5punk

Why Online Multiplayer Isn't That Important
cyrus_zuo writes "GameTunnel has published an article on why they believe online multiplayer is over-rated. Specifically, author Russell Carrol feels that multi-player is only at its best when you have an emotional connection to the people you're playing against. In his words: 'Multiplayer gaming is awesome, don't get me wrong, but I don't think that online multiplayer modes are all that great. Unless I'm playing in the same room as the person I'm playing against, I lose the emotional and physical connection that makes multiplayer games fun. .. It's like going to a party where you drink and dance by yourself in your living room, and connect to everyone else through headsets, video cameras and HD TVs. No matter how you look at it, the end result is a lame party.'"




Author: Zonk
Category: games
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Source: Slashdot: Games
Description: News for nerds, stuff that matters

I kind of agree and disagree at the same time with a lot of the comments in this article.

Online gaming is important, and makes up a large majority of PC gamers, but I also agree that multiplayer games need to do somethign different in order to not fall behind and become redundant.

Bit of a silly article really IMO

Kind of obvious that playing over the internet isn't as good as playing in the same room as your opponent, but it's a hell of a lot more convenient. The bit about games being more fun when you have a connection to the people you're playing with is true though, especially for social gamers like us.

Woo Elephant Yeah wrote:Bit of a silly article really IMO

Indeed, he derides the online experience as being replete with adolescent swearers (his 17yo age estimate is ridiculously high on that count, IMO) then proceeds to decribe how a party would be "lame" if one could not "high-five" people and "taunt them to their face".

It completely misses the point that these days you can actually choose who you game with online, at least with all the tools available for PC gaming, and to a lesser degree with the "buddy" systems on consoles. Just 'cos he jumps on random games and gets a bad experience doesn't mean everyone is a prick - without friends on your contact list, yes - MP sucks, but without friends you probably don't get invited to many parties, either.

Completely threw me when he started waffling on about XBLA halfway through. Xbox Live Arcade, I discovered and he seems to be using it (and Wii's Virtual Console) as an argument that "graphics and multiplayer do not a successful title make", whereas I would be more inclined to think it signalled that there are close to fuck all games on either system and the owners have to play something, dammit.

FatherJack wrote:"graphics and multiplayer do not a successful title make"

Are they still bleating on about that? I thought Rise of the Robots put that issue to bed.

Dog Pants wrote:I thought Rise of the Robots put that issue to bed.

Oh god no! I had managed to forget about that!