But the groups who played the computer game showed a clear improvement compared with the normal loss of cognitive function as people age.

WSJ: When Computer Games May Keep the Brain Nimble

The experiment's subjects were 166 UCL students who played at being shoppers in a computer game.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus

That said, it's been many years and several epic steps in computer technology since I've actually played the game (it debuted in 1989).

CNN: Apparently This Matters: The new 'SimCity'

To get around the always-on requirement, some players have tinkered with the game's computer code to trick it into thinking it is connected when it is being played offline.

BBC: SimCity players offered free EA game