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Brink devs still up in the air about split-screen play photo

Online multiplayer has pretty much made split-screen gameplay its bitch. The function has been abandoned in half the games out there, and in the ones that it is in it makes one wonder how often it is used. I for one love me some split-screen as I don't think the experience of playing a game physically next to someone can be replicated by online play, but maybe I'm in the minority. It's also true that adding split-screen into a game can create added challenges for developers (especially when the game is being played online), which is why Brink's Paul Wedgwood says the game's inclusion of the feature is still undecided.

At the Eurogamer Expo yesterday the Splash Damage dev said, "We’re undecided on split-screen for Brink,” after being asked about the game supporting it. He then went on to explain about the challenges putting it into the game created and whether or not the feature was even necessary at all. Considering Brink is all about online co-op and an ever changing online battle I can see where they're coming from with the idea that it just wouldn't be needed, but the old school gamer in me dies a bit more admitting it.


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24 comments | showing # 1 to 24

Trebz's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:14
Trebz
Maybe Brink is a game that doesn't really need splitscreen because of it's concept. But other games like Wipeout HD and Uncharted 2--games that could easily use splitscreen for multiplayer but don't--somewhat lose their worth to me when I realize that I can't play them with any of my friends who don't own PS3s. I don't see why it should become obselete just because we found another way to do things.
Henry Armstrong's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:15
Henry Armstrong
Title oopsie.

Header image made me chuckle.
Jawmuncher's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:32
Jawmuncher
If it had splitscreen it would be a buy for me.
Esepcially if it had splitscreen that you can still system link with, loved that about Halo and Gears
Nitex's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:32
Nitex
I for one am pissed off that devs leave out split screen now. I hardly ever play a console online.
Sean Ceci's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:39
Sean Ceci
Split screen was one of the reasons why I loved the Gears of War games so much. My buddy came over and we sat next to each other and played them through until we beat it. Sure, we could have played together over the internet, but having him right next to me made it all the more exciting. I also loved home in some points of the game you had to separate and take two different paths. More developers need to do things like this.
DinnertimeNinja's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:44
DinnertimeNinja
There have been so many times that I've played games with friends and family where otherwise I wouldn't have gotten to play them thanks to split-screen play.

My dad and brother loved split-screenin' it up in Resistance 1, for example. And my friend and I have played online Halo together, which we probably wouldn't have done if we weren't right next to each other and able to make fun of the hilarious 12 year olds calling each us "gay" every time we killed them.
Monodi's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:53
Monodi
Split screen is becoming more and more a lost art.
PokeyStaples's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:57
PokeyStaples
I love me some split-screen action. It is 75% of the reason I took a chance on borderlands.
Elsa's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 11:57
Elsa
We have 2 PS3's in the household and my husband and I tend to enjoy co-op or competitive games where we play in the same online game together, but are in separate rooms... but that being said, for some games it's really enjoyable to be sitting on the same couch and playing the game splitscreen. We're currently doing this with Borderlands and it's just a more intimate, fun experience. Yes, the visuals aren't as good with a much narrower viewpoint, but you get used to it and it's worth the experience of being side by side and able to talk to each other without the use of mics or yelling.

It really depends on the game, but I hope they don't do away with splitscreen altogether!! It's just a very different experience that should be part of gaming!
TripleZer0's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 13:15
TripleZer0
I'm all for split screen. When my roommate and I want to play Killzone I have to take my Ps3 into another room and we have to play online, yelling across the house at each other.

But with Borderlands, no shennanigans are required. Just sit down on the couch and play.
Mr Pibb's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 13:27
Mr Pibb
@ Trebz: Wipeout HD does have split-screen.

I don't think that some developers realize how important the option for split-screen is to a lot of us. Of course the graphics take a hit but that's to be expected and we don't mind if it gives us the oppurtunity share a couch and have some multiplayer madness with friends. Split-screen is part of the reason that I picked up Motorstorm: PR but not the first Motorstorm or other games like GriD.

Also, there are still many PS3/360 owners who haven't connected to the internet or got Live. Not including split-screen doesn't give them any option for multiplayer and often loses the game a sale.
wutang4ever's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 13:41
wutang4ever
If a game has split screen play, it becomes a game under my radar. If a game doesn't offer offline multiplayer, it will only be under my radar if the single player looks cool. Onlien play is not for me. The only game I play online these days is uncharted 2 and its mainly the co-op mode that I play.
Doos's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 14:01
Doos
I dunno about 'Brink' but the lack of splitscreen in racing games lately is fucking despicable.
zer0faults's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 14:28
zer0faults
Borderlands has split screen? Someone please confirm the game just went from maybe to hell yeah if thats true.
Onlineatron's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 15:28
Onlineatron
I think the game looks too graphically intense for split screen.

@Doos
AGREED
I remember when I bought Motorstorm (the original) for a party only to find out it was limited to 1 player!
As long as Modnation Racers has split-screen i'll be ok though.
Fugue's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 16:12
Fugue
I hope they put it in. I still do most of my shooter playing setting up a LAN with friends and having multiple people to a box. It's just more fun that way.

Has there been any video for this yet? I still haven't seen any.
AutumnWindz's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 16:16
AutumnWindz
"I dunno about 'Brink' but the lack of splitscreen in racing games lately is fucking despicable."

So fucking true. I want to know just exactly what is going on in these devs' heads when they make these idiotic decisions.
Xzyliac's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 16:50
Xzyliac
We are witnessing the death of split-screen. Once again boning us offline players.

Fuck you devs.
SidewaysMatty's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 19:00
SidewaysMatty
Not having split-screen really takes away from multiplayer being a social experience.

It doesn't matter how many features they can pack into an online multiplayer game, it will never be a better feeling than actually racing or shooting or whatever with friends who are actually in the same room as you.

Of course that's not always possible, but just because online is a big thing in gaming these days doesn't mean developers should be lazy and not include split-screen.
Deny Everything's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2009 23:15
Deny Everything
I'm surprised more companies don't go after split-screen and instead go for online. I think what they are looking at is that the top games are successful online multiplayer games.... but that is because they are the TOP games. You simply won't be able to online very effectively with an unpopular game due to popularity.

While the benchmark of multiplayer will always be online, I think a lot of games are selling themselves short by banking all of it with online, because you'll definitely get people with off-line.
MCChampaignMillionaire's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2009 08:30
MCChampaignMillionaire
Splitscreen ist awesome...
ndschroede23's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2009 10:55
ndschroede23
@zer0faults

Yes, Borderlands does have 2 person splitscreen, I've been utilizing it a ton lately. But just be aware, you can't take a 2 person splitscreen party and play online with another party. You can either play completely online, or play only you and your buddy on your box.
JynxShot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/02/2009 09:19
JynxShot
This game looks good enough that this likely won't be a dealbreaker, but this is important. I need some splitscreen.
Pic0o's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/03/2009 09:18
Pic0o
Man, Split screen is the hands-on Demo mode for your friends, IRL.

Let people play split screen in person and you can lead to more sales, since if someone is all about said game, they can hit a 24/7 shop and get a copy, on the way home.

Split screen also works great for showing friends and family how to play. Offline is not necessarily an inferior option.

Why do these game company people, assume gamers never have IRL gamer friends @ their houses? The more methods for people to get their hands on a good game = more potential sales.

Word of Mouth and 1st hand experience are some of the best sales mechanisms around.
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