Is multiplayer the future?

I have a small LAN (3 computers) at my home. I know this is not typical, but it home networks are becoming more popular.
I won't buy a game if it doesn't have multiplayer support. Playing against people is more fun than playing against a computer, and multiplayer is what keeps a game alive after you have conquered it.

My business plan (such as it is) is based on the increasing popularity of multi-player-only games. I expect multi-player-only games to carve out a piece of the market, but I don't know that they will ever dominate the market. A game doesn't have to be multi-player to be entertaining, so I don't expect the single-player game (with or without multi-player capability) to just "go away."

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DavidRM
Samu Games
http://www.samugames.com

Tough call. I think that multiplayer games will certainly continue to be popular, but I think it is hard to predict whether they will dominate in 5 years. Single player games will always have their place. I personally spend much more time on single player games than multiplayer, but it depends on the game. I think a major factor in single player games remaining popular is the continued development of AI. For example, with Starcraft, the campaigns were great, but after a while, single player mode became way too easy, and I could beat 4 or even 5 computer opponents at a time because I knew exactly what they would do. Playing on BattleNet was a different story, though, because even a poor player could surprise me.

So, I guess my point is that they will both have their place in 5 years, but AI needs to be developed further (which I think it is) for single player games if they want to remain competitive. I also think it is important for games to support both. I don't see myself ever buying a multiplayer only game. On the flip side, adding multiplayer support to a single player game increases the longevity of the game.

As I see it games will take 2 directions.

Multiplayer games become multiplayer only...
While single player games will be single player only...

Currently multiplayer games are big but that will begin to slow as more high quality single player games are developed.

Multiplayer games are fun because your playing with other people. On the otherhand single player games are fun because you can get an expierience, much like reading a good book, without some stupid 12-year-old messing everything up.

Myself, I like multiplayer games and single player games, both, because they are different expieriences, and because of that I don't think one will completely takeover the other, unless gamers allow it to happen.

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Gary
Midnights Dawning Software