Solo or MP?

MetalDog · October 07, 2012, 12:17:10 PM

Reading replies here in Computer Wargaming, I see a lot of you trumpeting the virtues of solo play. It's easy to get a game going (which I suspect is the reason the majority of us do this computer thing), the time and pacing of play is up to you and many other good reasons to pick solo over multiplayer.

What I don't understand is a reluctance to play mp that I have seen expressed here. Wasn't that why we got into games in the first place? To test your skill against another human being? To share your experience with someone else?

While I play solo way more often than mp, I would love nothing more than to have a dedicated day and time to play games with my friends. I know real life can intrude, but, the friendships built and the fun to be had playing against humans far outweighs any scheduling conflicts for me. So what say you guys, solo? Or MP?

Bison · October 07, 2012, 12:23:07 PM

I think for most people it's a matter of time and coordinating a game within everyones availible schedules. Also I like to game to decompress or relax and MP isn't necessarily conducive to that.

Rayfer · October 07, 2012, 12:37:49 PM

I agree with Bison's comments. I play exclusively solo...total freedom to do what I want, when I want to, and to explore different stratgies, settings, set-ups, etc. etc. and I can quit when I want, and all in a relaxed, stress-free setting.

Grim.Reaper · October 07, 2012, 12:49:39 PM

Quote from: Rayfer on October 07, 2012, 12:37:49 PM
I agree with Bison's comments. I play exclusively solo...total freedom to do what I want, when I want to, and to explore different stratgies, settings, set-ups, etc. etc. and I can quit when I want, and all in a relaxed, stress-free setting.

+1

MetalDog · October 07, 2012, 01:29:52 PM

Really? What about camaraderie? What about proving your skill against a human? I understand time constraints and relaxation, but I'm not asking for hours on end. And with the ability to voice chat while you play, it's almost as if your friend(s) are right there with you.

Huw the Poo · October 07, 2012, 01:40:31 PM

I completely agree with Bison. Having two kids and an active family life, scheduling multiplayer gaming is just too problematic for me. Playing against AI is (usually) sufficient.

Quote from: MetalDog on October 07, 2012, 01:29:52 PM
What about camaraderie?

I have a one-word answer to that: MMORPG. When I do play something multiplayer I generally prefer co-op. MMORPGs are, in general, suited to me in this respect, especially more modern ones such as Rift and Guild Wars 2. I can jump in, complete a few quests or whatever with random people or guildmates, then log off when real life beckons.

QuoteWhat about proving your skill against a human?

This doesn't apply to me at all.

Grim.Reaper · October 07, 2012, 01:42:53 PM

Quote from: MetalDog on October 07, 2012, 01:29:52 PM
Really? What about camaraderie? What about proving your skill against a human? I understand time constraints and relaxation, but I'm not asking for hours on end. And with the ability to voice chat while you play, it's almost as if your friend(s) are right there with you.

Maybe if I was single, childless, and jobless I would have a different opinion:). Just don't have that time and flexibility.

Toonces · October 07, 2012, 02:00:16 PM

I completely agree with Huw the Poo.

I used to fly Aces High 2 and I don't know if the stars just lined up that day or what, but I happened to get into a squad perfectly suited to me on my first try. That was a magical two years or so of gaming, really made some great online friends and the game was a ton of fun.

Eventually the squad broke up due to RL and every time I've gone back to AH2 I haven't been able to find that same magic as the first time.

I do play some MP, though, but it's games where I can jump on a server full of unknown people, blow things up for a while, and then log off....RO2, WotR (when I was doing beta), things like that. With time constraints, doing scheduled MP is just not really feasible, especially living in Hawaii with the time difference.

MetalDog · October 07, 2012, 02:04:25 PM

I will admit that my situation is more conducive to available time slots. But I work sixty hours a week, have a girlfriend, and a child and his family that live with me. I also understand the allure of solo play for all the reasons stated above. I guess what I don't get is, where is the itch to compete? As a whole, are wargamers immune to the call of whooping a$$? Some of the best times I have had playing are a hard fought battle that my superior tactics/production/maneuvers/luck/etc. won me over a good friend. The sense of accomplishment is satisfying far more than beating an A.I. And, you get to talk smack :-)

Kushan · October 07, 2012, 02:07:12 PM

I think we all have that itch to compete...its just easier to beat the Sh*t out of an AI then to organize an MP game.

Bison · October 07, 2012, 02:08:10 PM

Well the AI in CoH just kicked my ass...again.

undercovergeek · October 07, 2012, 02:13:38 PM

i find PBEM play a happy meeting of the two sides of the arguement

I love competing, playing against a human opponent (almost a must for me) but at my own leisure. The big problem with online play is i have to be at the PC at 20:00 or someone elses evening is going to be spoiled and sometimes that cant happen, or there is other stuff to do, whereas PBEM is - 'i can send it now, tonight, tomorrow, theres no rush, no pressure'

Oche · October 07, 2012, 02:46:05 PM

Quote from: undercovergeek on October 07, 2012, 02:13:38 PM
i find PBEM play a happy meeting of the two sides of the arguement

I love competing, playing against a human opponent (almost a must for me) but at my own leisure. The big problem with online play is i have to be at the PC at 20:00 or someone elses evening is going to be spoiled and sometimes that cant happen, or there is other stuff to do, whereas PBEM is - 'i can send it now, tonight, tomorrow, theres no rush, no pressure'

PBEM = No pressure.

JudgeDredd · October 07, 2012, 02:48:30 PM

I play solo

In all honesty - the drive to win at all costs is a behaviour all too many humans suffer from - and I don't - and whilst I don't mind losing on "equal terms" - I hate massaging cheats ego's

I don't know if you are going to read into that that I think everyone is a cheat ofr not - I guess some people will take that view. That's not my point. My point is I know people cheat out there and I have no interest in being beaten by a cheat - and since you never really can tell, he can massage his ego by using someone else...I'm not doing it.

Besides - I'm crap enough at these games to have a decent challenge from the AI more often than not. ;)

Silent Disapproval Robot · October 07, 2012, 05:10:44 PM

I'm with Dredd. Having to deal with some hyper ventilating alpha type who just has to win is tiresome. When I do play MP, (I play ArmA and Iron Front with SimHQ) I much prefer co-op mode and would rather sit out the free for all deathmatch rounds.

Even when I played IL2 online obsessively for a few years, I tended to team up with a few other guys who were focused on completing mission objectives instead of just hanging around and dogfighting.