The Video Game Critic

Over the past few years I've been criticized as being "behind the times" for not fully embracing on-line play.  I've never found on-line play appealing, but I can appreciate why people are drawn to it, and I respect it as a natural extension of the video game medium.

Lately however, I've started to wonder if it really is destined to "take over everything" as some gamers claim.  Sony and Microsoft have really been putting a lot of emphasis into the on-line market, and have built up some very nice on-line services.  But Nintendo is kicking their butts, and it's not because of its on-line play.  If anything, the Wii is better known for its multiplayer games that can be played in social settings.  And the hottest selling system of all, the DS, is mainly known for its solo gaming experience.

I think there will always be a market for the on-line experience, but I think its appeal is overstated by a lot of the more "hardcore" gamers.  The gaming market is expanding to include more casual gamers, and I don't think they are the kind of people drawn to on-line play.

What do you think?

Online play doesn't appeal to me 100%. I loved playing Street Fighter online, but I also became idiotically violent and pissed off when I lost- I don't need that. I also hate it when someone drops their connection because I am whooping that a$$.

I was addicted to MMORPG's for about 6 months of my life, but that is a serious waste of life.

However, online Smash Brothers and Mario Kart have me excited. Nothing else, much though,

Funkmaster V

I've always had the opinion that online is nice, but its importance is overstated. It's also one of those things when you don't have it, you lust for it, and when you get it, you are sorta like, "meh."

I couldn't wait to finally get in the right situation to try Xbox Live. I was in Detroit as a grad student, living on Wayne State's campus downtown. So, even though I had broadband, it didn't work with online gaming services very well.

I was able to get "XBconnect" to work, which is a program that "tricks" your Xbox to thinking it is entering a system link match when it is really online. I actually had the most fun online using that, because there were probably only a few hundred or so people using that service, and they were much more mature than the average Xbox Live user (naturally, they were all playing Halo 2, so there was never really any shortage of games as long as that was what you wanted).

Once I got Xbox Live, I loved it for a few months... until I realized that very few games hold my attention online.

I've said this before, but to date, here are the games that I've played more than a handful of times online:

Halo 2
Madden
Mario Kart DS
Fight Night Round 3
Street Fighter II on Xbox Live Arcade

I know there are other great online games. But what sets those above games apart is that you don't have to be a "master" to have enjoyable competitive matches, because so few companies structure their online services so that you actually play like skilled players. I'm no n00b, but I'm not a money player either.  

What I really like online for, however, is co-op play with friends. That takes me back to my modem gaming days (Command and Conquer and Duke Nukem 3D).

-Rob

And once again, I agree with you Critic. Online play with consoles is pretty cool. But who wants to PAY for the service? And who wants to set up video cameras so everyone can see you? Not too many, I'm afraid.

With Sony and Microsoft, I think they are so 'enthusiastic' about online because it is essential to their 'top box' plans. If you aren't online, how can they sell you music and movies?

Ironically, the Wii was designed to be more of an online system. The Nintendo engineers has said the hardware was built more efficently and smaller because they wanted the system to always be on (Wii Connect 24). But Nintendo hasn't used the online at all except for the Weather/News channels and the Shop Channel.

Like HD visuals, I think online has 'overshot' the market. When the question of online being niche is brought up to IGN editor Bozon, he practically explodes. See the second question: http://wii.ign.com/mail/2007-02-07.html I wish the 'professional' game reviewers were more in touch with the mainstream. =P

I think online activity will continue to grow - remember not everyone is online to play FPS or Fighting games, social games like Hearts, Chess, etc. draw in a growing number of older people, not neccesarily gamers.

I think it overstated in how important it is, at least in terms of people who use it regularily, but big enough where it can't be ignored.

Rember in the '80's when Nintendo was setting up a gambling network with NES, but pulled the plug at the last moment due to bad press and protest? I read this in "Game Over", which is a pretty good book btw, the original NES was supposed to be a multimedia trojan horse, in Japan some networking activities actually got implemented, for a while. Funny how Nintendo was a pioneer than, but then so slow to get back online. I wonder if they're working on a 'Casino Channel' for Wii?

You tempt me to finally post here Critic.

I have to say if the Online thing digs its heals into gaming any more than it currently does, I may very well find myself play far fewer games than I do at present.

I will admit I have been sceptical about other innovations in the past that turned out rather well (analogue control being the big one), but online play is removing much of what I really like about gaming.

Not to mention the fact it drives the cost of playing games way up.

[QUOTE=Iain]but online play is removing much of what I really like about gaming.[/QUOTE]

What, specifically?

Funkmaster V

[QUOTE=Iain]You tempt me to finally post here Critic.

I have to say if the Online thing digs its heals into gaming any more than it currently does, I may very well find myself play far fewer games than I do at present.

I will admit I have been sceptical about other innovations in the past that turned out rather well (analogue control being the big one), but online play is removing much of what I really like about gaming.

Not to mention the fact it drives the cost of playing games way up.[/QUOTE]

I think you guys are missing the boat about online gaming.  It's not just the competitive aspect but the ability to chat in real time with friends, download demos of games, expand the content of games you love.  Sure, some of the online competitive stuff gets old after awhile; however, that's it with any game online or off.  Essentially, you're given the option to do more with what you have.  If you choose to take advantage, great, if not that's okay too.

Online is essential to me.  I moved away from home and left all my gamer friends behind.  I only have one gamer friend where I live and he is too busy to come over for the past few months.

Without online gaming would become a very solitary aspect for me.  I love the social element of it.

It is essential for some multiplayer games as it eliminates screen looking.  Plus its kind of hard to have 10 player in one house.

Online is the future in some regards but single player will never go away.