its debut trailer. Pre-visualization trailers like this serve as rendered storyboards, hence its distinct lack of actual motion, and are used by directors as a cinematic roadmap.It also gives us a glimpse of the game's roadmap, both literally and figuratively, by showcasing the layout of a simulated city and placing SimCity 5's release date in 2013. It's worth noting that the number five is mysteriously lacking from the title's logo, which may indicate a series reboot, rather than a sequel, should this end up being legitimate.Thankfully, we'll only have to wait a couple of days to find out if this trailer is The Real Deal with Bill McNeal, as EA and Maxis' GDC event takes place this Tuesday.
SimCity 5 rumors building
Rumors are pointing to an official reveal for SimCity 5 at next week's Game Developers Conference (GDC), with a launch sometime in 2013.The rumor katamari began earlier this week when AllGamesBeta posted alleged concept art of the upcoming city planning program, then things really got rolling as Gamespot reported on a translation of a German magazine article that all but confirms next year's launch details.VG247 has also been gathering details from all over, noting the "Inside the GlassBox" talk at next week's GDC, which introduces the "Glassbox" engine as "next-generation technology that is built from the ground up to power the next entry in one of their most beloved franchises."The EA and Maxis event will be held next Tuesday, March 6.
Come, relive the creepy with The Sims Social announcement trailer
Few E3 moments provided bone-chilling waves of creepiness quite like the announcement trailer for The Sims Social during EA's press conference. You can now watch the Facebook title's first look after the jump -- just get ready to get really, really uncomfortable.
Steam: Darkspore 40% off for Midweek Madness
Don't pay more for 'spore -- at least that's Steam's motto of the day, as it puts the Maxis developer action-RPG hybrid Darkspore on sale for 40 percent off its normal asking price. From now through 4PM PST / 7PM EST on Thursday, June 16, the PC-only title is going for $30, down 20 bucks from the MSRP. Steam is also offering an eight-pack of the multiplayer-enabled game for $90, normally $150. Our review said that Darkspore was all right, but had "a lot of room for improvement." Now at least one way to improve it has been addressed: make it cheaper.
Darkspore heading to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, resume indicates
Darkspore appears to be headed to Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, courtesy of developer Naked Sky Entertainment (Microbot). Twitter-based internet detective Superannuation spotted a reference to the port in level designer Jordan Patz' resume (PDF link), which says he "worked with Maxis to modify Darkspore for release on Xbox/PS3." Though EA has never officially announced the title for anything other than PC/Mac, a recent interview on GameRant with Maxis executive producer Mike Perry indicated that the game could be ported to consoles if the community demanded it. It seems, however, that plans were already underway. When contacted, EA offered a "No comment," and we've yet to hear back from Patz or Naked Sky Entertainment.
Darkspore review: Give it a hand
If Diablo and Pokemon had a baby with Spore as the midwife, you'd ... well, you'd probably be scarred for life if you looked directly at it. But you'd also end up with Darkspore. This sci-fi themed hack-and-slash role-playing game puts you in the role of a Crogenitor, a near-extinct race of advanced beings once responsible for seeding the galaxy with engineered life. Long ago, a figure named The Destroyer experimented with an unstable form of genetic engineering called E-DNA. Using it, he created an army of powerful mutant creatures called Darkspore that went forth to conquer the known galaxy. Awakened from hypersleep, your role is to assemble a collection of heroes, modify them, and take it back.%Gallery-99913%
Darkspore open beta client now available for download
It's been far too long since you've played god with the genetic makeup of poor, defenseless cryptozoological monsters -- why not dip your toes into Maxis' dark, action-RPG followup to Spore, obviously titled Darkspore? The game recently entered open beta, allowing players to dungeon delve through the first few levels until the beta client goes kaput on April 22. The retail release is scheduled to follow on April 26. You can download the beta client on our sister site Big Download, but you might want to check out the minimum system requirements posted after the jump before you spend all of that precious bandwidth. It's the currency of the future, you know? Like dirt and paper in Waterworld.
Darkspore goes into beta on Steam, available as 3-for-4 preorder
The beta client for Maxis' Darkspore is now available on Steam -- you can click through on the preorder page to install and check it out. We liked the look of the game both in the intial preview and in our look at PvP, so if the idea of taking some Spore creatures out for a Diablo walk appeals, go give it a shot. The beta features both four-player co-op and either 1v1 or 2v2 PvP as well. Steam is also offering a deal on preorder -- if you buy four copies of the game, you can get them all for the price of three. So if you've got three buddies who enjoy playing the beta with you, you can all get the final game for a nice discount when it hits.
Darkspore delayed until April 26; open beta planned
Darkspore's evolution toward retail maturation has been stunted, and the game won't crawl out of the development ooze now until April 26 in North America (and April 28 in Europe). Previously, its birth date had been set for March 29. Along with EA's delay announcement on the game's forums, the publisher announced that an open beta for the edgier take on the Spore franchise would begin sometime in April. It would seem the company is still making sure all the mandibles and exoskeletons are reticulated properly for the game's four-player co-op, squad based PvP and robust hero editor.
Massively Exclusive: Darkspore reveals the Viper
Unless you're relatively new to gaming, you've undoubtedly heard of Maxis -- the developer behind the The Sims. Maxis and Electronic Arts have decided to use concepts from Spore to create a brand-new dungeon-crawling isometric online RPG called Darkspore -- and we've secured an exclusive first look at the Viper hero that gamers will be able to play in this upcoming title. With venomous damage-over-time attacks, enormous blades built into its muscular body, and the ability to add even more spines covered in poison, this beast is deservedly subtitled the "toxic ravager." It's got lots of damage, lots of carnage, and by the looks of it, lots of fun! While this is one of those borderline-in-the-MMOeque-neighborhood type of games, we understand the world is persistent, and players will be able to gather gear and customize their characters as they level up within the powerful Spore engine. Darkspore will feature both a single-player mode and groups of four players in the basic co-op multiplayer modes. We haven't heard concrete numbers on PvP battles, so perhaps the game will cross into the truly massive at that point. For now, you can check out the exclusive video for Darkspore's newest hero, Viper, behind the break.
Darkspore spawning March 29, new hero editor trailer
EA's Darkspore – which takes all the cuddly out of Spore and replaces it with a massive dose of Diablo – will crawl out of the primordial development ooze at Maxis for a March 29 release date, as revealed at the end of the latest developer diary, which explores the game's hero editor. Pay close attention at 1:15 in the video to see what's flashing when discussing the region of the hero's body which represents "offense." Odd. We haven't thought about underwear as offensive since the time we saw a grown man wearing Dora the Explorer Underoos (it can't be unseen). %Gallery-106625%
DarkSpore dev diary sheds light on squad-based PvP
Another DarkSpore dev diary has been released, this time explaining how the game's PvP system works. We had a chance to look at the unique squad-based PvP earlier this year, but now you can see how it plays out in handy video form, without all the hassle of reading words.
Darkspore trailer offers a glimpse at four-player co-op
Not only are friends great when you need bail money at 4 a.m. (don't ask), but they're also good for fighting monsters and stuff in Darkspore. At least, that's what we hear from people who actually have friends.
Darkspore producer diary is downright looticrous
This new Darkspore producer diary from Maxis is all about loot -- how to find it, get it, and then strap it on your oddly-shaped appendages. The catalysts and cash-out systems look particularly interesting, mixing up the ceaseless looting with an alluring meta-game.
