StarCraft 2 is always-on?

[VanQ]

So, I decided just now that I wanted to play some SC2 single-player against some AI opponents while I waited for some games on Steam to download in the background. Everything was fine and dandy until I actually got into a match with the AI and 2 minutes later I was booted from the match because my modem is not the highest quality and can't download and communicate with the server properly.

I have to say, I really do adore this game but it's absolutely ridiculous that I'm being treated like a pirate and being locked out of my game when my internet connection is unstable. I just wanted to roll some A.I. opponents solo while waiting for Skyrim to download but apparently that equates me to a thief and Blizzard won't let me play what I paid for.

I did some googling and it appears that Blizzard removed the ability to play offline secretly, without warning and ignored anyone that tried to ask them why. Pretty awful of them if you ask me. I wish always-on would go away and never come back but I don't think that's going to happen any time soon, considering companies just don't seem to care.

Well, I've ranted enough for today. Guess I'll go do something productive in stead of enjoying a game I paid for. Because how dare I want to play my game off Blizzard's leash.

 

[TheRaider]

I bought the physical box so I didn't have to download a heap before playing (being in Australia our connections certainly aren't super fast) and had to download 1.6 gig to start and it seems every level I had to download streaming data. That was pretty frustrating.

That said I get they are trying to protect property but it sucks when it gives people poor experiences.

 

[spartandude]

Ive had no issues playing offline which is good considering this new wireles adapter is utter crap

 

[VanQ]

You have the option to play offline if you're not connected to the internet while logging in.

Geez, you think they'd just give you a "Play Offline" button in that case. My modem is a bit touchy and only boots up one in three attempts so having to unplug it just to play the game offline is a pain in the ass. I should also note that you can't even get past the launcher if you aren't online, the "Play" button remained grey until I was connected to the internet, so if you have no internet at all for some reason then you're locked out entirely.

 

[Zeh Don]

You have the option to play offline if you're not connected to the internet while logging in.

You do, however it only works for 30 days if I recall correctly - then it won't actually let you do anything.

 

[Dendio]

It's there and while it allows paying customers easier access, it also allows the single player portion to be more easily pirated.

I buy all my games legally and really dislike how so many are able to "get over".

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

Wait! There is an offline mode? Why didn't I know this? Is it only for SP campaign or for AI skirmishes as well?

 

[GrimHeaper]

Please don't make excuses for horrible practices like online DRM Ninjas.

 

[Karoshi]

Please don't make excuses for horrible practices like online DRM Ninjas.

?..???.??

You mean online DRM like Steam does it? Because Starcraft 2 literally uses the same system. He isn't making excuses, he's explaining how to play offline.

 

[VanQ]

Wait! There is an offline mode? Why didn't I know this? Is it only for SP campaign or for AI skirmishes as well?

AI skirmishes only. To get to it you have to be connected to the internet when you launch the launcher or it will sit at "initializing" forever and the "play" button will be greyed out. When you get to the login screen you have to go offline/unplug your modem and hit login and then it will prompt you with a "Play Offline" function. You can then turn your modem back on and play offline AI skirmishes.

Pain in the ass, if you ask me. And a slap in the face for paying customers if their internet goes out for some reason and they can't even launch the game.

 

[synobal]

I have to say, I really do adore this game but it's absolutely ridiculous that I'm being treated like a pirate and being locked out of my game when my internet connection is unstable. I just wanted to roll some A.I. opponents solo while waiting for Skyrim to download but apparently that equates me to a thief and Blizzard won't let me play what I paid for.

The funny thing is if you do pirate it you can play offline single player, and bot matches you just can't play online play.

 

[NLS]

Seems like it's more of a problem with your modem than your internet itself, since you're downloading Skyrim from Steam in the background and all. I'd suggest getting a better modem.

 

[ecoho]

Wait! There is an offline mode? Why didn't I know this? Is it only for SP campaign or for AI skirmishes as well?

AI skirmishes only. To get to it you have to be connected to the internet when you launch the launcher or it will sit at "initializing" forever and the "play" button will be greyed out. When you get to the login screen you have to go offline/unplug your modem and hit login and then it will prompt you with a "Play Offline" function. You can then turn your modem back on and play offline AI skirmishes.

Pain in the ass, if you ask me. And a slap in the face for paying customers if their internet goes out for some reason and they can't even launch the game.

umm i play SP offline all the time and i have no problems except i cant get achivments......... but then i have the disc in my pc when i do. also i played for 2 months without internet(had some construction guys rip out a tower my internet company uses) and never had a problem i thinks thats because i registered the game on battle net first.

 

[VanQ]

Seems like it's more of a problem with your modem than your internet itself, since you're downloading Skyrim from Steam in the background and all. I'd suggest getting a better modem.

The quality of one's modem or internet connection should not even be relevant in a discussion of single player offline mode. Just thought I'd put that as simply as possible for you.

Wait! There is an offline mode? Why didn't I know this? Is it only for SP campaign or for AI skirmishes as well?

AI skirmishes only. To get to it you have to be connected to the internet when you launch the launcher or it will sit at "initializing" forever and the "play" button will be greyed out. When you get to the login screen you have to go offline/unplug your modem and hit login and then it will prompt you with a "Play Offline" function. You can then turn your modem back on and play offline AI skirmishes.

Pain in the ass, if you ask me. And a slap in the face for paying customers if their internet goes out for some reason and they can't even launch the game.

umm i play SP offline all the time and i have no problems except i cant get achivments......... but then i have the disc in my pc when i do. also i played for 2 months without internet(had some construction guys rip out a tower my internet company uses) and never had a problem i thinks thats because i registered the game on battle net first.

Is there a way to launch the game without an internet connection that I don't know about? Because I can't get past the launcher while offline.

 

[ecoho]

Seems like it's more of a problem with your modem than your internet itself, since you're downloading Skyrim from Steam in the background and all. I'd suggest getting a better modem.

The quality of one's modem or internet connection should not even be relevant in a discussion of single player offline mode. Just thought I'd put that as simply as possible for you.

Wait! There is an offline mode? Why didn't I know this? Is it only for SP campaign or for AI skirmishes as well?

AI skirmishes only. To get to it you have to be connected to the internet when you launch the launcher or it will sit at "initializing" forever and the "play" button will be greyed out. When you get to the login screen you have to go offline/unplug your modem and hit login and then it will prompt you with a "Play Offline" function. You can then turn your modem back on and play offline AI skirmishes.

Pain in the ass, if you ask me. And a slap in the face for paying customers if their internet goes out for some reason and they can't even launch the game.

umm i play SP offline all the time and i have no problems except i cant get achivments......... but then i have the disc in my pc when i do. also i played for 2 months without internet(had some construction guys rip out a tower my internet company uses) and never had a problem i thinks thats because i registered the game on battle net first.

Is there a way to launch the game without an internet connection that I don't know about? Because I can't get past the launcher while offline.

do you have the game disc? if so put it in and the game will run off the disc

 

[babinro]

Haven't all of Blizzard games been always online since Diablo 2?

I'm not sure why people are still surprised about it 10 years later.