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Topic: If you could ask for one thing this year from the gaming industry as a whole, what would it be and why?
While playing Fallout 3 a couple nights ago, I got an invite from my nephew to play Gears of War 2. I just rolled my eyes and ignored it. I’m so tired of multiplayer games because they’re not intriguing anymore. The only one that caught my attention this year is Left 4 Dead.
Yes, it’s fun to play with friends cooperatively to reach the same goal. It’s fun playing against people you know and chatting with them, instead of unresponsive A.I. But enough is enough!
I’m tired of games where the multiplayer aspect is so hyped everyone gets disgustedly excited about it. I’m tired of games that release with just a multiplayer option and no single-player campaign. When a game relies too much on multiplayer to make it good, it’s an automatic loss. In my opinion, the best games that released this year are games you played alone (MGS4, Fable 2, Fallout 3). I should not have to play with someone else in order to enjoy a game.
So this year, I’m asking for more solid single-player campaigns: great storylines, characters, music and battle systems. I want less invites in my inbox, and more “Is dat game n e good?” messages. It would be great to have less headset wearing and more controller charging. I’m asking the industry for less multiplayer!
P.S – Got a new 360!
Other Participants!
What I want in 2009, The “Roxanne” Edition, Dear Gaming Industry, if the industry gave us all presents this Christmas, Demands for the industry, All I Want for Christmas Is…, My Wish for the Year, Crossing Over, Checkpoint Unobtained. errr., Loading Requests, LISTEN BITCH!!!, One Wish, Dear Video Game Industry, More games like Portal and Braid, Imagine, Dear Video Game Industry, A Wish for 2009!
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Congrats on your new 360! 🙂
You might be interested in Sacred 2, coming out on Xbox 360 in Fenruary. I sent you a message on Live about it.
I don’t know if I have the time to invest in long single player campaign games anymore, but I hope there’s at least an option to play co-op:)
I love single player games as well. There’s always that buzz that single player only experiences are dying a slow death but I would hate to see that. There is plenty of room for the BioShocks and Dead Spaces of the gaming world, and I would definitely love to see more of them!
I never really thought about this side of the issue. I can see how some folks might get tired with the multiplayer aspect – especially in a game like Gears of War 2 that has a lot of achievements tied up in the campaign with 2 players. Some of my fellow clansmen also have a hard time getting together 4 people to play left 4 dead.
Nice article 🙂
I think I agree with you, to an extent. Although, I like multiplayer when it’s done right. When you get games who tack on multiplayer for no particular reason, I cannot stand it (The Darkness can stand up and be counted here).
However, I’m not sure about your example of GOW2. For me, that was a good game online and off. When games do both well, then that’s great. Surely everyone’s happy, right? It’s when Left 4 Dead comes along, with its kinda lackluster single player, but amazing multiplayer, that there’s an argument for leveling out the balance.
This is exactly what I think every time I fire up my 360. Then again, you might not have to worry so much. Think about it, Dragon Age and the Console Witcher are coming out, as are a ton of other cool single player games. We can still hope.
I only got recently excited for multiplayer games when I got L4D. I’m still an avid RPGer at heart, but there’s some satisfaction in hearing the frustrated groans and excited yells of your fellow players, who are experiencing the same emotions you are, and cheer you on when they see you do something really awesome. It’s probably why I’ve enjoyed the Sonic 2 the best, because you could have a friend play Tails and help you out when you needed it.
I must say that Gears of War definitely has a great single player campaign with great characters and a great storyline. The locusts have been building huge cities underground so they can attack the world. How is that not awesome? haha. Besides Marcus Fenix is the man. You should totally check out the story mode of the game. 🙂
Oh yes, I played and loved the GoW2 story campaign (I even cried at the climactic Maria scene). But I can’t play the multiplayer anymore. Bleh!
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