http://www.ripten.com/2012/03/30/ne...le-player-mode/
New SimCity DRM To Require Internet Connection To Launch Single-Player Mode

March 30, 2012 10:00 am
New details regarding the upcoming release of SimCity, a modern reboot of the classic city-building simulator, are emerging and there is some news that may come as an unwelcome surprise to some. Being the first game in the SimCity cannon that offers online multiplayer definitely opens up some new possibilities, however Electonic Arts (EA) and Maxis have confirmed that an internet connection will also be a requirement to play the single-player campaign. Speaking with Joystiq, lead game designer Stone Librande noted that the internet intergration is required due to the global community and economy that the game emphasizes. This essentially means that you will need to be connected to the internet through EA’s Origin services if you wish to play SimCity in either the single-player or multiplayer modes.

Early reports on Gamespy stated that a constant connection will be needed and that a failed connection will effectively end your game in progress. However, EA has provided clarification to this by confirming that a functional internet connection is needed to start up even a single-player game, and that you will not get kicked out of your game if the connection is broken. The online-dependant DRM is intact regardless of how you wish to play SimCity, as it will play an integral part in maintaining a global economy and the leaderboards for all players, as well as control mods and cheats that will eventually come out of the woodwork. While the news of an internet connection being required for even private solo games may be off-putting to some, the clarification from EA that a static connection is not required for such games should assuage some of these concerns.

SimCity will be the fifth installment in the popular city-building simulation series and was officially announced on March 6, 2012 at the Game Developer’s Conference (GDC). It is scheduled for release in 2013, with an exact date yet to be confirmed.