Is online really a must ?

[Dreddz]

I wonder why online has become such a big thing when it comes to gaming nowadays. Im still not much of an online gamer, I do play games online every now and again, but rarely get too much into it. There are a few things which I hate about it though, people online are all jackasses, you get a few exceptions but most will just throw abuse at you for no reason. You get two types of people online, ones which you kick the crap out of in whichever game your playing, to then be insulted endlessly, whether it be me or my family, they just dont seem to care. Kids nowadays...eh. Then you get the types who play with you for one game, slaughter you, and then deem you unworthy of their time and leave to play with better people. No goodbyes, just gone. After an hour of playing a game online, Im usually so frustrated Ill go back to playing the computer. Good ol old fashioned AI, doesnt insult you, dont take losing badly, just gets on with what its doing. And usually puts up a much better fight. Yet people seem to prefer waiting for several minutes to play a game cut off half way through with a 12-year old kid who's favourite thing is Gears of War and insulting moms.

There are some nice things about online, getting to play with friends without having to invite them over to your house, and I guess online rankings is good for some, people who fail at life can finally soak in all the glory for not leaving their house and playing video games for days.

We should have a choice about whether we want to go to the hassle of putting their console online, were being forced nowadays almost. What I mean is that companies force us to go online to get the most out of their system. When a system has a fault, everything seems to be better when a company says there is patch coming online to download online. Well, this is good for the ones who are online, but what about the people who dont have ethernet cords heading up to their bedrooms. The PS3 had faults with backwards compatability, it was fixed through firmware updates online. I feel sorry for the people who cant do this and have to deal with their PS2 games looking crappy on their PS3.

So, what are everyones opinion on online gaming ?

[NeoCracker]

There are plenty of single players you can play on all the systems without worrying about online. If there for multiplayer games obviously, and playing the same people in your area can get old. AI gets old, cause it doesn't advance and get better, and in most Multiplayer games AI sucks compared to what players are capable of. With the massive amounts of single player games, theres hardly any forcing.

PS3's patch's how ever is a bit of a problem, not that Microsoft did any better. But really its not a big deal. I love the Idea of online gaming, its just I myself don't have many desires to play multiplayers, except a few games.

[Roto13]

I don't like online gaming for pretty much the reasons you mentioned. The only game I've ever liked to play online was Tetris DS. Other than that, it's been pretty unpleasant experience. Aside from Tetris, I like the Mii parade on the Wii. I guess the extra stuff you can do on consoles online (besides gaming) is ok, but most of it can be done with my computer and doesn't really gain anything by being on my TV.

[Little Blue]

I've never played online games, and doubt I ever will, but I can see why some people do. One of my current favourite games has a really weak AI (I've never really minded, blowing up their planets while they just sit there making unarmed ships is fun , but some people do mind), so like NeoCracker said, people play online to avoid a dissapointingly boring / predictable / crappy AI. I think why I won't play them online is because I know I'd get utterly torn apart because there are people who are way better than me at the games I play that are online multiplayer...

[Slothy]

There are a few things which I hate about it though, people online are all jackasses, you get a few exceptions but most will just throw abuse at you for no reason.

The mute button is your friend.

Anyway, AI is a poor substitute for even a decent human opponent. And when I say a poor substitute, I mean AI is usually dumb as a brick and couldn't out think somone who's reasonably skilled on a bad day. The only way AI typically gets harder is by making them harder to kill/up accuracy until every shot is a headshot/you get the picture. Honestly, I've had a lot of great experiences online. Over the years I've played a lot of great online games with both close friends and people I've never met and will never meet again. The fun isn't in simply playing the game, it's in realising just how good I'm not and being challenged by skilled opponents. It's also a more convenient way to play against other people. Let's face it, for some of us, it's not realistic to be able to get together with friends whenever we want so we can have fun playing against real people.

If you don't like online then that's fine, but it's a major market amongst the general consumer, and overall is a very good thing. It's too big a market with too much untapped potential for companies to ignore.

The PS3 had faults with backwards compatability, it was fixed through firmware updates online. I feel sorry for the people who cant do this and have to deal with their PS2 games looking crappy on their PS3.

As for this comment, updating online through the console itself is the most convenient way to do it for those who have it connected to the net. For those who don't, as long as you can access a computer you can download the updates and transfer them using one of several storage media. I doubt that many people who don't have a computer at this point, or an internet connection have much interest in any console. For those few who would, as long as they have a friend with a PC connected to the net and a memory stick they're covered.

[Dreddz]

Anyway, AI is a poor substitute for even a decent human opponent. And when I say a poor substitute, I mean AI is usually dumb as a brick and couldn't out think somone who's reasonably skilled on a bad day. The only way AI typically gets harder is by making them harder to kill/up accuracy until every shot is a headshot/you get the picture.

Thats just not true, nowadays we've got some pretty technical stuff going on in our AI's mind. The AI in todays games may not be ultra realistic, but only because it doesnt make dumb mistakes that we humans do. Thats what makes it so great.

[Markus. D]

I like it :3

I actually met 2 of the most awesome people ever too live on Maple Global

... but yes. offline would be alot better.

maybe all games just need a gambit system ?

[Madame Adequate]

If I want to play online, I'll use my PC. When I'm playing console stuff, I want to play either alone, or with people in the same room. Online console gaming doesn't interest me much; the only reason I'm wanting XBL is to get updates and suchlike.

Then again, I solo in WoW, CoH, and I cancelled my FFXI account because you can't solo there. I like being part of a living world; I do not like having to team up with or talk to the other inhabitants of it. Just seeing them going about their business is fine for me.

[Slothy]

Anyway, AI is a poor substitute for even a decent human opponent. And when I say a poor substitute, I mean AI is usually dumb as a brick and couldn't out think somone who's reasonably skilled on a bad day. The only way AI typically gets harder is by making them harder to kill/up accuracy until every shot is a headshot/you get the picture.

Thats just not true, nowadays we've got some pretty technical stuff going on in our AI's mind. The AI in todays games may not be ultra realistic, but only because it doesnt make dumb mistakes that we humans do. Thats what makes it so great.

I'd like to know what games you're playing, and where I can get the time machine required to go buy them. AI certainly is a lot better than it used to be, but like I said, it doesn't compare to a skilled human opponent. AI doesn't think or adapt beyond it's scripted routines. It can't examine your playing style and adapt on the fly the way a human can. It will be a long time before computer AI is even close to being able to compare to a human. Take it from someone who has played a lot of games in a lot of genres online. Humans beat AI everytime.

And for the record, I've seen AI in a lot of games (even the ones with great AI) make mistakes so stupid that only the greenest of newbs would make such a mistake. I'm talking the sorts of things that make you laugh hysterically at just how stupid the computer can be. Give me real people please.

[XxSephirothxX]

It's simple. Playing with friends in multiplayer games is far more fun than playing alone. Playing with your own TV screen, instead of an annoying fraction of one, is far more fun than playing alone. Combine the two and you have online gaming.

Obviously, there are plenty of douchebags online, but playing with a group of friends online is way, way more fun than playing against bots or something lame like that. And if you want to play alone, you don't have to listen to what other people say. I don't really think I'd want to play online without a headset, so it's a good thing it comes standard with the Xbox/Xbox Live; it's really a must-have part of the experience. So is having friends, I guess.

[Sephex]

I have never seen the big deal about gaming online. I admit that it's cool to do once in awhile. I also recognized that some games are better played online. However, enjoy the single player experience (or multi with friends in the same room) much more. The thing that mainly turns me off from online gaming is I don't want to hear how gay I am for winning/losing a match or whatever. Plus, hearing "nigger" 1,000 times a day on X-Box live is tiring.

[Odaisé Gaelach]

I think that, if you want a multiplayer game, it's much better to have a few mates over, hook up their computers, and play over a LAN.

[escobert]

I like being able to trade items and if you find some good people to play with, makes friends with them then play together then on.

[Zante]

I love online games, I enjoy the completion of real people. I wouldn't play a RTS or FPS game without online play. Playing against the AI is boring, and the victories seem meaningless. Also, getting that rare uber sword of doom in an MMORPG is much more satisfying if you can show it off to others.

[Roto13]

Victories in video games are always meaningless. :P