SimCity Mod Unlocks Offline Editing [Video]

An unofficial SimCity mod unlocks the ability to edit cities offline.

Although there are limits to what players can do with the new mod, it shows that offline play is possible despite claims to the contrary. A modder by the name of UKAzzer uploaded a demo that showcases the ability to edit highways without being connected to EA servers.

This feat is accomplished by entering the SimCity debug mode. Although the mod shuts down some of the game’s key features, UKAzzer explained that its purpose is to prove that offline play is a possibility. A video of the modder’s work has been embedded below.

“So with a little bit of package editing within SimCity thanks to the modding guide posted to Reddit earlier, and a little playing about in the code, it’s possible to enable debug mode,” UKAzzer explained.

The modder added, “Most developer debug features are disabled without having an actual developer’s build (they have terraforming tools etc. available in the full developer build!), but a few things do still work – including editing the main highways.”

The video shows that highways can be constructed outside of the city limits. When you quit the game and return later, the roads you built are still there.

Some players discovered that offline play was possible for around 20 minutes. After that period, a built-in timer would shut things down. UKAzzer stated that this restriction has also been edited out of the game.

“I also modded out the disconnect timer (can now play “offline” indefinitely – but no saves/syncs or region related stuff, not yet anyway … but the simulation can carry on with no connection indefinitely),” the modder said.

Maxis general manager Lucy Bradshaw previously stated that offline play was not possible since quite a bit of the game’s calculations took place on EA servers. However, a company insider stated that the servers didn’t do much of anything in regards to gameplay.

The a video showcasing the mod’s features is included below.

What do you think about the SimCity mod that allows for limited offline play? Have you been disappointed with your experience?