What a twist!
I knew there had to be a catch to Super Mario Run. While we originally thought that was going to be microtransactions, it looks like the game will require an online connection at all times. That shouldn’t be the biggest issue for a mobile phone, but there could be instances where you’re without a network (like in NYC, which the trailer prominently features). This online connection is required for security purposes, which is part of the reason why the game is coming to iOS first.
Speaking with Mashable, Shigeru Miyamoto said, “for consumers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we’re able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they’re able to play it in a stable environment.”
Miyamoto then goes on to state that, due to the amount of countries the game is launching in, they wanted to make sure each service was as secure as possible. I think I’m starting to see what the reasoning is. If Nintendo were to release this as a regular app, the fear is that someone would jailbreak it and spread the thing around the net. By restricting access to the game via network connection, there won’t be any possible way to make a workaround (which sounds more like a challenge than a reality).
There were some talks about bringing the main game, “World Tour” mode, as a standalone experience, but the extra game modes complicated matters. As Miyamoto mentions, “the challenge is when that’s operating in a standalone mode, it actually complicates the connection back to the Toad Rally and Kingdom modes. And because those two modes are relying on the network save, we had to integrate the World Tour mode as well.”
I don’t know what to make of this. Nintendo has a sure thing with Mario on any platform, so to bring up a strange and archaic limitation is just asking for trouble. A lot of kids don’t understand network issues and most gamers who pay for their content would like to access it at any moment. If I have to download something, why can’t I just play it?
This isn’t some MMO that relies on other players for interaction or even an online multiplayer experience, but a one-payment mobile app with a full campaign. Just let me play it whenever I can, instead of crippling me on train rides (where I’ll probably play this the most).
Super Mario Run Will Require a Constant Online Connection [Nintendo Life]
