Lethal Company Is What Multiplayer Should Be

[Kranst]

This has been on my mind for a good while now, but I wanted to share this sentiment as I feel the gaming industry in general is continuing to shift in this direction. Lethal Company has reminded me about exactly what I have missed from the majority of modern multiplayer experiences: simple fun. The kind where you can play with some friends for a few hours and that is enough.

There are no microtransactions, daily rewards, fear of missing out, battle passes, rankings, etc. You just play the game, have a good time, and that is the end of it. So many AAA companies prey on your time and money, hoping to keep you in this endless loop. And honestly? It works. This is not some revolutionary new knowledge, but when I first started playing Lethal Company (and some other great multiplayer indie titles), I genuinely forgot how much fun you can have with no pressure to keep playing. I am starting to have a greater appreciation for multiplayer experiences like these. Sure, they might drop out of popularity sooner, but I can say for certain that these experiences will stay with me for far longer.

But who knows, maybe I am in the minority. What do you think?

[GaskinZ]

You'd think that if AAA companies were so concerned with your time that'd they'd produce better quality products. But no, we get Activision and Ubisoft crap....

[Niclorix]

People sometimes uses lobbies just for chatting, it brings people together, even introverted or shy people can socialize and actually have fun at the same time. Unlike a lot of multiplayer games ( like LoL, WoW, Dofus and a lot more) playing with people doesn't make you angry at the end of the game, it has a fait price, doesn't need machiavelous features to make you addicted to the game (like you said about daily rewards and the rest). That's really the only online multiplayer game I actually enjoy spending hours on, and this is a feeling I didn't have since a long long time. We need more games like this (Content Warning is a nice multiplayer game too if you want a gameplay that's similar), and it's a shame the AAA games are so popular that you might miss out some great games like this one.
Remember to be a great asset to the company.

[Kranst]

Originally posted by Niclorix:

People sometimes uses lobbies just for chatting, it brings people together, even introverted or shy people can socialize and actually have fun at the same time. Unlike a lot of multiplayer games ( like LoL, WoW, Dofus and a lot more) playing with people doesn't make you angry at the end of the game, it has a fait price, doesn't need machiavelous features to make you addicted to the game (like you said about daily rewards and the rest).

This is a really good point! The draw of multiplayer games used to focus on multiplayer and socializing, and how the experience could be enhanced with those elements. Now it more or less just feels like something implemented because it has to be in every modern "5v5 experience," etc. It feels closer to people playing solo but together more than anything.

Originally posted by Kranst:

There are no microtransactions, daily rewards, fear of missing out, battle passes, rankings, etc.

And thinking about it further, none of these even have to do with multiplayer... let alone with friends. And if you can, such as ranked or specific dailies, they are more stressful than enjoyable.

And yes! Content Warning is excellent as well. Great shout!

[Kranst]

Originally posted by GaskinZ:

You'd think that if AAA companies were so concerned with your time that'd they'd produce better quality products. But no, we get Activision and Ubisoft crap....

That is what makes it more disappointing. They only continue to do so because it seems they feel they make more money this way with no risk.

And yet games like Lethal Company prove you can make money and an enjoyable experience. You can play for a few hours, feel satisfied, and play again at a later time without feeling like you are "missing" something.