Don't Single Me Out!!!

EA Proclaims the End of Single-Player Only Games

Browsing through the magical internet today, I came across an article on some hefty words from the man behind gaming giant Electronic Arts. EA Games' label President Frank Gibeau says he believes the days of single player only games are over, and that "online is where the innovation, and the action, is at." If you can't grasp the implications of this, then grab the nearest electrical outlet with your fingers. EA is one of the biggest monster developers/publishers in video games, followed closely by Activision. These guys either develop or publish Triple-A title games the likes of Dead Space, Mass Effect, and Medal of Honor. That's not to say there's some truth behind Gibeau's statements, but there's something unsettling about his words.

Hey...nice plasma cutters

The fact that Gibeau singles out single-player only games is something we as gamers should be wary about. For those of us who have been playing games since before our eyeballs were fully developed, we've been bred on the single player gaming experience. Over the years, games have become more and more advanced in terms of graphics capabilities and story telling, and with each great game I play, my anticipation is ignited to wait and see what can possibly come next. Unfortunately, this announcement; this off-hand statement from EA's top boss, could derail the progress developers have made in creating these lush worlds for us to jump into.

I can't knock on the popularity spike multiplayer has gotten over the past decade. Games like Goldeneye for the N64 and Halo really paved the way for a new style of gaming, which ultimately requires us to bring a friend along for the virtual ride. The thrill of playing with another person soon took hold of the internet, and multiplayer has since ballooned into an obese cash cow for developers, who are displaying brilliant marketing tactics by offering downloadable content online. Just think about it, you pay $60 for Halo:Reach, only to be duped into paying another $10 for every new set of multiplayer maps, not including purchases like clothes for your avatars, which also costs some dough. At the end of it all you're paying upwards of $80 for a single game! It's absurd! There's no denying that online multiplayer games ARE the way of the future, but it would be a tragedy to completely ignore the significant audience that enjoys single player games.

To those of you who have played an online multiplayer games...or for that matter, watched someone else play, you can tell it's, for lack of a better word, chaotic. Online adversarial games like Halo or Call of Duty feature some of the most obnoxious human beings to grace this planet. I can't tell you how many times I come across a 13-year-old who shotguns me in the back of the head, only to run up to my corpse and embarass me even more by pretending to be a necrophiliac (all this of course is happening while he's calling me a bitch who just got effed in the A). While I do still continue to play these adversarial games online with other people, it's gotten to a point where I don't put on my headset anymore. I just don't have the lung capacity to get into a back and forth argument with a child who tells me the reason why my penis is small. The point is I don't want to be forced to always play games online with other people. Sure there is loads of fun to be had when you can get together with an honest, good natured group of players who simply want to have fun, and those are the sweet moments I cherish, but 9 times out of 10 gamers will have to brave the toxic pools of incoherent gamers, and that's something I can avoid by dabbling in the single player.

This is what happens when you devote yourself to multiplayer

EA's top dog went on to clarify his explanation of the single player/multiplayer argument, saying "I volunteer you to speak to EA's studio heads; they'll tell you the same thing, they're very comfortable moving the discussion towards how we make connected gameplay – be it co-operative or multiplayer or online services – as opposed to fire-and-forget, packaged goods only, single-player, 25-hours-and you're out. I think that model is finished." In the words of my favorite flap-head Canadians from South Park "F**k You Buddy!" But seriously, how can I sit by here like a defenseless deer about to become a hood ornament and not be upset by this? A good single player game offers great gameplay mechanics, a sense of control, and if done correctly, a great story to be immersed in. I also have to point out, if you're playing a 25-hour single player game then sign me up right now. I'm hard-pressed to find games that can make it past the 10 hour mark.

Some of my all time favorite single player experiences came with Resident Evil 4 and Bioshock. Both games told an immersive story, had tight controls, and were riveting adventure. Even years after their release, I can comfortably sit down, pop in the disc, and enjoy the experience all over again, and guess what, no 13-year-old will shove his nuts down my throat. Ya can't tell me that isn't worth the purchase alone. Seriously, all kidding aside, this statement should also be taken with caution considering the source. EA doesn't really have the best track record when it comes to delivering a great online experience. Sure Battlefield 2 and the plethora of sports games under EA can qualify as great online games, but we're also talking about the company who released Dante's Inferno and Army of Two. Still, I'll give EA the benefit of the doubt once their highly anticipated sci-fi horror game Dead Space 2 releases this winter. For the first time Dead Space 2 will feature competitive online multiplayer, which is rightfully creating a buzz. Still, the original Dead Space didn't have a multiplayer component to it, and was a surprisingly engrossing and lengthy single player experience. I tend to appreciate developers who spend all of their time and talent meticulously detailing their environments and animations, while setting up great pacing in a game. Pacing is one of the most pivotal things a developer can create in a game, and unfortunately it's impossible to do in a multiplayer game.

In the end, it troubles me that this is the philosophy EA is approaching to creating games. I love multiplayer as much as the next rude teenager, but I also love to engage in a single player experience. I know that Gibeau's announcement doesn't mean single player is dead, it's just when a company usually tends to put all of its eggs in the multiplayer basket, things don't always end up so well. Just look at Bioshock 2 or even Resident Evil 5. Still, I hope EA can be professional enough to create the best of both gameplay worlds without sacrificing too much to either side. It's almost like a movie production company saying "hey, we know that people really like bonus features on their DVD's/Blu-Rays, so we're gonna give you more features and less movie." I dunno, at least that's what it seems like to me.

It's a Marvelous World Out There in DC-Land

My Hands On Time With DC Universe Online

Easily one of the biggest titles to be hitting store shelves in 2011 is DC Universe Online. For those of you who haven't heard, DC Universe is an MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) title from the minds of Sony Online Entertainment...the geniuses who created the hardcore, and not so user-friendly MMO "Everquest." DC Universe is looking to rain on World of Warcraft's parade next year by offering a unique playstyle in the realm of MMO's on both the PC and PS3. Players can create their own superheroes or supervillains, and fight alongside some familiar faces in the DC world like Superman, Batman, or even the Joker. I had the good fortune to try out the PC Beta version, and while the game has some been there, done that moments, there is a lot to be excited about.

Welcome to the Justice League

First thing's first...I have to talk about character creation. At first glance, DC Universe will draw many comparisons to another MMO of past, "City of Heroes." Heroes was the first game to try its hand at the superhero MMO genre, but was met with less than thrilling expectations. While hero customization was the highlight of that game, quests were stale, the city was lifeless, and loot didn't change the way your character looked. Well, I'm happy to say that DC Universe improves on what City of Heroes failed on, but there's still much work ahead for the folks at Sony Online. From my 3 hour playthrough, I got to roam the skies of Metropolis, Gotham City, and inside the Justice League, with Gotham being my favorite of the three. Gotham is dark, gritty, and pulsing with evil at every corner. Arkham Asylum is cut off from the city as it's menacing facade reflects off the dimly lit waters of Gotham, while Scarecrow's toxin constricts the Narrows, blinding anyone who enters with illusions of evil. It's a marvel (no pun intended) to behold, and I'm sure much more awaits for the full version of the game.

Sony has done a tremendous job in allowing players to live their fantasies as a superhero. Thousands of combinations are available for players to tinker with, whether you want to look like a beefed up chunk of madness a la Hulk or Bane, or whether you want to be a nimble, agile, hero similar to Wasp or Atom Ant, the possibilities are endless. Capes, Boots, Utility Belts, Spiked Gloves, or even Claw Hands (wink wink Edgar), the sky is really the limit as to how you want your hero to look. During my playthrough, I created a caped crusader who looked like a cross between Magneto and Spawn. I was really feeling the helmet and red/purple aethetic for some reason. His name..."Red Wisp" -- a name that will send shivers up the spines of crickets everywhere.

Yes, you can actually fight alongside all these little kids

Once I created my hero, I was then forced to choose an allegiance and play style. I'm sure more heroes and villains will be available once the full game releases, but I had the choice of siding with either Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Joker, or Lex Luthor. I decided to go the route of Superman (surprise, I know) because I had already checked out Gotham City while watching my friend Edgar play, and I really wanted to see Metropolis with my own eyes. Who you side with plays an important part in both your heroes' abilities and storyline. Choose Batman, and you'll be more of a gadget oriented hero. Choose Superman, and you'll be more of a genetically enchanced wrecking ball of power, and so on and so forth. Once you're done picking sides, you'll then be asked what kind of attack style you'll want, and this is the fun part. Depending on your affiliation, you can choose either to wield guns, rifles, one or two handed weapons, bare hands, or hand blasters...which is what I picked. Nothing says superhero to me than shooting pockets of fire energy out of the palms of my hands. You can then choose what kind of powers you want to have, and for my character, I chose fire. What can I say...I've always dreamed of shooting fireballs out of my hands.

Fighting alongside Superman...nerdgasm

Once your good to go and you've picked out a worthy superhero/villain name, the game begins. For the heroes, your journey begins inside of one of Brainiac's spaceships. According to the story, which was penned by DC scribes Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman, Brainiac has managed to kill off all of the villains and heroes in the world, except for Lex Luthor. Luthor manages to go back in time to warn the heroes of Brainiac's plans, which has already been set in motion, and that's where you come in. You are the newest batch of superheroes called in to help defeat Brainiac, and there will be twists and turns to come in the story. Your hero wakes up in Brainiac's spaceship, and Oracle gets in touch with you to help you bust out of there. The game will feature plenty of in game voice acting (probably not to the caliber Bioware is aiming with its upcoming Star Wars MMO), and it helps drive the story along. Sony has really done a terrific job at creating a believable world where your favorite Heroes and Villains inhabit. There are even plenty of characters whom I never knew existed. Can anyone please tell me who the hell "T.O. Morrow" is? Comic junkies will be pleased with the amount of depth there is to the DC world, as even the secondary heroes no one gets to tsee in action wander the halls next to you. I was surprised with the amount of Green Lanterns there actually were in the DC Universe. Now to the big part of the game...combat.

To me, combat in DC Universe is like watching an episode of South Park. You know what to expect, but you're pleasantly surprised with the outcome. The way combat works in DC Universe is a combination of typical MMO elements woven together with action beat em ups. That's right, the game is more action oriented than most MMO's out there. You can actually dodge incoming attacks rather than fall mercy to a stupid computer accuracy percentage. Your hero can throw light and heavy attacks by clicking either the left or right mouse button, and your powers are hot-keyed to your keyboard. As you level up, you can set (for lack of a better word) "talent" points to your powers and attacks, and learn new moves along the way. The combat is still a little clunky at times, but I think it's because the game is still in its Beta stage, but overall its very satisfying. Most importantly, you feel like a true superhero while attacking. You can engage 10 enemies or more at a time and not suffer too much of a penalty in terms of health and your power supply. In typical MMO's like World of Warcraft, you can realistically only handle 2 or 3 enemies at a time, depending on how experienced your character is. DC breaks that norm, and lets players go bonkers on low-life thugs. I mean, the idea IS to feel like a superhero after all.

Exploring Gotham City is probably the most fun you'll have wandering inside a video game rather than fighting

While combat is the big draw for many players, I have to say exploration comes a close second. I decided to choose a flying superhero, and there is a thrilling aspect in searching every nook and cranny of Metropolis or Gotham City. There are no limitations to where you can go, and it's a fulfilling gameplay element that can only be compared to a game like Spider Man 2. And if you're the type of person who likes to PvP and rain some pain on some lower level villains or heroes, you'll be having a feast on the noob frustration. Questing works the way most MMO's do. You'll have your usual "fetch" quests and assassination quests, a majority of which take place in the cities, but I can't really say for certain if this will become a hindrance once more players buy the game and start doing the same quests as you. 

Scarecrow...a man you'd want to babysit your kids

Other than that, another cool kick I got was how Sony is implementing the bigger known heroes of the DC Universe into the game experience. You'll come across certain quest moments where you'll have to fight alongside a hero. I was having a complete nerdgasm when I was fighting off droves of Brainiac's robotic minions with the help of Superman. We were like the two best friends that anyone could ever have. And Sony isn't shying away from supervillain encounters either. There are quests that have you fighting the likes of Scarecrow, Gorilla Grodd, and even the Joker. It's really a blast, and best yet...it works well on the fun meter.

Dude...your wings are so gay

Another thing to point out is that no two superheroes are alike. The customization in the game is equal to none, and I found myself entertained by checking out other people's creations. During my playthrough I came across all kinds of unique superhero looks, and some not so unique. I found a guy who looked like a carbon copy version of Superman, with the blue tights, and even the red cape with the "S" on the back. What's the fun in that? On the contrary however, there were some nice homages to heroes not in the DC world. I came across guys who created deadpan versions of Deadpool and Spiderman, and both looked like legitimate knock-offs...which is a good thing. And like I had mentioned before, the loot you get does affect your character, but only in a cosmetic way. What do I mean? I got new shoulder loot for my Magneto/Spawn hyrbid hero Red Wisp and when I equipped it, his appearance would change but it kept the red/purple motif that I had going. Unlike games like World of Warcraft which forces you to keep both the color and style of your loot, DC forces you to keep the style and not the color, which is a major plus.

A world waiting for comic junkies everywhere

Overall DC Universe is a step in the right direction for MMO's. Combat adds a pinch more action than we're used to, but I'm all for it. No more will you have to rely on random misses of your weapon, but more so on your ability to bob and weave through enemies. Character customization is the highlight of the game, with no two superheroes looking the same. I promise you that. Exploring the deep and engaging worlds of Metropolis and Gotham were a blast, but I hope Sony pushes the envelope and throws a couple of curve balls at us. Atlantis anyone? The game isn't expected to hit store shelves until Spring of 2011 for both the PC and PS3, but I'm sure there will still be a delay or two. Still, I'm curious to see as to how the PS3 version will function. Most MMO's tend to work better with a mouse and keyboard, but only time will tell. Until then, I'll be keeping my sights on X-Ray vision as this game comes closer to its release date.