-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Square Enix: Multiplayer is now prominent over singleplayer, focusing on GAAS games
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Considering how they mention MP is more important and "bigger" than SP; it would be foolish to think that most of their future games won't have a strong MP component if not the primary focus
AmuroChan
Member
I feel like this bubble is going to burst at some point. I understand the potential lucrative returns of a successful GAAS game, but people only have so many hours of free time. A person who's invested in Destiny probably isn't going to commit to two other GAAS games, but he/she may be able to squeeze in some single-player games in their schedule.
For me personally, I can only commit to one GAAS game at any one time. So if a majority of AAA games moving forward are going to become GAAS, that means I won't be buying as many games.
For me personally, I can only commit to one GAAS game at any one time. So if a majority of AAA games moving forward are going to become GAAS, that means I won't be buying as many games.
The world changes.
johancruijff
Banned
😂😂😂
NinjaCoachZ
Member
Probably. But really, this is pretty much the route AAA in general has been heading for ages. There haven't really been a ton of AAA games lately that don't have DLC or post-launch support. It's not a problem in itself as long as the content is good and the price is fair. Well, we'll have to see on that front anyway...
Even games held up as primarily SP like Uncharted 4, The Last of Us, have multiplayer. Uncharted 4's DLC even became a whole new game because of how meaty it was. Even from Nintendo, Breath of the Wild has DLC. I wouldn't be surprised if Mario Odyssey or Xenoblade 2 do either.
I said that it doesn't "necessarily" mean MP. I didn't rule out that this means more games will have MP of some sort. I'm saying it's not the only situation they're alluding to here. I said this in my second post as well.
Petrae
Member
This doesn't surprise me; multiplayer and games as a service are where the modern video game industry has been heading for awhile now. It saddens me for sure, as a solo-only game player, but I'm ready to walk away when this crap takes over.
That Square has been dead and buried for years, and it's not ever coming back.
That Square has been dead and buried for years, and it's not ever coming back.
Sony have all the 3rs party games in their hand, they can let Ubisoft and EA make those multiplayer games for them. Not Nintendo, if Nintendo want to expand the library of their console, they have to do it themselves. And clearly they know what part of their lineup needs an expansion the most.
The other side to that coin is that AAA single player games cost la lot of money to develop. It's definitely a risk from the publisher's perspective. And they agree because we're seeing less and less AAA SP games from all the major players anyway. It's an issue many need to acknowledge if they're voicing concerns over this.
Sinh_Magnus
Member
I don't see how Nier and GAAS could work, honestly.
Try Yoko Taro's new mobile game to find out.
Where's there's a will there's a way.
This. It just means continuous support through regular free updates, DLC, timed events, cross-overs etc. to maintain interest and engagement post-launch. I don't see anything bad about that and optional multiplayer modes a year later like with FFXV don't have any harm on the games' singleplayer modes; it's just an additional way for fans to keep enjoying games they like for a longer time.
infinit777
Member
Dammit... I would much prefer to buy a single player only game to a multiplayer only game. Please keep this in mind Square.
The market is fickle and constantly changing. Yes, this is definitively where the market is going right now, but it's going to keep changing. Trends often push back too.
PshycoNinja
Member
Some of ya'll are literally panicking over nothing.
ArkhamFantasy
Member
No kidding, they just announced a single player only game, chill out people.
this is the future
And will continue too.
Man I sure hope EA and Ubisoft won't get bit in the ass when single player games make a comeback.
Sheriff_Battlesnake
Banned
I've thought that before, but surprises always surface. Japan had come through in spades this year in a way I don't think they have since pre-Tohoku earthquake. This year has been my favorite since maybe '04, and I would've thought my tastes were left in the past.
Crossing Eden
Hello, my name is Yves Guillemot, Vivendi S.A.'s Employee of the Month!
The same way games like FFXV, AC:Syndicate, Watch Dogs 2 do, paid mini expansions, cosmetic dlc, and free dlc updates.
The above are all SP focused titles that were considered GaaS by their devs.
Every year, the industry moves further and further away from what I loved in the 90's.
Matter of fact apply that to everything.
For real .
ArkhamFantasy
Member
By SEs definition, Automata is a gaas game. People need to calm down.
NinjaCoachZ
Member
Horizon is getting a massive DLC expansion. That's pretty reminiscent of the whole industry nowadays and what is in part being referenced here.
GAAS doesn't solely = multiplayer. It also refers to how so many SP games are getting big expansions over time.
Lunafreya Nox Fleuret
Member
Ugh fuck that. Give me a Xenogears remake instead!
Games as a Service will likely never go away, but I'm not convinced that it means the end of single player games, or even story driven games. It might mean those things are different than we're used to, but I think the core of what people are looking for will still remain if there IS an existing market.
Sword Of Doom
Member
People can still be bummed out. Which is what is happening in this thread. It doesnt mean theyre stupid
Yeah, but people are freaking out because apparently the multiplayer mode in FFXV and Assassin's Creed are gonna ruin the game.
If you think about it, SE don't have many multiplayer cards in their hands: FFXIV, DQX, that's it. It's only logical that they'd invest more into it. I never say single player games will go away, I think games like Nier, Left Alive, Octopath have shown SE's confidence in single player titles. But they will explore the multiplayer space more, FFXV is doing this already, and I don't see anything wrong with it.
In general we'll get less AAA single player games and more AAA multiplayer games. Doesn't mean one would drive the other into extinction.
Sword Of Doom
Member
Sonys a bit behind the trend. Theyre just now catching on to open world games
BlackBuzzard
Banned
Ye infamous didnt exist...
ArkhamFantasy
Member
By Square Enix's definition of GAAS, Horizon is a GAAS game. It has free updates and DLC.
Phrozenflame500
Member
Makes sense, gotta follow the money.