[brynedwards]

Probably SimCity, there's a bit about Microsoft adding a workaround for a bug in the game in this article http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/fog0000000054.html

Edit: Maybe not this since it's unrelated to virtual memory but it's along the same lines, going to some lengths to keep software compatible

[chillacy]

You're right that's the story I was thinking of. I didn't remember all the details though, I guess I knew some old version of windows, some simulation game, and something involving memory. Turns out the actual details got mixed up in my head!