EA: Single-player experiences no longer the future

NewsPosted 06/11/2009 - 9:44am GMT

EA UK boss reckons online is where it's at.

Co-operative and competitive multiplayer features are considered so important these days that some believe games can't survive without them. FIFA and Left 4 Dead publisher EA, however, reckons gaming is now beyond even that.

"Single-player experiences are no longer the future," said UK boss Keith Ramsdale at EA's Winter Showcase event in London this week.

"We have some really exciting plans for how we're working with online."

We've already seen EA go big on online gaming in recent years, with the likes of 10 versus 10 online matches in FIFA and the online focused Left 4 Dead proving hugely popular with fans.

But Ramsdale's words suggest online extras, like FIFA 10 Live Seasons and day one Dragon Age: Origins DLC, will be an area of focus for EA.

"Even today, where the journey starts with the disc and the consumer goes home and extends their play through online mechanics, that is becoming a very interesting model. Clearly single-player experiences are no longer the future. That's changing very, very quickly. Not least to say what's happening with mobile phone and social network play and everything else that's coming. So very, very interesting times ahead for the industry.

"I'm delighted EA are back where we feel we should be. We're in such a good place to take the next two, three years on.

"What's important to note is the additional content in FIFA - Live Season, FIFA Ultimate Team. FIFA Ultimate team delivered double digit millions of dollars last year to us. Our next one is coming in February and we expect big things. The consumer appetite for downloading content is huge, even in FIFA."

What do you think? Are single-player experiences no longer the future? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Highest Rated Comment

Wido

You take out the singleplayer, you kill the gaming industry imo. Singleplayer is the reason why I play games. Multiplayer is an add-on to keep playing the game I enjoy.

Posted 11:40 on 06 November 2009

User Comments

guyderman

I'm pretty much just a Single player player these days - Too many prats online for my liking. Co-op is great but when myself and most of my friends have other priorities in life, such as kids, trying to actually make sure you are able to play at the same time can be difficult at times. I really hope that developers don't start trying to phase out the SP games.

Posted 15:30 on 06 November 2009

dudester

Theres nothing wrong with developers and publishers encouraging more co-operative play but no at the risk of completely alienating a single player experience.

Gears you can play with a friend but you can also play on your own theres a choice yes it may be slightly more fun to play it with a friend but as a game you can still get a worthwhile experience playing it by yourself if you choose.

Posted 13:59 on 06 November 2009

Endless

I think EA is missing the point: They don't get to choose. Sure if all anyone releases is FPS and Football games then Multiplayer will be more prolific.

I play games for both and it really does depend on the game as to whether i want to play competetively or not.

Posted 13:02 on 06 November 2009

asapco

If EA gives up on single player, it would create a huge void in the market. I hope the other publishers will fill the demand.

Posted 12:56 on 06 November 2009

Schiff

I still play exclusively single player games....

Posted 12:48 on 06 November 2009

Wido @ Karlius

I agree but playing a game like Resident Evil 5 with a friend, working out what to do is better no? I do like working things out by myself which makes the SP experience a lot better and it does feel awarding to say the least. Something like RE5 which is built around co-operative play. The fun will be a lot better with a friend than using the AI.

Posted 11:46 on 06 November 2009

pblive

Who needs a Pantomime this Christmas when you have Karlius and rbevanx! :D

Single Player is still just as important. Saying you don't need it is just an excuse for Developers to slack off.

It's like saying you can have eggs, but only boiled not fried because more people like them boiled....

Posted 11:46 on 06 November 2009

Karlius @ Wido

Ah but Wido it's not just the Multiplayer part it's for example Resident Evil 5 Together to work things out truely enrichs the experience for me. If you ain't got a friend the AI will do!

Posted 11:42 on 06 November 2009

Wido

You take out the singleplayer, you kill the gaming industry imo. Singleplayer is the reason why I play games. Multiplayer is an add-on to keep playing the game I enjoy.

Posted 11:40 on 06 November 2009

Karlius@ rbevanx

No Probs mate I do wish you'd buy more games the same time as us! Saying that I won't be playing much over the next 6 months doing my final project for degree! Yer can understand that about the assult. My short term memory has gone quite bad since that night. Lou keeps telling me to go doctors but you know me I'm stubborn!

Also try and convince Elliot to buy a PS3 I play most games with him so unless he has one it's pointless for me! Waiting to see how cross game chat works out too as if it doesn't come soon I don't want one either!

Posted 11:36 on 06 November 2009

El-Dev @ Karlius

Well although most games promote some sort of co-op play it's not as if it's the only way to play them. Most games are usually single player campaign based.

Posted 11:31 on 06 November 2009

rbevanx

Well I have a clear memory of playing against you on Halo but to be fair since my assualt I have lost a lot of memory and it's no longer reliable like it use to be.

(Also my mum made a comment once (a couple I think now) that she had no memory of a situation that involved me and her as if I was making it all up. But it was as if it really happend, smell, taste everything. So maybe my memory really is messed up now)

Any psychologist's out there, I could use a bit of help thinking about it

So clealy my word is not reliable anymore which really does wind me up when I'm in situations like this.

I'm sorry Karl.

P.S
But I sooooooo wanna beat the crap out of you on Halo in my new flat now lol.

Posted 11:30 on 06 November 2009

Karlius @ El-Dev

Thats actually a really good point El Dev! Not the Civil Partnerships lol. But I guess if you are into Solo play these new games that are coming out that are targeted to colaboritive play really must alienate you. I do think theres a need for a balance like Uncharted 2 & Gears of War 2 that sort of game!

Lol who thumbed up my post?

Posted 11:25 on 06 November 2009

El-Dev

"why are you always really aggressive with me on things that don't matter."

It's a shame more civil partnerships don't last.

Back on topic, I generally prefer the single player modes of games. Probably why I'm not in love with MW in comparison to the majority of the internet.

Posted 11:19 on 06 November 2009

Karlius

Cause you are wrong! You are truely full of sh!t you may well of beaten Elliot and Mitch and Jimbo but never me as I had never played the game!

I was messing about with the carrying thing but Halo you're 100% wrong like the Sony HDMI thing! Go To HaloCharts.Com write in my gamer tag. You'll see I never played until 22/9/2009 and my stats shocking! Infact Screen Dump!

Click for Image

Now Appologise for Being Wrong!

Posted 11:10 on 06 November 2009

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