Multiplayer games

#1 Hmm, I would enjoy those kinda of game if they were optional to go online =)

#2 Yea, but from what I see, no one even cares about the solo game at all. Anyone elses thoughts?

#3 Id rather buy a good multiplayer-only game than a bad singleplayer-enabled game

#4 Ben,

focus on the solo campaign of your game.
Multiplayer games works only if dozens of servers are up at the same time, and usually, that means more sales a average indie can expect.

Christophe

Edit : my crappy english

#5 There is a market for people who like solo games as well. But it depends on the type of game. Half-Life works extremely well as a single-player game. Counterstrike works extremely well as an online game. I haven't been too impressed by the mixtures.

If you give me a good solo game, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. If I buy a multiplayer game and can't find anyone else to play with because I'm the only one who picked it up or is playing when I play...then I get testy.

#6 Unreal tournament 2004 is a multiplayer game.. but the instant action mode.. where you are solo with a bunch of bots.. its very funny.. i most of the time play ut solo... because sometimes im not in the mood of looking good servers, find people to play with.. besides the problems that networks brings on the table like lags, connection loses... so most of the time i play with the bots... they are great...

so if you do a solo campaign with non stop action.. or something that keeps players hooked to it.. there will be no need for multiplayer..


other concept i like its like how diablo 2 was... if you play on lan.. with 3 people... the 3 plays the same campaign and quests.. so they help to achieve the goals together.. that is fun.. more like nintendo/playstation era when split screens were the standards hahah


focus on the gameplay then worry about the multiplayer situation

cheers!

#7 Well, solo campaign games would be perfect for you if you were looking for money. It's the small games that make the most money. Not those big old fancy MMOs.

#8 You can get more replay out of a multiplayer game then you will a single player. But a good multiplayer game is not always better then a good single-player game, different people like different games. Games that are single-player and multiplayer will probably attract the most people.

#9 Thanks guys, Im trying to find a way to make the solo campaign the same as the multiplayer, if that makes sense. That way, hopefully I can snag some of both groups of people. Thanks guys!

#10 I personally think multiplayer can be an overrated experience, especially when playing fast-paced games where in most cases it is very frustrating dealing with lag and the way some people play to spoil it for others. Many MMOs are filled with very controlled environments to stop people cheating or changing the game world too much so that they remain safe and unbreakable. Also, due to the large amount of players and to attempt to keep continued payment from them, the content has to keep them amused for large amounts of time. Hence, a lot of the gameplay tends to be "Kill 'x' amount of these", or take several hours to run across the map to find one of those - this to me isn't good gameplay.

With single player games, you can relax a lot of these enforcements because dealing with one player, dealing with one perception of the world. Therefore, you don't have to worry about the effects of one persons actions on another which allows you to open up more possibilities.

I agree that it depends entirely on the type of game, but trying to fit multiplayer in a single player game and visa versa usually ends up being a luke warm attempt. So, stick with where you think the game will best fit and don't put something in just for the sake of it.

#11 I seem to see more multiplayer games popping up lately as well. I like solo games just as well, but what makes a solo game more playable is a good story behind it. I won't even touch a single player game that has no story. (With some exceptions)

#12 There are still plenty of successful solo games:

Resident Evil 4
God of War
Zelda
Finial Fantasy (the ones that don't have multiplayer)
GTA

#13 I don't think solo isn't focused on anymore.

When games like Elder Scrolls, Final Fantasy, GTA, Ninety-Nine Nights, Two Worlds, Fable, and Dragon Quest are still being frequently made and released, single-player hasn't died.

#14 Thanks guys, I guess at some people still believe in solo player.