The gaming industry seems to work in cycles. Whatever the soup du jour is at the moment won’t be popular in a few years, with something else taking its places at the most popular genre years later. Only to be usurped later still by something else. Since the advent of the last generation of consoles, the online multiplayer shooter has been king of the hill, with the result being that just about every game in every genre has had tacked-on shoe-horned multiplayer. Lately though, more and more games are eschewing multiplayer in favour of more meaningful single player experiences.
It’s a boom that I believe was kicked off by Skyrim’s frankly ludicrous sales, and it’s carrying through to games that you’d imagine would have multiplayer but – thankfully – don’t. One such example is the new Wolfenstein: The New Order from Bethesda and Machinegames. As a shooter, you almost imagine that multiplayer is mandatory – but no, this one’s single player only.
Arkham Knight, the new Batman game from Rocksteady is skipping the multiplayer established in Arkham Origins. Ready at Dawn’s 3rd person shooter The Order won’t have any sort of competitive multiplayer either.
According to EEDAR’s Geoffrey Zatkin, who not only has a lovely first name but is also its co-founder, revealed at GDC that 46 per cent of the games released in 2013 had no multiplayer whatsoever, which is the highest since 2009.
Personally, I’m hoping that developers realise that gamers are tired of the tacked-on multiplayer, and focus their efforts and budgets on delivering more fleshed-out, immersive single player experiences. That me though.
Do you think multiplayer’s prevalence is on the decline? Do you want it to be?
Last Updated: March 28, 2014
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:33
I just don’t get how Bethesda went from Skyrim (which sold so well) so TESO. They had proof that SP games work, then goes and makes an MMO (which is supremely mediocre).
MP games have always taken a backseat with me though. The difference, I think, is that you don’t get as drawn into MP games, because the existence of other ‘real’ people creates a bit of detachment from the world in the game.
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 10:53
I agree. It’s like watching a movie with your stupid cousin and he constantly goes: “What happened now? What happened now? What happened now?”
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 28, 2014 at 10:55
“How did he get back in the capsule?” Gravity audience member. True story.
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 11:00
That might have been my cousin…
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 11:10
Ya, @disqus_DoEH3TsffU:disqus had the same thing when we watched it. Then after we went for lunch and this waitress was like “What a boring movie”…
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 11:26
I think that movie was hyped way too much. When I saw it, I was expecting the greatest movie of all time. Alas…
Kensei Seraph
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
I remember playing Guild Wars with a friend.
He’d already completed 80% of the storyline which meant I was “encouraged” to skip through it.
I could never get into the game and quickly lost interest, even though the few parts I did pick up on seemed interesting enough to have sucked me in.
zeemonkeyman
March 28, 2014 at 14:09
Hmmm I don’t know if I agree with you about not been drawn into MP games, I don’t see many people playing a single player game for over a 1000 hours.
loftie
March 28, 2014 at 14:56
yip, not many would. over the years I have probably racked up over 1000 hours on each of deus ex 1, system shock 2 and age of empires 2 and diablo 2.. All single player. 😛
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 10:34
I want MP that promotes silly codboi kid behaviour to DIE A MISERABLE PAINFUL FLEA INFESTED FIRE FILLED DEATH….ummm, that escalated quickly….
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:36
MP makes me crazy. SP makes me sensible.
Norm the Horrible
March 28, 2014 at 10:37
Blatant Geoffrey advertising. 😛
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 10:38
The question being do you want a SP/MP only game, or a combo?
Norm the Horrible
March 28, 2014 at 10:39
Any of those options as long as they are given the love & attention they deserve while in development.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:39
I like the GTA V approach. I know I’ve said this a hundred times before. But if that was in a new Elder Scrolls instead of TESO. I would buy it in the blink of an eye.
SP with the option of MP.
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:42
You’ve played the GTAV MP? *RUNS
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:44
Aaaarrrrrrrrghhhh!
Didn’t want to ruin the game for myself in case it comes to pc. 😉
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 10:51
Yea like thats gonna happen 😛
Ultimo_Cleric N7
March 28, 2014 at 10:38
Honestly, I hope MP does take a bit of a backseat.
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 10:40
I liked the “MP” idea from Hitman Absolution. Where you see your friends’ score based on how well they play the SP
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:41
Agreed. They did that well.
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:42
I think Dark Souls has it spot on. They game is single player, but you can, if you want, pop in and say ‘hello’. This is the sort of MP That I love.
Mark Treloar
March 28, 2014 at 10:46
Hmmm…..can you fold a dog in half without breaking it?
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 10:46
Only if you use enough lube
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:47
Colonial Marines proved that you can fold just about anything in half
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:08
Depends on the dog.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 28, 2014 at 10:47
I can’t stand tacked-on MP. It’s a waste of time & money – theirs & mine. If the only reason the game has MP is so they can have a bullet point on the back of the box, leave it out.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:47
Hear hear
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
March 28, 2014 at 10:49
Agree
FSR
March 28, 2014 at 10:48
The Need for Speed “Speedwall” is one of the best integrations of “MP” into SP ever. You’re competing against your friends, but they aren’t ruining your race. I wish more games would use similar systems.
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 10:54
Agree, I like this integrated idea of MP a hell of a lot! like Dark Souls. You have this online presence while still playing your own game. Imo I think this a really good and healthy type of MP
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:07
As long as you don’t HAVE to be online (Like it allows).
I agree. That is a great integration and completely not intrusive. Good catch there. Wouldn’t have thought of that one hehe
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
March 28, 2014 at 10:48
Meh-player
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 10:51
Not against MP but c’mon dawg, did Tomb Raider now really need that slapped on MP??For realz though,truthfully speaking,truth talk….MP is an amazing thing, when done right, for the right reason. It’s existed since the old ages. Who here has played Mario with a sibling? How about Battle Toads? We all love playing with other people…as an option. We gotta keep it cool daddy yo, ya feel? Don’t slap Co-Op for a game that didn’t need it (*COUGH* RE 5, DS3 *COUGH*), as long as MP is either separate and doesn’t affect the main game, naw worries my man…..but I don’t mind MP ya hear, me thinks it’s cool when done right
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:54
You… Mentioned… The Battle Toads… *DAY RUINED
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 10:55
Bro, you know that game was the bane of our childhood existence , especially for you and Oh Vee Gee 😛
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:57
*BROKEN
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
Streets of Rage 3!!! made frogslegs of battletoads 😛
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 10:56
Toads on jetski’s.. or whatever that horrible level was… I am off to go cry…
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
God dammit man! WHY! You have undone what 20 years of therapy has, nay HAD accomplished 🙁 Man, my older bro and I spent days on that, DAYS!
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
We rented Battle Toads, even got a late penalty fee for returning it days later. I remember my mother (May she rest in peace) had to pry the controller from my hands after day four…
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 11:10
So you have been in the dark too brother. Shudder…
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
HAHAHA bro that level was BOAS!! and then you have to shimmy down a wall while being bombarded by falling debris
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 11:00
Almost as bad as the Turtles water level NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 11:01
Ahhh…..such good times man…….
Dutch Matrix
March 28, 2014 at 11:05
I thing there was a Dominatrix involved in the making of that game: “Make it harder, you stupid game developer! Harder!” Then she cracked the whip…
Hammersteyn
March 28, 2014 at 10:51
I feel there is more than enough room for SP and MP. But I prefer either a MP only game of a SP only game. That way neither part is tacked on.
RedRover
March 28, 2014 at 10:51
I play games to be social. So for me if a game is not Multiplayer or Co-op I am not interested in it.
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 10:57
All I care for is that the Multiplayer is able to support the god awful internet in this country.. Thats what im getting sick.. I’m running a 4meg line and i fucking get input lag while playing fighting games like Injustice and Street Fighter 4. If you gonna give the game mulitplayer make sure u got dedicated server for it.. Im sure most gamers want a choice.. Both Multiplayer and Singleplayer..
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 10:59
The choice, and, gamers have evolved so much.
You get the MP only guys and you get the forever alone Emperor Trevot (or is that forever sp?). Each one has its place.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 28, 2014 at 11:07
That’s not how you spell my name. Die, heretic.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:08
You’re not connected to the online community. Can’t kill him. Sorry bro
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 28, 2014 at 11:27
but daaaaaaaaaaadddddddd!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 13:56
NO
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:14
And I thought I was being aggressive today.
Damn there’s goes the whole joke, because of a spelling mistake.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:15
Just say it’s his adopted pokemon name or something
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
I think the industry is starting to split it all.
They are either Multiplayer focused or Single Player focused and I am ok with that.
It gives me a choice as a gamer.
I get my Multiplayer kicks on with Free-2-Play MMOs (Or the ones you buy once off like GW2) while my main gaming is focused on Single Player games with immersive story lines.
It’s about time that developers realise that there are people on either side of the fence and that they need to cater for both.
However, I do notice a newer trend where games want you to be online for easy to have jump in co-op. This is perhaps a slippery slope back down to the tacked on multiplayer or singleplayer options again and something I think the industry should really try to avoid (or at least not enforce on the game [here’s looking at Diablo3* ] )
But I don’t think MP is taking a backseat though. Just taking a different car completely.
*Diablo3 is now epic and finally gets Sir-Rants-A-Lot’s stamp of approval and a big impressed nod
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 11:00
Sir Rants A Lot becomes Sir Agrees A Lot?
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:01
Sir Approves A Bit.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
Hahahaha. I kinda like that….
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 11:02
Sir Indifference?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
meh. Whatever I guess
😛
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 11:10
I like this one!
Kensei Seraph
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
Sir Rants A Little?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
You guys are killing me lol
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
bwhahahahha
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
March 28, 2014 at 10:58
I wish Diablo 3 had a way to lock the people from joining your game, cuz even though your game is private, clannies, community members and friends can still join. Really usefull in the middle of a tough elite or boss battle.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:08
You can set it as private and then even clan members can’t join. They have to request an invite
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:09
Yoh you Kleva!
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:13
Lol. Sarcasm?
Seriously when mine is set to private peeps can’t join my game. They have to request and I have to click yes.
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:16
not sarcastic, drugged! cough medicine is a wonderful thing (when it contains alcohol) seriously its better to have peeps send requests.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:19
Yeah I played an open game once. Just once. Never again.
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 28, 2014 at 11:19
How so?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:21
Someone joined my game and proceeded to speed through everything and skipping dialogues I actually wanted to listen to. This was back when Diabs first launched. Well 2 weeks after coz that was the first time I could actually play properly once servers were not error 37’ing
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
March 28, 2014 at 11:27
Ye, that’s what they normally do, I like to explore the whole area make sure i have looked in every nook and cranny.
Mossel
March 28, 2014 at 12:20
That’s why I prefer to play games like Diablo alone. I take my time, searching everything. Then after I’m done I play co-op and run through the level.
Craig "Crios" Boonzaier
March 28, 2014 at 11:26
Mine is defaulted to private.
They still manage to join.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 13:57
that’s odd. Perhaps start a game as public then start again as private. Perhaps you got a glitch.
or accidentally clicking the ok button?
Mine has never allowed anyone to simply join. That’s very odd man
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:01
Personally, its got nothing to do with MP getting the back-seat, due to being dull or tiresome as some may think. The REAL reason and I am sure I am 90% correct here too, is simply the following:
1. Next gen consoles allow for bigger and better games. eg. better graphics, Ai, sound ect
What this means is, games devs have often dreamt of doing these massive games but were simply limited to the power available at their fingertips. I mean from having 512mb of ram to 8gb of GDDR 5 is quite the step up alone. Thus SP games that were never possible before are finally able to be made.
2.MP games now also can benefit from the increased power in consoles, but instead of always having both SP and MP, the times have changed and evolved and thus devs are making pure MP only games which are so good, that the games with MP as an after thought or “extra” are becoming less and less appealing.
Kensei Seraph
March 28, 2014 at 11:01
I miss the good old days when most games had good single player and good multiplayer with LAN capability.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:02
LAN
I think that’s a swear word to most developers these days.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:05
Someone stuffs up while coding at EA:
Dev: COD LAN IT!!!!!!
Office: Everyone goes quiet
Boss: GET IN MY OFFICE NOW! WE DO NOT USE LANGUAGE LIKE THAT IN HERE!
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:06
Were you a fly on the wall or something?
That sounds spot on.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
March 28, 2014 at 11:11
Oh I was just connected to the cloud at the time you know.
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 11:02
Agree.. SWAT 4 😛
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
HELL YEAH!!!! EFFING SWAT 4 WAS LEGEND TO LAN……I HAVE TO TYPE IN CAPS BECAUSE THAT GAME WAS AWWWEEEESSSSOME
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:04
http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/dd381/tumblrstuff/10fwets.gif
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 11:06
sorry i’ll use my inside voice
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:13
So was counterstrike, and warcraft 3.
Umar hearts Grandia
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
DAT ONE MISSION, I THINK THE FIRST. IN THAT DRUG MERCHANT HOUSE, SCARY SHIZ!!
Ryanza
March 28, 2014 at 11:03
I’m not a multiplayer type of person.The only multiplayer games that ever intrigued me was Gear of War 1 and Cod MW2. Once I figured out all the aspects of the multiplayer, then it becames so boring. I don’t know how people can still be playing Call of Duty because nothing has changed, it’s so boring.
I like games to push the visual and technical boundaries, to tell good stories, to be single player and not to have DRM.
Cause I ain’t buying shit now a days. I won’t give in to DRM and mediocre again after Simcity 5 and Diablo 3.
Do not support DRM
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 11:06
Actually as a gamer I think the most important thing is.. NOT TO FORCE US TO MP.. ie Diablo 3 and Simcity.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:07
Yes. That has broken so many games for me.
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:08
*simshitty
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 11:24
Welcome to SimShittyWok how may i take your order.. Today sperial is Mongorian Beef.. mmmm …mmmmm so yummy.
TiMsTeR1033
March 28, 2014 at 11:34
Spare rib in Peking sauce also velly rice!
Lourens Jordaan
March 28, 2014 at 13:02
Hey! That’s lacist!
Rince
March 28, 2014 at 11:09
Isn’t MP for helping our OVG? “REVIVE ME!” All I want to say to him is… http://www.abload.de/img/stfulnen.gif
Scratch17
March 28, 2014 at 11:19
I think people have seen how good a game can be when there is focus on either single player or multi player, and not having it tacked on as a no-thought extra.
Titanfall is receiving universal acclaim (our local issues notwithstanding), and it has a decided lack of single player, because that’s what Respawn, and to their credit EA, were going for; an unapologetic multi player experience centred around big ass mechs and extreme mobility on foot. Tacking a single player experience onto the game would have pulled resources and time from the main multi player development, and it would not have been the tight experience it is now.
Flip side to that, games without multi player are more narrative. You play Bioshock Infinite or the new Tomb Raider or Stick of Truth for the story. Can you honestly tell me anyone actually played the Tomb Raider multi player for more than a few days? Because that’s not the main focus of the game.
I guess it boils down to just that: focus. A lot of big devs were scared when COD started getting big. They thought that every game had to have a solid SP campaign AND a well-rounded and highly replayable MP mode for it to be competitive. But on a fixed budget and schedule, it’s hard to pull off. It just comes down to picking your battles carefully, and I think we’re all happier for the games that pick the right one.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:21
The only game, in my opinion, that’s been able to do decent SP and MP in one package was the original Unreal.
Scratch17
March 28, 2014 at 11:24
I never played the original Unreal, to be fair. Then again, I can imagine it would have good MP, cuz, y’know… Unreal. UT2004 is still awesome.
I’ll admit, I enjoyed the first CoD Modern Warfare, both the MP and SP. But that was obviously the thing that kicked of the whole, “We need multiplayer” movement.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:29
I totally agree. Actually forgot about that. Had a ton of fun on both the SP and MP of Modern Warfare. And the mods they had were great for MP.
Scratch17
March 28, 2014 at 11:33
Heh, yeah. We used to play MW1 in res. About a server full of people playing together. Fun times.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:41
Good old times.
Scratch17
March 28, 2014 at 11:42
I miss being able to LAN games. As opposed to ALWAYS having to go through some online component.
Jedi JJ
March 28, 2014 at 11:46
Me too. We had a LAN in December and we were all connected into my router, or we couldn’t play half the games.
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 11:29
A thing thats been bugging me lately is the Season Pass kak thats now becoming popular.. ooohhh buy the SP. now Buy the Mp and get a map free.. that shit gotta stop.
DarkElf
March 28, 2014 at 11:34
Co-op or SP for me thanks. Being ganked by a dude that’s been playing the game over and over for days/months/years and who knows every skill and every shortcut about the game is not fun for a first time MP player, which puts them off FPS and/or MMORPGs. The same skill would be a godsend for Co-op games.
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 11:36
If u get ganked in a FPS there only one solution..
Mossel
March 28, 2014 at 12:16
There are only two types of players in MP games. If you are better than me, you have no life. If you are worse, you are a noob.
Sk3tz0
March 28, 2014 at 13:18
More Mothers have been violated by 13yr olds on a Multiplayer than anywhere else in history.. It is Time we stop the Abuse..
Kensei Seraph
March 28, 2014 at 11:38
That skills isn’t always a godsend in co-op games.
I’ve had it happen to many times when my experienced co-op partner knows there’s nothing worth exploring the level for and speeds through the level while I want to see the scenery and try take my time.
Rags
March 28, 2014 at 11:44
Good matchmaking and ladder mechanisms are important.
Rags
March 28, 2014 at 11:42
Back in my day, the games had great SP, MP and COOP. Countless of hours fun with Quake 2, Blood, Unreal, Age of Empires etc. It depends on the genre obviously.
One of the better MP in a SP game was ME3 with its ‘readiness’ and N7 rating tied in which was interesting mechanic, which the new ME will probably expand on.
But you can understand that some are upset by lack of MP for instance the new Wolf, after its predecessors had some of the best and most popular MP experiences for a long time(RTCW).Especially when the engine already has good netcode and matchmaking capabilities.
So I at least wish the give us MP too for shooters. With lan and dedicated server option.
Kromas
March 28, 2014 at 11:59
CoD sales say MP is going strong. However the best game 2013 is SP.
CHEESEBURGER!
CAE9872
March 28, 2014 at 12:30
I tend to dabble in MP – only games I have ever spent a lot of time playing MP was Halo series. But then they had great SP as well. I prefer SP personally.
I agree with some that it’s time developers do one or the other in certain cases e.g. COD/Battlefield (when it works!) for MP fixes. And in some cases SP only e.g. Last of Us, etc.
zxrajib
March 28, 2014 at 12:39
I could never get into the game and quickly lost interest, even though the few parts I did pick up on seemed interesting enough