MTV Intern Sam Cadet filed this report about how co-op gaming is winning the hearts and minds of reluctant gamers one by one…
Do you have a genre that you can’t stand? Even the hardest of the hardcore gamers can be quite selective in what they play. Despite one’s feelings about a game or a whole genre in particular, there is a way to get gamers interested in genres they’re unfamiliar with.
Gaming is one of those things that can be even better with a friend. Cooperative play can be that feature that sells neophytes to a whole genre. It’s especially effective when the novice gamer enjoys co-op play with a friend who’s experienced in the genre. Both gamers can have a great time while the new player can learn the game’s mechanics at his or her own pace.
It’s also worth noting that more upcoming games are implementing cooperative play. Developers are taking notice that co-op modes increase a game’s replay value and let more people in on the fun. For example, "Resistance 2" for the PS3 will have its own online cooperative campaign for up to eight players. This will let FPS vets and beginners alike to be able to complete objectives together.
This is also important because first-person shooters can be difficult to break into. They tend to have steep learning curves that can get exacerbated in adversarial multiplayer. New players can enjoy co-op modes like the one included in "Resistance" without being preyed on by experienced gamers.
I have anecdotal evidence that cooperative play can put longtime gamers on to new genres. I asked my roommate to play a co-op game of "Gears of War" the other day. He seemed apprehensive at first because he wasn’t a fan of first- or third-person shooters. But he loved playing the cooperative campaign. The game has plenty of moments that encourage teamwork. Instances such as leading your teammate down a Kryll-infested alleyway with a beacon or splitting up in the underground mine kept him at the edge of his seat.
Additionally, we both got "Grand Theft Auto IV" not too long after it was released. While "GTA" isn’t a straight-up shooter, it does involve elements of a third-person shooter, such as the over-the-shoulder view while firing. We thoroughly enjoyed playing Hangman’s NOOSE on Xbox Live. This mode calls for teammates to fulfill objectives together against the game’s A.I. He enjoyed a particular escort mission because everyone played a role in getting the mob boss to the safe point. One team member drove while the others picked off the police in hot pursuit. The chase was heated, but we managed to win the mission.
Basically, my friend went from steering clear of shooters to patiently anticipating marquee titles like "Gears of War 2." His interest in shooters that utilize cooperative play has risen, as well.
We’ve all had moments where we’ve struggled with choke points in single-player games. The beauty of cooperative play is that a player can hop in and help someone get past those difficult parts of a game. For instance, "Haze" for the PS3 features drop-in co-op, meaning a player can join in any time during the single-player campaign. Gamers can even join in online at any time to complete a mission.
Drop-in co-op is vital getting new players into certain genres. It never hurts to have that immediate helping hand in a game that you’re struggling with. It’s been a stalwart in arcade classics like "NBA Jam," "Virtua Cop" and "Final Fight." And it’s great to see it come up in console games like the "LEGO Star Wars" "LEGO Batman" and "LEGO Indiana Jones" as well as "The Warriors."
Cooperative play is more than just two or more people playing a game together at the same time. When implemented well, it’s an experience that adds to the overall value of a game. It also encourages developers to create new gameplay experiences designed for more than one person, as seen in "Resistance 2." The key is to implement it where it fits; not every game needs it.
When it works well, though, it serves as an icebreaker to new genres as well as a vehicle to entertain gamers without them having to play against one another.