Lack of Offline Multiplayer

[Heavic]

We have MW1 and 2. We have Halo 3. We have L4D. These games are prime examples of well-known online multiplayer. My question is "Where are all the popular offline multiplayer games?"

There was a time before we all had internet, when we had a magical machine called the N64. It had many games that were multiplayer. Such examples were Mario Party (the 1st one is best imo), Mario Kart, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, and other ones. The way we played them was with something called split screen. People nowadays don't want to share their TV with anyone, but back then, up to four players could enjoy a good match/game while sitting in the same room.

Now, it seems that in order to play with others, you either have to play with one other player at a time, or hope all your friends have internet connections worth playing with, own their own copy of a game, and own the same console as you. I'm not saying that there isn't any multiplayer games that are out now that don't splitscreen. I'm just wondering why many games despise bringing people together.

I do suppose it would be awkward though to be teabagging your friend who is right there while you do it.

 

[Infinatex]

Everyone knows gamers don't have friends in real life!!

 

[Ironic Pirate]

It would be cool if you could send a friend a beta for a game, that he could only play with, and only on one map- sort of like a trial. Impossible, but cool.

 

[oppp7]

It's called the Wii.
But overall ya, a lot of games are more online than off when it comes to multiplayer.

 

[MR T3D]

halo3 does great splitscreen MP
that's the last good one i can think of.

no it is not awkward to bag the friend in same room.
it's hilarious.

 

[Enigmers]

I own both Left 4 Dead and Team Fortress 2 on the PC and I would buy them again for the XBox 360 if they had 4-player split-screen.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Good question. I've been wondering the same thing myself, though I often feel like a complete outcast for thinking that way.

 

[RatRace123]

Brawl, Mario Kart, Mario Party, Rock Band, Guitar Hero.

These games are often enjoyed locally, I mean with Rock Band it's practically required, otherwise you lose the feeling without the full band set up.

 

[Mr_Cynical]

I've found that if you want to have offline multiplayer, fighting games are the way to go. Having a few friends over, trash talking and controller rotating has been the setup of some of my favorite childhood memories.

Ah, I too remember those glorious days!

It's the lack of offline multiplayer in racing games the really disappoints me...

 

[Dragon Zero]

We have MW1 and 2. We have Halo 3. We have L4D. These games are prime examples of well-known online multiplayer. My question is "Where are all the popular offline multiplayer games?"

There was a time before we all had internet, when we had a magical machine called the N64. It had many games that were multiplayer. Such examples were Mario Party (the 1st one is best imo), Mario Kart, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, and other ones. The way we played them was with something called split screen. People nowadays don't want to share their TV with anyone, but back then, up to four players could enjoy a good match/game while sitting in the same room.

Now, it seems that in order to play with others, you either have to play with one other player at a time, or hope all your friends have internet connections worth playing with, own their own copy of a game, and own the same console as you. I'm not saying that there isn't any multiplayer games that are out now that don't splitscreen. I'm just wondering why many games despise bringing people together.

I do suppose it would be awkward though to be teabagging your friend who is right there while you do it.

Our time is passing dear boy...

Anyway, I believe game companies figured that if they can scam us into buying two games so our friends can play, they don't worry about split screen.

On a less jaded but more realistic approach, these games are power houses of graphics, it can sometimes be a strain to just run one screen let alone multiple. Also internet has become so pervasive and standardized, there is almost no need for splitscreen besides Niche appeal. Is it sad? Most definitely so. But I don't see a possible cure.

PS. You left out Conkers Bad Fur Day, Army Men (The first0, and, Well, Look at the damn Avatar (Jet Force Gemini)

PPS. Welcome to the Escapist!

 

[Dragon Zero]

We have MW1 and 2. We have Halo 3. We have L4D. These games are prime examples of well-known online multiplayer. My question is "Where are all the popular offline multiplayer games?"

There was a time before we all had internet, when we had a magical machine called the N64. It had many games that were multiplayer. Such examples were Mario Party (the 1st one is best imo), Mario Kart, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, and other ones. The way we played them was with something called split screen. People nowadays don't want to share their TV with anyone, but back then, up to four players could enjoy a good match/game while sitting in the same room.

Now, it seems that in order to play with others, you either have to play with one other player at a time, or hope all your friends have internet connections worth playing with, own their own copy of a game, and own the same console as you. I'm not saying that there isn't any multiplayer games that are out now that don't splitscreen. I'm just wondering why many games despise bringing people together.

I do suppose it would be awkward though to be teabagging your friend who is right there while you do it.

Our time is passing dear boy...

Anyway, I believe game companies figured that if they can scam us into buying two games so our friends can play, they don't worry about split screen.

On a less jaded but more realistic approach, these games are power houses of graphics, it can sometimes be a strain to just run one screen let alone multiple. Also internet has become so pervasive and standardized, there is almost no need for splitscreen besides Niche appeal. Is it sad? Most definitely so. But I don't see a possible cure.

PS. You left out Conkers Bad Fur Day, Army Men (The first0, and, Well, Look at the damn Avatar (Jet Force Gemini)

PPS. Welcome to the Escapist!

Remember with Nintendo 64 games, the more people who would play at once the less the system was capable of. A great example, and possibly the best known of this is Mario Kart. When the system was at 1 person the graphics were sharp and everything was clear, and you could race with 7 computer controlled opponents. It looked nearly the same with 2 people, and 6 computer controlled opponents. But by 3 players the graphics were blurry and you could not race against computer controlled opponents, and then by 4 players you had blurry graphics, no music, and no computer opponents. Doesn't diminish the awesome experience by any means.

In Goldeneye and Perfect Dark the games got less... well... less in every way the more people you added. Once again, it didn't take away from the awesome experience you had.

I noticed I am referring to these in the past tense, which isn't entirely accurate, because I still play them rather frequently with 4 players. Its amazing what the sight of a Nintendo 64 can do. I proudly display it up with my 360, Wii, and PS3 (I keep my NES,SNES,PS,PS2,Saturn,Gameboys,etc. in a box). The way peoples faces light up, immediately followed with DO YOU HAVE GOLDENEYE??? is priceless.

Basically what I am trying to say, is that just because the experience will be downgraded is no reason to not include it.

I will continue to support games that support splitscreen. The ability to play with my friends is something I value, and I wish more people did.

I too value it. The problem I was referring to was actually more of a frame rate issue or performance. Not to mention some of us have been spoiled, we're used to seeing more on screen, then we attempt multiplayer and we need to adjust to a smaller HUD, which others may not have the patience for. N64 games had graphics simple enough to see what was going on no matter what, with these modern graphics becoming veritable cluster fucks of lighting and textures and what not, it can be too hard to recognize things. Once again, I'm agreeing with the fact that there needs to be more off-line multiplayer, I'm just trying to see reasons why they are not seen as often (even though some heavy hitters like MW2, Halo 3, and Borderlands feature off-line, up to four players in MW2 and Halo's case) and as to why developers are more reluctant to implement it.

 

[UnusualStranger]

I also dislike seeing so much disregard for offline multiplayer as well. I think it became most apparent when Starcraft 2 announced no LAN play. My reaction was simple.

WHAT?!

I mean, sure, I have no problem playing left 4 dead online with my PC, nor even HALO 3 online isn't always terrible. But the thing is, when I have people with me, I want to be able to play on the same screen with them. Why is this such a shunned thing now? I remember my N64 days, as I gathered some friends up, and we would play SUPER SMASH BROS. all day and night. It was amazing fun, and made me pick up the game later again when I got older and my system was sold off.

The thing is, I can see the advantage of not having offline coop, but the reasons are more along the lines of "we want to screw you out of more money" than anything. What is the point of me being able to have 4 controllers for me 360, when more often than not, only 2 of them are useful because there are NO 4 Player offline games? Personally, it just sounds like losing money in one area, but making it in another. Thing is, I want some damn multiplayer so when I have people OVER, we can play a game! They don't have to go home and hook up to the internet, find my lobby, and then play.

/rant

sorry about all that. Don't like how this is going.

 

[RUINER ACTUAL]

You can play CoD4, MW2, Halo 3, Halo ODST, and many other split screen. MW2 offline even offers you the ability to rank up offline or use your online ranks, classes, etc. which is pretty nifty.

 

[TailsRodrigez]

We have MW1 and 2. We have Halo 3. We have L4D. These games are prime examples of well-known online multiplayer. My question is "Where are all the popular offline multiplayer games?"

There was a time before we all had internet, when we had a magical machine called the N64. It had many games that were multiplayer. Such examples were Mario Party (the 1st one is best imo), Mario Kart, Golden Eye, Perfect Dark, and other ones. The way we played them was with something called split screen. People nowadays don't want to share their TV with anyone, but back then, up to four players could enjoy a good match/game while sitting in the same room.

Now, it seems that in order to play with others, you either have to play with one other player at a time, or hope all your friends have internet connections worth playing with, own their own copy of a game, and own the same console as you. I'm not saying that there isn't any multiplayer games that are out now that don't splitscreen. I'm just wondering why many games despise bringing people together.

I do suppose it would be awkward though to be teabagging your friend who is right there while you do it.

because people realized a long time ago if you force people to buy another game, system, online subscription, and headset, than you make a lot more money.