Sunday, December 28, 2014

Social Types for games

Steam's lack of definition for their games' Social Types have caused a lot confusion and discussion, so I'm going to try and define these terms. I've tried to keep it generic, and not just related to PC games.

I've called them Social Types because it seemed appropriate.

What are your thoughts?

First we have the basic types: (some overlap)
  • Single Player
  • Multiplayer
  •  Local
  • Online
  • Co-op
  • split-screen


Definitions
  • Single Player = 1 human on 1 device against the computer (AI)  (AI could be on your device or on the Internet)
  • Multiplayer = 1 human on 1 device playing cooperatively and/or against one or more humans each on their own devices, all connected either by LAN or Internet.
  • Local = on a local Area Network (LAN)
  • Online = Playing with or against one another via the Internet (not just connected for arbitrary reasons like authentication or achievements)
  • Co-Op = Co-operative which means 1 human on 1 device playing with one or more humans each on their own devices, all connected either by LAN or Internet, working towards the same goal, against the computer (AI).
  • Split-Screen = 2 or more humans playing on the same device and screen/monitor, either co-operatively or against one another.

The you get combinations of those terms
  • Local Multiplayer
  • Local Co-op
  • Online Multiplayer
  • Online Co-op

Multiplayer is a superset of Co-op

I've never seen any Online or Local Split-screen. To me, Split-screen is always on the same device. I may be wrong.

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