Are Multiplayer Modes Vanishing As Developers Look To Cut Costs

With some recent and pending releases opting to exclude a multiplayer mode; Skewed and Reviewed ask in a new Opinion Piece if this is a growing trend as developers seek to cut costs more than ever.

[Christopher]

I think the riskier option is to sell a SP game that you throw some form of MP into just for the sake of it and that ends up affecting the quality of the SP experience. With the plethora of F2P MP games out there, why spend time and money on something when you can focus on the SP experience. Not to say that means they're all good, but at least they're not wasting time with things people don't want in SP games. I doubt anyone bought Veilguard for MP let alone will buy the next Star Wars SP game and expect MP either.

[Garethvk]

There is that. I think the modes that were tried for The Last of Us is a good example. But for me a FPS missing multiplayer seems off as it was such a staple FPS, RTS, and sports games are where gamers expect it to be.

[Vits]

It's the current logic. People are paying more, for less.

If that "saved" money were actually spent on improving the single-player experience, that’d be one thing. But anyone who actually plays games knows that’s not what happens. We’re in the era of “safe” games, stripped-down, polished packages full of shiny lighting, big setpieces, and all the interactivity of a NES-era background.

Multiplayer modes, extra features, modding tools, things that used to add value for players, keep getting cut. Why? Because they don’t add value for the company. And, as always, the useful idiots will cheer, pay more all while getting less than before. So of course companies will keep doing it.

[Garethvk]

Exactly and what gets me is if it is done correctly, multiplay adds money. Ask Activision how much they make on skins and DLC all the while giving a year of free content updates. You get through a Call of Duty campaign in about 8-12 hrs. The multiplayer and frequent content updates are what keeps people playing. I always pop back in when new maps and content release. I do not buy skins and packs but many do. I wonder if we will get the Half-Life 2 mode where Multiplayer is added later. Some may see how the game does and then decide to add it later.

[isarai]

I wish they would go back to having SOME simple mp, like instead of the only choices being going all out and gambling on a super roadmaped, season pass, Battle Royale, multiplayer with open world maps and tons of loot OR no multiplayer at all. Why cant we have something in between sometimes? Where's just this very simple PVP probably reusing a sectioned off peace of a level from a single player like they used to do

[Garethvk]

I think they all have a place but simpler forms are needed. I wish we would see more co-op play in a campaign.

[Profchaos]

I hope so tacked on multiplayer modes have always felt forced

[Garethvk]

Very true but certain genres like FPS and RTS games are expected to have them and when they do not it makes one wonder.

[Profchaos]

Agree but there's definitely been some wtf moments over the years and it really was far worse in the late ps360 era where games like tomb raider the reboot had multiplayer and trophies required multiplayer.

[Garethvk]

True. My concerns is getting games that should have it but will not. There is a debate about the new DOOM not having it and the developer basi calls saying it allowed resources (money) to be applied to making the campaign as great as it can be. One could argue that this is simply a cost saving move. I don't want a wave of 6-10 hr FPS games with no multiplayer and an $80.00 price point.