- Multiplayer games have regressed due to focus on elements like monetization and player retention.
- I prefer playing single-player over multiplayer games because of the immersion and the stress-free experience.
- Single-player games are also constantly pushing themselves forward, while multiplayer games attempt to nickel-and-dime players.
Gaming, in general, has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, especially after the pandemic forced everyone indoors. Multiplayer games provide a social experience for gamers who sit away from each other, making them the most popular in the industry.
While I appreciate and love how the industry has grown, I certainly don’t appreciate its direction. In my opinion, multiplayer games nowadays have become some of the worst experiences this industry offers.
However, there’s a saving grace. While multiplayer games push me away, I can always fall back on the reliable genre of single-player games. Free from the curse of microtransactions and grindy challenges, single-player releases continue to provide the rich and immersive experiences that I crave.
Why it matters: Today, most publishers are betting on live service as their ticket to the top of gaming. However, I see the opposite route as being more fruitful.
Disappointing State of Multiplayer Games
Multiplayer games have never been as bad as they are today. Overpriced and unfinished releases with tons of microtransactions make me question why these titles cost $70 in the first place.
Launch the latest Call of Duty, and you’ll be instantly bombarded with a hundred different weapon bundles. If that wasn’t enough, developers appear to have forgotten how to make great UIs.
It seems modern multiplayer games are striving to do anything but provide a great core experience. There’s also an argument to be made for the hyper-competitive nature of modern releases, which is a far cry from the relaxing experience I seek after a long day of work.
Meanwhile, the focus on microtransactions often introduces pay-to-win elements in these games, creating an uneven playing field. Most modern multiplayer titles also follow the unsustainable live-service model and simply lack enough content at launch to justify their initial asking price.
The worst part is that most people don’t care. Everyone just wants a quick fix of FIFA or Call of Duty, which helps keep this model going.
Single-Player Games Help Relieve Stress
Contrary to a multiplayer experience, single-player games offer a relaxing embrace. They serve as an escape from the stress of the real world and connect us to fantasy worlds that are often larger than life.
When playing a single-player game, you no longer have to worry about being dominated by skilled opponents, facing connectivity issues during internet downtime, or dealing with cheaters and trolls.
I can always count on this genre to kick back and relax after a hard day. Whether parkouring through Baghdad as Basim or swinging through New York as Spider-Man, there’s no limit to the fun in this genre.
This, in my opinion, immediately makes single-player gaming more appealing. However, there’s also an argument to be made for the sheer quality of recent single-player games.
Single-Player Games Continue To Impress
Alan Wake 2, for instance, was a marvel and a thrilling experience till the very end, one that I’ll likely cherish for many years to come.
It reminded me that the industry can use more linear and narrative-driven games. Then there was Resident Evil 4 Remake, a nostalgic blast from the past filled with new life from Capcom’s latest technology.
However, this is just scratching the surface. Baldur’s Gate 3, Spider-Man 2, Hi-Fi Rush, Final Fantasy 16, and even Starfield; the list of games I enjoyed last year is too long to mention here.
In my opinion, there’s a reason single-player games dominate conversations about the industry’s best works. These games are simply better since they aren’t designed with the goal of monetization in mind.
There’s Still Hope For Multiplayer Games
When I tend to avoid multiplayer games, I saw Helldivers 2 rise out of nowhere and claim its spot amongst the biggest releases of 2024.
Helldivers 2 does nothing too special, but it provides a fun gameplay loop. Most of the time, this is all you need in a great game.
Arrowhead’s focus on fun blends into every facet of the experience, making for a truly great time that most live service titles lack today. In my opinion, we need more of these fresh experiences to ensure multiplayer games stay enjoyable in the future.
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