Fallout 4: Why It Should Stick To Single Player Campaign Mode Only

Martin Tooney writes:"There’s a book in my collection that I like to read from time to time, it’s the collected essays of Francis Bacon. One of the essays is titled, “Of innovations” and it talks about our will to change for better or for worse. This is relatable to modern game developers and their inclination to change the fundamental mechanics of their games to suit market trends. More often than not, by making it multiplayer."

[madmonkey01]

i hope concentrate on making a great single player experience primarily, there are more than enough multiplayer shooters out there.

[Oschino1907]

Really? Please tell me of all numerous the RPG shooters featuring a multiplayer component that are as deep as Fallout when it comes to story, exploration, gameplay variety, progression, etc...

[NukaCola]

Oschino,

You sound like you are being a jerk bro.

He just doesnt want MP in a game like FALLOUT. Being primarily an FPS in terms of gameplay it would break the formula of what FO is about. And what would happen to VATS then? What is it a COD perk? Forget that. Make FO Online if you want that, not Fallout 4.

[Anthotis]

I doubt that bugthesda will be able to resist the cash grab, and further rush the game to the shelves with a buggy multiplayer component.

All the missing stuff that should've been in the game to begin with will have to be paid for or not included. Anything they can't be bothered to use to bleed their customers will be left out when bugthesda once again abandons their latest bugfest after a year and half, as is tradition.

Hopefully, the modders will step up to fix and complete the game, just as they have been doing since Arena, over 20 years ago.

[LamerTamer]

All those things you mention (story, exploration, gameplay variety, progression) is because they can focus on tailoring the SP experience. If they jammed in MP just to do it things would need to change and not for the best as far as the SP part. There are compromises. For one thing if you are running netcode and threads to handle all of the MP aspects the graphics would need to be downgraded accordingly effecting the SP experience too. Also since dev resources are always limited, MP development would take away from the length and scope of SP.

Some games are better left to SP and some to MP. FO4 should remain SP and offline playable, and if they really want an online FO game make a "FO online" title at a later date.

[nidhogg]

I agree. I'd rather have it Single Player only. 2 co-op is fine but I'd rather immerse by my own. Skyrim did a great job, Fallout 3 did a great job, Fallout New Vegas did a great job. Sometimes formulas are not meant to change. And yet, all these people clamoring for multiplayer would complain afterwards because it sucked or was not to their liking. Bunch of hypocrites.

[nitus10]

I am still playing Skyrim the legendary edition having over 200 plus of game play and have hardly done much for the main quest since there are so many things you can see and do.

One of the main features of this game is it's randomness when taking on quests so even if you replay you may not do things the same way.

I did like Dragon's Dogma - Dark Arisen although I found the quest system fairly simplistic (it's main let-down IMHO).

You are right a game with a good (in the eye of the beholder actually) single player with or without co-op is IMHO essential to any Action/Adventure and/or RPG. Of course an on-line component can add it's own enjoyment as well (eg the Souls series for me).

On-line only is not my idea of fun even if the game (example: Guild Wars) is free on-line. Having to pay for on-line access is a definite no sale for me even if the game gets rave review from critics.

Note: This is not a criticism of on-line only, if you like on-line only then that's great for you but I and I have to assume many others prefer a RPG with a decent single player game and a possible on-line component, not the other way around.

[BallsEye]

Don't want a Destiny type of game out of fallout but just 2 player co-op would be really great IMO. I'd love to roam the wastelands with my wife :p.

[Jonny5isalive]

Ill like it nomatter what it is. I dont think it will have multiplayer. Id imagine a co-op option could be awesome tho.

[showtimefolks]

FO4 will be single player only, i have zero doubt about that

[Stapleface]

I've seen a few Fallout 4 articles lately. Did I miss an announcement or are people just speculating about something that currently, as far as I know, doesn't exist in the realm of known things. We just hope it's in development. Fair enough. I certainly hope they don't tack on a mp mode just to suit market trends. Fallout is fine as sp only. I wouldn't mind a drop in drop out co-op. But some kind of PVP or something to that effect just wouldn't fit in my opinion. If your going to do that it needs to be something different all together, which I'd likely buy. But it's not for Fallout. They need to focus 100% on making it the biggest and best, with the most content, and a good extension to the story, to go along with their already great series.

[madmonkey01]

just rumours, it does seem likely though.

[WhiteGamerInc]

Speculation completely, but Bethesda is usually tight lipped about things whwn they want to be.

[SamPao]

Let them do what they want...sheesh

Maybe it would be the best thing ever?

[sugawalls]

Just like elder scrolls online right?

Think before you type.

[SamPao]

Have you played Fallout 4 Multiplayer?

Think before you type?
The best Multiplayer came out of games that are amazing in singleplayer.
The last time someone said something like you was when TLOU was said to have MP and turns out its freaking amazing and the community loves it.

dont see everything black and white, see the possibilities.

Take that in mind before you type.

[Roccetarius]

Don't even bother. Someone will always justify a MP version of a popular SP franchise, even though it's not fit for said franchise. Look what happened to ME and Dead Space, for example.

[nitus10]

Personally speaking I would have brought a PS4 immediately just for Elder Scrolls, however when I heard it was on-line only I am quite happy to wait until an equivalent single player RPG comes out.

I have no objection to an RPG having an on-line component however I prefer playing a game that is not wholly dependent on the internet even though my connection is very fast and reliable.

[Oschino1907]

They are right. How could a game with a feature to hire NPCs as followers/mercenaries ever work with a real life player in co-op./s

Some people don't think with an open mind, they just see/hear something different or that they don't understand and immediately crap all over it.

You see this a lot when it comes to new technology especially when it's initially very expensive and only available to the wealthy.

Instead of asking why not they can't get over the why part because it doesn't directly appeal to them personally. It's a selfish way of thinking on their part.

[nidhogg]

It would be the dumbest thing ever.

[LightSamus]

Single player BUT have the option of joining someone else's world. Not like MMO style, just two people having fun together.

[Ristul]

I would not mind 2 player co-op, twice the fun!

[martinezjesus1993]

I agree, joining a buddys world would be cool, act like a companion, where I cant make decisions just help him out.

[Ristul]

Yes, you're already vulnerable in a post-apocalyptic world where everyone wants to kill you. Facing mutants, death claws and other people who want to kill you would be a little easier with a friend by your side. I think it would improve the experience!

[WeAreLegion]

That's what I want, but 2 player co-op would be pretty awesome, as well.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

A year ago I would of said that Multi player is always welcome, not any more.

Latest examples are Far Cry 4 and DA Inquisition. Ive only dabbled in their multi players but god damn they feel so "tacked on". I am however, thankful that there are no trophies associated with the MP on DA so it's purely optional and only a couple of simple ones on FC4.

[xtheblackparade]

There's no way you can play with an action point system to target specific body parts in real-time multiplayer, so the online experience either gets f*d or there will be a major switch in genre for fallout 4.

[Oschino1907]

V.A.T.S. is already optional, co-op would be optional.

They already have an optional Hardcore mode that dramatically alters the way the game is played in New Vegas. It can also be turned on/off at any time while playing.

[DanzoSAMA]

Only on Xbox ONE and PC. time will tell.

[Tctczach]

No it won't. Pc is where it thrives. Not being a douche or anything but mods.

[Max-Zorin]

If I'm not mistaken, the last few Fallout games weren't exclusive. It would be stupid if part 4 wasn't available on majority platforms.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

I almost tried to click agree when I read the headline.

[TheOnlyMastrx]

I think a 2-4 person coop where your friends can jump in and help you out at anytime would be sweet, and only the host can make decisions as to what mission lines they want to do, that way your friends can't put you on a path you don't want. But single player isn't bad, and they could go the route of ESO and make a Fallout Online, though I don't think Fallout offers as much content as Elder Scrolls. They probably wouldn't do Fallout Online until seeing how ESO goes on consoles I would think. Guess we just wait and see what they bring us.

[RDF]

How about this.

You play as a Enclave soldier with up to 3 other ppl. You explore ruins ala DA I for caps,salavage or weapon/armor plans. Fight 2 to 3 bosses to gain access into a vault like storage room wihich randomly drops a rare item.

[maniacmayhem]

Just announce a Fallout 4, then I'll worry about what should or shouldn't be added.

[Tctczach]

I hope for more crafting weapons.

[truevip]

I agree. Fallout is, and should always be, an open would single player rpg. the fact that you can roam around and search for secrets and find weapons and everything else makes the game what it is. this game has been my favorite game because of everything you can do-all the interactivity and all the various secrets and methods of crafting and upgrading weapons through bullet types, the unique weapons, the buying and selling, the factions to align with or destroy, the hacking and pick pocketing, moving objects and making traps out of loose objects, talking with people, companions to carry stuff and arm with awesome guns or a big sledgehammer.... and so on. ALL of it makes FO what it is. when I worked for the Bathesda, I had input on what was added to the New Vegas game and they listen to me on terms of making bullets and stripping down to their essentials to create other types of bullets and also to expand on cooking recipes and crafting. I was mad when they took out the slingshot tranquilizer gun you could create and the Rock-it launcher that shot objects like plates and other dynamic items... the only multiplayer option I would like to see would be able to go coop with one or two other players or maybe jump into somebody else's world and trade with them... but only if they retain the SP world based on the hosts progress and keep everything as it would be in SP...

[truevip]

the game should be exactly the same but everything about it expanded on- more crafting, more bullet types, more attachments, more weapons, more weapon types, more interactivity... it should be the same game but more.
More interactivity is paramount to all games, its the only way to evolve games and take advantage of better gaming systems and technology...

[GokuSolosAll]

No, no, no, nooo. Online multiplayer is necessary to some degree, if only PvP, though adventuring around with a friend would be awesome.