Gaming Alone - The Problems With Multiplayer on the Xbox 360

Multiplayer has always been a key part of game culture. Despite the many stereotypical opinions of the gamer as a recluse I have always found the experience to be an incredibly social one. In fact, as far back as I can remember the best games have always been the ones that can be played with a group of friends. So surely with the advances in game culture as they are today the possibilities for multiplayer experiences on the Xbox 360 can only be getting better?

It is true some aspects of the format are improving considerably. I can log on to Xbox Live any time of day and jump straight into a FPS (first person shooter) game with up to 24 different people. I can search the entire length and breadth of the world for gamers wishing to experience the same games I do. But what about playing a game with a group of friends in the same living room? It seems to me that if it's possible to coordinate multiplayer games across huge networks with people all around the world then in shouldn't be too much trouble to provide split screen play for a single console; perhaps not. It appears that games manufacturers have forgotten this waning area of consumption in favour of the glossy appeal of the online market.

This is not to say that there are no split screen multiplayer games available any more. Both the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series have been doing incredibly well out of this market and some of the bigger games like Halo 3 or Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare still provides a single console multiplayer function but they are now in the minority. My request to games publishers for the Xbox 360 is simply this. When you next design your game, think of the group of friends sat around at home, looking for a game they can all play together but coming up dry. Surely that can't be too much to ask? The only other option is to buy a different make console.

On a more positive note the horizon for Xbox 360 looks awesome with Project Natal, Forza 3, Xbox360 deals and of course the new, Xbox 250GB Super Elite! See here for offer details and to buy Super Elite Xbox360.

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