Bethesda's upcoming supernatural shooter Redfall will require "a persistent online connection," even for the single-player experience.

Games that require a persistent online connection for solo play are rarer, though significant exceptions do exist.

While Bethesda has not responded to a request for comment on the decision, game publishers often cite piracy or cheating concerns as reasons to require players to connect to the Internet for solo play.

In 2013, for instance, Blizzard's Mike Morhaime said an online connection was "critical to the long-term integrity of the game experience" for Diablo III and its controversial (and later removed) real-money auction house.

Such requirements can also be a major hindrance to players without stable Internet service, including those in rural or international settings.

Zombie shooter Back 4 Blood launched with an online connection requirement in 2021, but a completely offline mode was added just two months later.