"Whether a family is getting a new console, updating their controllers and headsets or adding to their library with new games and expansion packs, we know video games are a great tool for families to play together and connect during the holiday season and beyond."
No they aren't, they're the exact opposite now and I write this as someone who loves muh video games. Couch gaming and co-op has completely gone out the fucking window in favour of battle royale trash and skin shops. Also most co-op games now are online and don't look anywhere near challenging enough for me to care. Can't do proper LAN gaming anymore either thanks to the always online shite.
Yeah, I've struggled with this even online as that's one way I keep up with a cousin in another state, we play games. It's gotten so boring, neither of us want to do online competitive and every other option is a microtransaction-fest it seems.
I've done a tiny bit of couch gaming with my nephews when I visit them, but there's not a ton to choose from either.
I was telling someone 20 years my junior how you could just download dedicated servers and run them. They kept referring to it as a "pirate server" and then "alternative cloud server". No, son, it used to be included in your retail copy, and you ran it on a machine on which you could actually press a power button.
Co-op has really sucked. I have a Wii and basically every game is co-op on it, provides plenty of fun. There are so many crappy games that you can buy for a buck or two and mess around with for a few days with a friend it's insane. Then of course you have the actual good stuff that has comprehensive co-op even if it's not the main focus, it's truly insane.
No they aren't, they're the exact opposite now and I write this as someone who loves muh video games. Couch gaming and co-op has completely gone out the fucking window in favour of battle royale trash and skin shops. Also most co-op games now are online and don't look anywhere near challenging enough for me to care. Can't do proper LAN gaming anymore either thanks to the always online shite.
Yeah, I've struggled with this even online as that's one way I keep up with a cousin in another state, we play games. It's gotten so boring, neither of us want to do online competitive and every other option is a microtransaction-fest it seems.
I've done a tiny bit of couch gaming with my nephews when I visit them, but there's not a ton to choose from either.
Survival crafting games are where it’s at for co-op. Valheim, 7 Days, Grounded, etc.
Which means if you don't like or are already sick of that single genre its back to square one.
I was telling someone 20 years my junior how you could just download dedicated servers and run them. They kept referring to it as a "pirate server" and then "alternative cloud server". No, son, it used to be included in your retail copy, and you ran it on a machine on which you could actually press a power button.
Co-op has really sucked. I have a Wii and basically every game is co-op on it, provides plenty of fun. There are so many crappy games that you can buy for a buck or two and mess around with for a few days with a friend it's insane. Then of course you have the actual good stuff that has comprehensive co-op even if it's not the main focus, it's truly insane.
A jailbroken wii is an extremely versatile coop beast:
https://communities.win/c/emus/p/16biTq4Va4/through-the-magic-of-emulation-a/c
I Homebrewed my Wii years ago, it was awesome. Probably going to get another one soon and completely redo it.