Teamwork: The Multiplayer Jewel

There is a clear trend right now in developing multiplayer games that are based on teamwork, rather than individual merit. The idea is not a new one and teamwork-based games have been around for a while but a new breed of these fantastically frantic titles is taking it so much further.

Games like Warhawk, Gears of War 2, Killzone 2, Halo 3 and soon to arrive (in the EU) Socom are titles that benefit from working together as a team as opposed to going gun ho like Rambo in the forests of Hope city. Warhawk, which made it’s PlayStation 3 debut in late 2007 has had many updates since, each one polishing the point benefits of playing as a team. Recently launched Killzone 2 is a game who’s  multiplay objectives would be impossible to accomplish for a team of gun slinging Rambo’s who are playing against a well organized, teamwork based squad.

But what is it about teamwork that makes a game so addictive and so much better than a solo based multiplay game? I think the answer is the depth that it provides. In an organized team players selectively take on roles, such as sniper, pilot, engineer… each with their own skill set and duties: give them a purpose in way of an objective and watch the magic unfold.

Players communicate and keep each other updated, they ask for help, update on the position of the enemy, tell jokes and some even sing (looking at you Station6) which can be funny depending on the range of their vocal talent and the amount of alcohol you have consumed that night! The idea of not being alone and the feeling of being relied on by your teammates makes the multiplayer experience so much better than if it were played solo.

Team-based multiplayer games are definitely setting the current online gaming trend, most of which seemed to have been designed from the bottom up with team play in mind. Warhawk gives the winning team a 50 point bonus for winning and Killzone 2 a 1.5x multiplier to the players scores providing more of an incentive to work together and win.

I for one am sold on team based multiplayer games. I love it, the camaraderie, the planning and strategising and most of all trying my best to kick ass alongside my mates.

Do you enjoy team-based games and which is your favourite?

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