Destiny calling

[susie_flo]

Eek. Every time an interesting-looking video game comes out, it seems to be designed for multiplayer. Is this the way gaming is going? It gives me fear.

I know some of them include the option to play as single player, but the reviews always seem to hint that it isn't as good that way.

I'm sure it's great when you're 15 and your friends are all gamers with the same console as you and nobody has anything better to do at weekends than spend 36 hours on group combat missions. But how's it supposed to work when you're 42 and your friends would all rather be at a dinner party or watching The Wire and you have to fit Xbox-love into random (and tragically short) slots between work, microbes and nodding off mid-fight?

I'm not even sure I understand how it works. What if you log into the game and your multi-playing friends aren't there? Do you have to spend all day polishing your guns and crafting health packs and waiting for someone to turn up?

(Am I going to have to start hooking up with mystery 12 year olds from Korea?)

Scary stuff indeed.
  

Comments

[dexypunk.livejournal.com]

True, and the reason I avoid games that don't seem to have been built for single player. CO OP IS EVIL.

[steer.livejournal.com]

Agree. I don't really enjoy multiplayer most of the time.

[snorkel-maiden.livejournal.com]

I hate multiplayer. The reason I game is escapism, which for me is generally solitary; I get that it isn't for everyone, but I can't think of anything worse than spending my all too short relaxation hours being ordered around by other people!

[the-meanest-cat.livejournal.com]

These replies hearten me. I hope game designers realise that there is still a good share of the market that wants games for misanthropes.