the Argument for Split-Screen...

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artphotodude

the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by artphotodude »

For old-time sake, I recently downloaded the new HD version of Quake Arena from XBox Live. And while it did look somewhat better than the Dreamcast and PC versions I played in college, the fatal flaw became clear very quickly: No Split Screen.

Now I certainly don't expect every game to offer split screen - particularly modern fps's, where stealth and realism are key-points, but when one is playing an old game in particular, it feels lame to be at a gathering of family and friends and realize that everyone has to go home before you can play it together. :roll:

Seriously, if you are at home, by yourself, and using a paid service like XBL, do you want to spend your time and membership money on old games, or new ones? The only real draw for titles like Quake Arena (that lack a substantive single-player game) is with one's old-school buds, when everyone is overcome with nostalgia.

It sort of misses the whole point in a retro game: a bit like making a new version of the poor man's classic - the Volkswagen, and then selling it for luxury car prices - oh wait, I think that also is happening :wink:
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Frizz.Meister
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by Frizz.Meister »

Thanks for the heads up. Wont be downloading this afterall. Real shame quake was all about the 4 way split screen, so making people have to be apart to play together is odd.

However no split screen boosts sales as friends get 'peer pressured' into downloading it themselves.
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Erik_Twice
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by Erik_Twice »

Does Quake Arena mean Quake III arena? Because the PC version didn't have split-screen multiplayer.

It's also far from a dead title, Quake Live is one of the big competitive games out there and it's a Quake III that runs in your browser.
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ejamer
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by ejamer »

There is definitely something to be said about multiplayer gaming in the same location - frankly, I'd rather play almost anything with my friends in the same place than rely on online gaming. But especially for FPS titles that seems to be a thing of the past.
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by Xelyx »

ejamer wrote:There is definitely something to be said about multiplayer gaming in the same location - frankly, I'd rather play almost anything with my friends in the same place than rely on online gaming. But especially for FPS titles that seems to be a thing of the past.
I know what you mean. My friends and I used to have LAN parties all the time. Now even when we can manage to get people together for that we just end up playing on Xbox Live together. I really miss the days before online play.
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CRTGAMER
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by CRTGAMER »

Another form of Game play being lost to online gaming. Some games are great when everyone can see what the other is up to thru the split screen. N64 Conker for example, one can see where the opponent is. This adds a dimension not in stealth, but how to react adding to the fun of the arena.
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JordanPlayer
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by JordanPlayer »

CRTGAMER wrote:Some games are great when everyone can see what the other is up to thru the split screen.
SCREEN-LOOKER!!! :evil: lol Usually when we play we try not to do that (and usually the other person will know if you do). I remember one time in college though this guy raged so bad from screen looking. Sometimes we would screw around and I looked at his screen and owned him, then he said he would keep looking at mine and I said ok. I kept whippin him and he kept getting angrier and angrier till he threw the controller at the wall and stomped off to his room :lol:

However, it does suck that local split-screen/co-op (I think that's what it is called now) is becoming a thing of the past. Whenever I have friends over the list of games that support more than 2 people at once locally is pretty damn small. At least I can recommend Halo Reach for supporting 4 player local that you can go online with... other games seem to cut these options out :? I really wish the Castlevania: Harmony of Despair had local split-screen (even if you had to stay relatively close to each other) since it is supposed to be played with multiple players... but apparently all online.
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by Hatta »

If you're going to play split screen, you have to be OK with the fact that everyone can see what you're doing.
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by artphotodude »

All I have to say about split-screen is 007 Goldeneye & Perfect Dark - does multi-player FPS really get any better?
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Re: the Argument for Split-Screen...

Post by Inazuma »

It's not like one player has an unfair advantage that the other players don't. Everyone can see all of the screens so play with that in mind.
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