Fully Featured Solo Offline Play Mode

[Gamma Stardust 50]

We all know previous Sim City titles had a focus on single player.

We all know what first iteration of Cities XL came to with the "Planet Offer".

We all know what "multiplayer only" means, even if it allows to play alone - game is forcefuly made obsolete after (EA/Maxis) home servers are shut off.

So, would you still be interested in SimCity if it happens to require online connection to play?

Or you are able to compromise and depending on shipped multiplayer features you may still consider it? (while reserving judgement for a later date when more info is released)

To be clear, this poll tries to address primarily the Offline/Online conditioning, disregarding for now final word from EA/Maxis on the issue.

Published information so far tends to focus on multiplayer, but it is inconclusive regarding the possibility/whish to play solo offline.

Making sure we are on the same page on definitions of the terms:

Offline - Ability to play without an internet connection (even if an online activation is required)

Online - Requirement to play with friends.

Solo Mode - Ability to play single player

Multiplayer - Ability to cooperate/compete along/against other players

What's your take?

---

Updated Information:

Multiplayer will be separate from single player, and single player will still be the focus of the game.

---

EDIT: The above "Updated Information: (...)" has been edited in by a moderator of this forum on 23/03 and does not represent my opinion. And as much I would like to follow this interpretation after having asked for the source of this information and being pointed to the following twitter and here...

I can't see how this officially addresses the underlying issue in this poll. Will a solo player be allowed to play offline or not? (Current best interpretation points to a negative)

Also, the poll tries to understand the feeling of the community as stated explicitely, independently of Maxis/EA final word on letting or not one play offline.

The poll results history:

24/03/2012 - Yes - 3 (3.23%) | No - 42 (45.16%) | Maybe - 48 (51.61%)

08/04/2012 - Yes - 3 (2.08%) | No - 74 (51.39%) | Maybe - 67 (46.53%) (post online required confirmation)

22/04/2012 - Yes - 4 (2.60%) | No - 80 (51.95%) | Maybe - 70 (45.45%)

  Edited April 22, 2012 by Gamma Stardust  

[BurroDiablo 222]

I have no issues with it having to be online all the time, 'Online Only is' not the same as 'Multiplayer Only', having to be constantly hooked up to the internet will be DRM security bs.

However, in the event that the game is Multiplayer Only, I will not buy it. Simple as. If Sim City 5 wants to remain fresh, it needs the ability to be modded the hell out of, and this cannot be provided by a multiplayer only game.

  Edited March 7, 2012 by BurroDiablo  

[tSlater 134]

I would have minor issue with having to be online the whole time. Sometimes the internet goes out, and my usual go-to game when the internet goes out is Sim City.

[Spinmaster 75]

My first thought when I saw "online only" in the system requirements was "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" followed by a traumatic flashback to the Cities XL debacle. That, by the way, was the one single thing that kept me from purchasing Cities XL when it was initially released. That it didn't live up to expectations is the reason I still haven't bought it, but that wouldn't have mattered had I shelled out the money early on now, would it?

I don't play multiplayer games. I sometimes monkey around with it, if I have a friend or two that likes the same game. But even that's too much of a pain for me most of the time. I don't spend my life playing games, so the short windows when I do are hard to coordinate with others who, like me, have a life outside their computers.

Now, I am thinking along the lines of e.g. Steam games, which are also effectively "online only." But that's not a problem. I still play solo when I play. I have never played any spin-off of Half Life online. I don't even know what they're called. I know they're wildly popular. I also know, I don't care. I play solo, period. But the Steam thing, much as I hated the idea at first, frankly doesn't bother me. And I also know - have experienced it myself - that issues like losing internet connectivity aren't a problem; the games can and will run just fine without contacting a Steam server... for a while, at least.

As long as EA does this same thing - i.e. the game just "checks in" every once in a while, but it doesn't puke immediately if my internet goes out for a few minutes, that's fine by me. As far as long-term "they might shut down the servers" concern, yeah... that is a valid concern. But I'll go on a little faith here. Either a) by the time the game is obsolete enough to do this, so too would the servers be, so there'll probably be some still online for a long, long time (e.g. Diablo 1), b) the community at large will rise up and give EA enough of a bloody nose to spit out a final "ok, play it offline" patch before "the end", or c) the more devious among the community will eventually (and probably quickly) create their own "offline-capable" unauthorized hack (which couldn't be done or discussed here of course).

In other words... maybe. But they better not go the same route Cities XL did. If this thing starts out of the gate with "online at all times" and not just a check-in anti-piracy function, then I'll treat it the same as I did Cities XL - I won't buy it right away. And I'm confident there will continue to be fan support for SC4 for years to come, particularly if they aggravate enough people with either a less-than-stellar game or an unreasonable system requirement. So... I may not buy it at all. It's pretty much up to EA now, I suppose.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

My answer is a cautious maybe. If I am working on a mod, I don't want to be on line, but I want to be able to test privately without anyone looking at me making a fool of myself. There needs to be an off-line mode or I am afraid that this is not for me.

[Thetford 22]

We do not know the full context for the internet connectivity. So far, there are four examples of types games I can think of that require a different form of internet connection.

First we have The Sims Series and other offline games like it, while it states in the requirements Internet Connection required, this is only for things such as game updates etc. It doesn't actually require the Internet to play.

Next step up, we have got Steam games, many of these games such as Fallout New Vegas or Mafia II, only require the Internet for activation (but can also allow updates)

Then we have got Spore, it requires Internet at all times to update the things in the game, but is not multiplayer.

Finally there is the MMO, which requires internet and is multiplayer.

From what I've read, this game sounds like any of the former three with the option of the latter. Which I don't mind. So long as it's not too demanding on my internet.

[croxis 150]

I wouldn't worry about it. Either PCGamer or RPG has an article where they said they are focusing on the single player experience.

Edit: From the reddit thread

[Ocean] Yeah, like SC4, you can build out a region by yourself, and make all of the cities serially. There are lots of players who just want to control their own world, and they don’t want anybody to interfere with it. But even those solo players are going to be participating in the flow of resources that constitute the core of the games economy – the economic landscape that they’re operating in will be shaped by the actions of other players, even if they are only playing solo. In addition, there will be regional challenges and opportunities that you’ll be competing against other regions for. So you can play by yourself. More social players can play with their friends and accomplish more, faster, but that’s their choice.

As for custom content – think back to SC4 - first we just need to get the game out, and make everything work robustly.

  Edited March 8, 2012 by croxis  

[tomfoolery_79 85]

I'm not sure who started this "no offline mode" rumor, but I never got that impression from anything from Maxis or EA. Of course there will be an offline mode.

[SpcmanSpiff 0]

Also from the reddit thread on this:

[Kip] I can relate to you on this one, since I have a 12 year old myself and have seen firsthand what’s she capable of when playing online games. This SimCity is tailored to many different player’s and play styles. You can choose what’s right for you when planning out your city or region. You can choose to play in a region entirely by yourself, being the Mayor of each city. Or you can open up cities and invite your friends, so it’s a more controlled environment. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop into quick play and join others in a preexisting region. It’s really up to you.

[Andrew] We've addressed this elsewhere, but I just want to repeat, single player is definitely still a big focus. And if you want to play all the cities in a region yourself, that's absolutely possible. I think there's some research somewhere showing that, even with strictly multiplayer games, people wind up soloing for the majority of gameplay hours, so you're not alone!

[Gamma Stardust 50]

Both of those quotes say nothing specific about offline solo play. They were actually dodge-answers or non-answers, depending if the correct answer is simply being concealed or, more benevolently, not set in stone in the current phase of the project.

Full context supports this:

Maybe I missed it in all the released details but I am hoping there is an offline mode that is full featured with region play similar to SC4. Online play is a nice gimmick and could prove to be really interesting, I would just prefer the option to play offline and develop my region of neighboring cities when I want. I'm getting tired of games that work perfectly well on their own as solo play trying to force online play. Its fine to have as an additional feature but your primary focus should be the strength of the game at its core; a powerful and robust city builder that can be enjoyed for hours/years without the need to be online.

(...)

and as explicit as this question was the answer...

[Andrew] We've addressed this elsewhere, but I just want to repeat, single player is definitely still a big focus. And if you want to play all the cities in a region yourself, that's absolutely possible. I think there's some research somewhere showing that, even with strictly multiplayer games, people wind up soloing for the majority of gameplay hours, so you're not alone!

and a follow up comment...

I note that while you're talking about single player quite a bit, you've said nothing about offline-ness. This smells fishy ...

Fishy to me too. It was exacly to prevent this that I put up in the OP explicitely a small recaller of the terms in question. "halfbakednco" question does make it very explicit too.

EDIT:

Also, here, Ocean also addressed this question but in an even more dubious way... (or not at all dubious infact)

[Ocean] Yeah, like SC4, you can build out a region by yourself, and make all of the cities serially. There are lots of players who just want to control their own world, and they don’t want anybody to interfere with it. But even those solo players are going to be participating in the flow of resources that constitute the core of the games economy – the economic landscape that they’re operating in will be shaped by the actions of other players, even if they are only playing solo. In addition, there will be regional challenges and opportunities that you’ll be competing against other regions for. So you can play by yourself. More social players can play with their friends and accomplish more, faster, but that’s their choice.

So for that be able to happen you are still "multiplaying" and that kind of solo multiplaying requires one to be online, NOT Offline for anything other than Activation purposes.

Can't we get a straight answer? Simple Yes or No?

I could stop hyping myself to death if they could be straight, as i'm sure I am "not alone" as Andrew puts it.

  Edited March 9, 2012 by Gamma Stardust  

[jacksunny 741]

Seriously people, why would Maxis promote offline mode? It would be like this:

Maxis: "The game features an amazing offline mode!!! Enjoy playing this game by yourself!!!"

Consumer: "uhhh, that's nice, are there any new features?"

Why would a company promote something that obviously already exists?

[z1 566]

Can't we get a straight answer? Simple Yes or No?

If you go to the pre-order page and click on "Game Features", you will see the following:

Multi Player 1-16

Online Only

This applies to both the Limited and Deluxe editions of the game.

[2farnorth 26]

There may be a chance that this means there is no LOCAL multilayer. Besides, if the game had to be online constantly (which I heard it doesn't) my fickle internet connection would pretty much annoy the hell out of me.

[Odainsaker 2,135]

Generally, if I find that even non-multiplayer modes require a continuous online connection or subscription, regularly and surreptitiously dial home, or engage in silent data mining, then the game stays off my computer. One-time activation is understandable, but permanently shackled software is not. Let us hope they don't make the same mistakes arising from the locked limitations of the Planet Offer, and let us hope that not too many of us are fooled into accepting dangerous trends that manipulate and mistreat paying consumers by needlessly leaving them vulnerable to internet issues and hazards or forcibly slipping in artificial software death triggers.

Fortunately, should they indeed take the next SimCity to the online-only route of subscription play, EA accounts, tiered features, and DLC stores, we can at least fall back on SimCity 4.

Hopefully, the details will emerge swiftly and to our universal acclaim and delight, as we all should well remember what it really meant when Monte Cristo avoided clarifying such details regarding Cities XL and the misbegotten Planet Offer.

  Edited March 9, 2012 by Odainsaker  

[hamsterTK 93]

I guess I have become used to the idea that nowadays games and other software on a person's private computer is going to periodically want to communicate online.

But then it depends on the company. Never felt uncomfortable with Steam but then they have cultivated a positive reputation for customer service over the years. Unfortunately EA and Origin have the opposite reputation, whether it is justified or if I read reddit too much I don't know. But whatever, its Simcity 5 made by freaking Maxis and looks awesome so far, and I can't not buy it. So screw it.

  Edited March 9, 2012 by hamsterTK  

[Ocram's Razr 964]

Single player mode is a must and it would be preferable that there is a single player option where the cities are stored locally and you can get away with dial up or equivalent (Wi-Fi hotspot from your phone).

[Mark Waybill 242]

If it was an Online game and was as memory consuming as 4 it would cost a lot to play if you were to play for long periods, which is a given considering what game we are discussing. If it was Multiplayer Only No i wouldn't buy it as 1. I don't have any friends who play SC religiously and 2. I wouldn't want all my cities to be forced eternally to be bound to other's influences. I would only buy it if I could play it offline and single player, although I am not averse to online/multiplayer as an option.

[Ocram's Razr 964]

Even offline, the game presumably will check the "global economy" for resource prices. If you are not connected to the internet and can still play, I would assume that the default "market" prices would be OmniCorp extortion level to "encourage" you to connect online. Seeing as they have experience with dealing with piracy in an online game (pirated copies of spore could upload and download content on the fly, which is horrible), pirates should not be able to connect online so they would need to pay OmniCorp prices until they have self sustaining cities or buy the game.

[Sap59 3]

I would mostly prefer it to be offline singleplay but I would be fine with it either way.

[packersfan 666]

If Maxis messes up and does not include the bread and butter single player mode they will have a disaster on their hands. Multiplayer is a fun option, but should NEVER be the only option (at least in a city builder)...the reason I play SimCity 4 all the time is because I really don't have a reliable internet connection to play multiplayer games.

[Schulmanator 5,794]

I absolutely do not want to be forced into multiplayer....

[a2A209_ 10]

I don't care but... My Internet is slow...

[Gamma Stardust 50]

The reason one should care:

But as games get replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the older games dwindles to a level -- fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles -- where it’s no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping these games up and running.

(...)

April 13, 2012 -- Online Services Shutdown

* BOOM BLOX Bash Party for Wii

* Burnout™ Revenge for Xbox 360

* EA Create for PC, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360

* EA Sports Active 2.0 for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360

* EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp for Wii

* FIFA 10 for PlayStation Portable and Wii

* The Godfather™ II for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* MMA for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* Need for Speed™ ProStreet for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* The Saboteur™ (loss of The Midnight Club access) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* Spare Parts for PlayStation 3 Xbox 360

(...)

souce

Note the release year of some of these titles. Why put the gamers against this wall? If the reason behind a online service shutdown is totally understandable, due to resources allocation, what ceases to be within reason is not to allow an offline alternative to players which stay with the game for longer than what EA considers profitable. Who deems a product obsolete or not is the consumer.

[tSlater 134]

The reason one should care:

But as games get replaced with newer titles, the number of players still enjoying the older games dwindles to a level -- fewer than 1% of all peak online players across all EA titles -- where it’s no longer feasible to continue the behind-the-scenes work involved with keeping these games up and running.

(...)

April 13, 2012 -- Online Services Shutdown

* BOOM BLOX Bash Party for Wii

* Burnout™ Revenge for Xbox 360

* EA Create for PC, PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360

* EA Sports Active 2.0 for PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360

* EA Sports Active NFL Training Camp for Wii

* FIFA 10 for PlayStation Portable and Wii

* The Godfather™ II for PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* MMA for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* Need for Speed™ ProStreet for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* The Saboteur™ (loss of The Midnight Club access) for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360

* Spare Parts for PlayStation 3 Xbox 360

(...)

souce

Note the release year of some of these titles. Why put the gamers against this wall? If the reason behind a online service shutdown is totally understandable, due to resources allocation, what ceases to be within reason is not to allow an offline alternative to players which stay with the game for longer than what EA considers profitable. Who deems a product obsolete or not is the consumer.

Totally this, and this is the only worrying part (that could make or break my interest in the game). Considering the community, I'd wager there's a good chance this will not be a concern for a very, very long time. But heck, I still like to load up Sim City 2000 once in a while. When we've moved on to Sim City 6 or 7 in a decade or two, I don't want a $60 paperweight on my cd shelf (or a $60 digital paperweight in my lifetime income-vs-expenses). There -must- be a way to play the game without needing to connect to a server somewhere.

[KeanoManu 42]

Single player is still a big focus!

At least they acknowledge that many players prefer solo play. It's the best answer regarding single player yet. Not perfect though. There's some question still pending. Like if they'll allow cheats. Standbox, even though i prefer to have the economic simulation still active and using cheats instead. Offline play, doesn't really) matter for me personally as i'm always connected unless the online stuff is interfering with other feaures (like cheats), but i know from other games (Football Manager 2012) that has gone down that route that people will be disappointed as not everyone are connected all the time.

Of course, Single player also needs an less restricted custom content. Some stuff aren't fit for multiplayer but most of it should still be available in offline/SP. I can see them restricting buildings in MP that are... eh, "not-so-moral", like stripclubs. Should still be available in SP, if someone makes them.

  Edited March 20, 2012 by KeanoManu  

[meowza 230]

I hope they are just delaying the full announcement. And if they are delaying it, they better have a really good reason for doing so. It's been more than two weeks since the GDC, and I'm becoming quite impatient about this...

[Zelvik 0]

While I do look forward to some of the multiplayer content I would hate it if it were online only. I have to travel quite a bit, often having to kill time on airports and in hotels around Europe. And without proper (free) WIFI support in quite a few countries that would realy detract from my possible playing time.

[A Nonny Moose 8,262]

While I do look forward to some of the multiplayer content I would hate it if it were online only. I have to travel quite a bit, often having to kill time on airports and in hotels around Europe. And without proper (free) WIFI support in quite a few countries that would realy detract from my possible playing time.

I am afraid you may well be out of luck. You shouldn't be playing games when your are supposed to be doing business work anyway.

I avoid repeating my self.

[Gamma Stardust 50]

(...)

I am afraid you may well be out of luck. You shouldn't be playing games when your are supposed to be doing business work anyway.

I avoid repeating my self.

Classic "mind your own business" would be fit i think, but trying not to antagonise, skipping the "I have to travel quite a bit, often having to kill time on airports" to make your point hit home is not very suiting is it?

Hopefully you will be wrong and this concern is simply uncalled for (not that the possibility of one playing offline would interfere with your own way of enjoying the game online of course).

Unrelated_

i have updated the OP regarding the "Updated information:..." which do not represent my interpretation of facts.

  Edited March 24, 2012 by Gamma Stardust  

[City Planner 121]

So, would you still be interested in SimCity if it happens to require online connection to play?

I don't mind having to have an online always connection to play, with the exceptions of ...

[*] When I travel up to our cabin on the mountain where there is no High speed internet, not even local dialup.

[*] When I'm travelling for business by myself and am stuck in a hotel that may not have Internet services and or they charge money by the hour to use it.

[*] When my own at home Internet ISP drops dead and leaves us without Internet for 3 to 5 hours and I can't even play the game without it.

Yeah, I don't mind always online connection in the games that I play /sarcasm

I have no quarrels with a one time activation online for a game that has single player, but to have to be connected the entire time or even everytime to just start the game does bother me. It didn't used to before we started going back up to the cabin, and before my work required me to travel around as much as it does lately, as I was always connected while at home where my home office is. But there appears to be many times now that I just can't be connected while I've got my gaming laptop with me and would like to play games, like when we go to the park for the day and while waiting for the fish to strike the poll, I've got my laptop sitting there playing a game.

Sure, I could avoid playing games while up at the cabin, but quite honestly, it gets dull as an old army knife once the sun goes down and the choices are to either watch the boobtube, read a magazine, or sit doing nothing, and it's the same while travelling, if I'm unlucky enough to get put into a hotel that doesn't have internet, I suppose I could go down to the bar and drink the night away but I'd rather stay in my room where it's comfy cozy and play a game or two.

So, no I don't support always online for single player games anymore.

  Edited March 24, 2012 by City Planner