Current Events > Can a AAA multiplayer game without unlocks even be successful in 2017?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Something like Halo 2

You have a ranked mode to gain better ranks. Then Social playlists. Everyone starts with the same weapons. There are no loadouts or customization things to unlock. Everything you have to start off with is it.

That's it.

Would people even play this in 2017 or has that train left the station?
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I was told that Titanfall didn't have enough unlocks despite it being a fantastic game to actually play so no I doubt it. Today's kiddos love that carrot on a stick gameplay.
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No unfortunately

Which is fucking garbage, gameplay should keep people playing, not unlocks
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Probably not. Players want constant gratification. Games have always been more "fun" with reasonable unlocks. Unlocks in online multiplayer games have been around longer than not. I don't think it's a big deal really.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Probably not. Players want constant gratification. Games have always been more "fun" with reasonable unlocks. Unlocks in online multiplayer games have been around longer than not. I don't think it's a big deal really.

Hmm I dunno. It really gained popularity after COD4.
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Darmik posted...

Smashingpmkns posted...

Probably not. Players want constant gratification. Games have always been more "fun" with reasonable unlocks. Unlocks in online multiplayer games have been around longer than not. I don't think it's a big deal really.

Hmm I dunno. It really gained popularity after COD4.

That was 10 years ago. 10 years before that was PS1 era. Online games prior to the Xbox years were pretty much limited to the PC, like Quake. Not a lot to pick from really.

Plus unlocks in big multiplayer games have been around since at least N64.
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Darmik posted...

Smashingpmkns posted...

Probably not. Players want constant gratification. Games have always been more "fun" with reasonable unlocks. Unlocks in online multiplayer games have been around longer than not. I don't think it's a big deal really.

Hmm I dunno. It really gained popularity after COD4.

That was 10 years ago. 10 years before that was PS1 era. Online games prior to the Xbox years were pretty much limited to the PC, like Quake. Not a lot to pick from really.

Plus unlocks in big multiplayer games have been around since at least N64.

Yeah but back then you would unlock multi stuff playing single player.

But yeah stuff like Doom and Counter-Strike was pretty popular on PC. Console games had a solid 5 years of traditional multi before COD4 took the world by storm so it has been most of the lifespan there.
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Didn't Counter Strike have unlocks before CoD did? Either way I feel like the issue isn't unlocks. Overwatch does it well, even Call of Duty is okay with them. The issue is the unreasonable measures you have to go to for some unlocks. Like Battlefront 2 before they changed it
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It would be nice if there was a shooter with all the shit unlocked
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Didn't Counter Strike have unlocks before CoD did?

Not that I can recall. It had big mod support though (well because it was a mod to start with).

Smashingpmkns posted...

Either way I feel like the issue isn't unlocks. Overwatch does it well, even Call of Duty is okay with them. The issue is the unreasonable measures you have to go to for some unlocks. Like Battlefront 2 before they changed it

I'm not saying that it's an issue really. Just that it seems like it's a necessity. I miss some simple multiplayer where I can just play with some friends and be on even ground.

I know why they do it. Player engagement is important.
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Unlocks are a lazy substitute for interesting gameplay. If gamers have no interest in continuing to play without needing an artificial sense of accomplishment, you failed as a game designer.
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Doesn't Overwatch kind of do this? You can unlock aesthetic items and there's the lootbox system but all the characters and maps are just there and there's no changing weapons or anything, what each character has is what they get.
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The Admiral posted...

Unlocks are a lazy substitute for interesting gameplay. If gamers have no interest in continuing to play without needing an artificial sense of accomplishment, you failed as a game designer.

Could be said about a bunch of games, sure. But most people aren't jamming out Overwatch matches for a Zarya skin, or CoD just for a certain gun (well mainly prestigers which is more akin to high score leaderboards bragging rights than anything). Maybe CoD is bad example cuz 50 Cal lol

If you make a solid game like MW2, Overwatch, Halo 3, with solid gameplay, adding unlocks only makes the game even better imo. This is a good point if there's an unlock people get to and just stop playing altogether. Can't really think of one though.
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I haven't played Destiny 2 but I've heard complaints that there's nothing to strive for after beating the main story. I think the competitive multi is pretty barebones compared to other games though so that could be a factor too.
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Darmik posted...

I haven't played Destiny 2 but I've heard complaints that there's nothing to strive for after beating the main story. I think the competitive multi is pretty barebones compared to other games though so that could be a factor too.

That's the whole "MMO" type vibe though. In WoW you're constantly playing for better loot. Destiny is a bad example because that's the entire purpose of the game, keep unlocking better loot.

You're definitely not hitting max after the campaign. I hit 300 after around 50+ hours probably. Decent amount of time for a console game. It definitely lacks content but the game is really just a party up and do mindless shit for hours type game.

I'm honestly not a huge fan of MMOs or MMO-likes where it's a constant grind for arbitrary stats but it does have it's fanbase and I can understand sorta.
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