Menu Close

SSX Fans Annoyed: Where’d Our Split-Screen Multiplayer Go?

There's no denying that SSX is a great game.

But many critics will tell you the game would've scored higher had it featured what we assumed to be a standard option: traditional split-screen multiplayer. A staple of "old-school" multiplayer and the franchise in question, it's gone in the reboot.

In its place is a solid online mechanic that features many different events and RiderNet, which continually puts you in touch with other boarders around the world. Well, that's great and all, but many of the long-time followers just can't get over the omission of split-screen fun. If you check around the Internet; visit some forums and communities, and read comments on reviews, you'll note that this downfall is one of the most irksome for established followers.

You know, in this age of constant connectivity, I think developers believe all gamers always want to be connected, that they would always prefer to play online. And it's certainly true that having a whole screen to yourself feels more dynamic and natural than that old-fashioned split-screen option. But David Jaffe once said there's nothing quite like having someone sitting next to you, playing the same game; it's just one person (there aren't 30 or 100 or something), and you each only get half the screen, but it's still superior in a very particular way. That way, of course, involves the more personal connection you have with your opponent or co-op partner.

I also don't believe such an option would be difficult to implement. In fact, I'm willing to bet it's pretty damn easy. So really, why should split-screen ever not exist? And especially when we're talking about SSX , a potentially great party game; by the way, when I say "party," I'm not talking about a digital party, but one where people are actually in the same physical place at the same time. Yeah, you know, like congregating? If you think that's the same as an online lobby…you're a deprived, borderline robotic individual.

Related Game(s): SSX

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

seems like all games that featured split screen are going to online instead. Except for PVP fighter/brawlers with two players locally of course, but that's not split screen.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
12 years ago

I'm not techy, so would this be something that could easily be added on by way of DLC???

And if so, then it should also be a "FREEBIE" for those who want to co-op it.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
12 years ago

The could add it, if their render engine supports it.

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

… What Highlander said, but also it require that they in the game code has implemented input from several controllers and mechanics for local multiplayer. So in practise I'd say it must be in the core of the game.
(But could of course be unlocked with a dlc).


Last edited by Beamboom on 3/5/2012 11:03:33 AM

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

Local and online is – to me – two quite different things, different experiences. It's a mistake if the devs think of it as the same and therefore ditch one for the other.

Personally I prefer online multiplayer, but local gaming sure can be fun with games like LBP, Lego and Rayman.


Last edited by Beamboom on 3/5/2012 11:09:54 AM

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
12 years ago

I agree on the LBP example. I'm actually not a fan of split screen, but when a game like LBP comes out and 4 players can share one screen it becomes a lot of fun.


Last edited by bigrailer19 on 3/5/2012 11:10:23 AM

Beamboom
Beamboom
12 years ago

Yes I don't like splitscreen either. It feels… Cramped. But local, one screen coop gaming is like the best party gaming there is!

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
12 years ago

yeah, its nothing new, its been heading this way ever since online became the new 'having mates around'

i really couldnt care less for split screen.. now. but ten years ago I would be up in arms.

so, perhaps its a generation thing, and unfortunately for gaming the generation that is making these decisions for things like split screen are of the old generation, maybe they just dont think any one does sit around with mates any more?

..or perhaps its just too expensive, because i can imagine its a lot of work to sort out with fine tuning, lag and general playability, and with deadlines looming, things get cut.

I would like to see it in SSX, yeah.. but because i do very little sofa socialising, it really doesnt affect me in the slightest.

but like I said, rewind ten or so years ago, I probably would of been really pssed off.

bigrailer19
bigrailer19
12 years ago

I prefer to play with friends via the Internet. Games like LBP, New Super Mario Bros, etc… Are the exception. Even then LBP is a blast to play online and just as fun provided everyone has a head set. Even when I was living with my roommates and would play LBP we'd all just play on our own systems anyways, and connect online. Racing games in particular get far to cluttered when playing split screen, and it would really only benefit me if my friend didn't have the game or a console. But the friends of mine who dont have game consoles could care less about playing anyways.

It's a toss up, is it good to have? Sure! But when developing maybe the question comes up, would it be good to use development time, to implement something that may not get used as much as the online features? At that point is where it probably gets canned. I don't know, but for me, it's not a huge deal.

Ludakriss
Ludakriss
12 years ago

Yo, brothers and sisters in gaming. Check it. You give me split-screen and I'm able to play with my buddy? What's this Online Pass again? Forget it xD

There you go. That's exactly why you can't enjoy old skool. Pretty soon you'll just be entombed or "connected" with the rest of the gamers.

The fu** is this generation going? Look at the whole non-sense of Mass Effect not shipping to Game and Game Station retailers in UK and you've got yourself a link…or greed over funk.

I might be gullible and ignorant about the game industry. It might, actually cost as much as they say, to develop a game. But surely mature, creative minds who give us these creations, know of a word – compromise?

dillonthebunny
dillonthebunny
12 years ago

yeah, its not just mass effect or EA games any more, now Namco and Capcom.. the GAME group is dying.

Xbox_Killer
Xbox_Killer
12 years ago

I didn't buy it because it didn't have split-screen.

Ishkur
Ishkur
12 years ago

I got really interested in the reboot of SSX until I figured out they left out split screen :/ the only reason I see to buy a game such as SSX, is the same as with Twisted Metal; to play with my friends!

SmokeyPSD
SmokeyPSD
12 years ago

It's simple, you play online BY YOURSELF. you play online WITH OTHERS.

Splitscreen makes a social game. Online, makes it… An online game…

You can have a social game online don't get me wrong, but it is always, ALWAYS just best with people you know. The people you pass a controller to if you could. What the fu** is wrong with developers now that they want to destroy every remnant of picking up and playing a game. That includes multiplayer. Patching, DRM, logging in, trophies, the list goes on. Splitscreeen should NOT be touched, it is not some age old bastion of age old past, your just freaking sitting down playing with people in the same room. There is nothing aged about that at all, this is fu**ing ridiculous, it really is with some of the language and phrases I've been hearing in my opinion.

___________
___________
12 years ago

its a shame it does not have it, but i can see why so many games this gen dont have it.
and you people are to blame!
everyones been so heffed up about graphics this gen, developers have had to make a choice.
piss people off and risk loosing sales because our game looks a little outdated, or piss people off and risk loosing sales because they went with co-op over better graphics.

Nerull
Nerull
12 years ago

it always annoys the f*** out of me when a game that is suitable lacks split screen.
the ghostbusters game was a good example, would have been twice as good with splitscreen.
Online is a poor substitute.
For certain high-resource games it could difficult to implement but overall I see it as lazy development.
It does cut down on the screen real estate but think of it this way, how come none of us seemed to mind when the average tv was 27" or less and with standard def?

16
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x