single player or multiplayer

[Dis]

Which types of games do you prefer? Most games have both options, just vote which form of the game you usually play.

I like multiplayer. In terms of action, it is far superior. Doing battle with other real people is the best way to go. But it seems to me multiplayer games lack any good story.

I like Everquest2, and I'll probably continue to play it (although I may have to get some more RAM first). But I still prefer Neverwinter Nights over EQ2. Even the first campaign (which isn't considered very good) has a better story than most multiplayer games.

Maybe I'm getting old. But story means something to me in games.

I suppose multiplayer could be better. I have been in a few campaigns in NWN where people actually roleplayed. But in games like EQ2 and WOW no one roleplays. It's just an action game, that's all it is.

I also ask this, because some new RPG's have been released with no multiplayer. Such as KOTOR and Morrowind. And most people seem to play TBS games such as civ3 in single player.

[Jethro83]

For now, I prefer single player, since I don't have broadband yet and multiplayer has way too much lag on a dial-up connection.

Sure the AI is stupid, but its no fun when my dial-up connection slows things down to the point of being unplayable either.

[Kassiopeia]

I grew up playing without an Internet connection. That drove me naturally towards SP. Nowadays I don't have the time to really practice a game to be of any worth in a multiplayer game, nor do I have the patience to actually set up one and sit a few hours playing when it suits everyone. I just can't concentrate. I want to fire up a game and have a go at it every time I want to.

I'm going to get NWN and try its MP, though.

[reds4ever]

SP, most people you meet playing MP shooters are complete d1ckheads!

[Fake Boris]

As said earlier, I don't have the will to practice to become a valuable MP player anyway.

That's why my favorite genre is the epic single-player RPG.

[Kuciwalker]

Halo 2 Multi, right now

[alva]

Every game is much more fun when playing against another human, even when loosing.

[Maquiladora]

Multi obviously, but not aggressively competitive, thats ghey.

[General Ludd]

Multiplayer with the right people.

But I find that AI can often do a better job of acting human than alot of gamers can.

[reds4ever]

The Halo2 Covenant AI seems OK, better than most FPS AI anyhow....

And it's not a d1ckhead!

[DrSpike]

MP is by far the best; it has far more potential for longevity and skill. However, it's not without its drawbacks, as it requires a lot of time investment. If you play RTS or FPS you need to play a lot to compete, and MMORPGs need you to play a lot. TBS games require a lot of effort just to set up and continue games.

You get out what you put in, I suppose. If you have the time, MP is the way forward.

[lord of the mark]

SP. RL responsibilities make it hard to commit the time to an MP TBS.

If I did play MP, the only game Id really play MP would be Civ2. The AI on Imp2 is quite hard enough for me, im just getting into Moo2, and I never got into SMAC enough. And my reflexes are slow enough the AI gives me a hard enough time on RTS.

[DaveV]

MP is certainly more competitive, and a great adrenaline rush, but there are just too many drawbacks for me. An MP game can provide an opportunity for some great social interaction, but only if you're playing with people with whom you want to interact. Also, in TBS games, you may have one or two players battling for the win, while the rest of the group is just playing out the game to be polite to the leaders (or, they just disappear and look for a game where they have a chance).

AI will never provide the challenge of a human, but it doesn't complain if I want to quit and start over when the game isn't fun any more. I have little time for gaming, and I play for fun rather than a need to prove myself against the competition. I want to look forward to my gaming sessions, rather than saying, "Oh no, another PBEM turn to play".

[Brent]

I enjoy playing against real people, but my favorite kinds of computer games its more convenient to play single player. I've played Civilization and SMAC as hotseat, but it's really a hassle. I play the games plenty, but I cannot play well enough to compete. I enjoyed playing Axis and Allies hotseat on the computer. Computer games are good for playing when there's no human opponent available. I play against other people on my PS2, games like Voyager Elite Force and GT, but GT is really not my kind of game.

I guess story isn't really a big deal for me in games, but I loive the story aspects in Star Trek Armada. And another plus for that game is it's plenty easy.

When I was a kid I played against real people on the Atari computer.

It would be nice if there was an inexpensive console that came with a double sided monitor so maybe you could play TBS without having to take turns in the seat, and it would be good for RTS like Star Trek Armada too, and maybe board games where each player has cards or something that the other isn't supposed to see. Does Nintendo do games that use both the TV for everyone to see and controllers with screens for individual players to see things for their eyes only?

[Alex]

Single-player for me. I don't have patience for MP games.

But I guess that if you ask this same question on any Warcraft 3 forum they'll say MP, so...