I was just sitting here wondering why more games don’t have the co-op option on Xbox Live. Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of games out there like Rainbow Six 3, Rainbow Six 3 Black Arrow, Ghost Recon IT & GR 2, Phantasy Star Online, DOOM 3 and Splinter Cell Chaos Theory to name a few, but there just aren’t enough. I don’t know the specifics in regards to stats on what people play the most, but I’m almost certain its not co-op, and part of the reason behind that may be the lack of availability. Playing a game against someone else, say in a deathmatch mode, is fun, but for me it gets old quick. I like working together as a team against the AI (artificial intelligence), especially in some of the newer releases where the AI is actually pretty smart, like Doom 3 or SCCT.

Think about how awesome Hunter the Reckoning or Redeemer would have been on co-op Xbox Live! I played them offline, but online would have sweetened the deal. I like Halo 2, and I give Bungie all the credit in the world for what they have done with the multiplayer over Xbox Live, but I was highly disappointed to see that they left out the option for online co-op play. To me, co-op is fun, its enjoyable, and it doesn’t really get stale like some other gameplay types. If you play with the right group of people, it never gets boring, that’s why I find myself on Rainbox Six 3 so often.

DOOM 3 Has Co-op!
DOOM 3 Has Co-op!

Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Has Co-op!
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Has Co-op!

But to my point of Rainbow Six 3, why is it that the developers are not releasing downloadable content for the co-op modes? Sure, there are a bunch of downloadable maps for the other multi player modes, but co-op gets the shaft, so to speak. Is it just too much work for a game that’s already released? Is there not a big enough audience for the cooperative gameplay modes? What’s the problem? I would love to know the answers to these questions, because I really think that a game’s replay value goes down without a co-op option. I have played and reviewed a lot of games, and I think games with co-op have a higher replay value, they also heighten the bonding experience over Xbox Live. Instead of shooting your buddy, help him shoot the enemy (not that I don’t enjoy filling one of my friends with lead from time to time).

I know this sounds like a just another little rant of mine, but I’ve talked to a lot of people that feel the same way; they like deathmatch and skirmish, but co-op just rounds out the experience. I like talking smack and kicking butt on PGR2, Links, Fight Night, and other sports games, but games like Halo 2 and Pandora Tomorrow should have had a coop. It looks like Ubisoft and Activision may be the only ones who see the value in it, but even that will be tested when we see what type of downloadable content is release for Chaos Theory and DOOM 3.

Well, this is the end of my rant for now. I’ll try my best to get some answers from the developers, possibly get some official statements on the matter. But either way, developers need to listen, there is a huge user base to tap with co-op games, start doing it!

Editorial by: Christina

Filed under: Editorials

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!