The lights are on
The announcement that God of War: Ascension would add multiplayer to the classically single-player experience brought forth a number of conflicting feelings from gamers around the globe, including myself.
This is not the first time a franchise known for its single-player experience has walked down the competitive multiplayer path. Uncharted, Mass Effect, Dead Space, Assassin's Creed, BioShock, Max Payne, and even Grand Theft Auto have expanded past the boundaries of single-player.
While some reacted positively to the news of God of War's new addition, many boiled with unbridled Internet rage.
Some proclaimed they wouldn't buy it, and others complained that every game doesn't need multiplayer, but reader Alex Hanavan perfectly summarized the frustration longtime solo gamers face by asking, "Is multiplayer mandatory now for every single new game?"
Gamers are a smart and passionate group, so it is easy to see why players are wary that the addition of multiplayer could lead to lesser investments in the single-player experience. I, too, can't get that nagging thought out of my brain.
Of course, there is no proof that adding multiplayer to a game reduces a developer's investment in the single-player experience. Since it is basically impossible for a developer to make both at the same time with equal budgets and talent behind the titles, we will never really know the answer to the question.
Gamers in the single-player camp will always point to the millions spent on multiplayer as a waste of money that could have made the single-player experience better, while multiplayer fans will sometimes wonder why there is a single-player experience at all (see Battlefield 3).
Neither group is right or wrong, but I know there will always be a thought in the back of my head when a single-player game falls short (or vice versa), that game developers are trying too hard to appease everyone when focused effort on a single discipline would offer better results. Some developers and publishers are capable of doing it all, as we have seen in many blockbuster titles featuring amazing single- and multiplayer experiences. But whenever someone falls short, gamers will be there to ridicule and cast doubt.
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I'm hoping that we'll increasingly see more story delivered in the multiplayer content derived from single-player games. Even little bits like the way Max Payne 3 carries a bit of narrative in Gang Wars reminds players that there's more to the game than just getting the next headshot. Still, I hope that developers will realize that single-player experiences can be some of the deepest, most profound experiences gamers can have with their games, and shorting us on quality single-player games will hurt everyone in the long-run.
Very well written article, some games like Call of Duty can do a good job on the different fronts, as can others like Assassin's Creed, but putting a focus on titles (like BF3 should have done with multiplayer and Dead Space should have done with single player) is definitely what some developers should do, and why I'm glad the new Hitman doesn't force it, even with some good MP potential behind it.
I like when developers are being creative and trying new things. I dont like when the new things are there because they want more money. The passion for the project shows through when you play and you can easily tell when they threw it in there.
I think developers are trying to add replay value to their games. People want to get the most out of games and if a single-player game is only a couple hours long they won't want to pay $60 for it. I'm all for multiplayer in a traditionally single-player series as long as it doesn't detract from the quality of the single-player. Single-player only games will always have a big place in gaming.
If devs have an idea to make a fun experience that uses the technology of today, go for it.
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I agree with your article, sir. I would also like to point out that SOME games are moving backward on this position. See Dead Space 3, which according to the preview article says there will be no online multiplayer, just local co-op. Sometimes someone tries it, and at least has the good graces to backtrack if it seems too out of place. I applaud this notion and hope others will continue to re-examine their multiplayer plans in order to ensure good experiences.
We can get an article about this but no article about the much more saddening death of local co-op. I don't want to have to buy a second console, TV, and game just to play a game co-op with someone 3 feet away from me.