The gaming industry has long been defined by its eras. The 70s and 80s, otherwise known as the arcade era, provided a foundation for some of the most influential franchises that still exists today. Then came the console era, where gaming became an accessible hobby designed for the comfort of players' own homes. Many gamers may not know it, but they are living amid another era right now – the golden age of online multiplayer.
Multiplayer has, of course, been around for a long time. However, where traditional multiplayer meant a couple of friends or siblings playing on the same TV, contemporary multiplayer takes place oceans apart with a constant rotation of countless strangers. This boom in online multiplayer games has seen a lot of developers shift tact. And, while many fantastic single-player experiences still exist, some of the biggest franchises have pivoted to multiplayer.
1 Call Of Duty
With its beginnings in the early 2000s, Call of Duty historically had a different tone and focus than it does now. Its first title was constructed as a story driven campaign set in World War II, and had key similarities in gameplay to the Medal of Honor series. This inaugural game was focused on the ‘lone wolf’ experience, and supported its single players with AI-controlled allies. Completing solo objectives and missions were key to progressing.
Though Call of Duty does still develop its games with a rich single-player experience, much of its focus has instead turned to constructing its multiplayer modes. Warzone 2.0, as the latest multiplayer installment, is a prime example of this change. Warzone 2.0, despite being released as part of Modern Warfare II, does not require a purchase of the game to play. Online play components such as killstreaks and special abilities have become integral to the culture and experience of Call of Duty games.
2 Halo
The futuristic sci-fi giant Halo has also seen a significant evolution of its gameplay over the years. The first game, Halo: Combat Evolved, follows the famous Spartan supersoldier Master Chief in his mission of fighting back against the Covenant, an alien species hell-bent on destroying humanity. Though this game did feature multiplayer modes, they were limited to local network play or two-player co-op.
Both the most recent Halo release, Halo Infinite, and the remaster of its first game, Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, highlight this evolution of multiplayer focus well. The remaster not only revamped its local network and co-op modes but added online multiplayer capabilities via Xbox Live as well. Halo Infinite was praised for its rich online multiplayer modes that include features such as deathmatch, capture the flag, team battle, and 4v4 capabilities. Though this game still features a single-player mode, some reviewers feel that it was scaled back in comparison with previous games.
3 Grand Theft Auto
With its first release in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto franchise shot to immediate popularity upon its publication. In the years since, it has developed into a popular series of games that have historically prioritized the single-player experience. The core task of sandbox style Grand Theft Auto games is to complete various crime-based missions in order to rise through the ranks of organized crime groups.
Though other titles in the series have continued the single-player focus, the prominence of Grand Theft Auto Online cannot be denied. Originally released in 2013, the game has received many updates and evolutions in the decade since. In 2022, the game was released as its own standalone version on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, which is a testament to its continued popularity. Grand Theft Auto Online receives constant updates to its content and modes, highlighting the prioritization of this multiplayer experience.
4 Final Fantasy
The fantasy RPG juggernaut Final Fantasy saw its first release by Square Enix, then known as Square, in 1987. This first iteration, which only featured a single-player story mode, would go on to popularize the genre and spawn a hugely successful franchise of games. The plot of Final Fantasy follows a group of four adventurers chosen by the player as they journey through a fantasy world and save it from darkness and evil.
Limited versions of multiplayer modes appeared in the franchise as early as Final Fantasy IV in 1991. However, these early modes focused more on co-op play rather than competitive. The first MMORPG release in the series was Final Fantasy XI in 2002, which offered cross-platform play that allowed players to compete and cooperate in a wide array of in-game objectives. Since this game, another MMORPG was released within the series as well as a multiplayer mode update for Final Fantasy XV.
5 Fallout
Bringing form to the fears of many in the post-Cold-War era is the post-apocalyptic RPG franchise of Fallout, which explores an earth scarred by nuclear warfare. The first game in the series, by the same name, was released in 1997 for PC. Much like its successors, Fallout explores a world in which players can control a nuclear survivor known as Vault Dweller and assist them in gaining skills, perks, and simply surviving in the harsh new world.
Fallout 76 is the most recent release within the franchise and serves as a prequel to the previous iterations. It is also the franchise’s first online multiplayer game. Since its somewhat difficult 2018 release, Fallout 76 has received several updates and expansions to its game features that have steadily grown its player base. The game now has an extensive list of multiplayer modes including adventure mode, battle royale, and a special set of customizable modes referred to as Fallout Worlds.