After three years of being exclusively available on the Epic Games Store, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 recently made its debut on Steam. While this was generally seen as a positive development, one aspect that disappointed many players was the continuation of the always-online requirement. However, the release of the 1.1 patch for the Steam version brought the much-desired offline play feature. However, this update came with a surprising caveat – offline play is only available on the Steam Deck. This decision by the developers raises several questions about the reasoning behind this selective availability.
It is understandable that if the developers were to remove the always-online requirement, a handheld device like the Steam Deck would be the ideal beneficiary. The Steam Deck is designed to be portable, allowing players to enjoy their games even when they are not connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. However, this begs the question – why limit offline play to only the Steam Deck? Why not extend this feature to all Steam players on their PCs? Moreover, why not make offline play available to all PC players, including those on the Epic Games Store? By restricting offline play to only one platform, it appears to be a case of favoritism towards the Steam Deck, possibly due to its resemblance to a skateboard.
While it is commendable for developers to optimize their games for specific platforms, creating a platform-exclusive feature out of a basic quality-of-life improvement seems counterproductive. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2’s decision to limit offline play availability to the Steam Deck only goes against the concept of seeking parity and equality across different gaming platforms. It is worth noting that other games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, have gone the extra mile to include platform-specific presets, yet they have not limited essential features to a single platform.
Given the recent controversy surrounding Activision Blizzard and their staggering financial success, it is not unreasonable to hope that they would recognize the need for expanded offline play availability for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2. With the game now available on multiple platforms and the inclusion of the Steam Deck, it is evident that there is a growing player base that desires offline play functionality. This basic improvement should not be limited to one platform but should be accessible to all players who wish to enjoy the game without an internet connection.
While Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is widely regarded as a fantastic game, the decision to restrict offline play availability to the Steam Deck raises valid concerns. The selective nature of this feature limits the enjoyment of the game for those on different platforms, creating a divide among players. It is hoped that developers will recognize the importance of providing equal opportunities for all players and expand the offline play functionality to encompass all gaming platforms.
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