We all love it when we log on to Xbox Live and experience the delight of an instant headshot by some foul-mouthed teenager. Not. Operation Flashpoint: Red River's executive producer, Adam Parsons, also doesn't feel much for that side of online interaction - and has predicted that online games will become more of a co-operative affair.
The latest in Codemasters' military shooter series aims to focus squarely on the four-player team co-op experience, with nary a competitive mode in sight. "There's a whole load of games out there where the focus is all about shooting people - there's a lot of griefing and it ruins the fun for a lot of people," Parsons said.
"When I come home from a hard day at work I don't want to go online and be insulted by a bunch of other people that I don't know, on top of being shot in the head in a nanosecond by a 14-year-old kid. I'm sorry," the developer added with a laugh. "I want to call up my mates and invite people to a session of Red River and work at the high score together.
"That's the sort of experience I want, and the experience a lot of people are going for. You only have to look at games that have become incredibly popular like Left 4 Dead to see that there's a massive market for that. I think that's where online is going - bringing more people together."
Although it sounds like a lot of negativity towards competitive play, Parsons did hint that perhaps something might be included in Red River to satiate those who really want to challenge other players. "Essentially, if we're going to to player-versus-player, it can't be a token experience. It has to be a natural progression of what we're doing at the moment (co-operative play). So... it's a case of watch this space."
Consider this space watched, Adam. And why not watch this SPOnGy space for the full interview with Adam Parsons later today.
The latest in Codemasters' military shooter series aims to focus squarely on the four-player team co-op experience, with nary a competitive mode in sight. "There's a whole load of games out there where the focus is all about shooting people - there's a lot of griefing and it ruins the fun for a lot of people," Parsons said.
"When I come home from a hard day at work I don't want to go online and be insulted by a bunch of other people that I don't know, on top of being shot in the head in a nanosecond by a 14-year-old kid. I'm sorry," the developer added with a laugh. "I want to call up my mates and invite people to a session of Red River and work at the high score together.
"That's the sort of experience I want, and the experience a lot of people are going for. You only have to look at games that have become incredibly popular like Left 4 Dead to see that there's a massive market for that. I think that's where online is going - bringing more people together."
Although it sounds like a lot of negativity towards competitive play, Parsons did hint that perhaps something might be included in Red River to satiate those who really want to challenge other players. "Essentially, if we're going to to player-versus-player, it can't be a token experience. It has to be a natural progression of what we're doing at the moment (co-operative play). So... it's a case of watch this space."
Consider this space watched, Adam. And why not watch this SPOnGy space for the full interview with Adam Parsons later today.
Comments
Cfan 24 Feb 2011 13:50
1/1
Yeah uh, I think it kinda helped L4D (a lot) that it had local co-op and splitscreen online co-op using a guest account, unfortunately game devs forget little things like this IE EDF:insect armageddon.
besides how long has team deathmatch mode been around? isn't that co-op?
besides how long has team deathmatch mode been around? isn't that co-op?