Multiplayer Gaming Isn’t Going Anywhere, But It Needs To Change

I’ve always been a single-player kind of guy, and I still am. The world design and gameplay engagement of dedicated single-player games has a lot more potential, at least for me. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t dabble in multiplayer games once in a while, and when I do, I’m reminded once again of how entertaining a gaming session can be when you’re laughing together with friends.

Over the years, AAA gaming has changed a lot, and if you ask me, not for the good. However, multiplayer games have had it the worst. Between the oversaturation of hero shooters and the horrible monetization with no content variety to back it up, it’s been one failure after another. Concord and the recent Highguard sure come to mind. However, once in a while, a game like Arc Raiders comes out, and my faith is restored in this genre. After all, there’s no replacing a fun session with like-minded people cursing each other a little.

The Joys Of Company

The main reason I say why multiplayer games aren’t going anywhere despite the genre being filled with copy-pasted content is because of our inherent desire to finding something to do as a group. As humans, seeking companionship is practically hardwired into our DNA. You can’t really go against that now can you? Gaming is no different. Yes, single-player games are amazing, but sometimes, when you get together with friends, the consensus is always “what’s a good multiplayer game these days we can quickly hop into?”

Multiplayer gaming is a concept that will always have a dedicated fan following, even if the genre continues to degrade. Yes, that will be the absolute worst and not at all a preferred scenario, but hypothetically speaking, let’s say there’s nothing but bad multiplayer games in the future. But as long as you stay a gamer and have gamer friends, you’d want to play something together, even if its bad, just to have a good laughter and test your skills against each other.

Why do we sometimes feel the need for a strong community to make a game "good" regardless of what game it is?
byu/mega_lova_nia intruegaming

When you look at it in a logical way, multiplayer gaming has a lot more advantage in terms of attracting players. There’s a reason every Call of Duty continues to sell like hot cakes even if its the same rehashed shooter with nothing new. However, this inherent advantage shouldn’t be a reason to slack off. Multiplayer games are abundant, and if one franchise isn’t going to take it seriously, me and my friends can always opt for some other, more fun game to spend our time in. And if you’re planning your next Marvel Rivals session, a secure platform for 1-on-1 chat is just as important, you know, to keep the lively conversation going.

It’s Time To Put In The Effort

However, ask yourself this, is it okay for things to keep going like this? Yes, we like multiplayer games to have fun with friends, but is it alright for game companies to exploit this innocent wish and feed us soulless battle passes and horribly monetized hero shooters with generic game design? I don’t think so. Just because multiplayer gaming is popular, doesn’t mean it can get away with anything.

Why are HERO SHOOTERS becoming a trend again?
byu/KozukiYamatoTakeru inoverwatch2

A lot of the problems arise from the oversaturation of the genre; it’s hard to break into it and do something new when the industry is filled with similar games. Still, that doesn’t make it impossible. Games like Helldivers 2, Arc Raiders, and Marvel Rivals are pretty good examples that creative design and entertaining multiplayer game modes are still very much possible. Stuff that can stand out and keep you entertained is the need of the hour.

Unfortunately, a good multiplayer game is pretty rare these days. More often than not, we’re treated with unpleasant entries like Concord or Highguard, games that fail to realize what exactly is it that makes multiplayer games entertaining. Call of Duty was the same for a long time, and so was the last Battlefield. However, the latest entries in these two titanic franchises is a step in the right direction, and that’s what I want to see. Monetization itself isn’t a problem, but I’ve had just about enough of generic game modes and empty gameplay design that feels more like a chore than entertainment.