SimCity will not require always-on connection, no mod support at launch

EA Maxis has confirmed to SimCity will be sold on digital distribution platforms other than Origin, but the game will still require players log on to EA's service to register the game. It has also said there won't be mod support for the game, at least at launch.

Earlier today, Joystiq and other outlets which attended previews of the title during  GDC, were reporting EA said the game would require an "always-on connection" to Origin in order to not only play the game's multiplayer, but because of player impact on the game's global economy.

EA has since clarified to GameSpy Origin was only required in ordee to "start playing the game," even if it wasn't the service players purchased it from. Players will also not be kicked out of the game should they lose internet service.

Lead designer Stone Librande said announcements regarding which digital services it would be sold on would be revealed at a later date.

EA Maxis also said while the game wouldn't launch with mod support, the potential for said support was still a probability later on down the line.

"Right now we've got our work cut out for us to build the product up to the quality level it deserves as a SimCity," said creative director Ocean Quigley. "Then after we ship, we'll make decisions about how we can and when exactly we'll support mods.

"The reason people are still playing SimCity 4 almost ten years later is because the modding community essentially re-created it and filled it with new content and fixed bugs and made it as much of a hobby as it is a game. We're very cognizant of that -- we're not idiots."

Previews for the game went live today, and you can a list of sites with eyes-on time through our handy dandy round up.