Comments on: Multiplayer LAN Gaming: the Better Experience http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/ Loyd Case on Technology, Media, Games and Culture Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:00:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Max Heim http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-807 Max Heim Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:52:03 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-807 I still kind of think Loyd is giving short shrift to MMOs. Playing through an MMO with friends on a LAN or via headphones and Skype on the internet are not really that different. And I think Loyd enjoyed GW and HGL (discounting the bugs and crashes). Most MMOs are good single-player games, too (not much different than Oblivion or Dragon Age), though you do need to group up now and then for instances or raids (there's your LAN night...). The similarities between, say, WoW and Borderlands are much greater than the differences, especially if you aren't into PvP. And there has never been a story-based multiplayer RPG with the depth and scope of LOTRo. Griefing is not really a problem that I've seen. I mean, the worst griefing I ever had in WoW was a couple level 70s with flying mounts that would circle the spawn camp in a PvP area, and that was only a problem because I was trying to stick my nose in as a low 60 groundling. I think it's a much bigger problem in pickup games, particularly online shooters. I still kind of think Loyd is giving short shrift to MMOs. Playing through an MMO with friends on a LAN or via headphones and Skype on the internet are not really that different. And I think Loyd enjoyed GW and HGL (discounting the bugs and crashes). Most MMOs are good single-player games, too (not much different than Oblivion or Dragon Age), though you do need to group up now and then for instances or raids (there’s your LAN night…).

The similarities between, say, WoW and Borderlands are much greater than the differences, especially if you aren’t into PvP.

And there has never been a story-based multiplayer RPG with the depth and scope of LOTRo.

Griefing is not really a problem that I’ve seen. I mean, the worst griefing I ever had in WoW was a couple level 70s with flying mounts that would circle the spawn camp in a PvP area, and that was only a problem because I was trying to stick my nose in as a low 60 groundling. I think it’s a much bigger problem in pickup games, particularly online shooters.

]]> By: Eric http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-757 Eric Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:04:22 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-757 I have to agree with Loyd; I find the enjoyment factor much greater with LAN games than MMOs. And most of my gaming time is still single-player. Replaying Fallout 3 now with the Fallout Wanderers' Edition mod. I have to agree with Loyd; I find the enjoyment factor much greater with LAN games than MMOs. And most of my gaming time is still single-player. Replaying Fallout 3 now with the Fallout Wanderers’ Edition mod.

]]> By: Scott Gardner http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-746 Scott Gardner Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:20:45 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-746 Ahh, you young kids don't appreciate what us old folks were able to do. Back in college around 1984 I lived in a big house and had a buddy down the hall who also owned a TRS-80 (model 1 with 2Mhz Z80). http://www.trs-80.com/trs80-models-model1.htm We strung a serial cable about 100 feet and were able to play a game called "Combat" in multiplayer. Of course, long before that we were playing multiplayer games on the "mainframe". You may need to find someone with grey hair to explain what that is... :-) Yes, it was pretty lame compared to today, but it's amazing what you'll put up with if you don't have another option... Scott Ahh, you young kids don’t appreciate what us old folks were able to do. Back in college around 1984 I lived in a big house and had a buddy down the hall who also owned a TRS-80 (model 1 with 2Mhz Z80).
http://www.trs-80.com/trs80-models-model1.htm
We strung a serial cable about 100 feet and were able to play a game called “Combat” in multiplayer. Of course, long before that we were playing multiplayer games on the “mainframe”. You may need to find someone with grey hair to explain what that is… :-)
Yes, it was pretty lame compared to today, but it’s amazing what you’ll put up with if you don’t have another option…

Scott

]]> By: Brandon Champion http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-745 Brandon Champion Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:22:15 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-745 When I lived in the dorms while I was in the military, the rooms were set up so that two rooms facing opposite sides of the building shared a common bathroom in between. My friend and I switched rooms with other people until we got attached rooms and we ran our network cable through the bathroom. On the weekends, 2 of our friends would bring their PCs over and join in. We used to play Doom 2 and Descent coop from beginning to end in marathon sessions. We even managed to shove a network cable through the phone conduit to hook up the guy next door, but it wasn't as good as having everyone in the same room. It was pretty advanced for 1995-96. When I lived in the dorms while I was in the military, the rooms were set up so that two rooms facing opposite sides of the building shared a common bathroom in between. My friend and I switched rooms with other people until we got attached rooms and we ran our network cable through the bathroom. On the weekends, 2 of our friends would bring their PCs over and join in. We used to play Doom 2 and Descent coop from beginning to end in marathon sessions. We even managed to shove a network cable through the phone conduit to hook up the guy next door, but it wasn’t as good as having everyone in the same room. It was pretty advanced for 1995-96.

]]> By: Alejandro Hernandez http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-740 Alejandro Hernandez Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:52:59 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-740 Well I fiend of mine in grad school days had a gamers cyber cafe, and after close it was for us to play lan all the way no online, pure plain lan games, every time a diferent one or a favorite one. CS, StarCraft, Mechwarrior, Red Alert. Diablo 2, almost all good stuff. good old times. I whish I had a basement like that loyd, Kudos for that! Well I fiend of mine in grad school days had a gamers cyber cafe, and after close it was for us to play lan all the way no online, pure plain lan games, every time a diferent one or a favorite one. CS, StarCraft, Mechwarrior, Red Alert. Diablo 2, almost all good stuff. good old times. I whish I had a basement like that loyd, Kudos for that!

]]> By: trip1ex http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-737 trip1ex Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:49:31 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-737 Hell yeah. Much prefer LAN gaming in person to online gaming. Sounds like a sweet setup you have there. Hell yeah. Much prefer LAN gaming in person to online gaming. Sounds like a sweet setup you have there.

]]> By: Tweets that mention Multiplayer LAN Gaming: the Better Experience « All Topics « Improbable Insights -- Topsy.com http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-736 Tweets that mention Multiplayer LAN Gaming: the Better Experience « All Topics « Improbable Insights -- Topsy.com Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:10:48 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-736 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by loydcase, Marland Pittman. Marland Pittman said: RT @loydcase: LAN gaming really is the better experience. For me, at least. http://bit.ly/4ur6jK [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by loydcase, Marland Pittman. Marland Pittman said: RT @loydcase: LAN gaming really is the better experience. For me, at least. http://bit.ly/4ur6jK [...]

]]> By: Jim Herdt http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/11/13/multiplayer-lan-gaming-the-better-experience/comment-page-1/#comment-735 Jim Herdt Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:00:50 +0000 http://www.improbableinsights.com/?p=779#comment-735 Loyd, I have similar feelings towards on-line gaming. If you have the luxury of being able to hold regular LAN parties who wouldn't pick that over on-line. I also wanted to thank you for the MASS EFFECT reference you made a few posts back. Somehow this game slipped by me. I picked it up and am looking forward to completing my 2nd play through of the game. Best Regards, Jim Loyd,

I have similar feelings towards on-line gaming. If you have the luxury of being able to hold regular LAN parties who wouldn’t pick that over on-line.

I also wanted to thank you for the MASS EFFECT reference you made a few posts back. Somehow this game slipped by me. I picked it up and am looking forward to completing my 2nd play through of the game.

Best Regards, Jim

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