"king_of_simcity7;c-17483723" wrote:
"@darrenfroggy;c-17483701" wrote:
Yeah, the article is a rehash of all the things that were discussed ad nauseam when that interview with Andrew Wilson came out (and ever since). Nothing new to see there.
Some valid points are raised: multiplayer games are popular, some players do want to be able to play that way (the multiplayer mod is maybe not the most popular but it's still got its fans), there are those who think it's definitely time for TS5.
But the bottom line is as you said: it's nothing but speculation at this point.
I can see that multiplayer games are popular but I am yet to see evidence that it would work in The Sims. As of yet it seems that no one is asking for it so I fear that 'rumours' of this kind might be trying to influence that method of gameplay
The multiplayer mod existed way before that one interview, so yeah, there are people who are asking for it.
Whether it would work in The Sims is another thing. It would really depend on how it's implemented.
Online/multiplayer only? That's not going to go down well at all. The single player mode is a staple and I think making the next iteration only multiplayer would be a big mistake (and I'm not the only one, a huge amount of current players would not want that).
Two simultaneous projects (with a possibility of transfer of lots/Sims maybe) where one is online and multiplayer and the other is single player? That might work, but would probably require an expansion of the teams working on it for obvious time/man-hours/resources reasons.
A single player base with multiplayer elements? Collaborations possible via the Gallery, ability to build together, community areas (a la Sims Mobile) - things that are purely optional. That might work. It would inevitably come with complaints that the multiplayer parts are taking resources from single player.
I think ever since The Sims Online times (and Second Life and any other simulation that is/was online), there have been rumors and the potential for something multiplayer, in the community and in EA. With the increased popularity of games becoming a way to socialize, it's not going to be brought up less. Bringing it up this way is a chance for them to watch the response and see how the community sees it (no guarantees though, since the powers that be can still go ahead with whatever they think is right).
Personally, I am not a fan of the model that iOS/Android Sims has - needing to find friends to be able to do certain aspects of the game. I hope that's *not* the direction this is heading but rationally I think it might be (return of the store, fractioned packs for a higher price, microtransactions etc) because it's profitable. For me, the risks and costs are too high.
(would you want to invest in a game that might disappear at the drop of a hat? it's happened to many a mobile game and it's infuriating)
tl;dr: there is some sort of demand for a multiplayer Sims game and whether it would or wouldn't work is something we might not know until it actually happens.
(apologies about the rambling, it's a topic that gets me thinking)
