I thought that as I turned wifi off and it still came up with 'can't connect to server'.
So that means:
1. my wifi only ipad is out of range of my wifi - I cannot play the game.
2. my internet connection goes down - I cannot play the game.
3. EA's servers go down (like now) - I cannot play the game.
Does anyone know if this is mentioned in any licence agreement or anything as I cannot find any mention of 'internet play only' and I think it is wrong to deny me access to a game I paid money for without a connection to EA's servers.
(I realise the game is free, but the premium items bought are, as far as I am concerned, my property, and I am currently being denied access to my property by EA system failure which is not my fault)
Also, why these problems with 'your device saved the game differently' or whatever it says. If you cannot play the game without being connected to EA's servers, how can the game be saved differently on a local device?
Also, what happens if EA decide to turn the servers off?
I have previously been subjected to this with PS3 games. Online mode no longer accessible because EA decided to shut down the servers.
I understand that as long as EA continues to make money from this game they will probably not switch the server off, but maybe one day they will. When there is only me left playing and they feel it is no longer profitable, what happens then?
Nobody can say they would never do it as there is precedent.
No-one informaed me when downloading the game or buying all those damn donuts that at any point EA could remove access to the game and I am left with nothing.
There was never a message popping up when buying donuts stating 'by the way, you are only renting these premium items, if we decide to, we will take it away from you'.
Because if I had've known I wouldn't have spent a penny.
Then there is this from the EA website, which is quite scary:
Online Service Updates
The decisions to retire older EA games are never easy. The development teams and operational staff pour their hearts into these games almost as much as the customers playing them and it is hard to see one retired. But as games get replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the older games dwindles to a level -- typically fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles -- where its no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping these games up and running. Were constantly working to keep our games and services available for as long as possible.
We hope you have gotten many hours of enjoyment out of the games and we appreciate that youre choosing to play with EA.
If you have further questions about your account or the shut down of these services, please visit http://help.ea.com.
Terms and conditions can vary by region. For local policies, please use the country selector at the bottom of the page, and for Germany, visit German Policies.
(Die Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen können je nach Land variieren. Für die Bedingungen Deines Landes benutze bitte die Länderauswahl unten auf dieser Seite und für Deutschland besuche German Policies.)
Thank you,
Electronic Arts
December 1st, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Bookworm Heroes for iOS
November 30th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Monopoly Bingo for iOS, Google Play and Amazon
October 30th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Madden NFL 25 for iOS, Google Play and Amazon
October 21st, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Monopoly Hotels for iOS, Google Play and Amazon
October 12th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Plants vs. Zombies Adventures
October 1st, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
World Series of YAHTZEE, Free for iOS
August 28th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Ultima Forever
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 for iOS, Google Play and Amazon
June 30th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
For more information on these updates, please see here.
Battlefield 1942 for PC and Mac (including The Road to Rome and Secret Weapons of WW2 expansions)
Battlefield 2 for PC (including Special Forces expansion)
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat for PlayStation 2
Battlefield 2142 for PC and Mac (including Northern Strike expansion)
Battlefield Vietnam for PC
Bejeweled (r) 2 for the Wii
Bulletstorm for PlayStation 3
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars for PC and Mac (including Kane's Wrath expansion)
Command & Conquer: Generals for PC and Mac (including Zero Hour expansion)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 for PC and Mac
Crysis 2 for PC
Crysis for PC
Crysis Wars for PC
Dracula - Undead Awakening for the Wii
Dragon Sakura for Nintendo DS
EA Sports 06 for PC
F1 2002 for PC
FIFA Soccer 08 (KOR) for the Wii
FIFA Soccer 08 for Nintendo DS
FIFA Soccer 09 for Nintendo DS
FIFA Soccer 10 for Nintendo DS
FIFA Street 3 for Nintendo DS
Full Spectrum Warrior: Ten Hammers for PlayStation 2
Global Operations for PC
GREEN DAY: ROCK BAND for the Wii
James Bond: Nightfire for PC
Madden NFL 08 for Nintendo DS
Madden NFL 09 for Nintendo DS
Master of Orion III for PC
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault for PC and Mac (including Breakthrough and Spearhead expansions)
MySims Party for Wii
MySims Racing for Nintendo DS
MySims SkyHeroes for the Wii and DS
NASCAR Sim Racing for PC
NASCAR Thunder 2003 for PC
NASCAR Thunder 2004 for PC
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for PC
Need for Speed: ProStreet for Nintendo DS
Need for Speed: Undercover for Nintendo DS
Neverwinter Nights 2 for PC and Mac
Neverwinter Nights for PC, Mac and Linux (including Hordes of the Underdark and Shadows of Undrentide expansions)
SimCity Creator for Wii
Skate It for Nintendo DS
Sneezies for the Wii
Spore Creatures for Nintendo DS
Spore Hero Arena for Nintendo DS
Star Wars: Battlefront for PC and PlayStation 2
Star Wars: Battlefront II for PC and PlayStation 2
THE BEATLES: ROCK BAND for the Wii
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 for Nintendo DS
May 12th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Lord of Ultima
May 8th, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
Supreme Heroes
Supreme Hero City
Age of Champions
February 1st, 2014 -- Online Services Shutdown
"More Games" discovery feature in many iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch games
December 3rd, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
SCRABBLE Free for iPhone, iPod touch and Android (OLD VERSION ONLY)
SCRABBLE for Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet
SCRABBLE for iPad (OLD VERSION ONLY) can be updated to NEW version
SCRABBLE for iPhone, iPod Touch (OLD VERSION ONLY) can be updated to new version
November 30, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
RayCity - Online game in Thailand only
November 18, 2013 -- Online Services Transfer of Ownership
Lucky Gem Casino for Facebook
October 31, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
BattleForge
September 30, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
World Series of YAHTZEE, Ad Free Version for iOS
Word Smack for iOS and Amazon
Word Smack FREE for iOS and Android
September 2, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Madden NFL Social for Facebook
Madden NFL Social for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
August 15, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Trade Nations for Facebook
July 31, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Rock Band for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch*
* Also affects Verizon HTC ADR6400L (aka HTC Mecha/HTC Thunderbolt), SGH-i510, and LGVS910
Rock Band Reloaded for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
June 14, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Pet Society for Facebook
SimCity Social for Facebook
The Sims Social for Facebook
June 6, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online for Web
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12 for PC
May 30, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Party Play Mode in SCRABBLE (Mattel version) for iPad
May 13, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
Madden Superstars for Facebook
NHL Superstars for Facebook
TMI Trivia for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
April 24, 2013 -- Online Services Shutdown
JetSet Secrets for Facebook
Previously Shut Down Online Service
2006 FIFA World Cup for PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox and Xbox 360
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360 and Wii
Age of Immortals for Facebook
Arena Football for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
Arena Football: Road to Glory for PlayStation 2
Armies of Exigo for PC
Army of Two for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat for Xbox and Xbox 360
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat Demo for Xbox 360
BATTLEFIELD 3: Aftershock for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Bejeweled for feature phones
Bejeweled for Android
Bejeweled Blitz for Google+
BOGGLE for Palm
BOOM BLOX for feature phones
BOOM BLOX Bash Party for Wii
Burnout Revenge for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360
Burnout Dominator for PlayStation Portable
Burnout 3: Takedown for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
CONNECT 4 for Palm
Def Jam for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Dragon Age Legends for Facebook and Google+
EA Create for Mac, PC, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360
EA SPORTS Active 2.0 for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360
EA SPORTS Active NFL Training Camp for Wii
EA SPORTS Fantasy Football 09 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 3 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Xbox
EA SPORTS MMA (Live Broadcast Feature only) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
EA SPORTS PGA TOUR Golf Challenge for Facebook
Facebreaker for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Fantasi Safari for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
FIFA Manager 10 for PC
FIFA Manager 11 for PC
FIFA Soccer 2005 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
FIFA Soccer 06 for PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox and Xbox 360
FIFA Soccer 07 for PC, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, Xbox and Xbox 360
FIFA Soccer 08 for PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii and PC
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FIFA Soccer 09 Ultimate Team for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
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FIFA Street 3 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
FIFA Superstars for Facebook, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Ghost Harvest for iPhone
The Godfather The Game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
The Godfather II for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
GoldenEye: Rogue Agent for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
Hasbro Family Game Night for PlayStation 3 (PSN) and Xbox 360 (XBLA)
JAMDAT Bowling 2 for feature phones
LITTLEST PET SHOP Online for PC
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth for PC
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for PC and Xbox 360
The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II, The Rise of the Witch-king for PC and Xbox 360
The Lord of the Rings: Conquest for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
MMA for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
MVP Baseball 2005 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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Madden NFL 11 for PS3, Wii and Xbox 360
Madden NFL 11 Ultimate Team for PS3 and Xbox 360
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
Medal of Honor Airborne for PlayStation Portable
Medal of Honor Heroes 2 for PlayStation Portable and Wii
Medal of Honor Pacific Assault for PC
Medal of Honor Rising Sun for PlayStation 2
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames for PC
MONOPOLY Millionaires for Facebook
MySims for PC
NASCAR 05: Chase for the Cup for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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NASCAR 07 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox and Xbox 360
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NBA JAM for PS3 & Xbox 360
NBA LIVE 05 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
NBA LIVE 06 for PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox and Xbox 360
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NBA LIVE 08 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and Wii
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NBA LIVE 10 for PS3 & Xbox 360
NBA Street (2007) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
NBA Street V3 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
NCAA Basketball 08 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
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NCAA Football 11 for PS3 and Xbox 360
NCAA March Madness 06 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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Need for Speed Carbon for PlayStation Portable
Need for Speed Most Wanted for PC, PlayStation Portable, Xbox and Xbox 360
Need for Speed ProStreet for PC and PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Need for Speed Undercover for PlayStation Portable
Need for Speed Underground for PlayStation 2
Need for Speed Underground 2 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
NFL Head Coach 09 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
NFL STREET 2: Unleashed for PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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NFL Tour for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
NHL 2005 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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Pet Society Vacation for iPhone
Pictionary for feature phones
POGO.de
POGO.fr
Pogo Games for Facebook
Restaurant City for Facebook
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Road Trippin' for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
The Saboteur (loss of The Midnight Club access) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Party Play Mode in SCRABBLE (Hasbro version) for iPad
The Simpsons Game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
The Simpsons: Tapped Out for 1st and 2nd generation iPhone and iPod touch
SimSocial on Facebook
The Sims Carnival
The Sims DJ for feature phones
The Sims 2 for PC/MAC and TheSims2.com
The Sims 3 Pets for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Six Gun Galaxy for Facebook and web
SKATE for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Spare Parts for PlayStation 3 Xbox 360
Spore for iPod and feature phones
Starship Command for Facebook
Tee Shot Live for iPhone and iPod Touch
Tetris for feature phones
Tetris Free for iPhone and iPod touch
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 05 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 for PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii
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TimeSplitters 3: Future Perfect for Xbox and PlayStation 2
Total Club Manager 06 for PlayStation 2
Trenches II for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
Troublemakers for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch
UEFA Champions League 2004-2005 for PC, PlayStation 2 and Xbox
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UEFA EURO 2008 for PC PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes for PC
World Series Superstars for Facebook
YAHTZEE for Palm
Change in virtual currencies
On January 18, 2012, EA switched users from game-specific virtual currencies to a common currency in four Play4Free games. Existing balances in the current currencies were converted into the new common currency - called Play4Free Funds - without loss for the customer. Affected games and currencies are:
Lord of Ultima - diamonds
Battlefield Heroes - battlefunds
Battlefield Play4Free - battlefunds
From January 18, 2012 all Play4Free games will use Play4Free Funds as the virtual currency. More information was posted on the respective games' websites at the time of change.
Also, why these problems with 'your device saved the game differently' or whatever it says. If you cannot play the game without being connected to EA's servers, how can the game be saved differently on a local device?
The game plays on your device. It saves on your device and the server. When you start up the game it syncs the two saves. If it cannot sync, it won't let you play. As you are playing, it syncs with the server every so often. If the sync fails, it will boot you out. If the sync wasn't required, you could play entirely offline.
The error message is probably 'your other device didn't save'. If you shut the game off between syncs, then the save on your device will be newer than the save on the server. Even though the server doesn't have the newer save, it knows that there is one. The next time you start up the game, it will copy that save to the server. Since it has found the newest save, there will be no error. The error is meant to let you always sync to the newest save.
Different things can trigger the error:
You're playing on one device, but you deleted the app's data or got logged out. When you log back in, the server will look for that newer save but not find it. It will assume that you are playing on a different device.
You're playing on multiple devices, it will recognize that the new device doesn't have the newest save.
You're a victim of the wrong town glitch, the person who got dumped into your town has the newest save on his device.
So it is only really a matter of time before I get locked out and all the money I spent is gone.
Well, eventually, yes. But probably not soon.
You are not buying permanent things. You are paying for entertainment, which, by its nature, is always transient.
Sorry, but as far as I am concerned I am buying permanent things.
No one ever pointed out that when I spend real money in game the items I buy I only have access to as long as EA deem it financially viable.
CDs, DVD and BluRays are entertainment and are not transient. All the other games I have bought for my iPad, iPod, PS3 etc are not transient. I have bought them, they are my property and they remain accessible until they, or the device used to access them, has broken, then I can buy a new device and still access them.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Rovio to play Angry Birds.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from MGM to watch my Batman DVD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Vertigo to play my Black Sabbath CD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Sony to play Gran Turismo.
Why should this game be any different?
If it was pointed out previously that I am only renting the game and the premium items therein, I wouldn't have an issue, but then I wouldn't have bought them in the first place. However this was not pointed out and to suggest it is implicit is a bit odd given that 99% of home based entertainment is wholly permanent and does not have a ticking clock attached.
Sorry, but as far as I am concerned I am buying permanent things.
No one ever pointed out that when I spend real money in game the items I buy I only have access to as long as EA deem it financially viable.
CDs, DVD and BluRays are entertainment and are not transient. All the other games I have bought for my iPad, iPod, PS3 etc are not transient. I have bought them, they are my property and they remain accessible until they, or the device used to access them, has broken, then I can buy a new device and still access them.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Rovio to play Angry Birds.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from MGM to watch my Batman DVD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Vertigo to play my Black Sabbath CD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Sony to play Gran Turismo.
Why should this game be any different?
If it was pointed out previously that I am only renting the game and the premium items therein, I wouldn't have an issue, but then I wouldn't have bought them in the first place. However this was not pointed out and to suggest it is implicit is a bit odd given that 99% of home based entertainment is wholly permanent and does not have a ticking clock attached.
Um... no. You can't sell an app to someone after you buy it. Everyone has to buy it from the app store. Similarly, you buy doughnuts and you can't then sell them to someone else, or the buildings you built with them.
There's no way to equate your digital purchases to items like DVDs.
Making the game require internet allows you to play on any device you like without having to worry about version control. If there were an offline mode, you'd have to play a different version of the game on every device and (unless you did a full transfer from your old device to your new one) you would have to start over when you got a new device, particularly including should it be damaged beyond use or lost/stolen.
Yes, it means that you have to be online to play but this game isn't unique in that sense. Many games require internet connections for play, particularly when interaction with other players is a main part of the game.
Do I get a little annoyed that, when I go on a trip where internet isn't accessible (or inexpensive), I can't play... yes.
Do I throw a hissy fit about it? No.
It's the way the game is and it's how it's been for the entire time anyone's played it.
If you don't like it, the simple solution is to stop playing.
I am not having a hissy fit. Just making an observation.
To be honest, I am not too concerned about needing an internet connection to play, except when the servers go down when I want to play, that's not good.
I am annoyed that this is not made clear. If I had known beforehand I would not have started playing.
I am more concerned right now, because I can basically only play if EA lets me, that EA will withdraw support for my device.
Then what? I don't want that to happen but it is only a matter of time.
That was not made clear either.
I am not having a hissy fit. Just making an observation.
To be honest, I am not too concerned about needing an internet connection to play, except when the servers go down when I want to play, that's not good.
I am annoyed that this is not made clear. If I had known beforehand I would not have started playing.
I am more concerned right now, because I can basically only play if EA lets me, that EA will withdraw support for my device.
Then what? I don't want that to happen but it is only a matter of time.
That was not made clear either.
Well, fortunately, I'd guess that most (if not all) of the people who play wi-fi only play on iPads, so the chances of them withdrawing support for your device is a. extremely low and b. likely to * off a ton of other players should it happen... and it's not limited to games that require internet to access... Games can (and have) stopped releasing version updates on devices that Apple no longer supports... Games tell you what iOS version is required and, as long as you can get that version or better, you're fine. The type of device is irrelevant.
Plus, as I got at earlier, it's actually better than non-synced games in that sense. If you get a new device, you get your game back... or if you decide to play on an iPhone instead of an iPad, you can make that switch. How much more frustrating would it be to pay a ton of money for a game, lose your device, and only be able to download the game again but have to start over... a nice company might give you a fraction of what you'd paid in in-game value but, as it's not their issue, they're not incentivised to give you anything.
I think that, at least as long as Apple provides support and updates for your device, EA will do the same (provided they don't just close the game down entirely)... and then, if they do, everyone will be in the angry pot with you.
I am sort of curious how long you've been playing. The game servers have a bit of a history of going down constantly, so I'm surprised this is the first time you've run into the issue as it sounds like you've invested a good amount of capital in the game already. I take my iPad everywhere, so I find out quickly what games require internet connections and I honestly make a habit of reading reviews/notes to see which ones do as I do find it annoying that some require it.
I agree that it would be nice of them to make a note in the app store stating that internet is required. Many games do make a note of this so they wouldn't be unusual.
it would be nice of them to make a note in the app store stating that internet is required. Many games do make a note of this so they wouldn't be unusual.
I don't recall there ever being any mention of needing a persistant internet connection as in the play store but it was years ago so...
Doesn't mention anything about it on the app store now at least.
I have been playing on and off for years now, since the game first came out. I have been very lucky in that this is the first real problem I have had with the game disconnecting. I guess this is why I never really thought about the 'rental' kinda nature of the game, never really gave it much thought.
I am always at home on my ipad on my wi fi so it always just worked.
I think that's why it bothers me so much. I always just assumed I owned all the stuff I bought and this has made me realise I don't.
I have sunk a fair amount of capital into the game so I would be very angry if all that was just taken away, but, as you say, so would a lot of others.
The only problem with that is that I don't think EA really gives a damn about how many people are angry, it's all about profit.
it would be nice of them to make a note in the app store stating that internet is required. Many games do make a note of this so they wouldn't be unusual.
This is in the Play store info:
I can't speak for iOS.
Glad that the Google Play store has that note. I keep forgetting it's on other platforms because the cover art here only says "App store"... they should probably update it to include the variety of platforms. :P I have reviewed the game info/description today in the App store and it doesn't say anything about needing a persistent internet connection.
My guess is that it's required in the Play store but not in the App store... though I'm sure a lot of the info is included in the T&C that no one pays attention to.
I can't find a specific t n c document for tsto. I can only find a generic EA one that covers all games online, and I cannot find a mention anywhere in that that mentions persistent internet connections are required to play.
Replies
So that means:
1. my wifi only ipad is out of range of my wifi - I cannot play the game.
2. my internet connection goes down - I cannot play the game.
3. EA's servers go down (like now) - I cannot play the game.
Does anyone know if this is mentioned in any licence agreement or anything as I cannot find any mention of 'internet play only' and I think it is wrong to deny me access to a game I paid money for without a connection to EA's servers.
(I realise the game is free, but the premium items bought are, as far as I am concerned, my property, and I am currently being denied access to my property by EA system failure which is not my fault)
Also, why these problems with 'your device saved the game differently' or whatever it says. If you cannot play the game without being connected to EA's servers, how can the game be saved differently on a local device?
I have previously been subjected to this with PS3 games. Online mode no longer accessible because EA decided to shut down the servers.
I understand that as long as EA continues to make money from this game they will probably not switch the server off, but maybe one day they will. When there is only me left playing and they feel it is no longer profitable, what happens then?
Nobody can say they would never do it as there is precedent.
No-one informaed me when downloading the game or buying all those damn donuts that at any point EA could remove access to the game and I am left with nothing.
There was never a message popping up when buying donuts stating 'by the way, you are only renting these premium items, if we decide to, we will take it away from you'.
Because if I had've known I wouldn't have spent a penny.
The game plays on your device. It saves on your device and the server. When you start up the game it syncs the two saves. If it cannot sync, it won't let you play. As you are playing, it syncs with the server every so often. If the sync fails, it will boot you out. If the sync wasn't required, you could play entirely offline.
The error message is probably 'your other device didn't save'. If you shut the game off between syncs, then the save on your device will be newer than the save on the server. Even though the server doesn't have the newer save, it knows that there is one. The next time you start up the game, it will copy that save to the server. Since it has found the newest save, there will be no error. The error is meant to let you always sync to the newest save.
Different things can trigger the error:
You're playing on one device, but you deleted the app's data or got logged out. When you log back in, the server will look for that newer save but not find it. It will assume that you are playing on a different device.
You're playing on multiple devices, it will recognize that the new device doesn't have the newest save.
You're a victim of the wrong town glitch, the person who got dumped into your town has the newest save on his device.
You are not buying permanent things. You are paying for entertainment, which, by its nature, is always transient.
No one ever pointed out that when I spend real money in game the items I buy I only have access to as long as EA deem it financially viable.
CDs, DVD and BluRays are entertainment and are not transient. All the other games I have bought for my iPad, iPod, PS3 etc are not transient. I have bought them, they are my property and they remain accessible until they, or the device used to access them, has broken, then I can buy a new device and still access them.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Rovio to play Angry Birds.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from MGM to watch my Batman DVD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Vertigo to play my Black Sabbath CD.
I do not need an active internet connection and a handshake from Sony to play Gran Turismo.
Why should this game be any different?
If it was pointed out previously that I am only renting the game and the premium items therein, I wouldn't have an issue, but then I wouldn't have bought them in the first place. However this was not pointed out and to suggest it is implicit is a bit odd given that 99% of home based entertainment is wholly permanent and does not have a ticking clock attached.
Um... no. You can't sell an app to someone after you buy it. Everyone has to buy it from the app store. Similarly, you buy doughnuts and you can't then sell them to someone else, or the buildings you built with them.
There's no way to equate your digital purchases to items like DVDs.
Making the game require internet allows you to play on any device you like without having to worry about version control. If there were an offline mode, you'd have to play a different version of the game on every device and (unless you did a full transfer from your old device to your new one) you would have to start over when you got a new device, particularly including should it be damaged beyond use or lost/stolen.
Yes, it means that you have to be online to play but this game isn't unique in that sense. Many games require internet connections for play, particularly when interaction with other players is a main part of the game.
Do I get a little annoyed that, when I go on a trip where internet isn't accessible (or inexpensive), I can't play... yes.
Do I throw a hissy fit about it? No.
It's the way the game is and it's how it's been for the entire time anyone's played it.
If you don't like it, the simple solution is to stop playing.
To be honest, I am not too concerned about needing an internet connection to play, except when the servers go down when I want to play, that's not good.
I am annoyed that this is not made clear. If I had known beforehand I would not have started playing.
I am more concerned right now, because I can basically only play if EA lets me, that EA will withdraw support for my device.
Then what? I don't want that to happen but it is only a matter of time.
That was not made clear either.
Well, fortunately, I'd guess that most (if not all) of the people who play wi-fi only play on iPads, so the chances of them withdrawing support for your device is a. extremely low and b. likely to * off a ton of other players should it happen... and it's not limited to games that require internet to access... Games can (and have) stopped releasing version updates on devices that Apple no longer supports... Games tell you what iOS version is required and, as long as you can get that version or better, you're fine. The type of device is irrelevant.
Plus, as I got at earlier, it's actually better than non-synced games in that sense. If you get a new device, you get your game back... or if you decide to play on an iPhone instead of an iPad, you can make that switch. How much more frustrating would it be to pay a ton of money for a game, lose your device, and only be able to download the game again but have to start over... a nice company might give you a fraction of what you'd paid in in-game value but, as it's not their issue, they're not incentivised to give you anything.
I think that, at least as long as Apple provides support and updates for your device, EA will do the same (provided they don't just close the game down entirely)... and then, if they do, everyone will be in the angry pot with you.
I am sort of curious how long you've been playing. The game servers have a bit of a history of going down constantly, so I'm surprised this is the first time you've run into the issue as it sounds like you've invested a good amount of capital in the game already. I take my iPad everywhere, so I find out quickly what games require internet connections and I honestly make a habit of reading reviews/notes to see which ones do as I do find it annoying that some require it.
I agree that it would be nice of them to make a note in the app store stating that internet is required. Many games do make a note of this so they wouldn't be unusual.
I can't speak for iOS.
Doesn't mention anything about it on the app store now at least.
I have been playing on and off for years now, since the game first came out. I have been very lucky in that this is the first real problem I have had with the game disconnecting. I guess this is why I never really thought about the 'rental' kinda nature of the game, never really gave it much thought.
I am always at home on my ipad on my wi fi so it always just worked.
I think that's why it bothers me so much. I always just assumed I owned all the stuff I bought and this has made me realise I don't.
I have sunk a fair amount of capital into the game so I would be very angry if all that was just taken away, but, as you say, so would a lot of others.
The only problem with that is that I don't think EA really gives a damn about how many people are angry, it's all about profit.
Glad that the Google Play store has that note. I keep forgetting it's on other platforms because the cover art here only says "App store"... they should probably update it to include the variety of platforms. :P I have reviewed the game info/description today in the App store and it doesn't say anything about needing a persistent internet connection.
My guess is that it's required in the Play store but not in the App store... though I'm sure a lot of the info is included in the T&C that no one pays attention to.