With the recent cancellation of Visceralâs single-player Star Wars game, shifting focus of big publishers on multiplayer games and more than stellar success of cooperative multiplayer games like PlayerUnknownâs Battlegrounds, gamers are starting to ask questions. Are single-player story-driven games dead? Do players want them contrary to what some big publishers say? Do they have big commercial potential? Is multiplayer the only future of gaming?
Different strokes
Multiplayer and single-player games are two quite different things, two quite distinct experiences. For the most part, they each cater to a different target group. You go for multiplayer games when you feel like competing, to get a quick buzz of some action, or to wake up your reflexes. You reach for a single-player game when you want a more immersive experience. Exploring new worlds, getting deeply involved in the adventure story of some interesting character, solving complex tasks, and getting not just your reflexes but the rest of your senses primed and honed. Itâs arguably something like the difference between going to see the football match and going to the theater.
Which, of course, doesnât mean that you canât be a fan of both. You get to see some theatrical performances on the football pitch, or a drama on stage about football, but they remain two quite distinct worlds. They can interweave of course, and thereâs no hard and fast boundary line. Likewise, you can have a multiplayer game with some crossover (Destiny), or a single-player game with multiplayer elements (Dark Souls).
But is interest in single-player games really in decline? Do all players want fast, repetitive, action-packed experiences, and nothing else? When you look at the recent charts of the most sought-after and best-selling games, the answer is clear; no way. Uncharted 4, Dishonored 2, The Last of Us, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Persona 5, Hitman, Nier: Automata⦠Just a quick roundup of some of the most successful, most acclaimed, and most keenly awaited single player games of recent times. Their bigger open world relatives like Assassins Creed, Red Dead Redemption 2, GTAV, Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Divinity: Original Sin 2 are also doing quite fine. I donât see how something so supposedly âdeadâ could be so successful at the same time. Folks that want to play single-player havenât just vanished.
So, whereâs the problem? Why do some of us feel that single-player games are on the wane? Why do publishers argue that players are looking for other things?
Above: DOTA 2
Publishers are chasing the biggest hits
Iâve come across similar jitters several times in the past. After the massive success of the first MMORPG games, most notably World of Warcraft, it seemed for a moment that no one would be making anything except MMOs. After that, almost all the attempts to emulate WoW crashed and burned and the big publishers have come back to single-player games, while WoW is still with us to this day.
A few years later, after the success of DOTA and League of Legends, there was once again the huge boom of MOBA games. And once again, almost all of them have failed. And there sure were plenty out there.
So, when in 2009 or so I was going round looking for investors and publishers to raise money for Kingdom Come, which is a single-player story-based RPG, everyone wanted Facebook games and they were tapping their foreheads asking why on earth I wanted to do something with no future. The publishers were in panic mode, because for some unfathomable reason they were scared the new console games wouldnât sell and everyone would be playing nothing but Candy Crush Saga on smartphones. It was like they thought that all those people that flood into E3 and Gamescom every year and spend huge sums on hardware would suddenly vanish or start playing pay-to-win things on their iPhones. Which had nothing to do with reality, of course. The new consoles went on to sell better than ever before.
Why is that? What makes online playing so appealing to publishers and why do so many of them end up paying the cost of their ambitious folly? And whatâs the impact on the single-player story games? What is their main advantage over any multiplayer games? The answer is very simple. Long-term regular income and relatively low initial investment.
When that works out, your company will be in clover for a good few years. Another advantage is that you have control over the way the game develops and you can continuously improve it. Especially in the case of smartphone games you invest a smaller amount in the first version/prototype of the game, go for an open beta approach, and if it catches on, you keep funding it. You then constantly fine-tune the game based on feedback, and the built-in analytics, and when it all works out, thatâs when you pile on the money and then just reap the rewards, adding new things to keep attention. Thatâs how many of the early access games on Steam are positioned: PUBG, ARK, H1Z1, DayZ.
Compare that with the single-player game, where you take a chunk of money, wait for a few years, and then, if it doesnât sell within a month, youâre out of luck. You canât do much to update the game that people are in the middle of playing, and so, after the initial sale, apart from some DLCs, it wonât keep bringing in the money for you.
That makes it look like a clear choice in favour of MMOs. Better risk spread, long-term profitability. What more could you want?
Opportunity costs both players and publishers
But thereâs one little tiny detail. When everyone is spending hundreds of hours playing with one cash cow, and pouring money into it, they canât at the same time spend their money on other cash cows. The number of players is limited, their time and money is, too. A player with a hundred dollars and ten hours of gaming time can either spend all their time and $100 on one game or spend $30 and less time each on three. That might not be quite whatâs needed to keep the cash cow alive.
And so, every time a new trend comes along, the battle is on for pole position. Thereâs usually just one winner, and the losers go back to doing what they were doing before. And not surprisingly, itâs the big publishers that fight the big battles. Only they have the means to do something like that and it is largely they, the big corporations, who have the greatest interest in stable and lasting income. The entertainment business is fickle, success hangs on the momentary tastes of the public and it can be very tricky to predict. The one who launched a bestseller yesterday may have huge problems with the next title; thatâs where a steady income helps. But the market only has room for a limited number of turf-owners, and so when the fight is done and the players make their choice, the rest will still gladly go back to doing something that, though it doesnât earn as much, gives a much greater chance of making headway.
And thatâs where single-player games are the best bet. While the MMO player will play one game all year, a single-player gamer will buy and play five. Thereâs a much greater chance that even a less-than-wow game will at least pay for itself, if it doesnât bring in a windfall. The percentage of failed single-player games is relatively small, and if the game isnât an out-and-out technical disaster, it will generally pay for its development, at least. Whatâs more, competition is quite weak at the moment. High-quality single-player story-driven games are few and far between, and thereâs a hunger out there, which is the reason why they sell so well when something new does come out.
My own experience is just that. Iâm a developer, and, of course, a gamer too. I like RPGs like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, or Witcher. And these games sell in their tens of millions. But a similar (good) game only comes out once every two years. And so I said to myself, thereâs definitely room on the market for another equally good title, and letâs do it. But when I went round the publishers, absolutely no one wanted to hear about any such game. Too risky, too niche, something that only company XY can make, we donât deal in those kind of games. Finally, we went out on Kickstarter, as a way to get the game done. And as soon as we declassified and announced our venture, it turned out the number of gamers out there keen on something like this was quite huge. Almost instantly, we collected 1.8 million dollars, the game piqued media interest, and took its place among the most highly anticipated titles. Much the same happened with the new generation of consoles, which some people had almost written off.
Above: Kingdom Come: Deliverance by Warhorse Studios
Players still want single-player
Of course, none of this means our battle has been won yet. The game must be especially good to be successful. But now itâs all up to us, whether we can convert the interest weâve gained; but in any case, I find it clear proof that single-player game fans have not disappeared anywhere and that they are eager to buy the next great thing after Uncharted, Assassins Creed, Witcher, or Red Dead Redemption. The gaming industry is a bit cagey to let them have such an experience though, because the people who control the money are too busy right now worrying which of them will win the war for the best cash cow for the next few years.
But the situation is far from tragic. We canât quite see it yet, because game development is a long process and it takes a while to respond to new trends, but there are a few smaller publishers queuing up, whoâve made quite a bit of money in recent years and are focusing on niche genres, itching to fill the spaces left vacant by the megasaurs. And trust me, they have some games in development, you just donât know it yet.
And so, as with the adventure games genre, whose demise was preannounced many times, and which has indeed has been producing some very high-quality titles recently, e.g. Telltale Games make a good living out of adventure games; single-player is not about to retire any time soon, either. Itâs just that not every new game will necessarily be produced by multinational corporation like before, but by smaller indie teams, too. And when the mega-publishers find, as in the case of MMO, MOBA games and Facebook that the market is not infinitely inflatable, they will be only too glad to come back again, to produce a good old single-player hit. Capitalism tends to meet demand with supply.
Daniel Vávra is creative director and cofounder of Warhorse Studios, developers of the upcoming Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
HomeGaming12 Best Games Like World of Warcraft You Can Play in 2019
World of Warcraft is one of the best MMORPG games out there. In fact, World of Warcraft played a crucial role in shaping the MMORPG genre. The game is more than a decade old now and a lot of imitators have come and gone in the meantime, but World of Warcraft hasnât lost its charm. Millions of passionate fans still log in on a daily basis to access the gargantuan open worlds. Itâs a testament to Blizzardâs execution, which not many developers have managed to achieve. While itâs is tough to replace WoW, there are several other games which offer almost the same concept. So if you are on the lookout for some alternatives, then weâve curated a great list of games which you can play instead â
Best Games Like World of Warcraft You Can Play in 20191. Blade And Soul
Blade and Soul is a free-to-play MMORPG title which looks and feels exactly like the World of Warcraft, if not better. In fact, the visuals and gameplay style is so similar to World of Warcraft, that itâs popularly known as the Korean version of WoW. The game has two playable factions called Cerulean Order and Crimson Legion, who fight against each other.
From a number of different quests to a massive open-world thatâs waiting to be explored, Blade and Soul has it all. If thereâs one thing that sets Blade & Soul apart, then itâs got to be the fact that itâs free-to-play as I mentioned earlier. Yes, there are some paid elements in the game, but they wonât affect the overall gameplay. You can tap the link down below to learn more about the game.
Download Blade and Soul (Free)
2. TERA
TERA is yet another free-to-play MMORPG title from Bluehole Studio Inc. Yes, Bluehole is the same studio thatâs responsible for making the wildly popular Battle Royale game called PlayerUnknownâs Battlegrounds. I am sure you must have heard of it. Well, TERA is a beautiful game thatâs highly inspired by WoW. But I canât really call it a complete copy because TERA has its own spin on the genre.
TERA has over 80 zones that are meticulously designed with gorgeous visuals. Itâs one of those games thatâll truly make you feel like you are in a virtual world. You get to choose between 12 playable classes and 7 races to explore the open world and its dungeons. It also has a PvP mode, which is among the best in the MMO world.
Download TERA (Free)
3. Warframe
Warframe is a third-person shooter thatâs unique and special in its own way. While staying true to its genre of MMO, Warframe manages to offer an MMO experience like never-seen-before.
Warframe lets you control warriors of an ancient race who are at war with other factions. Itâs co-op focused action gameplay makes it a one of a kind action title in this list. There are a ton of different characters to choose from and each of them has their unique abilities. Yes, Warframe may not sound like a perfect WoW alternative, but itâs a great game to play if youâre willing to take some time off WoW.
Download Warframe (Free)
4. Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls franchise needs no introduction, does it? I mean, itâs a franchise thatâs been dominating the RPG genre for years now. Well, the Elder Scrolls Online is no different. Itâs a fantasy game that draws inspiration from various different worlds. Elder Scrolls Online takes place on the continent of Tamriel, where you, as a player, will get to choose to be a part of one of the three factions.
You may not find Elder Scrolls Online to be a complete alternative to World of Warcraft, but thereâs a lot to be explored in the world of Elder Scrolls Online, and itâs one of the best multiplayer games to try out. The game initially received a lot mixed reviews, but the developers have been doing a great job of keeping the game updated with fresh content.
Download Elder Scrolls Online from Steam ($59.99)
5. Rift
Rift is definitely one of the most interesting MMOs out there and it offers a lot of features and tools that it could be the potential World of Warcraft killer in a couple of years. Nevertheless, itâs still one of the biggest MMOs out there because it has taken all the positive aspects of MMO games and mixed them into one exciting game that captivates anyone who tries it out. The game has two factions that are at constant war against each other and you must help your side in winning the war. Itâs similar to all other MMORPGs out here with character building and resource gathering. Apart from that, you must actively look for any Rifts in the world and close them before enemy start pouring out of them.
Download Rift (Free)
6. Path of Exile
Path of Exile exited its open beta phase back in October 2013 and quickly became a popular MMORPG title that everybody wanted to play. Itâs set in the dark fantasy world of Wraeclast, and itâs designed around a strong online item economy, a competitive PvP mode, and more.
You start your journey in Path of Exile in an unknown world and try to explore large areas which include but are not limited to dungeons and monster-infested caves. Your objective is to fight off monsters and other dark forces to collect experience points. You can choose to either team up with other players or go solo on a rogue mission. The game is entirely free to play and you donât have to use any money to gain an edge over other players.
Download Path of Exile (Free)
7. Age of Conan
If you are looking for a free MMORPG game like WoW, Age of Conan is perfect for you. This game is loosely inspired by the novels of the same name. However, Age of Conan is a direct rival to the World of Warcraft and offers similar gameplay elements. You pick your favorite class with unique traits and abilities, explore the vast world, complete quests, gather resources, and upgrade your characterâs skills and equipment. You are free to choose your own destiny in this amazing game. Lead a life of a sorcerer or a stealthy assassin, it all depends on your tastes. Explore the legend of Conan in this amazing game.
Download Age of Conan (Free)
8. Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 is not exactly the same as World of Warcraft, but itâs for those people who are looking for a new experience with some new gameplay elements and a unique storyline. It offers nine unique classes with five different races. Each class bringing its own unique abilities and traits to the table. The customization options for your character are amazing which will let you customize your character completely according to your style. The graphics are beautiful and the game looks stunning on bigger displays. If you want a completely new MMO experience then Guild Wars is definitely a game for you.
Download Guild Wars 2 (Free)
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9. Neverwinter
Dungeons & Dragons is a vast fantasy world where different creatures of magic and might live. There are dark forces and good forces clashing at every corner in this world. If you remember the old-school cartoons or the comics then you must know how amazing and immersive the world of Dungeons & Dragons can be. If youâve been playing the table-top RPG then you are going to love Neverwinter because this game will let you experience that amazing world and explore it on your console or PC. Choose one of the provided races and embark on a magical adventure in the world of Neverwinter. This is the closest to World of Warcraft you would get on a console
Download Neverwinter (Free)
10. Black Desert Online
Following a lot of fanfare after its launch in Korea, Black Desert Online made its way to the global market very soon, and managed to deliver on the hype. Itâs one of the games in the list which takes full advantage of MMO genre to offer addictive gameplay thatâs also being improved over time.
What makes Black Desert Online stand out from the other games is its snappy action combat and an intuitive property management elements in the game. From making alliances to acquiring your own buildings, Black Desert Online offers everything. Heck, you can even take control of an entire city if you are capable enough. Overall, itâs a really good game, which we think should be on your list.
Download Black Desert Online (â¬4.99)
11. Skyforge
Skyforge is an awesome game that lets you play as an immortal warrior in a technologically-advanced sci-fi setup. Sounds great, isnât it? I mean, who wouldnât want to play an MMORPG game in a sci-fi world? Unlike many other MMORPG titles in which matchmaking is a huge issue, Skyforge allows its players to change the class of their character any time. Not only does it eliminates the matchmaking hitch, but it also allows players to have a different experience each time they log in.
Skyforge also has what it calls a âPrestige systemâ which determines a playerâs power level based on in-game stats. The game has a lot to offer and you truly have to play the game to experience it all.
Download Skyforge (Free)
12. Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition is one of the best games in the series in terms of gameplay and storyline. The world is being run over by demons that are coming through multiple breaches in the universe. Your character possesses the ability to seal these breaches and help fight the demons. Your job is to recruit new friends, forge new alliances, and destroy any and all demons that come in your way. Seal off all the breaches that are causing an unrest in the worldâs population and help keep your world safe from evilâs domination. Choose a unique race for your hero with each race sporting unique sets of abilities and characteristics. Best of all, team up with your buddies in the online co-op mode to take on the evil forces together.
Download Dragon Age: Inquisition ($13.65)
SEE ALSO: 15 Best Games like Overwatch You Should Play
Best Games Like World of Warcraft You Can Play
If you are already tired of World of Warcraft, then you should know that there are countless other games out there that will fill the void left by WoW. The above-mentioned games are definitely worth a try if you are looking for a similar playstyle or gameplay elements. There are more MMOs out there that might have gone unnoticed, so feel free to mention your favorite games like World of Warcraft in the comments below.
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