Online multiplayer in video games have no doubt become the most popular way to play with friends, and the only way to interact with other players around the world. The question is, how truly social is this revolutionary tool?
Back at E3 2015, we get to realize that more games are ditching the split-screen play and sticking solely to online multiplayer. Halo 5: Guardians, one of the few or probably the last video game we expected to continue supporting split-screen multiplayer, was announced to no longer go down that path.
At the moment, only Nintendo is left supporting split-screen play in all its multiplayer video games, and we do not see the company ending that tradition any time soon. However, things might change if the rumored Nintendo NX video game system manages to get a lot of third-party developer support.
With more third-party support, we expect only Nintendo games to keep the tradition going, but those games will be in the minority.
Right now the best option for multiplayer between family and friends in the same space, is for each person to have their own console and their own TV or monitor. That's very expensive for poor and middle-class families with several children, and this is something the gaming industry needs to look into.
We doubt anything will be done since online multiplayer is a platform that brings in more money for both the console manufacturer and the video game publishers. They also claim it makes for better interaction between gamers.
They call this being social, but how much social is it when the persons are hundreds of miles away instead of being in the same room.
The feeling of having friends and family in the same room enjoying a video game together is second to none. The last time a truly enjoyed a video game was back in the era of the Nintendo 64. We had Golden Eye at the time, and no amount of online play comes close to having 4 or more folks in the same room having a great time.
As it stands now, the Internet is creating a world of lonely people and folks who believe they are not because they have the option to chat with someone 1000 miles away.
And with Virtual Reality becoming a thing, things are about to get worse.
