Single-player popularity?

[VideoGameCritic]

It seems as if in recent years the console game industry has given short shrift to single-player experience and instead emphasized the online multiplayer aspect. This was probably a financial move (more to be gained from online players) and there's a sizable chunk of the gaming population that thinks online multiplayer is the only thing that matters (think Madden, Call of Duty).

While a healthy online scene is great, I think there's a less vocal majority who prefer to play offline in their own little world (count me as one). I read an interview in the latest Game Informer (#277) with the Street Fighter V team that was enlightening. Specifically they stated "I think it's safe to say that we underestimated the popularity of some of the single-player features, and in particular arcade mode".

I just picked up two new games - Doom and Uncharted 4, which both place the focus on the single-player action. Is the pendulum swinging back? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[matmico399]

I sure hope so Dave! When I game I do it 85% as a single player offline. Occasionally I enjoy the online experience but obv it ranks much lower. Online is fun for a bit, but I mainly use it for war games such as COD and Sniper Elite. But considering I like so many genres and do a lot of retro gaming the single player experience is much more enjoyable to me. Even with modern games like Lollipop Chainsaw and Injustice online game play stinks as the single player is so much better. I hope the industry goes back to focusing on single play.

Btw I pick up Saturn's "Christmas Nights into Dreams" with case (no instructions) for $20. I am happy!

[jon]

To me, 2 player is overrated. For one thing, I'm incredibly competitive, the mere thought of losing to any of my friends at anything is unacceptable. I remember one time I was playing my brother in Tecmo Super Bowl for PS1 or whatever, and I lost and got so mad. But besides that, beating the computer is what games were designed for, and that's what my mission is, preferably without dying. There are one player campaigns I've played, a lot of them on the Neo Geo, that have taken months to master. Those are the best games, arcade minded games that I love the saying "easy to learn, hard to master". And for that you don't need friends to play with. And there's tons of arcade minded, fast paced games coming out these days, right?

[Luigi & Peach]

Dave, I'm curious if you're question is more about true single player or just non-online play? I happen to enjoy a good storyline with my single player games although I enjoy multiplayer (especially co-op) as long as it's with someone in the same room (I have no xbox live membership or whatever the PlayStation network is called).

[VideoGameCritic]

Single player or non online? I think both go hand in hand. If you're playing alone, there's no justification for an online requirement.

In addition, what draws me to the the single-player experience is being in my own little virtual world. The online experience has a tendency to undermine that. For example, while playing the new Doom it's becoming clear that the game is setting me up to buy new stuff from the online store. That's probably why the game is forcing me online, but I'm not biting.

[matmico399]

Good Critic don't bite. Every time you don't others will follow. I will spread the word to my friends.

[Sut]

Great thread.
I'm also like minded, I enjoy the occasional multi player game but I much prefer to 'lose' myself in a good single player game.
I think MGSV is one of the best games I've ever played but even that had some tacked on multi player nonsense.

Looking forward to Uncharted 4, although I haven't played the third one yet and will probably play through that first.

[scotland]

I enjoyed the first 2 Star Wars Battlefront games on a level like Herschie loves The Show, but I spent my time on single player. EA's recent reboot made them more money than the Hutts, but was lacking that single player element. (Supposedly that game was rushed to take advantage of Episode VII enthusiasm, as if this were a modern E.T. story) The next Star Wars Battlefront installment is promising a return to single player campaigns and gameplay.