Although many deny it, games have always been a social experience, even if the game lacks a multiplayer component. Why?
Because people like to discuss their games with others, trade secrets or strategies and even think of the possibilities of their beloved hero or heroine dying. So while you may play a single player game, in the grand scheme of things you join a community of other players who also enjoy that experience.
Not too long ago (2004-2008) I played World of WarCraft, my first and (probably) only MMORPG. I remember the first time I set foot in Azeroth a world I was very familiar with from the previous WarCraft games unlike many newcomers, it was a thrilling and nostalgic experience. Although it took me around a year to grasp the idea behind the game (as well as reach the max level; 60) I remember fondly how entertaining the adventure was, whether it was doing a quest or fighting enemy players in Tarren Mill.
As the years passed by the magic behind the experience began to disappear, the game began to change and many of the familiar things and places I used to do or go were quickly replaced by a ever changing virtual world, much like our own real one. Although I still had fun and continued to play the game, it became less frequently, as I began to understand that the game was coming to an end for me.
MMOs are known for being time consuming games, in order to reach a certain level, acquire this piece of armor or complete that series of quests you must invest a high number of hours, days and weeks in order to achieve them. While the novelty of the experience was very entertaining for me at around late 2008 I canceled my subscription with no plans to return (even if sometimes I wish to). The game world, evil threats and constant war between Horde and Alliance might have to continue without me for my heroes needed retirement, you can only go so far doing the same things over and over before its over.
Out of my experience with WoW, I took many things with me, whether it was the people I met in my virtual travels, the enjoyment of doing difficult dungeons or the multiplayer experience as a whole. Since then, Ive been wanting to relieve that experience in other games, which is why multiplayer games are the ones that keep me the most entertained. It doesn't matter if its a shooter or an RPG, but multiplayer has become a very important feature when I buy games.
Of course I enjoy playing single player games like anyone else (Im currently playing Castlevania Lords of Shadows) but once the game is over you may have limited options (or none) to continue playing that game. The reward in multiplayer is that the experience is never the same, the strategies change, the players you face might be more experienced or even grouping up with friends to battle against others.
Red Dead Redemption: Something very close to what an MMO is.With online gaming being so popular today, you'd figure developers would take advantage of this and attempt to realize different ways we could play and engage with others. But most multiplayer games fall into either competitive or cooperative gameplay, which very often are experiences that don't differ much from other games.
I believe that multiplayer can do more than what is being offered in the market today, it isn't a question of how to do it, but rather, when? We've been playing Deathmatch for decades now, I think its time to take it to the next level.
