How Does it Compare to Regular Gaming

How Does it Compare to Regular Gaming

Online game play has become all the rage, but how does it compare to the traditional gaming experience? Well, as someone that has experienced online game play, it is not always perfect. Despite what the media says, there are times when you might want to play a game offline. On the other hand, you also can't ignore the advantages associated with online game play. The sections below will provide arguments for both sides.

Online Game Play vs. Offline PC or Console Gaming: The Number of Players

While there are many awesome 2 player games for consoles, unless you connect to the Internet, you are limited with how many people you can interact with. That same principle also applies to PC gaming. To play with two or more players in a PC game, you either have to use multiple controllers on the same computer, or you have to play through a LAN connection.

Online game play doesn't work this way. Whether you're initiating a connection through a console or a PC, once everything is set up, you can play against hundreds of others. In fact, with most online multiplayer games, socialization is a major objective. This is especially the case with RPGs, where people from all over the world fight alongside you. With online game play, you can interact with hundreds of people without having to leave your living room.

The Issue of Graphics

Free online multiplayer games tend to have the worst graphics. Some of today's most popular titles look like the PS1 or N64 games people played over a decade ago. Yet, despite this, they still maintain decent game play. In addition to being challenging, these titles offer very entertaining cut scenes. If it wasn't for their sub par graphics, they would offer the same value as their competitors.

If you pay for an online multiplayer game, the graphics will vary. Console based online multiplayer games have superior graphics. You won't be able to tell the difference between them and an offline game. PC games can go either way.

Of course, even if the graphics are better with paid online games, you still have to deal with the issue of money. Most games cost between $20 and $60. This doesn't include the subscription fee you have to pay when signing up for an online multiplayer game. With that, you can expect to pay $10 or more each month. However, if you're playing an older PC game, you might only be allowed to use the keyboard. To bypass this limitation, you have to use a keyboard to joystick emulator. Joy2Key and ControlMK are a couple of examples.

Offline games, whether for the PC or the console, usually support controllers. The standard gaming pad tends to be the controller of choice, though in the offline world, there is no limit to what you can use. Wheels, guns and even swords are some of the other controllers you can use when playing offline games. Special edition controllers are another option. They are usually made for one particular game as part of a promotion.

Of course, with the development of motion sensor gaming, it is possible to use your own body to control an online multiplayer game. However, with the way the technology is now, you could only do that with designated console games. No online PC game that I'm aware of utilizes this technology (at least as of now).