SimCity Receives Offline Mode

The much requested offline mode has finally launched.

Developer Maxis revealed that the city building game SimCity will launch today. The update began at 1 p.m. GMT, with Maxis warning players that some servers will be unavailable for the first few hours.

“Player feedback has helped us deliver 10 major gameplay Updates that have improved the experience with better tuning, new features and free content," said Maxis GM Patrick Buechner. "This is the most definitive SimCity experience whether you choose to play Online or Offline.”

The Offline mode included in the Update 10, will need an Internet connection to be downloaded after which players can make use of the Offline mode.

SimCity's Offline mode is optional, with access to multiplayer, SimCity World, and Online Save Games unaffected. Additionally all of your previously downloaded content is available in single-player and multiplayer.

SimCity was launched last year and was plagued by widespread server woes that left the game unplayable for some players. In March 2013, Maxis general manager Lucy Bradshaw said that the offline mode "didn't fit" with their vision. But in January 2014, Maxis revealed the offline mode for SimCity.