Men_in_Boxes
Snake Oil Salesman
I've seen a number of comments suggesting that multiplayer is a crap shoot. Publishers and developers can't really know if their multiplayer games are going to sink or swim. I'm here to question that narrative, as well as ask for input from the percentage of NeoGAF members who consider themselves multiplayer centric. In reality, I think multiplayer today generally finds success using the rubric below...
THE MULTIPLAYER RUBRIC (Grade/4)
1. How well does your game cater to different playstyles + skill levels? Can the Dad who plays two hrs a week and likes to avoid conflict, find success alongside the 15 year old Red Bull drinking teen who seeks conflict?
2. Is the gameplay arc (loop) at a mature enough length? Longer arcs naturally create a wider variety of player experiences as well as protection from player fatigue.
3. How attractive is winning and how miserable is losing? Games with big stakes on the line provide a more compelling experience and encourage water cooler moments at the office. Water cooler moments lead to conversations like "Jump online with me this weekend and let's see if we can figure this out."
4. How accommodating is the social aspect? Can the Chatty Kathy have a rich social experience as well as the Loner Larry who just wants to keep his mic off? The more personality types that are catered to the higher the ceiling + floor is for multiplayer.
The next multiplayer phenomenon will likely score highly in all 4 areas. Conversely, game critics will continue focusing on more meaningless aspects such as graphics, art style, gunfeel, and Battle Passes.
Rubric reviews, 4/4 is highest grade:
Fortnite
1. 4
2. 4
3. 4
4. 4
Overwatch
1. 3
2. 2
3. 2
4. 2
Halo Infinite
1. 1
2. 1
3. 1
4. 1
Croatoan semi inspired this thread as he was the first one to see Valheims hit potential when very few were talking about it. I suspect he did so because he's attuned to a somewhat similar framework for assessing multiplayer. I'd be interested to hear from people who believe they somewhat understand this medium, and if there can be anything added to, or changed from the rubric.
As we approach another E3 season, it's likely we're going to see the next gen wave of multiplayer be revealed. It might be interesting if we compare this new wave according to the above rubric, rather than let the Greg Millers of the world try to dictate hype.
THE MULTIPLAYER RUBRIC (Grade/4)
1. How well does your game cater to different playstyles + skill levels? Can the Dad who plays two hrs a week and likes to avoid conflict, find success alongside the 15 year old Red Bull drinking teen who seeks conflict?
2. Is the gameplay arc (loop) at a mature enough length? Longer arcs naturally create a wider variety of player experiences as well as protection from player fatigue.
3. How attractive is winning and how miserable is losing? Games with big stakes on the line provide a more compelling experience and encourage water cooler moments at the office. Water cooler moments lead to conversations like "Jump online with me this weekend and let's see if we can figure this out."
4. How accommodating is the social aspect? Can the Chatty Kathy have a rich social experience as well as the Loner Larry who just wants to keep his mic off? The more personality types that are catered to the higher the ceiling + floor is for multiplayer.
The next multiplayer phenomenon will likely score highly in all 4 areas. Conversely, game critics will continue focusing on more meaningless aspects such as graphics, art style, gunfeel, and Battle Passes.
Rubric reviews, 4/4 is highest grade:
Fortnite
1. 4
2. 4
3. 4
4. 4
Overwatch
1. 3
2. 2
3. 2
4. 2
Halo Infinite
1. 1
2. 1
3. 1
4. 1
Croatoan semi inspired this thread as he was the first one to see Valheims hit potential when very few were talking about it. I suspect he did so because he's attuned to a somewhat similar framework for assessing multiplayer. I'd be interested to hear from people who believe they somewhat understand this medium, and if there can be anything added to, or changed from the rubric.
As we approach another E3 season, it's likely we're going to see the next gen wave of multiplayer be revealed. It might be interesting if we compare this new wave according to the above rubric, rather than let the Greg Millers of the world try to dictate hype.
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