Can someone explain what exactly happened with SimCity? From the article I gather that it had something to do with DRM but the author never explained what exactly made it unplayable.
The uproar is because the online requirement isn't inherently necessary to the gameplay (although EA has done their best to add some multiplayer aspects). It's primarily a business decision intending to make it more difficult to pirate or buy the game used.
Basically, it's hard to get it downloaded and installed.
If you do that, it's very difficult to login to play.
If you manage that, it's very difficult to do the tutorial or claim a city or load your city.
If you manage that, it's very difficult to play the game without experiencing disconnects or server-related dysfunction that directly affects gameplay.
Basically, it's nothing like the experience they wanted to deliver.