Death of the 4 player co-op

[I20I3]

Its really just not fun to have your TV screen broken into 4 quads when you want to play a game. You can easily cheat and see where everybody is, you cant really see what your doing, and its a pain if your on an xbox and you have to move over 3 profiles onto your box to let them earn gamerscore and stuff. Plus to me on a 30inch TV i really could not see whats going on if i'm sharing the screen with 3 others.

That is why I said about "Co-op", so that you can utilize seeing things from there perspective. I think i remember a couple of old games Tribes maybe, but we would have one kamikaze guy pretty much run in to let us know where everyone is. That is teamwork at its best to me.

 

[I20I3]

...... It's dead because everybody hates split screen. Just play Left 4 Dead.

Wow you must have alot of spare time to have interviewed everyone.

I still don't understand why they don't program split-screen. Pretty much everyone I know can't can't a current-gen console and internet,

Not really. I'm just god. I'm all knowing like that.

OKAY! Let me ask. WHO HERE -LIKES- squinting to see on 1/4th the screen space the game was designed to display on while a bunch of shit that doesn't involve you goes on distracting you in your peripheral vision?

If the game is fun than I don't give a shit about sharing the screen, seriously.

I think you are kinda missing the point. If you read the title, you would see the word "Co-op" meaning. And if 1/4 of your friends doesn't have a big screen, then you gotta befriend some rich kids common, how else are they supposed to "have friends". Even on a smaller screen, it adds a certain co-op strategy where you can use them to triangulate enemies that little to now games offer. Let alone your non-FPS games (they do exist).

 

[scoobyduped]

Just a theory (could be way off), but I think part of it is the computing power required for HD graphics. You can't have one console render it all twice (or three or four times) and maintain the same level of graphics. For example, in L4D, split screen dramatically reduces the game's draw distance. For example, in the elevator in No Mercy, you can't see the button panel next to the door unless you're in the front half of the elevator. And this is a distance of maybe 15 in-game feet we're talking about. In Gears 2, I've noticed that a lot of the cover destruction effects are dumbed down, or even removed, in split screen.

 

[I20I3]

war of the Monsters was the best 4player co-op ever. Little Big Planet is great as well.

Loved war of the monsters, have yet to play Little big planet. But both are sorta lacking in the Co-op aspect

 

[Flour]

The only games I remember having 4 player co-op were Phantasy Star Online v1&2 and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.

The problem with single console offline co-op, is that it takes processing power.
Processing power that developers think should be spent trying to maximize graphics.

 

[I20I3]

Just a theory (could be way off), but I think part of it is the computing power required for HD graphics. You can't have one console render it all twice (or three or four times) and maintain the same level of graphics. For example, in L4D, split screen dramatically reduces the game's draw distance. For example, in the elevator in No Mercy, you can't see the button panel next to the door unless you're in the front half of the elevator. And this is a distance of maybe 15 in-game feet we're talking about. In Gears 2, I've noticed that a lot of the cover destruction effects are dumbed down, or even removed, in split screen.

Yeah i can see what your saying and how that might be a problem. But arnt these supposed to be "next gen systems". The PS3 with its behemoth system specs should be able to pull something off.

 

[GreenDevilJF]

...... It's dead because everybody hates split screen. Just play Left 4 Dead.

Wow you must have alot of spare time to have interviewed everyone.

I still don't understand why they don't program split-screen. Pretty much everyone I know can't can't a current-gen console and internet,

Not really. I'm just god. I'm all knowing like that.

OKAY! Let me ask. WHO HERE -LIKES- squinting to see on 1/4th the screen space the game was designed to display on while a bunch of shit that doesn't involve you goes on distracting you in your peripheral vision?

If the game is fun than I don't give a shit about sharing the screen, seriously.

I think you are kinda missing the point. If you read the title, you would see the word "Co-op" meaning. And if 1/4 of your friends doesn't have a big screen, then you gotta befriend some rich kids common, how else are they supposed to "have friends". Even on a smaller screen, it adds a certain co-op strategy where you can use them to triangulate enemies that little to now games offer. Let alone your non-FPS games (they do exist).

Is that directed at me?

 

[I20I3]

The only games I remember having 4 player co-op were Phantasy Star Online v1&2 and Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.

The problem with single console offline co-op, is that it takes processing power.
Processing power that developers think should be spent trying to maximize graphics.

Yeah but i would much rather be having fun with 3 friends then need superior graphics. Just doing it together as a team is better than any next gen bloom and muddy Grey they can throw at me.

 

[vede]

Yeah, split-screen sucks.

However, 4-player coop can still be done with overhead games. And I like overhead games just fine.

 

[I20I3]

...... It's dead because everybody hates split screen. Just play Left 4 Dead.

Wow you must have alot of spare time to have interviewed everyone.

I still don't understand why they don't program split-screen. Pretty much everyone I know can't can't a current-gen console and internet,

Not really. I'm just god. I'm all knowing like that.

OKAY! Let me ask. WHO HERE -LIKES- squinting to see on 1/4th the screen space the game was designed to display on while a bunch of shit that doesn't involve you goes on distracting you in your peripheral vision?

If the game is fun than I don't give a shit about sharing the screen, seriously.

I think you are kinda missing the point. If you read the title, you would see the word "Co-op" meaning. And if 1/4 of your friends doesn't have a big screen, then you gotta befriend some rich kids common, how else are they supposed to "have friends". Even on a smaller screen, it adds a certain co-op strategy where you can use them to triangulate enemies that little to now games offer. Let alone your non-FPS games (they do exist).

Is that directed at me?

To an extent yes, I mean if you are who you say you are, then everything would be in some way directed at you.

 

[Death916]

...... It's dead because everybody hates split screen. Just play Left 4 Dead.

Wow you must have alot of spare time to have interviewed everyone.

I still don't understand why they don't program split-screen. Pretty much everyone I know can't can't a current-gen console and internet,

Not really. I'm just god. I'm all knowing like that.

OKAY! Let me ask. WHO HERE -LIKES- squinting to see on 1/4th the screen space the game was designed to display on while a bunch of shit that doesn't involve you goes on distracting you in your peripheral vision?

i dont like it. but i deal with it if theres ppl at my house

 

[I20I3]

Yeah, split-screen sucks.

However, 4-player coop can still be done with overhead games. And I like overhead games just fine.

Exactly my point, like in my example champions of norrath, overhead was done very nicely. Sure there were some screen restrictions but that's only a problem if your a pansy and want to run away from everything while everyone else runs in head first. Even in split screen, i feel there is much to be had. Having direct contact and sight of exactly what they are doing, gives unparalleled co-op ambush techniques.

 

[Acaroid]

Does anyone else find it strange that finnally large ass TVs are now cheap enough for the normal person that the split screen has become less popular... The TV's are finally big enough it might not be such a bad thing.......

 

[n01d34]

...... It's dead because everybody hates split screen. Just play Left 4 Dead.

Wow you must have alot of spare time to have interviewed everyone.

I still don't understand why they don't program split-screen. Pretty much everyone I know can't can't a current-gen console and internet,

Not really. I'm just god. I'm all knowing like that.

OKAY! Let me ask. WHO HERE -LIKES- squinting to see on 1/4th the screen space the game was designed to display on while a bunch of shit that doesn't involve you goes on distracting you in your peripheral vision?

I like it. I certainly enjoy it more then the alternatives.

LAN - Too much time and hassle to set up.

On-line - Isn't as fun for me because I enjoy hanging out with my friends and pwning them in person. Call me crazy but you can't share a six pack and a bag of crisps over Xbox Live.

 

[I20I3]

Thats the cost, not the benefit. What you're doing is saying the only attribute of drinking is the hangover.

The better question is, who likes having 3 mates over to play?

OHHH I do I do.

 

[I20I3]

Does anyone else find it strange that finnally large ass TVs are now cheap enough for the normal person that the split screen has become less popular... The TV's are finally big enough it might not be such a bad thing.......

Exactly everything is bigger and better definition, so shouldn't more players be easy and not look so bad.

 

[Darnin]

What about Rock Band and the new Guitar Hero? Those games are pretty big on 4-player Co-op.

 

[Bluntknife]

I think it might be due in part to the hardware limitations of consoles (please don't flame)
Graphics on consoles have been pushed to thier max and rendering 4 screens at once might be alittle taxing.