Online Connection Required for Single Player Game

The latest Elite: Dangerous newsletter contains some surprising news for fans of offline single player games. The original KickStarter project described the multiplayer game and the single player game that would not require an online connection. However, with the latest newsletter, the Elite: Dangerous team has revealed that the single player iteration will need to "connect to the server from time to time" to keep the game fully updated.

Further details reveal the team's wish to deliver the same gaming experience to single players as that of those who play online.

We have also been able to create a connected experience which lets you play your own story whilst in a dynamic, ever unfolding galaxy that is constantly reacting to what you and every other player is doing, be that trading, combat, exploration or missions. This has become fundamental to the whole experience.

Going forwards, being online lets us constantly both curate and evolve the galaxy, with stories unfolding according to the actions of commanders. Exploration is also a key factor, too, and it is important that what a single player explores matches what other players explore whether single or multiplayer – a complex, coherent world – something we have achieved. Galaxy, story, missions, have to match, and it does mean the single player has to connect to the server from time to time, but this has the added advantage that everyone can participate in the activities that can happen in the galaxy.  A fully offline experience would be unacceptably limited and static compared to the dynamic, ever unfolding experience we are delivering.

Read the full Elite: Dangerous newsletter for more information and news about the latest happenings.

Source: Polygon