Maxis confirmed in a blog that the next update the game will allow you to play without an Internet connection. January 13, 2014 6:36 AM PST (Credit: Electronic Arts) SimCity will finally be able to go offline. Patrick Buechner, general manager of Maxis Emeryville, confirmed in a blog post on Monday that the developer was working on a mode that doesn't require an Internet connection, which will come in the next update to the city-building game. Related stories CNET's Tech Turkeys of 2013 Red Cross ready to heal hurt SimCities Deja vu: SimCity has another error-filled launch Sims 4, due in 2014, to ditch need for Net connection EA 'retires' SimCity Social, Sims Social, and more from Facebook An offline mode has been the single most requested feature from SimCity fans, many of which have been annoyed by the need for a persistent connection, and the server errors and hiccups that come from such a setup. The launch of SimCity last year was among the largest debacles in gaming, and the subsequent launch of the Mac version was met with similarly disastrous results. The announcement comes after EA executives previously said that an offline mode would be too difficult to implement and would require a wholesale change in its architecture. In Update 10, SimCity players will be able to log into their cities, and all of the previously downloaded content will be available no matter what. Beyond the standard online game, there will be a single player mode that allows you to play offline by yourself. Players can save and load the game, rather than rely on the game's current cloud auto-saving feature. Buechner said that Maxis was in the late phases of wrapping up its development, and is still testing the update. There's no word on when this update will arrive.
Maxis confirmed in a blog that the next update the game will allow you to play without an Internet connection.
(Credit: Electronic Arts)
SimCity will finally be able to go offline.
Patrick Buechner, general manager of Maxis Emeryville, confirmed in a blog post on Monday that the developer was working on a mode that doesn't require an Internet connection, which will come in the next update to the city-building game.
Related stories
- CNET's Tech Turkeys of 2013
- Red Cross ready to heal hurt SimCities
- Deja vu: SimCity has another error-filled launch
- Sims 4, due in 2014, to ditch need for Net connection
- EA 'retires' SimCity Social, Sims Social, and more from Facebook
An offline mode has been the single most requested feature from SimCity fans, many of which have been annoyed by the need for a persistent connection, and the server errors and hiccups that come from such a setup. The launch of SimCity last year was among the largest debacles in gaming, and the subsequent launch of the Mac version was met with similarly disastrous results.
The announcement comes after EA executives previously said that an offline mode would be too difficult to implement and would require a wholesale change in its architecture.
In Update 10, SimCity players will be able to log into their cities, and all of the previously downloaded content will be available no matter what. Beyond the standard online game, there will be a single player mode that allows you to play offline by yourself. Players can save and load the game, rather than rely on the game's current cloud auto-saving feature.
Buechner said that Maxis was in the late phases of wrapping up its development, and is still testing the update. There's no word on when this update will arrive.
