IMG: Oni Interview
updated 01:31 pm EST, Tue January 23, 2001
Inside Mac Games has published an interview with Bungie's Hardy LeBel, Lead Designer on third-person action game Oni. Among the topics discussed is the decision to remove multiplayer from the game:
The biggest factor in the decision to remove multiplayer support was the technological hurdle. We had been playing Oni over our office LAN and consistently experienced serious problems synching up the characters in multiplayer battles. The combat style in Oni focusses on precise timing and manuver so we decided that it made more sense to apply our technological and artistic resources to refining the single player experience, rather than continuing to develop a gameplay mode that would benefit a (relatively) limited number of end users. It broke my heart to do it, but I still believe it was the right choice given our circumstances.
Joined:
I am a multiplayer addict
Some game makers in the industry think that multiplayer is still optional. I on the other hand, don't. Come on, think of what multiplay is at it's core. Unlimited challenge, unlimited replayability, unlimited variety. In single player, even bots that learn your moves still get beat. Usually turning up the difficulty doesn't turn up cunningness or ingenuity, it turns up accuracy and how much damage the computer can take. Whats the fun in playing the same thing except the computer hits you more? Multiplay is the answer, and I don't think the good people at GOD understand that. Perhaps when they see the dirth of sales they will understand...