I've just finished reading an article about this game on "DigitalSpy", listing dot-points highlighting game features, differences to other FC games and the like and they stated that "Ubisoft has described this as a 'single-player experience'". I'm just posting here to say that I sincerely hope that they're wrong, and why.
Just to make sure there's no misunderstandings here, I'll clarify the difference between "co-op" and "mulitplayer", because 90% of gamers seem to think they're the same thing, when they're absolutely not.
Co-op, short for "co-operative", means working with other players against the game (AI, NPCs, what have you). A.K.A. Far Cry 4, Halo campaign, Borderlands, and the list goes on.
This is not multiplayer, even though there are technically multiple players.
Multiplayer is either players fighting players, as seen in Call of Duty, and Battlefield, etc. It can also be MMOs, where there are other people who aren't there to either help or hinder you, they're doing their own thing.
Very different. Now that's out of the way, allow me to shoot down one of the most popular "anti co-op" arguments in history "it ruins the single-player experience".
No, it doesn't. Not if it's done correctly.
Option #1 : Drop-in, drop-out. The second player isn't a part of the story, or even an important person. They're a bystander. Just watching the "story" unfold, while helping out with the gameplay.
Option #2 : Drop-in, drop-out. If there's Dragon Age style dialogue, the second player can be someone of importance. Just add the SWTOR conversation system. Each player gets a turn to say something.
Make the first player or "player 1" the host, and make the connecting player(s) follow the story from where the host is up to.
This way, the player with the least progress can host, and not have any of the story spoiled. Using either of these two options gives everyone what they want. A non-intrusive co-op mode for those (myself) who actually like playing with other people (because EVERYTHING is better when you're not alone), and for those that hate the idea of co-op, they don't have to use it. They can play alone just as easily. It's a win-win, and not overly difficult to implement.
I'm sure there's more ways that could be listed to properly implement co-op, but these are just the two that come to mind while writing this.
From a sales standpoint, myself and all of my friends don't even bother buying a game if we can't play it together. I know we're not the only ones out there who have a close group of gaming friends, so the addition of a co-op mode not only broadens your potential market, but also makes it more approachable for people who may be new to gaming (i.e. girlfriends and wives in most cases) who would feel more comfortable playing with someone while they learn the ropes, expanding your market even further.
Then there's the potentially most important factor out of all of these. The "fun factor".
In all honesty, who ISN'T going to have an absolute blast fighting Sabretooth Tigers with spears and bows, and a few friends?
Or pissing off a Mammoth and watching it trample your buddy just for the lols. Absolutely no-one, that's who.
There is literally NO downside to making the game 2-4 player co-op (assuming it isn't already), and I (and many others, I'm sure) think ignoring the amazing potential this game has as a singleplayer AND co-op experience is a huge, huge mistake.
Multiplayer on the other hand, takes too much time and effort. Making specific maps, balancing weapons for PvP, classes, game modes, etc etc. It's not worth the hassle, imho.
If it were to ever be implemented, it would ideally be as a DLC, post-completion of development so that the base game is functioning properly (with co-op). Having the networking capability already established via having co-op cuts down on a bit of the work, I suppose.
I can't even fathom this game not having co-op. It is the perfect setting for it. Not to mention that more than one "hero" is so many multiple times more realistic than having a single man save the day again. It's ridiculous. Out of the 10, 000 enemies you eliminate during your heroic escapade, surely one of them is going to get the better of you. Much less likely with a "team" of "heroes". The one-man-army idea is a little stale.
TL;DR. Co-op is a must, for those who don't like co-op games, they don't have to play co-op. Multiplayer is eh.


