The gaming industry has long been defined by its eras. The 70s and 80s, otherwise known as the arcade era, provided afoundation for some of the most influential franchisesthat still exists today. Then came the console era, where gaming became an accessible hobby designed for the comfort of players' own homes. Many gamers may not know it, but they are living amid another era right now – the golden age ofonline multiplayer.
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Multiplayer has, of course, been around for a long time. However, where traditional multiplayer meant a couple of friends or siblings playing on the same TV, contemporary multiplayer takes place oceans apart with a constant rotation of countless strangers. Thisboom in online multiplayer gameshas seen a lot of developers shift tact. And, while manyfantastic single-player experiencesstill exist, some of thebiggest franchises have pivoted to multiplayer.
1Call Of Duty
With its beginnings in the early 2000s,Call of Dutyhistorically had a different tone and focus than it does now. Its first title was constructed as a story driven campaign set in World War II, and had key similarities in gameplay to theMedal of Honorseries. This inaugural game was focused on the ‘lone wolf’ experience, and supported its single players with AI-controlled allies. Completing solo objectives and missions were key to progressing.
ThoughCall of Dutydoes still develop its games with a rich single-player experience, much of its focus has instead turned to constructing its multiplayer modes.Warzone 2.0, as the latest multiplayer installment, is aprime example of this change.Warzone2.0, despite being released as part ofModern Warfare II, does not require a purchase of the game to play. Online play components such as killstreaks and special abilities have become integral to the culture and experience ofCall of Dutygames.
2Halo
The futuristic sci-fi giantHalohas also seen a significant evolution of its gameplay over the years. The first game,Halo: Combat Evolved, follows the famous Spartan supersoldier Master Chief in his mission of fighting back against the Covenant, an alien species hell-bent on destroying humanity. Though this game did feature multiplayer modes, they were limited to local network play or two-player co-op.
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Both the most recentHalorelease,Halo Infinite, and the remaster of its first game,Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, highlight this evolution of multiplayer focus well. The remaster not only revamped its local network and co-op modes but added online multiplayer capabilities via Xbox Live as well.Halo Infinitewas praised for itsrich online multiplayer modesthat include features such as deathmatch, capture the flag, team battle, and 4v4 capabilities. Though this game still features a single-player mode,some reviewers feelthat it was scaled back in comparison with previous games.
3Grand Theft Auto
With its first release in 1997, theGrand Theft Autofranchise shot to immediate popularity upon its publication. In the years since, it has developed into a popular series of games that have historically prioritized the single-player experience. The core task of sandbox styleGrand Theft Autogames is to complete various crime-based missions to rise through the ranks of organized crime groups.
Though other titles in the series have continued the single-player focus, the prominence ofGrand Theft Auto Onlinecannot be denied. Originally released in 2013, the game has received many updates and evolutions in the decade since. In 2022, the game was released as its own standalone version on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is atestament to its continued popularity.Grand Theft Auto Onlinereceives constant updates to its content and modes, highlighting the prioritization of this multiplayer experience.
4Final Fantasy
The fantasy RPG juggernautFinal Fantasysaw its firstrelease by Square Enix, then known as Square, in 1987. This first iteration, which only featured a single-player story mode, would go on to popularize the genre and spawn a hugely successful franchise of games. The plot ofFinal Fantasyfollows a group of four adventurers chosen by the player as they journey through a fantasy world and save it from darkness and evil.
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Limited versions of multiplayer modes appeared in the franchise as early asFinal Fantasy IVin 1991. However, these early modes focused more on co-op play rather than competitive. The first MMORPG release in the series wasFinal Fantasy XIin 2002, which offered cross-platform play that allowed players to compete and cooperate in a wide array of in-game objectives. Since this game, another MMORPG was released within the series as well as a multiplayer mode update forFinal Fantasy XV.
5Fallout
Bringing form to the fears of many in the post-Cold-War era is the post-apocalyptic RPG franchise ofFallout, which explores an earth scarred by nuclear warfare. The first game in the series, by the same name, was released in 1997 for PC. Much like its successors,Falloutexplores a world in which players can control a nuclear survivor known as Vault Dweller and assist them in gaining skills, perks, and simply surviving in the harsh new world.
Fallout 76is the most recent release within the franchise and serves as a prequel to the previous iterations. It is also the franchise’sfirst online multiplayer game. Since its somewhat difficult 2018 release,Fallout 76has received several updates and expansions to its game features that have steadily grown its player base. The game now has an extensive list of multiplayer modes including adventure mode, battle royale, and a special set of customizable modes referred to asFalloutWorlds.
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