In today’s generation, the most noticeable thing about next-generation gaming is being able to go online and play with friends (or making new online friends). Xbox LIVE and Playstation Network both have managed to make playing games enjoyable. Every time a new game comes out, we want to throw off the wrapper, and play it, right? Do we start with the story? Or do we hop online to get our rank as high as possible? Well, if you are reading this article, presumably you have been in this dilemma before. You have mainly three types of games: one with a story, but no online; one with no story and only online; and finally one with a story with additional online.
Before online was such a huge deal, most of the games we played had no online. Did that stop gamers from going to the retail stores and picking them up? No. In fact, the number one selling franchise of all time, Mario, had no online. When SEGA introduced the Dreamcast, it had an application to go online. To SEGA’s surprised, gamers barely even touch the thing. Maybe one of the reasons was because it had a dial-up connection modem.
Their plan really failed, when Sony introduce the number one console of all time, the Playstation 2. Even though you had to buy an adapter, online gaming was brought to you by broadband connection. Yes most games didn’t carry the online coding within the game, but it was fun as hell when it did.
When Sony was rolling around in cash with their console, Microsoft decided to step it a step further; maybe even three, with their console, the Xbox. Not only did it use broadband connection, but it had a service like no other; thus Xbox Live was born. Sure it was a subscription to pay for it, but you know how the saying goes: “You pay for what you get.” And my friend you got the best possible online experience.
Today, gaming online is not only fun, but seems like a must have with every title. Let’s stop to think about that. Is it possible to add online to every type of game out there? The answer to the question is yes, and at the same time, no. A good story and gameplay are probably the number two elements of a great game. Games like Grand Theft Auto, Final Fantasy, and Metal Gear Solid was able to pull that off with no sweat. The prospect of gaming started to change when Bungie released the highly acclaimed Halo. Not only did it have a detailed story, but it had an excellent multiplayer. Eventually most sport games were able to be played online. There is no need to mention the impact Modern Warfare 2 had the online community.
With all the online madness in this era, there are still great games that have no multiplayer, but a great story. Some of those games may include Uncharted, Assassin’s Creed, and Bioshock. Even though no online mode were in these types of games, that didn’t mean you couldn’t still have fun. Taking a risk like that was huge, but it proved that online isn’t need in every game.
Then there are your online-only games. Most noticeably on the PS3, counting Warhawk, MAG and Socom: Confrontation. Multiplayer makes a game enjoyable and adds a lot of replay ability. Even with a lack of story, playing online can be as much as fun, sometimes more. It just goes to show, that a story is not needed all the time to make a game.
Well what is it going to be? Personally, I would go with a great story and some multiplayer, Uncharted 2, for instance. We all have our different taste for games. It’s up to the developers to make sure we enjoy, and pay for what we are getting. At the end of the day, we are all gamers and that is what matters the most, online or not.
