Will We See a Decline in Single Player Games in the Future?

Nick from GamersFTW writes:

"What can we say; we are gamers, we love gaming and everything that has to do with gaming. Unfortunately it is an ever changing world and what is super popular one day might be the most hated game the next. It is a hard niche to fulfill, one day we might be asking for a great multiplayer game and the next single player is where it is at. At this point do we even need single player games? Games like Titanfall are completely lacking any single player functionality and games like Dota 2 consistently have hundreds of thousands of people logging on every single day. Could we start to see the downfall of single player games in the coming years? "

[Maple22]

Some really interesting points here. I always feel that games that only have a multi-player option aren't as good. It's nice to play with friends, but there is a challenge in being able to complete a story mode by yourself.

[ShugaCane]

I totally agree. I remember the PS2/XBOX/GC era when the majority of games were SP-only. Good times. And the same goes for the generations before that as well, of course.

Now it's all about adding MP features here and there. Plus, FPS are everywhere.

I miss the times when pure SP-only story-driven adventure games and platformers were abundant. I want that back.

Prince of Persia, Primal, Beyond Good and Evil, The Wind Waker, Eternal Darkness, Primal, Soul Reaver, Resident Evil, Psychonauts, Tales of Symphonia, Devil May Cry, Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, Metroid Prime, Okami, Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and so many more.

Those game were polished from start to finish, no time spent by developpers to add multiplayer. Just one immersive and thrilling single player experience.

Of course there are exceptions like The Last of Us or Dark Souls series that have worthy MP features, but that doesn't happen often.

KEEP SINGLE-PLAYER GAMES ALIVE !

[Ezz2013]

I might be the only one saying this
But i could care less about MP in games
All i care about is SP

So i wouldn't mind if they drop MP from games
or keep making standalone MP games

[Yukes]

Sadly I think we'll see a decline in console and PC games in general in the future due to the mobile plague. As for single-player games, there will always be a place for them for those of us who love to go on an adventure by ourselves.

My belief is that certain genres will continue to experience a decline, however, such as FPS, driving and loot-based games.

[FarEastOrient]

The phone market is creating a generation of kids that think they shouldn't pay for quality. Those free to play models and $5 or less games are increasingly no where near the quality of games that came before. There are a few exceptions, but they are so hard to find in the pile of shovelware.

[ginsunuva]

In the future? It's been happening since 2012.

[nidhogg]

Playing with others is great fun but it gets BORING because of repetitive tasks. Single player not only immerses you but gives you a story to remember when you sleep. Not a nightmare in which that kid that pwned you in COD was actually getting it on with your mum.

[Godmars290]

We haven't been having one since the advent of online and multiplayer? Seen things like crowd and enemy AI regress in terms of development because they've been ignored?

[MrsNesbitt]

I really enjoy online co-op mode but some games are becoming socially awkward when friends come over. Be interesting to see what becomes of this

[-Foxtrot]

Only if people stop fighting for them

Things like Fallout and Elderscrolls should be kept single player. We have to think about things logically and try to preserve these kind of games.

You want an Co-op RPG...ask for a new IP.

[Summons75]

Hasn't happened yet and with the amount of people that want a good engaging story (myself included) that isn't going to happen. Multiplayer is the thing that needs a good rejuvenating, Splatoon was the first multiplayer game I've been engaged with in YEARS. COD is bland and the same year after year and I really don't want to deal with stupid kids or societies rejects when I already deal with stupid people at work. Battlefield hasn't been the same since Bad Company 2/ 1943. Halo is still decent but again with the not wanting to deal with people when I'm trying to relax. I have high hopes for DOOM to bring back some good old fashion multiplayer fun but I'd rather have an engaging story that I can sit down and relax with. Batman, Persona, Tales, TES, Fallout Dark Souls, (though this is also multiplayer I do most of the time playing alone and get/offer help at Boss fights.

[FreddyFazbear]

A Resounding "HELL NO" if single player dies, that would be the end of Core gaming in general. Imagine playing Witcher 3, dragon age, halo, uncharted, gears, fable, final fantasy, metal gear and others by just having some people in an open area and just shoot at them. Thats basically it. No story, no substance, no quality. Gaming was born by single player games like mario, zelda heck even atari games are single player. If the game industry goes to an only multiplayer gaming trend then its sad for me to say that even at a young age I will be retiring from gaming and maybe just occasiomally open up my old consoles to play single player games. The very thought of it gives me nightmares!! Seriously

[TWB]

i dont think so, considering now online play is behind a paywall on the PS4 too.

The next PvZ Garden Warfare for example, has made the offline play much better than in the previous game. I think online only will become more common but doesnt overtake singleplayer games.

[ZhukNasimPog]

I think 'single player' game as we know them now will be on the decline. With the rise of mmo's and online Co - op, more and more gamers are looking for games that have a long shelf life. Of course there will still be the fallout and uncharted of the gaming world but there will be more and more emphasis on some sort of multi player component. Mass effect 3 for example