Nooo. some of these games (simcity 2?) aren't even online. It looks like they shutdown the always online DRM server. you can't even play single player on it anymore.
EDIT: sims 2 (auto typed city given the article as context) whoops
EDIT: sims 2 (auto typed city given the article as context) whoops
In any case, if a game has always-on DRM, the publisher could always release a patch disabling it before shutting down the servers.
Well, there's that and the fact that this is a really mature genre. This year's Sim City game isn't any more fun to play than the one from 20 years ago, so they're probably afraid more copies will start circulating and cut into current sales.
Has EA ever done so or indicated they will release such a no-DRM patch? I have a feeling they'll just say "too bad." I'd bet many of those games had significant single-player modes that are now inaccessible.
Valve at least has announced they have a patch ready if Steam should ever go offline.