The Steam Deck Needing Internet for Single-Player Games Is a Crime

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Among my preferred gaming devices, the Steam Deck stands out as one of my favorites; at times, I might even prefer it over my Switch. Playing games such as Marvel’s Spider-Man or WWE 2K25 on this device remains an extraordinary experience for me, and this is just scratching the surface of what else can be enjoyed on its handheld platform.

Every time I reflect on it, I can’t help but express annoyance towards the gaming system when solo games require an internet connection. It seems unfair that I can’t enjoy these games while out in nature, which to me feels like a missed opportunity. This usually results in me turning back to my Switch instead.

To clarify, Valve isn’t entirely at fault for this situation. It’s common for publishers to require internet connections in single-player games, enabling them to gather data and present it to stakeholders or superiors. This practice, while annoying, is widespread among many AAA games, and the Steam Deck unfortunately can’t prevent it.

It’s disappointing when you’re eager to play your favorite game with the deck, but discover that an internet connection is required. Many games with launchers today are experiencing this issue, such as Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows and EA’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. This isn’t a problem exclusive to one game collection.

While Nintendo isn’t flawless in every aspect, it’s worth noting their stance on handheld single-player titles being playable offline. Owners of the Nintendo Switch can switch their device to Airplane Mode and enjoy popular games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Super Mario Odyssey without encountering significant problems. It’s true that some of these games may prompt you to download updates, but if you prefer to play on-the-go, you can simply disregard this request.

As a gamer myself, I can vouch for Valve’s Steam Deck having both Airplane Mode and Offline Mode to alleviate our concerns. However, activating these modes might disrupt certain games. For the majority of single-player titles, gameplay should proceed smoothly, but games protected by Denuvo anti-tamper technology can sometimes cause a hitch and necessitate an internet connection. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with my beloved Persona 5 Royal.

As a gamer, I’ve found it quite perplexing when games that don’t require an internet connection still seem to demand one in some shape or form. Take Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot for instance, a game I thought I could enjoy offline without any issues. However, this game has separate save files for online and offline modes, making the offline experience less than ideal. The issue is that my progress in the online mode isn’t synced with the offline one, so I’m essentially compelled to stay connected to the internet to play this single-player title, which feels like a strange predicament.

It’s understandable that Steam Deck owners might prioritize earning achievements over other concerns, as the sense of accomplishment they provide can stimulate a reward response in gamers due to the dopamine release associated with receiving recognition for their efforts. For dedicated achievement hunters, this pursuit can be quite fulfilling.

The Steam Deck remains an outstanding portable gaming device capable of running numerous games unplayable on the Nintendo Switch. However, for an even more enhanced experience, it would be ideal if all single-player games could be played without internet connection. Fingers crossed that the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 focuses on offline single-player mode similar to its predecessor.

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2025-03-26 15:12