Splitscreen: Dying?

[nart_21086]

In recent game reviews, adverts, and previews the relic component known as splitscreen multiplayer has scarcely been mentioned.
We all know why and for all who don't: you don't deserve to read these words (or even be on this site)

Logically, splitscreen will ever disappear, but if in the future developers don't feel the need to fabricate such a game mode, where do all the poor schmucks who skipped out on the broadband bill in exchange for four more days of ramen? Or all those who have shitty connections and will murder their spouses (if they had any) if they were to deal with their connection problems? Or even the poor bastard who invites his human(ish) friends over to hang out?

Yes, network play is entertaining, but what happens when you large, adolescent, brothers wish to play in order to fend off hunger?
It really sucks ass when there's ten people in a room, all avid gamers, involuntarily watching a selfish jackoff (usually me) play a game without splitscreen.

There's no way a splitscreen addition to game can be detrimental, and if you can develop multiplayer for millions of players, you can surely program 4 - 16 (32?).
There are just too many games out there that would be so much more exhilarating in splitscreen.
And even more with splitscreen that handles worse than a flounder in the desert.

So put my three other controllers and large TV to use and keep my ex-con brother from murdering me (or worse): give me more splitscreen.

EDIT: Logically, splitscreen will never disappear, but the thought of the component decaying disturbs me.

UNNECESSARY EDIT: 4-16 (32?) refers to the ol' link play featuring ancient tech such as link cables and more than one TV.

 

[SeriousSquirrel]

couldn't agree more. But if splitscreen were to die out, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Plenty of last gen and retro titles that have great splitscreen multiplayer

 

[gbemery]

I thought the advent of online multiplayer meant I finally didn't have to interact with people in person *shudder*

But really I would really like more co-op split screens. My brother, friends and I use to play them all the time. Now most of the time they have to go to a different house and log on to another xbox so that we can play the same game.

 

[ReckzB]

You hit the nail right on the head with impeccable precision. I cannot understand why split-screen (or local multiplayer in general) seems to be getting phased out. I have four PS3 controllers and 3 Xbox 360 controllers myself, and more often than not, I only see one of each getting used.

There's always a game I play thinking it will be awesome with four player split-screen, and when I discover it lacks the option to play with three other people unless I go online, it's demoralizing.

As cimil said though, there are last-gen titles that have great local multiplayer, but the problem is; developers seem to be going out of their way to avoid putting it in. That's the most annoying part. I want to play new games where I can decapitate my friend while he's sitting in the same room.

 

[Miumaru]

Anyone who says online, I say siblings.
Lets hope Army of Two stays strong then, and Rainbow Six. Ofcourse, I can usually rely on Dynasty Warriors atleast.

 

[Zaik]

It's like if oil companies could bribe a law through congress outlawing carpooling.

 

[TiefBlau]

As time passes by, consoles are becoming more and more like PCs that aren't PCs.

It used to be that local multiplayer was one of the largest allures of console gaming. When 4 people can sit down on a single couch and enjoy a game for once. But game developers now seem to be whispering in our ears "You don't need friends; go play with angry 14-year-olds that are constantly coming up with synonyms for 'penis' to call you."

Only PCs should have Online-only multiplayer games. At least with them you wouldn't have to search for 4 fucking TVs to have a LAN party.

 

[nart_21086]

It's like if oil companies could bribe a law through congress outlawing carpooling.

I belive its called a "Smart Car".

 

[Cyan.]

When split screen co-op gaming dies.

I quit gaming.

 

[nart_21086]

POST OUT OF HONOR: Original post by Baron_BJ

I agree that it's aggravating to have games that only have online multiplayer and no split-screen, mainly because it's quite moronic. However if you've got 10 people in a room and you're being a wanker and playing alone and refusing to share then that's the fault of your bad social skills, not the game's.

More than 4-way splitscreen? it's bloody irritating just tolerating how damned tiny it is on plain 4-way, even on a fairly large television, then you've got all those others squares on the screen where shit's exploding and diverting your attention. There's also the issue of having an odd number (or 2) players instead of an even number as it'll give you quite the fucked up camera view, I'm having trouble finding the words to describe it, however my most recent example with this problem is Splinter Cell: Conviction.

We all know why and for all who don't: you don't deserve to read these words (or even be on this site)

Sorry your majesty, but if you actually frequented this site half as often as you claim to then you would have read the article about what Sony has patented; A splitscreen design to go with 3D capability which would allow 2 people to play on the same television that would allow them to see their game and only their game so as to alleviate cheating and avoid the annoying camera screen problems.

I'll let the masses judge this here response.

 

[Inferno_622]

The reason my best friend and I often return to Halo is because its fun to mess around on split-screen co-op modes. Specifically, we often go back to Halo 3 because we can play split-screen online and it's really really fun! I wish more games would feature that sort of option. Considering how minimal UIs/HUDs are in games these days I don't see what the problem would be.

I have two xboxs in my house (live in a house of four and we split the cost), we have the good fortune of being able to system link games such as Left4Dead and Gears of War. I mean, I love online play and all... but for me nothing beats playing games with three of my good friends in the same room, laughing about all the silly shit we get up to, and keeping our spirits up. Gears of War's Horde mode is infinitely fun, thanks to system linking + split screen. Looking forward to Gears of War 3 because of their apparent love for split screen.

I was really bummed when Borderlands featured only let you play with two players max, even when system linking.

 

[bobdevis]

There is stuff coming up that is much better then split-screen....
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/sony-patents-reveal-3d-screen-sharing
Sony is going to make TV's that show different things to different people at the same time.

 

[TiefBlau]

There is stuff coming up that is much better then split-screen....
http://www.next-gen.biz/news/sony-patents-reveal-3d-screen-sharing
Sony is going to make TV's that show different things to different people at the same time.

That does sound awesome.

But then I'd have to delve into the stinky, expensive nether regions they call the 3D industry.

 

[Sebenko]

Dunno, PC hasn't had splitscreen for many a year.

Then again, PCs are more solitary experiences- Consoles are the ones you have in your front room with two controllers and a sofa.

But PC does seem to be the harbinger of the future, so I think splitscreen is going the way of the dodo.

 

[Last Bullet]

But PC does seem to be the harbinger of the future, so I think splitscreen is going the way of the dodo.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't console-game developers been saying "PC Gaming is Dying"? I THINK it was somebody from Epic. Might be wrong, it was a while back. Then again, I might be completely crazy.

Regardless, wouldn't it make just as much sense to use splitscreen, so they buy more controllers (stupidly expensive things)? I understand online also costs money, but there are still people who won't pay for it (OP and I, or example). Consoles started off splitscreen, I just don't really get how you can abandon your roots that horribly.

 

[Zing]

It's pretty much dead. I can't stand it.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

I think they're phasing out local multiplayer because they want everyone to pay for multiple consoles, game discs, broadband connections, HD televisions, and online service subscriptions.

I think this greed has very negatively impacted my enjoyment of videogames. I owe most of my best gaming memories to local cooperative or competitive play. I enjoy the real social interaction that can only take place between people residing in the same room. I dismiss as artificial the electronic representation of my friends' voices ringing in my headset.

Sucks.

 

[Retosa]

See, the problem right now lies in finding games that are actually playable by more than 2 people for either XBox360... I looked through my library of games the other day, and was surprised at how few games actually were playable by 2 people, let alone more than 2. Maybe it's my choice in games, but a lot of them I had thought would be multiplayer games...

So, considering that patent, I'm betting the tech won't be unveiled and applied until the next generation of consoles... And hopefully by then all the 3D shit is cheaper. And maybe we'll see more multiplayer console games. Because it seems that splitscreen is dying, because without it, you need more consoles and subscriptions...

My 2 cents.

 

[SeriousSquirrel]

not to mention what a great potential date a split screen session would be...actually that may go down badly

But, if you don't own one buy a N64, best party console ever, followed by the gamecube