Valve Talks Next Step: Expansion To "Single-Player Plus"
Portal 2A little while ago, Valve spoke about Portal 2 being their last "isolated single-player" game.
Many have thought about exactly what they meant with those words and thankfully, Valve boss Gabe Newell has helped to clarify. In an amateur interview, Newell explained the aims of his team; it's not about "no more single-player," as he says, but an attempt at "single-player plus." After citing Portal 2 as a good example of a fantastic single-player experience, Newell continued:
"It's more that we think that we have to work harder in the future. That entertainment is inherently increased in value by having it be social, by letting you play with your friends, by recognizing that you're connected with other people. Single-player is great, but we also have to recognize that you have friends and wanted to have that connected as well.
It's not about giving up on single-player at all. It's saying we actually think there are a bunch of features and capabilities that we need to add into our single-player games to recognize the socially connected gamer. Every gamer has instant messaging, every gamer has a Facebook account. If you pretend that that doesn't exist, you're ignoring the problems that you're taking on.
It's single-player plus, not ‘no more single-player.'"
While we can't deny the popularity of social networking sites, I have extreme difficulty in going with that idea that "every gamer has instant messaging, every game has a Facebook account," etc. ...I understand what you're saying, Gabe, and I understand the need to implement features that will appeal to a bigger crowd. But you know what? I don't have a Facebook account. And I only IM for work, and that's rare.
For the record, that's the same for everyone I know who also plays games. Maybe it's just because we're all over the age of 30 and we're not so fascinated with this Twitter/Facebook/YouTube stuff. But obviously, we're in the minority.
Tags: valve, gabe newell, portal, games industry
5/8/2011 8:59:46 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (33 posts)
Qubex
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 1:21:21 AM
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
3 up, 1 down
CanadianGuy420
Friday, May 13, 2011 @ 5:56:15 PM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 10:04:31 PM
Reply
Sorry to break it to you Gabe, but not everybody has facebook.....nor wants it, me being one of those.
I sure hope this social stuff isn't going to be mandatory to the game-play & trophy system.
4 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 4:27:03 AM
0 up, 0 down
Drake_RB3
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 10:28:12 PM
Reply
Last edited by Drake_RB3 on 5/8/2011 10:28:24 PM
8 up, 0 down
mike rlz
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 11:14:10 PM
2 up, 2 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 10:56:58 PM
Reply
5 up, 2 down
Dancemachine55
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 11:16:56 PM
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Think about it, the single player is still there when your internet or online service is down, but if you have friends online, they can join in on your adventure or you can join theirs, eg. Fable 2 style.
It's not doing away with single player, but adding to it. When it comes to adding stuff instead of taking it away, I'm all for it!!
But I think he's being a bit sterotypical of all gamers being connected. Not everyone has a Facebook account, and even if they do, not all use it on a consistant basis. I certainly don't have Twitter, and only use Facebook for creating events or inviting people to parties.
However, I might be just out of touch and everyone younger than me could be Facebook and Twitter whores who spend everyday on those services.
I've also noticed a distinct drop in Gabe and valve hatred around here recently, there's an alarming low rate of fat jokes. Has everyone forgiven Valve now that they're supporting Sony?
Next stop, Half Life Episode 3 for PS3!!!
2 up, 0 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 11:30:19 PM
5 up, 0 down
Fane1024
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 2:05:22 AM
A willingness to eat crow is rare in today's world; most people persist in wrong opinions even after being proved wrong.
4 up, 0 down
THEVERDIN
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 12:16:23 AM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Shiva369
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 12:27:43 AM
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5 up, 0 down
Jed
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 1:28:45 AM
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I don't see anything wrong with single player minus, mmkayy? If I want multiplayer I'll do that, if not, LEAVE ME THE FOCK ALONE!!
1 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 3:08:48 AM
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Games like Mindjack and Brink have a better idea in this, through implementing the multiplayer into the single player experience, but still keeping the core of the game itself. Sorry Gabe, next time, eat a few donuts to clear your mind before saying something as silly, stereotypical and superfluous as this.
Peace.
0 up, 1 down
kraygen
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 3:14:21 AM
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Any game that requires social interaction is a game I want nothing to do with, because most of the time if you're not my wife, don't bother me.
1 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 4:37:38 AM
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I'm 42 and live in northern europe, and *every* friend except *two* guys are on Facebook. And those two are good friends but to be frank they are not generally social at all, one being slightly paranoid about the entire internet thing.
My parents at 60+ are on Facebook. My kid at 12 is. My girlfriends family are there.
Being on Facebook really is comparable with being listed in the "white pages" back when phone numbers were published in big fat books.
Regarding msn, well, again, *everyone* has a msn account except the said guy with the paranoia (he insist on Skype). Of all conversations I do during a day I'd say 9 out of 10 are via text (msn, facebook, sms), vocal communication via the phone is only used by unknowns, like sales people or job related.
To sit here and read about a ton of guys who all seems to call them selves "loners" is just totally weird, like some twilight episode where everyone turned like the complete opposite of who they are in the real world.
But then again, the times I've been in the states I've always wondered why they almost only play very old music in the shops, even clothing stores.
Maybe this explains all the articles about the long gone games too. All of a sudden it all makes sense! You really *are* living in the past, aren't you? :D
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/9/2011 4:48:09 AM
0 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 6:10:00 AM
My point is, that when Valve talk about integrating the internet into their games they relate to the entire world, not just USA. And there are other parts of the world, like most of europe, where the internet already *is* integrated in their lives. And for those, this only is a natural direction for games to evolve, and much welcomed too.
0 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:00:22 AM
But to make fun of people for not constantly, blindly, stupidly adopting every new entertainment trend seems a little silly.
Teenagers can lose sleep over who might or might not "friend" them on Facebook. They can concern themselves with such trivialities in life. In all honesty, most adults who have lives have better things to do, regardless of where they live.
Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 5/9/2011 10:01:17 AM
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:38:22 AM
Like I say, in my surroundings being on Facebook is just as natural as being listed in the white pages. It's no "teenager fab", no "entertainment trend". It's a tool, like a mobile phone.
My mother is on Facebook, for crying out loud :D
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/9/2011 11:40:50 AM
0 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 12:20:41 PM
You seem to think that if someone doesn't have a Facebook page, they're "living in the past."
...maybe we just find it idiotic. That's okay, isn't it? ;)
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 12:42:08 PM
And that every game would support it I see no problem with at all. PSN supports facebook now, posting a message on your wall when you get new trophies or download something from the store. Is that a problem to those not using facebook? I would think not.
The "living in the past" bit was a joke though, and I realized how that could be taken. So I retract that part.
... although, you guys *do* play a lot of old music in your stores. :)
Last edited by Beamboom on 5/9/2011 12:44:16 PM
0 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 3:15:34 PM
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 @ 4:26:35 AM
Oh well I don't have time for this. I am too worried about why this guy has not added me as a friend on Facebook! Does he not like me anymore? Is he flirting with my girlfriend? Omgz the pressure the pressure!!!
0 up, 0 down
___________
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 4:43:05 AM
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what about us who just want to play our games without constantly being interrupted?
im so happy PSN is down, because for the first time in years i can actually play my games without having to pause them every 2 minutes to answer a message!
1 up, 1 down
___________
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 10:17:17 AM
0 up, 1 down
Beamboom
Monday, May 09, 2011 @ 11:42:02 AM
1 up, 0 down
Kiryu
Reply
Sunday, May 08, 2011 @ 9:54:38 PM