The Sims 4 supports single-player offline gameplay

Sims players worried that the next entry in the long-standing simulation franchise can rest easy, as EA and developer Maxis confirmed that The Sims 4 will not require an internet connection to play. There was some worry following today's announcement — given SimCity's always-on requirement — that EA would force a similar mandate upon The Sims franchise.

However, in an official press release sent shortly after, the publisher wrote, "The Sims 4 celebrates the heart and soul of the Sims themselves, giving players a deeper connection with the most expressive, surprising and charming Sims ever in this single-player offline experience."

As I previously mentioned, Maxis' latest game, SimCity, faced significant criticism for its always-online requirement. EA claimed the requirement was necessary for gameplay purposes and not a form of DRM as many have suggested. Of course, it didn't help that SimCity was plagued by server issues rendering the game unplayable for most. In response to the frustrating situation, EA gave purchasers a free game out of their catalog.

It seems EA is looking to avoid a similar debacle by having The Sims 4 playable totally offline. What will be interesting to see, however, is if the game will have some sort of multiplayer support. The Sims 4 is due out on PC and Mac in 2014.