It should be fully possible to install, launch, and play Minecraft without ever connecting that device to the internet.
I have a new PC that is deliberately not internet-capable, to reduce distractions and increase productivity. I want a limited number of games there, including oldschool Minecraft.
I bought Minecraft long before Microsoft bought it, yet I have to go get a hall pass from Microsoft to be able to play the game I own? This is ridiculous, bad for slow internet users, and, frankly, offensive.
I suggest:
A launcher that only has pre-Microsoft versions, and no DRM/authentication
Updating the main launcher to include a fully-offline mode for all but the latest versions
Both available on the main site if you paid for Minecraft.
Providing an installer for the pre-Microsoft versions allows unrestricted access to players like me who bought in early, and surely Microsoft's bottom line isn't threatened by unauthorized users possibly getting their hands on that set of Minecraft builds.
Providing full offline access (no authentication step) for most versions (e.g. minus the most recent 2-4 full versions) should be doable if the player already has the version files. I install the versions on my main computer, then transfer the files to my new PC, and the game recognizes that hey, here's the files, let's get gaming. (Ideally LAN also.)
You could figure out a way to provide offline-only access for newer versions, but they don't concern me as much (I mostly want my fave, 1.7.10).
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