Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed that Nintendo's upcoming iPhone game Super Mario Run will require an always-on internet connection to play, which Miyamoto said is "a requirement that's been built into the game to support security." The security element is one of the big reasons why the company decided to launch on iPhone first, Miyamoto said, and it helps the game's three separate modes function together while always keeping the software secure and safe, preventing piracy in the process (via Mashable).

Creating a standalone "World Tour" mode without the need for an internet connection was discussed, but the developers found that needing to reconnect to the internet when jumping back to the other two modes -- "Toad Rally" and "Kingdom Builder" -- complicated things. "And because those two modes are relying on the network save, we had to integrate the World Tour mode as well," Miyamoto said, through a translation by Nintendo's senior product marketing manager Bill Trinen.

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I learned today that Super Mario Run requires an internet connection to play. What's the reason for that? Are there any thoughts about an offline mode?

For us, we view our software as being a very important asset for us. And also for consumers who are purchasing the game, we want to make sure that we're able to offer it to them in a way that the software is secure, and that they're able to play it in a stable environment.

We wanted to be able to leverage that network connection with all three of the [Super Mario Run] modes to keep all of the modes functioning together and offering the game in a way that keeps the software secure. This is something that we want to continue to work on as we continue to develop the game.

When asked specifically what the company's concerns were about security on mobile devices, Miyamoto confirmed the risk of piracy facing Super Mario Run since it's not launching on a dedicated Nintendo console. "We're launching in 150 countries and each of those countries has different network environments and things like that," Miyamoto said. "So it was important for us to be able to have it secure for all users."

Super Mario Run is now under a week away from launch, with its debut coming next Thursday, December 15. The rest of Mashable's interview with Miyamoto can be read here.

Top Rated Comments

tann Avatar
85 months ago
Well that's changed my mind on whether I'll buy it. Pretty much useless on my journeys.
Score: 43 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AbSoluTc Avatar
85 months ago
Yes, because piracy is rampant on iOS. :rolleyes:

Nintendo is going to end up like RIM if they keep this up. Their consoles are not that good anymore and seem more like gimmicks than anything. So resistant to move FORWARD all for the sake of fear.
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DBZmusicboy01 Avatar
85 months ago
NOT COOL.
Games shouldn't be forced to be played like that.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AbSoluTc Avatar
85 months ago
Who is getting it for free? Jailbreakers?

Do people even jailbreak anymore like they used to?

$10 was overpriced already, but it's Mario so I let it slide.

Online only? Now it's worth no more than $2.99
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rodgersmc Avatar
85 months ago
I would agree with you if piracy wasn't so rampant.

But since it is, I completely agree with Nintendo. Why should I pay $10 for a game, while someone else gets it for free?
Is piracy of iOS apps really a big thing? What percentage of iOS users even know about apps not on the official app store?

I'm OK with it forcing a network log-in once a day or something. But this makes the game unplayable on underground metro systems...
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
OliverFoggin Avatar
85 months ago
Well, that's changed it from a definite buy and I was willing to spend the £9.99 to unlock the full game.

My train journeys to work and back are through areas with pretty much no signal.

WTF?!

I feel like I felt when SimCity 4 was released.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)