Anyone her play Bomberman, Mario Kart, or mario party (any version)? I was just wondering why so few "party" games are made. I mean, every developer must know that multiplayer mode is often crucial to games success, since so many fans ask for it, but why is it so often passed up (for example civ 3 and heroes 4 were both initially released without any multiplayer support). Also, what are essential elements for a good "party" game?

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Original post by Taiyou
Also, what are essential elements for a good "party" game?

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Anything that invites a competitive atmosphere... we played NHL Hitz 2002 on X-Box a lot as a ''party game'' because even people who were just sitting around waiting could get into it. (Of course, massive drunkenness might''ve helped that one, too )

Generally though I would say a good party game needs games with simple rules, short games, and simultaneous play... For instance, I get that you mentioned Civ and Heroes as not having multiplayer more than as being party games, but those two obviously are not standard party games... eesh, a 6-player hotseat game of HOMM II would be a nightmare. Simply too long.

And of course, addictive play is always a good thing

There are a lot of good party games.

Goldeneye
Perfect Dark
Chu Chu Rocket
Grand Theft Auto 3 (no multiplayer, but its fun with a few people for some reason)
Super Smash Brothers




Any game that you can play over LAN, and those you mentioned

Keeping things short and/or fast-paced definitely helps. We used to have a playstation at parties; Tekken would be put on, and a load of people would gather round. Only two controllers; so we rotate. Making sure the rotating happens frequently really helps everyone to feel involved; and if, when you die, you have to wait for other people before you have another go, it helps to increase the addictiveness of the game.

Co-op at parties?

Superpig
- saving pigs from untimely fates
- sleeps in a ham-mock at www.thebinaryrefinery.cjb.net

What would you consider a good number of players in a game if there is only one screen? And how about in a networked computer game?

I think why so few party games are made is because of the decreased number of actual purchases are made. If you make a 4-player game, then only 1 in 4 people would need buy it, cutting your revenues by 75%. BAM! Err, however, I do like party games to an extent. But I''m of the opinion that party games require a light atmosphere to it, so as to encourage some competition, but not all out war. So, anything where you seem to get a really good laugh while playing is a good idea. I particually like Super Smash Bros. where you occasionally get some random event that throws everything into chaos, like that one Poke''mon that just explodes. Everybody loses, everybody laughs. A game like PerfectDark seems to have some serious competition in it and I''ve seen a hurt feeling or two. Not that this type of game shouldn''t be made, just games of this style could come out better in my opinion with an occasional random comedic event. Just to poke everyone and say "Hey! Laugh! Its just a game!"

-> Will Bubel
-> Machine wash cold, tumble dry.

No one likes losing. That is the crux of a good party game. That''s what''s good about games like Mario Kart and 1080 snowboarding - the player at the back gets better powerups / faster speed so they catch up faster. The player at the front is at the front, so he''s happy too.

That''s how a lot of adult board games are designed, so that everyone has a turn at being the winner and everyone gets drunk together.

Good point about the reduced sales though.. it''s pretty true.

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Original post by Taiyou
What would you consider a good number of players in a game if there is only one screen? And how about in a networked computer game?

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If there is only one screen and the game would require splitscreen play, 4 is definitely the max. If it doesn''t require splitscreen play...then I''d say the max players is only limited by number of controls or your framerate, although 4 still seems to be a pretty common choice.

Networked computer games... I''d say as many as the engine/level supports. Although I really don''t see LAN games as mainstream party games, as there aren''t that many people (that I know, anyway) that have easy access to a network for a party.

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Original post by Inmate2993
I think why so few party games are made is because of the decreased number of actual purchases are made. If you make a 4-player game, then only 1 in 4 people would need buy it, cutting your revenues by 75%. BAM!

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Yes, but any party game is still going to have a large amount of fans. Say three friends play Mario Kart constantly when they''re around. That''s one copy. Then, when they go back home, if the game is actually very fun, more than likely they''ll have their own copy at home, to play with their family and other friends, or maybe even just practice. Just because the game is a party game doesn''t mean that the game is always played with a large party, it''s just designed to be a group-oriented game.

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Original post by Inmate2993
Err, however, I do like party games to an extent. But I''m of the opinion that party games require a light atmosphere to it, so as to encourage some competition, but not all out war. So, anything where you seem to get a really good laugh while playing is a good idea.

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Something likie .... Worms World Party!!!