Types: SP, MP, Both and.. Co-op? Thread

When creating or editing a game's profile, you have the option to set the game's "type". The current drop down lets you choose between "Single Player", "Multiplayer" and "Single & Multiplayer". I suggest adding a fourth option, "Cooperative". An example of a co-op mod is Sven Co-op: ( Moddb.com ). Mod DB will only add that fourth option if the majority of the votes are "yes", so if you would like to see this implemented, please vote accordingly. Thanks.

Edited by: AndY

Co-op is just Multiplayer Singleplayer

Well seeing as how both your mods are co-op mods...

Well, I don't see why not. I'll vote yes. Though it is just more people in a single player mission.

Single-player and multi-player aren't specific to gametypes. It means whether you can connect with others or not.
I advise against adding 'cooperative'

Co-operative is CLEARLY different to multiplayer. You can argue it is a subset of multiplayer, but you cannot claim that multiplayer explicitly = co-operative.

Co-operative is players versus AI.
(Generally) multiplayer is players versus players.
Single player is one player versus AI.

I can't see how anyone can't see those differences, and why Moddb users are not given the ability to search specifically for mods that will give them co-operative experiences. They are all clearly different game types, and should be treated as such.

Co-operative differs from team-based or deathmatch multiplayer in that all players are striving towards the same goal: they are all on the same team and it is always in their interests to help eachother. This is a totally different experience to the more competitive nature of most multiplayer games with players pitted against eachother. Surely you can see how some players would prefer to not have to deal with the types of really aggressive and unsportsmanlike players you tend to get much more in deathmatch/team multiplayer games.

Edited by: Crispy

Crispy wrote: Co-operative is CLEARLY different to multiplayer. You can argue it is a subset of multiplayer, but you cannot claim that multiplayer explicitly = co-operative.

Co-operative is players versus AI.
(Generally) multiplayer is players versus players.
Single player is one player versus AI.

I can't see how anyone can't see those differences, and why Moddb users are not given the ability to search specifically for mods that will give them co-operative experiences. They are all clearly different game types, and should be treated as such.

Co-operative differs from team-based or deathmatch multiplayer in that all players are striving towards the same goal: they are all on the same team and it is always in their interests to help eachother. This is a totally different experience to the more competitive nature of most multiplayer games with players pitted against eachother. Surely you can see how some players would prefer to not have to deal with the types of really aggressive and unsportsmanlike players you tend to get much more in deathmatch/team multiplayer games.

you could just say mulit-player means multiple players in one game regardless of type of game/genre...

I don't see how it would be a problem to add it. It would make it a hell of a lot easier to find co-op mods.

Co-op's gonna be bigger, so it should be acknowledged. Also, modders creating Coop-Mods will not want to place them in either Single, or Multiplayer section, having to explain they are Coop.

I've voted Yes.
Since I'm working on a Co-Op Mod, i know it's multiplayer but it is not just killing each other it is real teamwork!
So I would like to have a own co-op category for a better over view.
And also to crystallize that the teamwork has more weight in the gameplay.

I don't see why it shouldn't be added, it's not like it'll make any difference to the way the system currently works. It simply means that people can find co-op mods easier.

I was only recently persuaded to start adding co-op to my mods lately and it is very popular for 'casual' gamers who like to spend an hour playing a game with a friend.

A cooperative game is just a multiplayer game, it does not need to be distinct, the same way a deathmath or 'free-for-all' game is not defined separately from a team-based game, or an objective based game. The distinction between single and multiplayer is clear - calling something cooperative due to the AI versus player basis does not change the fact it is just a multiplayer game - it is not some specific sub-set of games that necessarily falls beneath the two.

I vote yes.

Because I want to be able to find Co-op games, instead of filtering through all the multiplayer ones first.

I don't see why you guys are aruging about what "Multiplayer" means.

Also, it doesn't have to be under "type." Anywhere would be fine, as long as the mod leader can specify it in the mod profile and we're able to find it some way.

I which case, specify other kind of game experiences; 'free-for-all', 'team versus team', objective, etc...

It's a long, painful, vague list.

I don't see the problem in making the system more specific. As it stands now mods are not organized well enough into groups to find what you are actually looking for.

ambershee wrote: I which case, specify other kind of game experiences; 'free-for-all', 'team versus team', objective, etc...

It's a long, painful, vague list.

Free for all isn't in the same context really. It's still just multiplayer. Coop is a completely different dynamic.

I think this is more for the gamers rather than the actual developers, it just gives them another attribute when looking for games over the search bar.

I'm fence sitting here.

Jiffy_No0b wrote:

ambershee wrote: I which case, specify other kind of game experiences; 'free-for-all', 'team versus team', objective, etc...

It's a long, painful, vague list.

Free for all isn't in the same context really. It's still just multiplayer. Coop is a completely different dynamic.

No it isn't. You're just substituting one opponent for another. Consider UT2004's Assault mode as an example. You play through a mission scenario, completing or defending objectives. If one team is a bot AI team, does that magically make it no longer multiplayer and now cooperative? How do you draw the line? What about a turn based puzzle game, wherein four players work together towards completing a set hallenge? Is that now cooperative, and not multiplayer? What about a mod that features singleplayer missions, but a selection can be played cooperatively - is that singleplayer and multiplayer, or cooperative? What if I can just play the cooperative missions by myself, with AI bot team mates?

The point is, you can't just say "Singleplayer, Multiplayer or Cooperative". The line does not divide like that - if you're going to start being more specific, specify more than just a single specific derivative of a multiplayer game, and with singleplayer. Maybe there are players who are specifically looking for a Coop game - ok, they're sorted. What if I'm looking for a competitive team game, and all I'm finding in the listings are free-for-all games?

Don't specify cooperative as unique from single and multiplayer experiences - it's a multiplayer experience. If anything, include a new drop down box that allows players to choose what kind of experience they are looking for in their multiplayer environment.

I don't think they're talking about including co-operative as being a totally seperate category. You'll simply select that checkbox for your game or mod to indicate it has co-operative parts to it. You'd still tick the box for singleplayer or multiplayer too if it fits into those categories.

For example, one of my mods is primarily a point and click adventure game but I'm working a co-op element into it, so I would mark it as co-op enabled but it's a singleplayer game.

Poll: Should "Cooperative" be added to the list of game types in Mod DB profiles?

The poll and thread title indicate it would be in the same listing drop down as 'singleplayer' and 'multiplayer'; I'm arguing, if you make a distinction, make it at a lower level, and allow for distinction between types of multiplayer, rather than picking cooperative play as special.

Multiplayer games are balanced to give all participants a fair chance. Single-player and co-op games are not.

Varsity wrote: Multiplayer games are balanced to give all participants a fair chance.

Who says?

Convention.

You can argue your corner into the wee hours if you want, but the fact remains that a lot of people would find a co-op category useful.

No multiplayer game has to give a fair chance to all players. It's perfectly normal to allow for certain players to have advantages over others.Scenario based game mechanics is a perfect example of this. Many are fair, others don't have to be.

You're missing the point.

I'm not arguing that an option to search for cooperative mods is useless, far from the fact - I'm arguing that it's not distinct from multiplayer and singleplayer - and that if you wat to include an option to search for it, then include options to search for other kinds of gaming experiences; such as the deathmatch, team objective or other styles of play.

Edited by: ambershee

Varsity wrote: Convention.

Not a convention.

Perfect balance only applies to competitive games.

Who said anything about perfect balance? There are no clear lines here at all.

I'm not arguing that an option to search for cooperative mods is useless, far from the fact - I'm arguing that it's not distinct from multiplayer and singleplayer - and that if you wat to include an option to search for it, then include options to search for other kinds of gaming experiences; such as the deathmatch, team objective or other styles of play.

So long as it was kept at a high enough level, I don't have a problem with that. The selection box would need to change to a multi-select list though.