To play Redfall, you’ll need an internet connection and a connected Steam account, even if you’re playing alone. Plus, it turns out that Denuvo will have copy protection.
Redfall, Arkane’s upcoming vampire shooter Redfall, strongly emphasises cooperative multiplayer but also supports solo play. It is described as an “open world, single-player, cooperative FPS” on its Steam page. If that didn’t convince you, Bethesda’s head of communications, Pete Hines, specifically stated that “you can play it solo”. Unfortunately, even playing alone, you still have to be online.
The “always online” requirement is echoed in Redfall’s FAQ, which states that “single-player and cooperative play require a constant online connection”.
So if you want to play, you need to be connected. You must also link your Steam or Xbox user ID to the game.
This might not seem like a big deal in the age of digital distribution and cloud gaming when it seems like everyone is constantly connected anyway. But some people still don’t have a solid, reliable connection. And it can be extremely frustrating when you are told that you can’t play your single-player game because your internet is down.
The situation is better than it was a decade ago when then Xbox chief Don Mattrick faced a massive backlash for telling those dissatisfied with the Xbox One’s online requirements to stay with the Xbox 360. (The “honest feedback” to Mattrick’s dismissive statement was so strong that Microsoft eventually dropped the requirement.)
Redfall will undoubtedly rely heavily on the community element, and it can improve the game, but it doesn’t have to be mandatory.
And let’s not even mention the fact that it was also recently revealed that Redfall would come with the infamous Denuvo copy protection. This system is hugely problematic. It is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that it is a source of public hatred among gamers.
Will this be enough to discourage many people from playing the game? We will find out after the launch on 2 May…
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