Super Mario Run, a mobile game many would love to play while on the train, will require an always-on internet connection. Bummer.
Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario creator and the producer of Super Mario Run, told Mashable that the endless runner mobile game will require an internet connection to play on all of its modes. He said that, “this is just… a requirement that’s been built into the game to support security.” When asked to clarify if this was a safeguard against the risk of piracy, Miyamoto said yes.
Miyamoto also said that they “had thought at one point that it would be nice to have the World Tour [story] mode available standalone, to be able to play without that connection”, but because the other modes require network saves it ended up not being possible.
“We’re launching in 150 countries and each of those countries has different network environments and things like that,” he said. “So it was important for us to be able to have it secure for all users.”
While that’s all understandable, it kind of sucks to know you won’t be able to play Super Mario Run on a long flight or a stuck train. Guess you’ll have to find another distraction.
Super Mario Run will be released on December 15 for $14.99 on iOS.
Comments
14 responses to “Super Mario Run Won’t Be Playable Offline”
So 4G/3G connections don’t count as online? It’s weird all this talk about having to be online when the majority of phones are constantly online. I know it’s a bit different for iPad users but surely all these articles are a slight over reaction. If I can watch the cricket on the train online then I am sure I can play Mario Run online too?
I’m fine with it, as long as it’s a quick, “Are you connected? Good! Is your purchase legit? Yes!” And that’s all.
I don’t like it when games require an always-on approach and after about half an hour of play the phone states that the application has downloaded/uploaded 500MB for reasons only god and the developers know.
Uh? I fail to see the issue? Most likely all the hard data will be stored in the phone and the game will just touch up servers in between games to save states and update any info that may have changed. Besides data plans are quite generous these days. I have no problems playing any of my always-online games during my daily commute. Well, other than the battery, but that’s another problem.
It’s a shame that I won’t be able to play it on any of my long haul flights
Don’t most airlines offer free wi-fi on planes nowadays?
Not on international flights, to my knowledge
They also claimed it’s so score-ladders can stay synched up, so I think the left hand didn’t check the right hand’s excuse.
I can’t wait for the “you’ve been playing for a while, how bout you take a rest?” messages.
Its like Nintendo are finally catching up to the dodgy business practices everyone else has been doing for the last 10 years.
Incoming micro transactions.
It’s a mobile game, I expected this.
$15?! Wow, this will probably be the most I’ve spent on the initial purchase for a mobile game.
Also any word on Android availability?
Early next year.
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Well that is absolute crap that you can’t play Super Mario Run offline while you’re catching the train or catching a taxi but me and my parents are still a bit concerned that the game might use up all of your data usage just to purchase unlimited access to the entire Super Mario Run game for $15 on iOS devices from the App Store but I think a it’s a complete bummer.