Split-up Multiplayer? (Co-op)

[Taylor]

Just had an idea that I think might be interesting...

What if you could plug in a second controller and split the characters up into Player 1 and Player 2. They would both have their own unique moves and could come together when needed. It'd be similar to the split-up pads in Tooie, but both would be controlled at the same time by two different people.

The feature could also be used with a single player, just like Tooie (for those that prefer or have to play alone).

I don't think this would work well online and may not be worth it financially for Playtonic, so it's mostly a local multiplayer suggestion. Just a little thought. What do you guys think?

[Lupo]

[Jellyfunk]

That reminds me. If Playtonic ever makes multiplayer games, bring back the splitscreen! I have a PS4 controller that never gets used because no one includes splitscreen anymore.

[Lupo]

[Taylor]

I too love the good old split-screen.

I feel quite passionate about this idea. I've always enjoyed co-op games and it doesn't seem like that much of an intrusive idea considering we're not introducing any more protagonists. If you're going to use a split-up feature -- why not make it multiplayer? Makes sense to me from a sales point of view to claim it's a multiplayer game.

One thing I disliked in Tooie was trying to run all the way back to each other just to rejoin. If one of the protagonists were a bird, there could be an option to fly back instantly to rejoin. That would make this even better, I think!

[Lupo]

[Epic Elliot]

isn't a hat in time doing multiplayer? maybe they can do something like that altho i'd prefer an online option as well seeing as i have no one to play with in IRL but have people i could play with online (my one huge major problem with wiiu is no party chat & easy online play with friends most people i know wouldn't buy the system because of those 2 reasons alone even tho they really like & want to play nintendo games) altho don't get me wrong offline co-op is amazing when you do have people over & add value when the online services go offline (like soon dead rising 2 will be a single player only game in a few years :/ )

[Taylor]

I'm not too familiar with the games mentioned in comparison, but as a standalone idea I don't see any flaws with this. There're lots of interesting gameplay opportunities to gain, but nothing to lose, as far as I can tell. Especially if you make splitting and rejoining quick and easy like I described in my last post.

I'd suggest removing split-up pads altogether and having it as a permanent feature. It would increase the number of possible moves by three.

[NiloStudo]

I'm all for a co-op mode being in the game! If said mode did involve the ability to separate the characters, it could add a different level of challenge - what with each character only being capable of their own moves during the period of separation, not having access to the ones they could do when teamed with their partner.

[Lupo]

[Taylor]

[Lupo]

[Prof__Yogert]

its not quite that simple, while code wise, it is fairly easy to add coop, its very hard to design a world with the idea that, both 2 players can navigate it together, and a single person can do the same with the same quality of play, an easy way to bypass that is to have a separate campaign for coop ala portal 2, but honestly while i would love to see some coop action, pulling it off well would be a big task, possibly unachievable one. but if its possible, and its good, i would love it, there isnt enough couch gaming left in the world

[Taylor]

Valid point. I think if a split-up co-op feature were to be implemented, Playtonic would need to think about it quite early in development (e.g. right now) to make it work great in the long run. Levels would need to be designed with the split-up element in their minds to ensure there're no game-breaking glitches, I guess. Then again, Tooie managed it quite well without trouble (minus to simultaneous co-op feature)...

It would probably be challenging to make it work seamlessly, but thankfully Playtonic aren't new to making great games!

[Savage Rodent]

The DKC Returns games give the second player the ability to hop on and off DK's back anytime and seems like a pretty neat concept. I never played as the second player, but I believe you could still do some attacks while on DK's back (Diddy's peanut gun), so the second player still has some actions they can do.

And honestly, if Tooie had co-op, and Kazooie could be controlled by a second player, it would only save time. I don't really see how controlling both characters at the same time could break the game.

The next question is, can the players be in separate worlds or do they have to stay in the same world? It would probably require quite a bit of processing power to allow players to be in separate worlds, but I think some interesting puzzles could be created just by having both players in separate worlds.

[Taylor]

[Epic Elliot]

love some of the ideas im reading!

[TheJHam88]

Cooperative multiplayer could be really cool were it implemented properly but I don't think I'd lose any sleep if I found out it was singleplayer only.

[Taylor]

[polomi]

I have to say that I don't really like the idea.

First of all, if the coop element is in the same levels as the singleplayer games (unlike Portal 2) I would not play it in coop. I want to experience the game myself, and not let someone else have half of the fun in my stead.

So if there was this split-up element, I'd have to play it myself. And I would probably hate it. How would this work? You'd have to switch from one character to the other every now and then? I think that's a horrible idea unless it's used just for a specific part of a specific level, like a kind of mini-game or mini-level, then I wouldn't mind for a small change of gameplay. But I don't think I'd enjoy anything more than that, a mini-level build around the idea.

But then again, it's Playtonic we're talking about, they could probably find a way to make it fun anyway.