Game Properties as a Function of Player Count
What is this thing called MultiPlayer? If we look at games in terms of the number of players then some features can be seen to surface at each level
- Single-player, or PvE games explore outcomes and search for the shortest/least expensive/most entertaining methods of acquiring any desirable thing within the game universe.
- Competition becomes possible, and the players can observe and present opportunities to each other to make a favorable universe for themselves and an unfavorable set of choices for opponents, which is a level of indirection.
- Alliances are the main new feature, with the ability to work toward a common goal or against a common enemy, and the exchange of teamwork or betrayal of it becomes a visible social currency.
- Team vs Team competition
