PSA: Game can be played fully offline

[The Alchemist]

I’m seeing a lot of new and curious players since the launch last night, which is great!

Also seeing some confusion around how the game handles “offline” or “single player” mode.

Long story short: you can completely play V Rising with zero internet connection.
You simply boot into the game, set a private server and you’re good to go.
If there are any doubts, try again without wifi or Ethernet connection and you’ll be able to jump in and play no problem.

I think some of the confusion is around the fact the game uses the term “server” to describe what are essential game saves.
The “server”, so-to-speak, for an offline player is simply hosted on their own PC locally.

Hope that clears it up!

[Desphael]

This is actually not true currently.

If you don't check the LAN server option, the game still requires an internet connection. If you do check it, too bad, because it gets unchecked as soon as you stop playing and can never be enabled again. When you try to check it again, nothing happens.

Without the LAN server option toggled, a few seconds to a few minutes after you start a session, you get an authentication error and get kicked out to the main menu.

So currently you need to be online to play, despite them advertising being able to play offline when the game was first released in early access.

[The Alchemist]

Originally posted by Desphael:

This is actually not true currently.

If you don't check the LAN server option, the game still requires an internet connection. If you do check it, too bad, because it gets unchecked as soon as you stop playing and can never be enabled again. When you try to check it again, nothing happens.

Without the LAN server option toggled, a few seconds to a few minutes after you start a session, you get an authentication error and get kicked out to the main menu.

So currently you need to be online to play, despite them advertising being able to play offline when the game was first released in early access.

Possibly this is a bug?

I don’t believe intentional as I don’t see the benefit for Stunlock to force online for this game

Anyone else have the same issue?

I’ll try from my end today after work and report back. Definitely not my intention to mislead people with this post

Edit: I read if you put Steam into offline mode, it bypasses authentication error. Again, unsure if intentional or not

[Desphael]

Originally posted by Swampo:

Originally posted by Desphael:

This is actually not true currently.

If you don't check the LAN server option, the game still requires an internet connection. If you do check it, too bad, because it gets unchecked as soon as you stop playing and can never be enabled again. When you try to check it again, nothing happens.

Without the LAN server option toggled, a few seconds to a few minutes after you start a session, you get an authentication error and get kicked out to the main menu.

So currently you need to be online to play, despite them advertising being able to play offline when the game was first released in early access.

Possibly this is a bug?

I don’t believe intentional as I don’t see the benefit for Stunlock to force online for this game

Anyone else have the same issue?

I’ll try from my end today after work and report back. Definitely not my intention to mislead people with this post

The offline mode was added about a week (or was it a month? can't quite remember) after the game came out in early access, when the game came out it was online only. That being despite them advertising on the store page play online or offline when it came out.

The LAN option has been bugged ever since. I don't know if it was bugged for everyone or just for some people but a lot of people reported having the same issue.
Now the game came out and it's still not fixed. If you search the forums for "LAN server" you will see there a few threads people opened about this exact same thing in the last few hours.

I did try the game in offline mode, and the issue happens whether you go in offline mode or just disconnect the internet.

Someone found a workaround where you need to edit the server config file but even that's finicky and it shouldn't be necessary.

Also a fair warning for anyone still considering buying the game for solo, the game is clearly meant to be played on dedicated servers with other people. It has several mechanics that depend on time passing even when you are not playing, for example crafting planks while you are not playing. When you host a single player session, when you stop playing everything stops. There are settings you can configure to increase crafting speed, harvest multiplier and so on but it's never going to be a perfect solution. You also can't pause the game.

[The Alchemist]

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow's Vindication:

Ahhh, I was happy to see the post about offline and was about to buy the game... then I saw the reply and I have to set the game to ignore instead so I don't accidentally buy it in the future. I'm done with the "regret to inform you" shutdown messages from developers rendering games useless.

As mentioned, I think this is a bug.

You have always been able to enable LAN and play offline for hours. Desphael’s issue seems to be menu or option related, not some sneaky attempt by the devs to mislead buyers

[The Alchemist]

Originally posted by Desphael:

Originally posted by Swampo:

Possibly this is a bug?

I don’t believe intentional as I don’t see the benefit for Stunlock to force online for this game

Anyone else have the same issue?

I’ll try from my end today after work and report back. Definitely not my intention to mislead people with this post

The offline mode was added about a week (or was it a month? can't quite remember) after the game came out in early access, when the game came out it was online only. That being despite them advertising on the store page play online or offline when it came out.

The LAN option has been bugged ever since. I don't know if it was bugged for everyone or just for some people but a lot of people reported having the same issue.
Now the game came out and it's still not fixed. If you search the forums for "LAN server" you will see there a few threads people opened about this exact same thing in the last few hours.

Someone found a workaround where you need to edit the server config file but even that's finicky and it shouldn't be necessary.

Also a fair warning for anyone still considering buying the game for solo, the game is clearly meant to be played on dedicated servers with other people. It has several mechanics that depend on time passing even when you are not playing, for example crafting planks while you are not playing. When you host a single player session, when you stop playing everything stops. There are settings you can configure to increase crafting speed, harvest multiplier and so on but it's never going to be a perfect solution.

Strange. I was just told in another thread that things like servant missions will continue to tick down for solo players

I think there are some nuances here and perhaps the devs have not done a good job in explaining them, but to their defense, 90% or more of players don’t care or are actively buying the game for the online features.

My guess is if you’re playing on a private “solo server” those times continue to tick down as the “server” in this case is still being hosted by you after establishing it
If you’re playing on a “true offline” server with LAN, the game no longer communications with your PC/local network when the application is closed, thus the timers stop

I wouldn’t go as far as saying “it’s meant to be played with multiple people” though.
I’ve played about 100 hours on default settings totally solo and found no issue whatsoever with progression.
Also, allowing solo players to customize server options such as gathering rate, etc. shows the devs are supporting solo player proactively by including these options

[HappyCamper]

Trying to start a private, solo only server and i've tried both with lan option on and off, and all i get is "Error: No response from remote host" so yeah i'd say this "fully offline" talk is complete bs.

[Desphael]

Originally posted by Swampo:

Originally posted by Desphael:

The offline mode was added about a week (or was it a month? can't quite remember) after the game came out in early access, when the game came out it was online only. That being despite them advertising on the store page play online or offline when it came out.

The LAN option has been bugged ever since. I don't know if it was bugged for everyone or just for some people but a lot of people reported having the same issue.
Now the game came out and it's still not fixed. If you search the forums for "LAN server" you will see there a few threads people opened about this exact same thing in the last few hours.

Someone found a workaround where you need to edit the server config file but even that's finicky and it shouldn't be necessary.

Also a fair warning for anyone still considering buying the game for solo, the game is clearly meant to be played on dedicated servers with other people. It has several mechanics that depend on time passing even when you are not playing, for example crafting planks while you are not playing. When you host a single player session, when you stop playing everything stops. There are settings you can configure to increase crafting speed, harvest multiplier and so on but it's never going to be a perfect solution.

Strange. I was just told in another thread that things like servant missions will continue to tick down for solo players

I think there are some nuances here and perhaps the devs have not done a good job in explaining them, but to their defense, 90% or more of players don’t care or are actively buying the game for the online features.

My guess is if you’re playing on a private “solo server” those times continue to tick down as the “server” in this case is still being hosted by you after establishing it
If you’re playing on a “true offline” server with LAN, the game no longer communications with your PC/local network when the application is closed, thus the timers stop

I wouldn’t go as far as saying “it’s meant to be played with multiple people” though.
I’ve played about 100 hours on default settings totally solo and found no issue whatsoever with progression.
Also, allowing solo players to customize server options such as gathering rate, etc. shows the devs are supporting solo player proactively by including these options

Hey, just to be clear. Everything I'm saying is not just me accusing the devs of doing everything on purpose. But they also are not doing enough to either fix things or to inform their possible customers of what's possible and what isn't, and what issues they might be facing.

They did some FAQs and stuff but never bothered to mention these things or to fix them.

So no, I don't think they are malicious but they are also not transparent at all about things. The result is the same for the consumers, so I'm just pointing things out now since this is the time when most new sales will happen. People should be able to make an informed decision.

Also my bad about the whole "is the game meant to be played solo or not" thing. While it's clear the game is meant to be played with others (that's why it has things like dropping gear for others to take), you can customize it just fine for that not to matter and play solo, and I find it much more enjoyable that way anyway. But the fact that it is meant to be played on a dedicated server, solo or not, that much is clear.

Then again, some of the things you miss on by playing solo and time not ticking while not playing, are a net positive. Such as your castle heart not draining while not playing.
And while I didn't get that far, the servant stuff is one thing people were complaining about before. You pretty much need to set the max multipliers for it and try to get things done while playing, because it will stop ticking when you stop playing. But then again you said you saw it doesn't stop ticking.

So I think we can both agree they can do a much better job at explaining features, mechanics and limitations, and this is something that they haven't done for the past 2 years, and it looks like nothing changed for release.

[Part_Time_Prinny]

Originally posted by HappyCamper:

Trying to start a private, solo only server and i've tried both with lan option on and off, and all i get is "Error: No response from remote host" so yeah i'd say this "fully offline" talk is complete bs.

I'm experiencing the same issue. Offline play is no longer an option, it seems.

[m662]

Offline works here as intended I have also been blocking connections on software and hardware firewall levels since the early days.

Here is an attempt not 15 minutes prior to this post.
https://go.screenpal.com/watch/cZhQjyVMW3V

If you can not connect to your local server check there you are not accidentally blocking local ports or you have some kind of anti malware suite messing up the connection attempt. Remember you are still running a local server so it needs to be allowed to actually connect even though it is on the same device.

[AegyptiacusRex]

Not sure where some of the issues are coming from with offline mode I got scared since I bought the game during the Halloween sale to play on Steam Deck so I booted it up with the deck in offline mode and was able to play just fine with no internet for 30 minutes.

[Xero]

Short Version :

I don't own a steam deck so I'm not sure if the steam deck has an offline mode like the PC Client version. But that would help.

Start Game > Click Load Game > Click On Game Or World Name >
Click LAN Server > Click Host Game

If you are trying to play completely offline ( No Internet ), follow the steps below. If not, skip information below.

Offline Gameplay ( No Internet Required )

Your network adapter must be enabled to play in offline mode even though you are not connected to the internet. If network adapters are turned off, it will not create or load a game or server.

Offline First Time Playing :

Note : If you plan to be online while playing, select the LAN option. And ignore the part about going in offline mode with steam.

While Offline ( Not Connected To The Internet ) :

Go In Offline Mode With Steam > Start Game > Click Play > Click Private Game >

Select Difficulty Preset > Click Advanced Settings > Click LAN Server >

Click Solo ( For Single Player ) > Optionally Adjust Server Settings >

Input Game Name Or World Name > Set Password > Click Start New Game

Offline Return Playing :

Note : If you plan to be online while playing, select the LAN option. And ignore the part about going in offline mode with steam.

While Offline ( Not Connected To The Internet ) :

Go In Offline Mode With Steam > Start Game > Click Load Game >

Click On Game Or World Name > Click LAN Server > Click Host Game

Selecting the LAN option just ensures the server is restricted only to your local area network and not online. If you plan to be online but want the server to remain offline, LAN should be selected.

[glider7]

Thanks very much for the info but this is way too complicated. Not gonna risk it kicking me out of a game again and losing progress. The instructions above need to be integrated in-game with a simple checkbox that works.