Offline Play in the future

[iamaplayer]

Hello, I quote a developer here:

Originally posted by Fatshark Hedge:

So in short, we've set out to make an online coop game. Progression is stored on our side so it's safe and secure from local hardware failures, allows you to pick up the game and continue at a different location, or from a different PC/Xbox.

Much like many other contemporary games, it will require a connection to retrieve progress and connect with others.

Vermintide 2 offered an offline profile for Xbox One and PS4 players, since there is the subscription barrier for entry to the online multiplayer world on those platforms. We don't really plan to revisit that option here, though. Not to say something won't change in the future, but don't see this as anything other than it's 'not on our radar'.

So basically, there's still hope that someday you will implement an offline feature for single player, so that when the Warhammer license runs out and/or when the servers are shut down, people can still play the game, right?

[2D > 3D WEEB 4 LIFE]

No, it's clearly stated that they don't plan to do that, and since the game sessions are hosted on external servers it makes it even less likely.

Whenever FS decides to pull the plug then that's it with the current infrastructure.

[AzZotik]

Locally hosted singleplayer is what they aim to provide, but never offline.
It's mentioned in the FAQ, Darktide requires active internet connection at all times.

[iamaplayer]

The developer said: "Not to say something won't change in the future".
Therefore, there's still hope I would think.

[AzZotik]

Originally posted by ArtificialCutie69:

Something I was curious about with regards to Darktide on consoles. Consoles require a subscription to access most online features, including multiplayer.

How is Darktide's "always online" and "always public matchmaking" going to work on a console with an online subscription? What if the console account doesn't have a subscription?

Then you can't play, you will be stuck on Login screen.

[AzZotik]

Originally posted by ArtificialCutie69:

Originally posted by AzZotik:

Then you can't play, you will be stuck on Login screen.

Woooow, Darktide on consoles is going to be a pay-2-play subscription game?

Man, and I thought it couldn't get any worse.

That's likely why Xbox version is not out, they are waiting until localhost is implemented, so console version can at least play alone with bots. Without any progression however, as it's stored serverside, even if they can launch missions on demand, shops are still serverside, they won't be able to buy anything and be left to rely on Emperor's Gifts to get anything ... if they can even store those, given inventory is also serverside.

[Tunnfisk]

You might be able to solo play in the future, but the game will never be "offline".

[iamaplayer]

Sorry for the confusion if any, what I meant is that if there's hope for an offline version for consoles in the future, then there's also hope for an offline version for PC's on Steam.
Ans I hope they will do this for Vermintide 1 and 2 also.

However,

Originally posted by AzZotik:

Locally hosted singleplayer is what they aim to provide, but never offline.
It's mentioned in the FAQ, Darktide requires active internet connection at all times.

Would a local host feature for these games, and especially Darktide mean that I could make my own server on my PC, and play with bots alone, without connecting to some outside servers besides Steam servers of course? If so, then that would be fine indeed.

[AzZotik]

Originally posted by iamaplayer:

Originally posted by AzZotik:

Locally hosted singleplayer is what they aim to provide, but never offline.
It's mentioned in the FAQ, Darktide requires active internet connection at all times.

Would a local host feature for these games, and especially Darktide mean that I could make my own server on my PC, and play with bots alone, without connecting to some outside servers besides Steam servers of course? If so, then that would be fine indeed.

Darktide already has two things that run on your PC, it's Prologue and Meat Grinder, however currently both demand you login first, which is online feature. That means you are connected to AT LEAST Fatshark (Atoma) servers and have active internet connection.

How they plan to introduce full localhost is unknown, maybe it will just be ability to not connect to dedicated servers, so playing alone with bots without relying on ping, but still require connection to servers for progression/loot/shops/crafting.

[iamaplayer]

Thank you for the details.

I can't find info about that: "Locally hosted singleplayer is what they aim to provide".
Also, if it's the case, I suppose it would use Steam servers, is that right?

[AzZotik]

Originally posted by iamaplayer:

Thank you for the details.

I can't find info about that: "Locally hosted singleplayer is what they aim to provide".
Also, if it's the case, I suppose it would use Steam servers, is that right?

No, that means it will not use any servers to connect you to a mission, it will be hosted on your PC like a singleplayer game, but you still are required to connect to Fatshark servers regardless to launch a mission, as it's the first thing the game does when you launch it.

If you disable internet and try launch Darktide, you will have access to LITERALLY NOTHING, you will be stuck on Login screen that will demand you have internet connection to get anywhere but settings menu.

[iamaplayer]

Thank you again for all the precise answers.

[AzZotik]

There is possibility they can introduce offline progression, but then that means you will not be able to use any of that once you go back online, you will not be able to use any blessings you acquired, no characters you leveled, the second you try to play with other people.

[iamaplayer]

Originally posted by AzZotik:

There is possibility they can introduce offline progression, but then that means you will not be able to use any of that once you go back online, you will not be able to use any blessings you acquired, no characters you leveled, the second you try to play with other people.

That would be awesome though. Offline and Online by choice. The perfect thing for a game in my opinion.
Is this your thought though, or have you heard something about that possibility by any chance?

[AzZotik]

Originally posted by iamaplayer:

That would be awesome though. Offline and Online by choice. The perfect thing for a game in my opinion.
Is this your thought though, or have you heard something about that possibility by any chance?

Vermintide 2 has a modded realm and on Xbox has offline mode. However, at present, they hinted that locally hosted singleplayer will not be offline. You can already see what it's going to be like if you find someone to join your striketeam and enter private lobby, I don't have enough faith in Fatshark to think they will go even a step further.

Simply instead of being connected to dedicated server when you launch a mission, it will immediately be hosted on your computer, not allowing anyone else to join it. You will continue to see people walk around the Hub, they will just not be allowed into your mission.

[Ishan451]

Originally posted by iamaplayer:

So basically, there's still hope that someday you will implement an offline feature for single player, so that when the Warhammer license runs out and/or when the servers are shut down, people can still play the game, right?

Offline Single player would require a fundamental rework of how the code under the hood works. It isn't quite clear what is run server side, but from behavior like the Dogs and such things as enemies being immune to being pushed or failing to swap your weapons... it is safe to conclude that a lot if handled by the server.

To change this would require to probably run a virtual server on your own machine.

I mean, as anyone with programming experience will tell you: Everything is possible, provided you put enough work into there.

But if the license runs out and the servers shut down, there is no incentive for the Dev to completely overhaul the game to allow that. And given the glacier speed at which they code right now for an "active" game..... you have better chances to hope Fatshark to release the code and some community effort to fix it.

I don't even believe in single player. The prospect of offline single player? Might as well start playing the lottery with the express idea to buy Fatshark and make them develop Darktide 3 with a Single Player campaign. I believe your chances are higher that way.