SimCity disaster: EA's list of free games includes Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3 and, amazingly, SimCity 4

Sorry!

News by Wesley Yin-Poole Former Editor-in-Chief

Updated on March 18, 2013

Were you affected by the great SimCity disaster? If, so, EA will give you a free PC download from its digital platform, Origin.

Today the gargantuan publisher announced the list of games SimCity players can choose from. It includes Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3 and, amazingly, SimCity 4.

You get to pick one. Which will you choose?

"Our SimCity Mayors are incredibly important to the team at Maxis," said the developer. "We sincerely apologise for the difficulties at launch and hope to make it up to you with a free PC game download from Origin.

"Starting today, every player that has activated their copy of SimCity will receive an email that will give directions on how to redeem this offer, and you can also find more information on our FAQ. We'll be opening up the redemption portal country-by-country so some of you may see it a little sooner than others.

"The portal will be live worldwide for everyone to select their game by March 22. We don't want any of you to miss out on your free game, so please note that you must register your copy of SimCity before March 25, 2013 at 11:59 PM PDT and you must claim your free game by March 30, 2013 at 11:59PM PDT.

"At Maxis, our studio values dictate that we innovate and create something that is quirky, complex and challenging. Sometimes this bites us in the butt, but our servers are green and we're seeing record numbers of players all online and having a great time.

"Here is the list of games that you will be able to choose from once you are able to redeem. It's a great list of games across the whole EA portfolio, so pick one and add it to your Origin library on us!:

Battlefield 3 (Standard Edition)
Bejeweled 3
Dead Space 3 (Standard Edition)
Mass Effect 3 (Standard Edition)
Medal of Honor Warfighter (Standard Edition)
Need For Speed Most Wanted (Standard Edition)
Plants vs. Zombies
SimCity 4 Deluxe Edition

"We're getting great feedback from our fans and know that many of you are having fun and exploring this whole new expression of SimCity," the developer continued. "We're humbled by your patience and passion for the game. Thanks for building something very special with us, together.

"And now please enjoy a disclaimer from our head legal Llama..."

The free game portal will be rolling out in waves, and it will be available in the following regions by these dates: