14 DAY TRIAL // I felt cheated by Modern Warfare 2, the biggest video game of 2009, because it failed to deliver a single player experience that was at least as polished as the multiplyer element.
I really wanted an option to just pick up the single player element of that game, probably for about 20 or 30 dollars, and play it to its disappointing end without having to see the polish and the depth that was available as part of the multiplayer element.
I wanted those who are only interested in shooting other real life players in competitive matches to be able to get the multiplayer portion for 30 to 40 dollars (the difference in prices is linked to the variations in quality) and not have to deal with the single player narrative.
I think both camps would be better off staying in their walled off area and not seeing what the other side gets and that could only be done by splitting Modern Warfare 2, and a lot of other titles, into separate packages for the single player and the multiplayer.
In an ideal world games who also offer separate cooperative campaigns will get a third edition for this element while some games would offer premium whole packages that deliver it all in a big box.
The advent of digital distribution, which is well established on the PC and is making inroads on home consoles, should make it easier than ever to split video games off and deliver one gamer just the game mode that he's interested in, at a smaller price and with better targeting.
Of course publishers will not offer separate multiplayer and single player versions for Halo: Reach or for Call of Duty: Black Ops or for Medal of Honor any time soon as it would “split the player base” and will make it harder for gamers to break out of their insularity and try something new.
But as players become more selective in their gaming choices and as more and more big name game come our way smaller distributors might see a value in delivering a closer tailored experience to a smaller number of gamers.
I look forward to getting the single player section of Civilization V and the multiplayer section of Puzzle Quest 3.