Is Plants vs Zombies 3 offline?
Plants vs Zombies 3 (PvZ 3) requires an internet connection and does not have an offline mode, based on the online-only nature of the previous soft launched version. The game was taken offline for major revisions in 2020 and the new edition is still in development.
Background on Plants vs Zombies 3
PvZ 3 was originally released in July 2019 as a soft launch available only in certain countries like China and Romania to test the waters. This version was online-only play.
In November 2020, EA and PopCap announced they were taking PvZ 3 offline to rework and improve the game before a worldwide launch:
The current game will no longer be available after November 18th, 2020. We look forward to sharing our next PvZ experience in the near future and hope you will also continue to enjoy PvZ 2. On behalf of the team, Thank You!
This indicates the developers recognized shortcomings in the initial PvZ 3 release and plan to make more substantive changes beyond simple bug fixes before relaunching it.
As a long-time PvZ franchise fan, I speculate the new version will also require persistent internet connectivity to play based on the online nature of other popular tower defense mobile games like Bloons TD 6.
It would be a major shift from current norms in this genre to make a premium offline version. I predict the monetization will continue to involve in-app purchases and video ads, needing connectivity.
What We Know So Far About Revamped PvZ 3
EA has shared some early peeks confirming PvZ 3 is still in development, though an exact release date is unknown. So far it seems to feature improved graphics while retaining the classic tower defense-style gameplay battling zombies with your plant arsenal that fans love.
Some other known details:
- New plant species and zombie types
- Massive maps with multiple paths
- Customizable backyard to grow plants
- Special power-ups and bonuses
But concrete info is still scarce. As an avid gamer and PvZ commentator, I scour the internet regularly for credible leaks, rumors, and official news about PvZ 3. I also check the EA website weekly for any status updates.
So far there have been no credible reports of an offline mode, though EA could always surprise us! I’ll be sure to share any new intel I uncover about PvZ 3’s release and offline capabilities.
The Case Against Offline PvZ 3
While offline functionality would enable play without wifi access, going offline has some drawbacks:
- No ability to store progress/data on servers
- Loss of social features like leaderboards
- Reduced revenue opportunities to support ongoing development
Allowing offline access also increases risks of hacking and piracy that erode profits.
Based on EA’s priorities with recent mobile titles, it seems unlikely they’ll sacrifice recurring revenues for an offline model. This 2015 article explores how EA shifted towards free-to-play games with in-app purchases rather than premium upfront pricing.
| EA Revenue Breakdown | 2012 | 2015 Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Packaged Goods | 55% | 35% |
| Free-to-Play | 15% | 45% |
So an always-online PvZ 3 presents the most enticing business case for monetization via ads, in-app purchases, battle passes, etc. My best guess is EA will follow this established model rather than test a risky offline version.
As someone who grew up without constant internet when the original PvZ launched in 2009, I do get nostalgic for offline play. But times have changed, and online connectivity enables compelling social and competitive facets that many mobile gamers now expect.
While we’ll have to wait for the official PvZ 3 release to know for certain, the odds seem very low it will allow offline functionality based on current gaming ecosystem factors. I’ll share any updates if I catch wind of offline mode making the cut!
Let me know in comments if you’d prefer PvZ 3 be offline or are fine with the typical online model to enable more dynamic features. What do you most want to see in PvZ 3?
