Modder proves SimCity can run offline indefinitely
Ever since SimCity launched, there has been a suspicion that the need for the game to always be connected to a server was mainly a form of DRM, not for social game features and multiplayer. Then a Maxis developer came forward to confirm the game doesnt actually need a server to function, suggesting the information coming out of EA wasnt the whole truth. Now EA and Maxis have some explaining to do as a modder has managed to get the game running offline indefinitely.
The video above shows the game being played offline. The modder states that this can be done for as long as you like without issues. The only real downside being you cant save the game because it utilizes cloud saves. However, if you reconnect the game it does save, so you can play all day then just go online to save your progress at the end of a session.
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In fact, it actually improves the game in some ways. City populations are actually tracked correctly and you can edit outside of your city boundaries. Those additional edits are also saved when you reconnect.
This revelation will put EA and Maxis in a difficult position. Theyve been adamant all along that the game wont work without a server connection and offloads a significant amount of the calculations. Thats clearly not true, so why has it been used as a reason to explain why an always-connected game was necessary?
http://www.geek.com/articles/games/modder-proves-simcity-can-run-offline-indefinitely-20130314/