Game Devs, Why No Multi-player?
I can't count how many times I've found myself in this situation: it's a peaceful evening, maybe after a long day at work or just some random weekend, and my friends and I are hanging out on Discord, chatting and hunting for a game to play. “Hey, check this one out!” – “This looks awesome!” – “Oh, but it’s single-player.” And that's where we lose interest and keep scrolling. This can happen over and over again during a Steam store browsing session. There are countless amazing games I've passed on for one simple reason: they're not multiplayer.
What's the deal with that? Is making a multiplayer game really that difficult? Are developers just not interested in adding it? Or are they stuck in the past? For many devs, the answer seems to be yes. Creating and maintaining a functional multiplayer experience that meets the demands of today's gamers requires an enormous amount of planning and development time. Then there's the concern about what multiplayer might do to the overall experience. Some aspects of a game, like its scenic beauty or immersive style, might be best enjoyed solo. Not every game is meant to be anything but a single-player experience. Plus, some gamers simply value their time alone. And then, of course, there are developers who seem to be lagging behind by about 15 years.
On the other hand, the world has become incredibly social. More and more, we find ourselves craving daily interactions. Some people may use single-player games as an escape from all that, but I use multiplayer to embrace it. I've made some wonderful friends through gaming, shared many memorable moments, and created lasting memories. Sure, I've enjoyed my fair share of single-player titles, and my Steam library continues to grow with games I hope to eventually play (though let's be honest, the odds aren't great in this era of Steam library overload). But, like with everything else in life, there's something I'd rather do more: have a good time playing multiplayer games with friends.
Yet, I keep getting stuck in this loop of searching for a game to play, only to pass up so many because the developers chose not to make their game multiplayer. Or worse, they tease that multiplayer is “planned,” in that frustrating trend of early access. But here's the thing—I just want to throw my money at multiplayer games that tick the right boxes. For instance, why are there so few multiplayer city-builders or tycoon games?
That brings me to Parkitect, which launched on Steam in 2018 and channels the nostalgic spirit of one of my favorite childhood series, Rollercoaster Tycoon. In Parkitect, much like its inspiration, you take on the role of the all-powerful manager, designer, and CEO of a theme park. You get to design rides, like roller coasters, sell food and souvenirs, and even create a little chaos by sending unfinished coasters flying into the sky. The goal? Make tons of money by running a successful theme park. These tycoon/management/builder games are a fantastic way to spend an evening and have traditionally been a solo experience. But I've always dreamed of a game like this being multiplayer or co-op, so I could team up with friends to build our tycoon empire. With few exceptions, this hasn’t been possible, especially with modern titles. That is, until December 2020, when Parkitect released a multiplayer update. This small studio managed to accomplish what many other studios, big and small, have either failed or chosen not to do. And I absolutely love it.
I've spent countless hours playing Parkitect with friends, designing and managing our ultimate theme park. From pirate-themed zones to food courts, and even to ultra-dangerous coasters that simultaneously flambé unsuspecting park-goers while launching them into orbit, we've had countless laughs and good times together. Sometimes, just chilling and playing the same game is enough. And when just two friends picked up Parkitect, and within weeks that number grew to 5-10, solely because it added multiplayer, it really shows how much these types of multiplayer experiences are wanted within friend groups and communities.
So I ask again—game devs, why no multiplayer?