Re:We need more video games that are social platforms first,...
by jerf on Sunday May 03, 2020 @12:50PM
(#23060166)
"want to shove multiplayer/online aspects into every game"
I don't think they want that, exactly. What they want is to be able to sell a continuous stream of microtransactions, and the easiest way to do that is let people see each other and then sell them prettyshiny models and textures you can use while preening in front of other people. That necessitates an online component to allow the social context in which to preen.
I think the problem is they haven't come up with a way to sell a $5.00 expansion that amounts to about two-four person weeks of work on an extra model and some testing for single player games. (I've seen it done, and I'm sure it sells some, but not enough for them.) Single player added content takes, like, real work to get anything anyone will buy.
Making everything multiplayer on its own terms is an expensive and risky proposition. I don't think it's a terminal goal on its own; it has to be in the service of something.
I don't think they want that, exactly. What they want is to be able to sell a continuous stream of microtransactions, and the easiest way to do that is let people see each other and then sell them prettyshiny models and textures you can use while preening in front of other people. That necessitates an online component to allow the social context in which to preen.
I think the problem is they haven't come up with a way to sell a $5.00 expansion that amounts to about two-four person weeks of work on an extra model and some testing for single player games. (I've seen it done, and I'm sure it sells some, but not enough for them.) Single player added content takes, like, real work to get anything anyone will buy.
Making everything multiplayer on its own terms is an expensive and risky proposition. I don't think it's a terminal goal on its own; it has to be in the service of something.