The recently released TopSpin 2K25 is a fantastic tennis title, but the game's currently being blasted for its always online requirement. Yep, this is one of those games where you need a connection to the servers before you can actually play it — even if you just want to grind through career mode or enjoy a local match.
Inevitably, criticism has really taken off over the last few days, as server issues have rendered the title completely unplayable for some users. Across the TopSpin2K Reddit and social media, players are demanding a rethink with regards to the online requirement — and we can't blame them.
But why does TopSpin 2K25 force an online connection in the first place? Well, it's probably because aspects of your custom characters are shared across both offline and online modes, and so the game needs to save things server-side in order to prevent problems like potential cheaters. Still, some players are wondering why there can't just be a dedicated offline suite for those who have no intention of hopping online to begin with.
The outrage doesn't end there, either. Adding significant weight to all of this is the fact that the game currently features a service notice that reads: "Please note that TopSpin 2K25's online features are scheduled to be available until 31st December 2026 though we reserve the right to modify or discontinue online features without notice."
It's immediately inferred that TopSpin 2K25 will be taken offline at some point, which, under the circumstances, would mean that it'll become unplayable. It's not a good look, is it?
What do you make of all this? How do you feel about always online requirements? Slam your racket into the ground and start ranting towards the umpire in the comments section below.
[source reddit.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 31
Good!!! Always online for any single player game is NONSENSE!!!
May want to spot check. “sever” and “sever-side” in this article.
That said, it’s utterly laughable that a freaking tennis game requires a server connection. Idiocy.
It's not great to be fair but I do think these always online stories get blown way out of proportion.
I used to get annoyed over the always online thing myself, but then I came to the realisation that my PS5 is always online anyway. If the servers are temporarily down for whatever reason then I'll just play something else for a while
#1stworldproblems
@dskatter That's a very good spot, no idea how I've made that mistake not once but twice. Thanks!
Never an appreciable feature, but if the likes of Need for Speed and The Crew weathered the "slaughterers" in regards to the subject, why wouldn't this game?
I’m more shocked by the screenshot in this article.
@ShogunRok The curse of the modern spellchecker. I’ve always been a spelling nitpicker, just kind of leaps out at me!
It's a 2k sports game. Always online is the norm for them. Sadly.
Yep I'm not a fan at all of always online in single player mode,just separate online and and offline completely and they don't get rid of cheaters either as the current bug in gt7 proved last wk ,you should just be able to disconnect from the net when playing full single player career mode and reconnect if you want to online
Removed - inappropriate language
@Member_the_game so no issue that it will be useless in 2yrs also then
@PsBoxSwitchOwner
No because the chances are that it will be patched by then so that it can be used offline.
in the same way Gran Turismo Sport was recently patched to work offline.
To say it will be useless in a few years time is a completely hypothetical situation that in all likelihood won't happen.
Both Matchpoint and AO Tennis have better ratings in the store and it is not just because of the online.
I was looking forward to this, but the more I see the less I like. I'm definitely going to hold out for Tiebreaker instead and it's roster of 100+ licensed players.
My ps5 maybe online all the time but when a game which has a single player element but forces you to be online always, is just wrong.
Not because I care for being online all the time it's what comes with this, when things go south with the servers and then your locked out of a game which doesn't need online.
Stupid really, they should be 2 separate things in my eyes.
@Topov81 maybe but big ant is a great studio, there cricket game is amazing.
But they aren't the best when it comes to the graphics, if only they had bigger budgets, because they seem to nail the controls
@Member_the_game "chances are". What about the many other games that had their online servers shut down that never received an offline patch. What makes you so sure that this will?
Good to know yet not surprising, than I will pay 10 € max for this game.
@IslandLogic
What makes you so sure it won't?
As I say it's all Hypothetical
I prefer not to get stressed over something that may or may not happen
From what PS1 game the screenshot is coming from?
It's 2k. Not surprised.
This is atrocious, basically you're renting the game for less then 2 years.
This kind of stuff is the reason why i don't buy 2K games.
I think the always online part is overdrawn. The missing of online doubles or, I don’t know, PLAYING WITH FRIENDS however…
@Member_the_game The Crew was removed and made useless so im not holdijg my breath. A maybe making my game useless is the reason.
Forced online is a no buy for me.
@Flaming_Kaiser
I agree it's obviously not good and it definitely shouldn't happen
The only thing I will say it that The Crew is a 10 year old game, so it's not quite the useless after 2 years that Psboxswitchowner was trying to claim.
In fairness I very much doubt that in 10 years time I'll still be wanting to play TopSpin 2K25, I'll probably be playing whatever the latest version is, so again I just don't see it as that big of a deal.
Just my opinion obviously, not suggesting that I'm right and your wrong.... just explaining why it doesn't bother me so much
@Member_the_game I think the main issue stems from the fact that the servers can (and potentially) will get shut down. Now, for an online multiplayer game, that's fine and understandable, but for a game with a single player mode - which requires the use of being online - that is completely unacceptable. Once the servers go offline, you lose complete access to the game.
QUOTE
"In fairness I very much doubt that in 10 years time I'll still be wanting to play TopSpin 2K25, I'll probably be playing whatever the latest version is, so again I just don't see it as that big of a deal".
But if this becomes the norm and it's a game that you do want to revisit in the future... tough luck. It's a very slippery slope in my opinion.
@Texaschainsaw83
For what it's worth, I do agree with you, it's not a good thing and I'd very much prefer it not to happen given the choice..... I just don't see it as that big of a deal with a game like this one.
Now if you told me in 10 years time all my Mario games would suddenly be unplayable I'd be devastated lol.
I've been doing a little bit of research in the case of this particular game.
The online only aspect only seems to apply to the My Career mode.
If there servers are down (or if indeed shut down altogether one day) then you can still play the game locally with a friend or against the AI
And there is every chance it may be patched in the future so that the My Career mode will still work
@Member_the_game Thanks for the constructive response. Nice to have an actual civilised back and forth for a change.
@Member_the_game If they dont make any money on it why not give every game a final patch to life on.
I know why they dont do it because the slightest chance of people staying and enjoying the old game and not buying their latest game. The Ubisoft response was clear to me and i know how big corp sees us.
From Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and all big developers they want digital only to happen so the so they can completely control the market.
Its clear that during the PS2 era i could play off and online with Resident Evil Outbreak making it my choice when i want to play and how. The worst thing is the further we go into the future the less options we get.
Nintendo showed us another scummy tactic locking digital content in a fault and telling us when we can get to play it.
Thats why i believe if you get the chance now to illegally get it youre not in the wrong. And this is coming from a guy who never had any illegal games.
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