No Multiplayer For New Star Wars, Big Focus On Narrative

These days, developers usually won't release a game without multiplayer. But we at PSXE have a theory that such a "requirement" means resources must be split during development, thereby having a negative effect on creation of the single-player mode.

And you know, at least one designer agrees with us. In speaking with GamerZines, LucasArts assistant producer Cameron Suey has explained why Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 doesn't include a multiplayer option; first and foremost, he mentions the team's "focus on the narrative driven-based gameplay." Thing is, certain games can benefit from multiplayer but contrary to popular belief, not every game needs it, and in fact, working on multiplayer can indeed hurt the single-player. Why? That division of effort, as we noted earlier. Said Suey:

"I certainly think there are a lot of games that shocked me with how good their multiplayer is when I've scoffed at them before. But there are just as many games that have multiplayer that doesn't stand up to the single player and you can't help wondering how much better the campaign would have been if they didn't split their effort."

Bingo. Finally, someone said it. At the same time, Suey doesn't rule out the possibility of adding a multiplayer component in the future (say, if they do The Force Unleashed 3, which seems like a distinct possibility). But you can bet that if they do decide to add it, they will do everything in their power to keep the single-player campaign as robust and fulfilling as ever. In short, we're not the biggest fans of multiplayer and what it's doing to the industry, although we freely admit the pluses. We just hope more developers take Suey and Co.'s viewpoint.

Related Game(s): Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2

Tags: star wars, force unleashed ii, lucasarts

8/13/2010 10:19:34 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (30 posts)

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RobiinzZ
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 10:41:35 AM
Reply

Awsome, i generally prefer a good single player compaign over multiplayer anyday, injoyed the first one. This second looks even better.

7 up, 0 down

Ultimate_Balla
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 10:45:29 AM
Reply

Too nice! I'll probably get it based on the reviews. . .

0 up, 0 down

Ultimadream
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 10:50:13 AM
Reply

I just hataie the protagonist, stale.

0 up, 1 down

B-RadGfromOV
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:11:47 AM
Reply

Just look how deep an experience you can get with Fallout 3, with no multiplayer whatsoever, as opposed to something like Call of Duty, where the rather shallow multiplayer aspect dwarfs the single player campaign. Devs, you don't have to leave multiplayer out, just make sure you have the resources for it and do it right! Don't sacrifice the single player EVER.

Last edited by B-RadGfromOV on 8/13/2010 11:13:03 AM

10 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:28:03 PM

RPGs and FPS are two different experiences. It's rare that an rpg has multiplayer and the focus is always on extended campaigns. FPS all have pretty much the same length of gameplay as any other. It's the multiplayer that makes or breaks them. Comparing F3 campaign to MW campaign makes absolutely no sense.

3 up, 2 down

maxpontiac
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:21:20 AM
Reply

I have no problem with that. The game just better be longer then 10 hours, or it'll be nothing but a rent.

3 up, 1 down

Underdog15
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:26:09 AM
Reply

I agree with B-RadGfromOV. I prefer single player to multiplayer, but I still enjoy multiplayer. Devs really should be focusing on the Single Player aspect first then move onto multiplayer or at least ensure they have the resources.

2 up, 0 down

GuernicaReborn
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:27:17 AM
Reply

I don't think I buy this anymore. Maybe inexperienced dev's need to focus all their efforts to create a really good single player campaign, but Uncharted 2 had multiplayer and thats the best this generation has to offer.

0 up, 3 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:28:21 PM

Naughty Dog clearly put the single-player first. That was obviously their prime focus.

Not all developers do that.

4 up, 0 down

Kowhoho
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:05:44 PM

I think it's also worth saying that not every dev can exactly be a Naughty Dog.

3 up, 0 down

gangan19
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 3:23:01 PM

The Multiplayer isn't that bad now, I'v had lots of fun playing uncharted 2 online, if it was more than 5 vs. 5, it would be even more crazy...for a grand single player experience to a decent multiplayer its well worth the time and effort to give NG an amazing amount of credit. I wish they had more developers like them...outstanding crew, they are.

1 up, 1 down

ABUrabad
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:30:48 AM
Reply

I really liked the first one but the graphics weren't that good beside the very short game-play
,I hope they will focus on these two points on the next installment
i cant see a multiplayer for this game but a co-op campagin would be nice

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 11:44:15 AM

I liked the way it looked. But I have to agree it was way too short. But it's one of the best games i've played this year (I just got it a few months ago). I'm not a big star wars fan and i've never seen any of the movies but the game was intriguing enough.

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:01:40 PM
Reply

Sounds great to me, since the only multiplayer I ever do is in racing games, and only until some obnoxious kid starts using the rear end of my car to slow down before a corner. The resources invested in developing the multiplayer aspect of a game must be fairly significant; I can only imagine how much it detracts from the single player campaign.

3 up, 0 down

main_event05
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:02:10 PM
Reply

how would multiplayer work with a game like this anyway

0 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, August 14, 2010 @ 5:07:07 PM

You get to be the stormtroopers and droids that get cut in half without putting up much of a fight.

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Sunday, August 15, 2010 @ 5:40:18 PM

That would be one hell of a game. You neither the hero nor the villain, just a random series of bystanders watching the action and sometimes becoming a casualty. D1P for me.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:18:39 PM
Reply

I like devs that think this way. Make the game how you want it, and if that doesn't include MP, then for the love, don't throw it in there just to appease the masses.

Now all they have to do is make the game longer, fix the terrible glitches, and give better camera control. Then they'll have a winner.

3 up, 1 down

LegendaryWolfeh
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:20:11 PM
Reply

Eh LucasArts need to understand that all they need to do is make a Star Wars Battlefront 3 and it'll be the top selling star wars game ever. simple as that.

3 up, 0 down

TheHighlander
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:21:36 PM

A remake of X-wing and Tie Fighter on modern consoles would do it by a country mile.

2 up, 2 down

TheHighlander
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 12:21:05 PM
Reply

Excellent.

Hmm... could this be the beginning of a revitalization of games with deep and strong narratives? It is possible that the pendulum is beginning to swing back towards less trigger happy games?

Perhaps if we do see some swing back, even turn based RPGs might see some mild recovery of fortunes?

Either way, I am delighted that someone finally get's it. Perhaps I will have to look at this game afterall.

7 up, 2 down

shadowscorpio
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:06:52 PM

I sure hope so. Single player games with strong narrative are the king of the crop for me. I'm not saying the all multiplayer games are a bad thing i.e. Demon's Souls but I certainly do not believe games should ultimately move towards having multiplayer be a requirement.

Lol! Just give me trophies and a solid single player experience.

3 up, 0 down

main_event05
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 5:38:58 PM

You haven't played the 1st one Highlander? I highly recommend it. I found it at Big K for $20, that Fallout 3 and Mirrors Edge (all great games IMHO)

1 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:08:20 PM
Reply

Yes, yes, YES! This is definately one of the things that I want to see happen in the gen.

A turn for the better if I do say so myself. :)

1 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:27:17 PM
Reply

Force Unleashed for the PSP was a blast to play with friends. If they can bring that enjoyment to the PS3 then I say they should try bringing MP. But then again, the gameplay was real fun :)

*off-topic (sorta), I'm constantly reminded of starkiller (did i get the name right) as I'm right now playing Infamous. Lightning power=awesome. Lighting (FF13)=not so much (sorry, had to put that in :)

0 up, 1 down

Mavfan321
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:29:23 PM
Reply

Agreed on multiplayer being too much of a focus thus taking away from single player experiences in some cases. I still miss when multiplayer meant you and some friends sitting in the living room having a good time. Online play is good but it's far from perfect at the moment (I use wireless) so until it's an experience that recreates local play, and arcade experiences I will always opt for online I'm not 100% in love with.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 1:33:16 PM
Reply

It looks to me like he's been pleasantly surprised by the multiplayer aspect of games that also have great singleplayer campaigns.

What he seems to be bringing out is that some devs have sacrificed their campaigns to shoehorn in a mp aspect. It's pretty clear that it's not the fault of multiplayer that the campaign suffers, but that many devs are just not good at making a proper next gen game.

1 up, 0 down

Mr_Nice_Guy
Friday, August 13, 2010 @ 4:46:04 PM
Reply

Well, if they could do multiplayer the same way it's done in Jedi Outcast, I wouldn't mind seeing multiplayer in The Force Unleashed series. Jedi Outcast was and still is awesome.

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, August 14, 2010 @ 2:44:56 AM
Reply

good!
they really need to focous on the story, link the last game to this and tie the movie series up!
im really concerned about this, we have almost heard nothing on it!
we know more about infamous 2 a game releasing in 12+ months than a game releasing in 2+ months.
if thats not a sign it sucks than i dont know what is!

0 up, 0 down

Godslim
Saturday, August 14, 2010 @ 1:04:47 PM
Reply

good no need for mp in this one at all

1 up, 0 down

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