Forum Discussion

Hero (Retired)

Re: Internet being limited by providers - need offline mode

Hi @rayzac - I feel your pain, I have a limited data plan always, so I usually play offline. Unfortunately, there is no command line switch and Origin really wants you to log in online first, and then choose "Go Offline" in the Origin menu.

The only way to log into Origin offline is to disconnect your computer from the Internet first. (pull the plug, disconnect from wifi, etc) It will "warn" you that you're offline but let you play all your games. I get the auto-reconnect thing only when I log in while the connection is not working, but is still active. Then it will monitor and pop back online as soon as it can. You should be able to avoid this by using the menu to "go offline" if it's connected.

Eventually, it will require you to log in online, usually when there's an update for Origin. You can't avoid it completely, but you can manage it. I would suggest that you change the Origin update & in-game settings to reduce the amount of traffic it is attempting. Log into Origin > Origin menu > Application Settings >

Application tab > Client Update > turn off automatic game & Origin updates; turn off Participate in technical previews; turn off Automatically start Origin, Origin Helper Service & Restricted Access Mode

Diagnostics tab > everything off, choose "Ask before sending" for the Origin crash reporting

Origin In-game tab > turn off "Enable Origin in-game"

With these settings, if Origin issues an update you will be presented with the option to continue but play offline (perfect!) or to go online and download the update. If you refuse to update Origin, it will eventually tell you that you have to update and won't let you play your games anymore, but at least you can choose when it downloads (so if you know there's an update, maybe go online and allow the update when you go to bed so it can take its own sweet time downloading overnight). Hope this helps - Happy Simming!

2 Replies

rayzac
5 years ago
Good suggestions Crin and Hero, thanks. It's a shame it's designed this way, but I'll make those changes. Thankfully once the game is actually running, it keeps going regardless of internet status (and there doesn't seem to be a timeout, so I could just minimize when doing other stuff). And just for reference, all games are purchased 😉
BlackjackWidow
Hero (Retired)
5 years ago
@rayzac - If you encounter the greyed-out button in Origin again, try clicking to run it anyway. If that doesn't work, you should be able to start it from the desktop or menu shortcut as long as Origin is running.