Too Much Multiplayer In Today's Games?

hornedrat writes "Gamepro discusses the idea that modern games put too much emphasis on multiplayer, and that players aren't as concerned about it as developers think. 'The current environment encourages developers to unnecessarily toss multiplayer into their games without caring about it — or even considering whether anyone will bother playing it. It’s like they're checking an invisible quota box that demands multiplayer's inclusion.' Personally I agree that too much emphasis is placed on competitive multiplayer. I play online, but only with my brother in games that allow co-operative modes, like Rainbow Six: Vegas and ARMA 2. 'My point isn't that developers shouldn't try and conquer Halo or Call of Duty. We'd never have any progress in this industry if developers didn't compete. Game companies, however, should think carefully about what they want their games to be, and more important, gamers should consider what they want. If a developer wants to eclipse Halo, then by all means, pour that effort into a multiplayer mode that's different.' I would be interested to know how many gamers really care about the multiplayer components of the games they buy."

Comments

Re:I wouldn't say the problem is with multiplayer

[blair1q]

I know! Require them to use their real names. That'll fix it.

Re:Multiplayer?

[Anonymous Coward]

Chill out, gramps and welcome to the 21st century, where you don't need to set up your own network to play with other people.

Multiplayer grew up and encompasses more than just you and your circle of console friends. You can still have your little LAN parties and enjoy Bagel Bites and Mt. Dew while the adults expand their social circles.

Re:Hardly

[n3r0.m4dski11z]

I think you are just speaking about consoles my friend and it shows.

A) Most random people on the internet .. Xbox live ... complete assholes. ... playing online against random people a pain.

a) most people that own consoles are maladjusted? well obviously or they would be gaming on a pc! a real gaming platform has a mute player or squelch /ignore whatever. thats what makes it a proper online gaming system. So this point is based solely on your flawed experience of what online "gaming" is.

B) The difficulty. It takes a lot longer to learn how to efficiently play an online game than it is to learn to play a single player game. Even worse is if you are in a team-style game and have to endure abuse ... And difficulty can't be accurately chosen unlike a single player game, ...

b) The difficulty? the DIFFICULTY? what do you think the ENTIRE point of playing with other real thinking human minds is? Sure there is nothing wrong with playing single player, but dont hate multi player because its DIFFICULT! i think you are missing the point. Abuse? oh well welcome to the internet! Better start to grow some tolerance... for reals G.

C) Cheating/Lag, few things are more frustrating than trying to snipe on a laggy connection.

c) lag? what game has lag? games hosted on consoles. Unless you mean your lag, and well then what can i say? get off the wireless?

"D) Badly managed servers. For example, on Team Fortress 2, you will have people who decide to make everyone be engineers, then suddenly allow for one spy, then make everyone be engineers once someone on their team is the spy."

d) Im no TF2 player, but one of the freedoms of running your own server is that I get to run shit the way mama likes. Dont like that? well then LEAVE THE SERVER. it sounds much like you are complaining about something like zombie mod for counter strike. Yes, it forces you to play as a zombie, but um, thats the fucking point of the server!

Ive never heard so many ridiculous attacks on multiplayer online gaming in my life. First step for you, get a mouse and keyboard and join the rest of the civilized world.

Re:More decent gameplay, less multiplayer

[Anonymous Coward]

companies need to focus on paying wages. Singleplayer games are 100% pirated by the sort of jerks that comment on slashdot. Multiplayer games are way harder to pirate and so are financially viable.
If poeple don't like it, tough shit. Moan at thepiratebay and the asshats you steal stuff.