The case for multiplayer

[Zhuangzi]

I actually agree with this, wolfing. After six weeks of play since the game was released worldwide, many players have discovered which units/strategies are better than others. This would be a problem for multiplayer, I know. The only thing is that in the example I gave each player would be able to pick his own units, so he wouldn't be disadvantaged compared to the other player.

I hear multiplayer WON'T be in the expansion anyway. I said I'd prefer a new single player campaign, and that's exactly what we're getting.

[Mystic Phoenix]

I don't understand the demands for multi player mode neither. Has anyone ever wanted a multi player mode for Monkey Island?

This game is designed for single player, there are enough multi player games out there. And this game can be played longer than most adventure games I know (and they don't have replay ability.).

So, I'd be happy when developers concentrate on new campaigns and gameplay ideas.

[wolfing]

Originally Posted by Zhuangzi

I actually agree with this, wolfing. After six weeks of play since the game was released worldwide, many players have discovered which units/strategies are better than others. This would be a problem for multiplayer, I know. The only thing is that in the example I gave each player would be able to pick his own units, so he wouldn't be disadvantaged compared to the other player.

I hear multiplayer WON'T be in the expansion anyway. I said I'd prefer a new single player campaign, and that's exactly what we're getting.

I guess I'm coming from MMOs, where some I've enjoyed a lot got totally destroyed after they introduced multiplayer. Players started screaming 'This class killed my class and they were lower level!' or 'Stun is too powerful I stood there for 10 seconds dying!', etc. Games that were originally designed for player vs. environment now suddenly need a lot of fixes when player vs. player is added, and then they need to fix the fixes, and fix those too... a never ending spiral that takes a lot (most) of the developers time.

[Zhuangzi]

I think you've hit the nail on the head there, wolfing, and I think Katauri agree. Let's just be thankful that they are making an expansion with a new campaign.

[slamelov]

Why always people thinks in "competitive" multiplayer and not cooperative?.

[Zavia]

While i would not go into the merits of making a balanced game in the 1st place, multiplayer options arn't all that bad.

Lets assume we have a multiplayer option, one that is extensive.
It allows multiple players at any one time, lets assume with a 12 person cap. You can play 1v1, 2v2, 2v3, 4v4, 6v6, 4v4v4, 3v3v3v3, FFA and so on so forth.
Lets also assume, the host can define banned things, like banned abilities or creatures, besides the usual resource restriciton(max x gold, x runes, x level etc etc)
Furthermore, it allows mods (same versions only) where this community will be encouraged to make one that balances out as much as possible the diffrent abilities and units, in terms of cost and stats. This mod would be specific to the multiplayer option only. (in reality, probably multiple multiplayer mods will be the mainstream ones, each competing to be the "most balanced" and thus most used. and competition breeds quality no?)

If such multiplayer option surfaced, would it be more acceptable? Most games allow
most of the options listed, except the last which is not really common.
The 1st could use a lobby similar to warc3, with each person choosing their "team" number.
The 2nd, well a place to input a limit. Total war has it(in single player admittedly), and so does a host of other games.
Lastly, the MP mod part, the game would have to be able to read the mod file to see the changes listed and change the values ingame appropriately. Something I believe this community has been doing quite a bit.

In fact, we can go further, with a scenario editior and multiplayer going hand in hand as slamelov infer-ed. A scenario where you cooperatively finish a user created campaign. A competitive campaign where each battle out AI waves and outsurvives each other with a starting, limited amount of resource. International KB competitions!
Endless possibilities.

And btw, devs develop this game to:
Make money,
Make it entertaining.

Multiplayer can make it more entertaining making more people buy the game. Win-win.

[ywhtptgt]

I agree. A duel mode will be nice... along with a duel preset editor and/or a map editor. This game has a lot of potential that should not be wasted.