SimCity offline mode is finally on its way after about a year. Electronic Arts stated a while back that the game would need to be online to function, and this caused a great deal of unrest among gamers. Coupled with server problems and a general lack of tact in customer service, EA saw its approval rate plummet.

Then along came Battlefield 4, which suffered from the same server problems as well as glitches indicating that the game hadn’t been finished. This is almost forgivable due to EA needing to get the game out in time for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 launches. Nobody knows how Titanfall might fare if the server issues persist, being yet another online-only game.

The server problems may have contributed to the recent announcement that a SimCity offline mode is finally arriving with the next update. You will no longer need to go online just to play the game in single player mode, and this is something gamers have been wanting since it was released.

It seems this update has been in the works since October 2013, when EA started looking into offline play. A recent update has already begun allowing mods, much to the delight of SimCity hackers.

Soon you won’t need to go online to enjoy the game, except for the initial download of Update 10. Maxis general manager Patrick Buechner stated about the SimCity offline mode update:

“When we launch [the update], all of your previously downloaded content will be available to you anytime, anywhere, without the need for an internet connection. In Update 10, you can still play solo in Regions on your own, or in Multiplayer with people from around the world. What’s new is the Single Player Mode, which allows you to play the game Offline by yourself. And because your saved games in this mode are stored locally, you can save and load to your heart’s content.”

As for modding, Buechner adds, “Bringing the game Offline means big things for our wonderful community of modders. They can now make modifications to the game and its components without compromising the integrity of the Online game. Modding is a big part of our studio’s legacy and we’re excited to see what you guys create.”