Poll: The Loss of Splitscreen

[JemJar]

Split screen definitely seems to be dying, but there are still a few companies / franchises prepared to continue the art. Gears of War for instance. But gaming has definitely evolved, as the medium has gotten older so have the gamers. Going around to Joe's house for a bit of gaming is less likely to fit in with the new "average" gamer.

Single screen multiplayer wont die any time soon - the Lego games are awesome and FIFA / Madden / NHL etc will keep it in the field.

 

[FlyAwayAutumn]

Split-screen will die unfortunately. Bungie has kept split-screen gaming alive for a long time though so who knows maybe on non-halo games that they make they'll have the presence of mind to keep split-screen alive.

 

[GodKlown]

I would certainly prefer that split screen retain some holding on consoles for a long time to come. I HATE system link games because it is essentially no better than online gaming, except you are still in the same house, but it just isn't the same as being able to sit next to someone, talk trash to them or work on strategy without the need of a microphone. You usually don't have a whiny ten year old cussing at you in person because you could simply knock them on their ass, and it just makes playing something as a team easier because if someone wants to show you something, you don't have to tread halfway across the map to see it when you can just look over to their side of the screen!

 

[migo]

unfortunately, yes it will die. Hopfully not in our life time but eventually it will.

I don't think so. After NSMBW and LBP we're seeing Ratchet & Clank All 4 One, so I think 4 player split screen or same screen is making a resurgence.

 

[T8B95]

Split screen is the only decent multiplayer mode because it doesn't detract from the singleplayer experience.

 

[Danny Ocean]

Well I blame Multiplayer online, for some reason developers think I would rather play with Sum Ting Wong in China rather then my mate beside me, now I know that multiplayer isn't all bad, in fact MW2 multiplayer was brilliant but I really don't want to completely lose the ability to play with a mate beside me but games like HAWX are convincing me that is going to happen.

Your thoughts people?

It's because they make more money by forcing everyone to have a copy each rather than having small groups sharing copies. That's it. Perhaps in some cases it's due to hardware constraints, but the customer be damned.

 

[Not-here-anymore]

A lot of times this is due to technical limitations. Games now a days are far more technical and can be so taxing on the console that can be difficult to process everything for 2 players (with 2 player split-screen, everything needs to be processed twice). With 4 players, this can be damn near impossible, especially in campaigns where there can be so much going on (hence why the Halo series has 4-player split-screen for multiplayer, but only 2 for the campaign).

Pretty much exactly what I was going to say...
It's sad, but splitscreen isn't technologically as feasible with the increased graphical processing required by a lot of more recent games. As long as some form of split-screen multiplayer is available in FPS's and racers though, I'll be happy.

Gears of War 2 is my current go-to for 2 person multiplayer though, being one of the few current-gen games that has an option for bots in multiplayer modes. I miss the good old days of bots.

 

[T-Bone24]

I never enjoyed split screen, having to strain at the screen annoyed me, but it was always a good option when you have a friend or two and you only have one console to play. It's a shame that games are leaving local coop behind.

 

[ANImaniac89]

the end of Split-screen does bother me, I am one who really dislikes online multiplayer or at least the kind in which I am playing with people I don't know in real life.
I grew up playing split-screen and it reminds me of a better time in gaming.
resently I was pissed when I bought Castlevania HD and found out that multiplayer is only online.

 

[oktalist]

I never enjoyed split screen, having to strain at the screen annoyed me

HDTV would make split-screen gaming easier on the eyes. Their resolution is pretty much like having four full SDTV screens arranged in a square.

A lot of times this is due to technical limitations. Games now a days are far more technical and can be so taxing on the console that can be difficult to process everything for 2 players (with 2 player split-screen, everything needs to be processed twice).

Yeah, everything needs to be processed twice. But everything also needs to be processed only half as much, as the resolution of each scene is halved.

I know, resolution is not the whole story, but I think halving the resolution of each scene should come close to cancelling out the cost of rendering two scenes.

 

[The Night Shade]

It's going down,just put a list of the games of 2005-2010 which have splitscreen do it and you wouldn't find a lot

 

[Reliq]

Wheres the "I hope so" vote?

 

[Falseprophet]

HDTV would make split-screen gaming easier on the eyes. Their resolution is pretty much like having four full SDTV screens arranged in a square.

This. I don't understand why splitscreen is on the way out when we finally have screens that can render it well. And I want to have some friends over and play together without having to always pull out Rock Band or some fighting game, and have no interest in online play.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

It won't die, because if Microsoft still want people to pay for a full game so you can play online, people will opt to stay off-line and play split-screen.

 

[bwarrior]

What do you have against splitscreen?

 

[Ubermetalhed]

I love splitscreen and get thoroughly pissed off when games don't include it but include bloody online play.

Nothing beats playing timesplitters with a few mates.

 

[Jezzascmezza]

Well I certainly hope it doesn't.
Some of my best gaming memories have come from playing split-screen.
Playing with a friend is far more fun when you're actually next to him, in my opinion. (That wasn't intended to sound sexual.)

 

[Fredrikorex]

I hate splitscreen, It never have 3 player support. =(