Starting in 1992, DUX Software sold the version of SimCity online that I developed for HyperLook/NeWS/SunOS/Solaris (and then later a multi player version of SimCity for TCL/Tk/X11/various versions of Unix), by distributing a fully functional unlockable demo via FTP, so customers could download it over the internet, play the demo for a while (then the demo melted your city after a few minutes), decide to buy it, then call up (or fax) and read their serial number and credit card number over the phone, and immediately receive a key to unlock the full version of the game.

I got flamed by people who didn't approve of us using the internet for commercial purposes, but they hadn't gotten the memo about how that old rule was now obsolete, since the internet was not longer strictly a military / academic project, so I ignored them.

https://groups.google.com/g/fj.mail-lists.x-window/c/TopRfOj...

If you don't have a key, SimCity will run in demo mode.
Run the 'GetKey' script or select 'Get Key...' from
SimCity's 'File' menu to get a key.

Now that you have installed SimCity, you can run the "GetKey" shell
script to get a license key from DUX software, or run "SimCity" in
demo mode without getting a key. In demo mode, your city will melt
after 5 minutes, or when you try to save it to disk, so buy a license,
it's cheap! When you buy a license, DUX will ship you the latest
version of the software, a nice 100 page manual with lots of nifty
illustrations, and a handy reference card. And when you're ordering,
don't forget to ask how to embezzle funds!

% GetKey
To get a key for SimCity, contact DUX Software at:

DUX Software
4906 El Camino Real
Suite 1
Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone #: 1-800-543-4999
or 1-415-967-1500
FAX #: 1-415-967-5528

and give them your server code.

Your server code is: 1234 5678 9012 3456
Please enter your key: 9876 5432 1098 7654<return>

Feature name: 16 [16]
Number of licenses: 1

Key successfully installed.
% SimCity
Got a license!

Now you're playing SimCity! An introduction window will pop up while
the rest of the system loads. Then the startup screen will appear.
Point the cursor at the controls and pictures and press the "Help" key
(usually at the lower left corner of the keyboard) to learn how to use
the user interface!

https://groups.google.com/g/comp.newprod/c/5KWv25ckYHc/m/MgG...

AVAILABILITY:
Multi Player SimCity is available directly from DUX Software, and
via anonymous ftp from ftp.uu.net (192.48.96.9), in the directory
"vendor/dux/SimCity". You may freely copy it, and play the fully
functional game in "demo mode" on one display without a license, but the
city melts every 5 minutes. If you enjoy SimCity, you can buy a license
over the phone by credit card, without leaving your seat! A single
player license lets you save and restore your cities, and play for as
long as you like on one display; a multi player license lets you play
SimCity with your friends over the net!

PRICING:
Single Player Node Locked License: $49
Multi Player Node Locked License: $89
Single Player Floating License: $129
Multi Player Floating License: $149

PLEASE CONTACT:
DUX Software, 4906 El Camino Real, Suite 1, Los Altos, CA 94022
Phone #: 1-800-543-4999 or 1-415-967-1500, FAX #: 1-415-967-5528
Email: simcity@dux.com

https://www.donhopkins.com/home/catalog/simcity/simcity-anno...

https://www.donhopkins.com/home/catalog/simcity/simcity-revi...

>Dux did an excellent job porting Simcity to UNIX. There is little inconsistency between the UNIX version and the PC and Macintosh version. The graphics are fantastic, and the sound effects -- including a ship's whistle -- are realistic. After installing the program, be sure to get the license key. Without it, the computer lets you play awhile, but then destroys your city without warning. [...]

>Simcity for Sun workstations has some added features not available on other platforms. Dux ported Simcity to Unix using Hyperlook from the Turing Institute Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland), and added a Postscript drawing tool. The tool lets you create simple drawings, and import them into other products such as Framemaker from Frame Technology Corp.

>Simcity also has pie menus, or wheels with a tool on each spoke, for quick access to construction tools. Another nifty feature is zoom windows, which let you choose whether to display more detail or more area in a selected window. With the large monitors common on SPARCstations, zoom windows make it easier to track events in the city. Large monitors also let you open and view many windows simultaneously, which lets you gain easier access to information such as population growth rates and pollution problems. According to Dux, its networked multiuser version, which includes support for audio conferencing, was slated for release by April.