Some Real thought should be give to the Modes of Split-Screen and Co-Op available in Games.
There is a Distinction that must be made between "Real Friends" and "Online Friends"
Consider the Success of the Wii. Many have there Theories Why.
The Reason I believe is the Inclusion of the "Real Friend" Factor. Not the "Casual" Gamer is a New Audience.
Consider the Fact that the XBox360 is Now Cheaper than the Wii and STILL being outsold by the Wii.
Consider the Popularity of Halo3. This game allows 4 Players Split-Screen (Local and Online) (2 Players Co-Op in the Main Campaign)
Example 1
My Son has Friends over after School. Their Gaming Choices are Limited to what will support 2 to 4 Players.
Hence the Heavy amounts of Halo3 followed by Warhawk 2nd
Example 2
We go to a Friends or have them over. There are 4 adults and 4 children.
That Number 4 comes up a lot.
Hence the Heavy amounts of Wii Play, and Thankfully the Recent Addition of Little Big Planet.
Example 3
I am at Gamestop listening to a young teenage boy and his mother trying to find out what game he can buy that he can play with more than 1 friend.
No Games List this very well. I think the boxes should say ( Players 1-4 SplitScreen, 1-4 Online Co-Op, 32 MultiPlayer)
Another Point here is being able to Progress in a Game with Multiple Playstation or XBox Live IDs.
Little Big Planet is the 1st that Allows this. My Wife, Son, Daughter and I can all Progress our Sticker/Costume Collection Together.
Resistance 2 is the Example of the Wrong way.
Me and my Son wish to Split-Screen through the Co-Op, Only 1 Player gets to Progress his Character.
If it was implemented similar to Little Big Planet we could Progress our Character Classes from either Login ID.
I believe More consideration should be given to the "Real Friend" Crowd.
Also consider that Most people on these Forums Represent a "Skewed" Representation of 1 type of opinion, that is the Hardcore.
The little boy I spoke of at Gamestop is not going to Blog away on many forums.
I speak for the rest of us. The people hunting down Wii Consoles.
The People with more "Real Friends" than "Online Friends"
Update - A Great Site for Finding Co-Op Games is http://www.co-optimus.com/
