Split Screen... Is it coming back?

Hard to believe that this was the best of the best!

The first enjoyable game I played that involved multiplayer splitscreen on one television was "007 Goldeneye" on the Nintendo 64. Since the release of Goldeneye, there have been a large number of first person shooters, third person shooters, stealth, and racing games that have included the ability to play with more than one person on screen. The ideal situation, in my opinion, is to utilize LAN, or other network connections, so that you can have your own screen or monitor; but there is something about split screen that increases the level of competition, and trash talking, with your friends that just doesn't make sens.



After the success of Xbox Live, and PSN, it seemed like split screen play was a thing of the past. Video game companies realized that they could make more money through online gaming. All of the sudden games like "Call of Duty", "Medal of Honor", "Splinter Cell", and other series that had previously supported split screen play, being released with multiplayer mode as online only. From a marketing standpoint, it totally makes sense; from a gamers standpoint though, it totally sucks. I have several friends that I would much rather play with split screen, rather than in separate houses. I’m not saying that I hate Xbox Live, PSN, or other online services; I’m saying more games need both online and split-screen formats. How many of us have consoles that several friends don’t?

My friend and I had this game mastered. We could go through the levels, and hardly communicated with each other in most instances. It's funny that things that he and I did back then, are now being implemented into video games today, as apart of the dialogue. Things such as "You get the guy on the right, I'll get the guy on the left. On three. One.. Two.. Three!".

Luckily split screen play is slowly starting to make its way back into the market. The best example I can give is "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory", which introduced split screen co-op to the stealth genre, and it was incredible! "Splinter Cell: Double Agent", which was released a couple of years later, introduced online only co-op, or system link versus. Even then, the system link required that you face your friend, and not work with him to complete objectives. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but for the most part, I’d rather work with my friend, than against him. Split screen gaming began to reappear with the release of "Splinter Cell: Conviction". Games like Call of Duty are now starting to give you the ability to have a guest play online with you via split screen. But they are also introducing completely separate gametypes that require you to play with your friends online, system link, or split screen. It seems like the industry is remembering the quality of entertainment that comes out of playing in the same room, or on the same screen.

Kablaam!!!

Personally I am a huge Halo fan, and cherish all of the LAN parties I was a part of. It is because of games that allow multiple systems, or PC’s to hook together, and play split screen, that I have a desire to write, and discuss video games. It is also because of those games that I throw video game tournaments, and have the desire to throw bigger and better tournaments in the future! For those of you who haven’t played in a LAN party, or on split screen, try it out: order some pizzas, bring some drinks, and party on.

Until next time, keep on gamin' on!