SimCity's server issues 'almost behind us,' says Maxis

After disastrous first days, Maxis now believes the core problem with players struggling to connect to SimCity's servers ‘is almost behind us'.

However, the company needs to gather more data before before it can give the all clear, general manager Lucy Bradshaw wrote this evening.

Through applying critical client updates and optimizing server architecture and response times, crashes have been reduced by 92 percent since the game's launch with players logging 8 million hours of gameplay time, she wrote.

"I had hoped to issue an "All-Clear" tonight, but there are still some elements coming together," Bradshaw wrote on the SimCity blog. "Tonight and tomorrow we'll be monitoring each server and gameplay metrics to ensure that the service remains strong and game is playing great.

"We need a few more days of data before we can assure you that the problem is completely solved and the game is running at 100 percent."

The news comes shortly after live operations manager Barrie Tingle issued his update saying that along with the addition of eight new servers, a further eleven machines were upgraded to a larger capacity allowing more players to join.

A new test server was also rolled out which will be used to try out new features and changes before being deployed on the other servers, Tingle wrote in the post.

"Before you ask, yes, you can play on it," Tingle wrote in his update. "In fact, we'd be grateful if you did.

"Just note, because this is a test environment, you may experience some unstableness [sic] as we push new data to improve non-test servers."

Bradshaw spoke with Polygon about the catalysts of SimCity's server issues during its launch. She also tweeted during a Twitter question and answer session with gamers that Maxis will examine an offline mode for the game, although it was likely impossible. A short time later, the SimCity twitter account said that offline mode ''is just not possible."

Following is Bradshaw's fourth SimCity update in full:

I'm happy to report that the core problem with getting in and having a great SimCity experience is almost behind us. Our players have been able to connect to their cities in the game for nearly 8 million hours of gameplay time and we've reduced game crashes by 92% from day one.

A combination of optimizing our server architecture and response times, deploying these enhancements on both a series of new and the original servers and issuing a few critical client updates has achieved getting virtually everyone into the game and, once in, having a great time building cities and sharing regions.

I had hoped to issue an "All-Clear" tonight, but there are still some elements coming together. Tonight and tomorrow we'll be monitoring each server and gameplay metrics to ensure that the service remains strong and game is playing great. We need a few more days of data before we can assure you that the problem is completely solved and the game is running at 100 percent.

The good news is that tens of thousands of new players are streaming into the game every day and the confidence our fans have shown is truly humbling. I can't begin to explain the way a development team feels when something you're proud of is threatened at launch. Our biggest fear was that people who love this franchise would be scared off by bad reviews about the connectivity issues.

But you put your faith in us. You bought the game with the understanding that we'd quickly fix the server issues. For that support - that incredible commitment from our fans -- we are deeply grateful. As the general manager of Maxis, I want you to know that we cherish your faith in us, and the love you've shown for this franchise.

Thank you very much.