Single player video games are video games that can only be played by one player at a time, although they may offer a multiplayer mode. These games tend to be more artistic with storylines created for the gaming experience.

Multiplayer video games allow multiple players to play in the same game environment, at the same time. Players can compete against one another or play cooperatively as a team. Players either need to share a game system or need to play via networking technology such as the Internet.

When talking about video games, we were once talking only about single player games. Only a few years ago, this began to change with the option of multiplayer games becoming available; however, the multiplayer games of then and now were significantly different. Multiplayer was commonly a bonus mode available in single player games. Series like Tomb Raider, which were single player games, started to have a separate multiplayer mode as well. This did not change the single player game experience; it simply added a new dimension.

The shift to multiplayer games today has been much more dramatic. Multiplayer is no longer an add-on to single player games, but is now a completely multiplayer-focused game. So, why is this happening? Is multiplayer significantly better than single player or is there another reason behind the shift?

To start with, multiplayer games are significantly cheaper to develop than single player games which need to create a single player experience with access to open worlds that serve only one player at a time. With multiplayer games, extra maps and characters are needed and they can be enjoyed by many more players. The comprehensive storylines of single player games are also getting lost.

Many people prefer multiplayer games for the social aspects they involve. Players can band together to create entire communities of people who enjoy similar interests. they are able to chat one-on-one or via a group and may need to cooperate in order to progress in the game. Even in competitive multiplayer games, the sense of using one’s skills to excel, often excites players and keeps them participating. Other people prefer to play for money online in virtual casino environments.

Single player games tend to be more time consuming as players aim to complete an entire story campaign that can last many hours. This is a significant time commitment that many people do not have and these people may prefer multiplayer video games which allow you to play in short bursts of as little as ten minutes at a time, depending on the game.

However, single player games tend to be more artistic and creative and they allow individuals to direct the games and create the destinies they choose.

More and more companies are abandoning the single player game options in favour of multiplayer. While this certainly seems to be the trend, it does leave a void in the industry. Many people are wondering why there needs to be a void at all and why companies cannot focus on both game experiences to appeal to all types of players.