Episode 36 – A Group Effort

We’ve talked about playing alone and together before. And I think each one of those points of view is a little strong and closed minded. I think its obvious I was playing devils advocate… not the movie with Al ‘best devil ever’ Pachino and Keanu ‘whoa’ Reeves.

I talked about playing together with people over the intertubes but I don’t think I talked about playing together with people who are in the same room/apartment/house as you. It is way crazier than any other kind of togetherness. I have played a lot (a whole lot) of Halo (1 and 2) in a lan setting with two teams and two TV’s and there really is nothing else like it. Just the knowledge that you are sniping people who are sitting in the next room, or right across from you (depending on the setup) is probably the coolest feeling ever.

I think I have mentioned that me and my roommate both have 360’s, and they’re networked. Well I if I haven’t then now you know. Anyway… a few people came over for some Gears of War action and it was unlike any Halo event we have ever had. Part of the reason might be because it was a new game with a whole new experience and some new controls for many people. The night hit the apex when my friend Stephen came running into my room after sniping out my entire team and gave us the “suck it” gesture… that or the people below us banging on the ceiling at 2am presumably with a broom causing the floor to shake a little.

I wanted to talk about this phenomenon. The one that gets people crazy after sniping out an entire team. I don’t think he would have gotten that worked up if they were strangers on the other end of a microphone. I never have on Halo or Crimson Skies. I’m pretty mild mannered and very quiet on Live. But I found myself cheering after every kill. Didn’t matter whose side got the kill. And let me tell you, the chainsaw gun… best idea ever. Evoked cheering and yelling and all sorts of crazy reactions. It got me really excited.

There is something about having someone else playing with you who is next to you that is way cooler than playing alone or over the internet. There is a personal connection there that you can work off of when your completion and teammates are with you. The atmosphere is freaking electric, and neighbors pounding is fantastic. Makes you feel naughty… and I liked it.

I get almost the same feeling as the multiplayer as I do currently in the campaign (for Gears of War) since I am playing it with someone who is in the same space as me. It really brings the game more to life when you can share the experience for the first time with someone else. We are constantly yelling at each other from our respective rooms about how cool shit looks.

Video games are an experience. One that can be shared… if you wishIt actually reminds me of the first time I beat Contra on the NES. After not being able to beat it alone, I joined forces and did it with my cousin Tim. It was way more fun because we were figuring things out together and playing off each other. Playing games that way to me is a lot more enjoyable. . Personally, I have come to enjoy the networking situation that I currently have. It’s pretty damn good… aside from the grumpy neighbors it works out pretty well.

So to amend what may have been said earlier. Playing together can be fun, when the people you’re playing with are with you.