GameCritics.com Podcast Episode 39: The State of Multiplayer

is it normal i can't see it on my itunes?

Thanks for the heads-up aHei. I just noticed it didn't come down to my iPod Touch either. I'll check it tonight...Libsyn migrated us to some sort of upgraded server and the publishing steps changed. I may have missed something. I'll post again when it's resolved.

Hey everybody; did some research and Libsyn's support forums are flooded with shows just like ours having trouble uploading new shows. Episode 39 isn't showing up in RSS, iTunes, or Zune, but of course it's perfectly playable in the browser up there. I've opened a support ticket and I'll post here again when I have more info. Thanks for your patience.

Just listened to your podcast, and when it was asked about what keeps people interested in multiplayer, I kept thinking over and over to myself "Team Fortress 2".

It's a game I'm particularly bad at. I lack the nous to properly excel at this game, yet I keep returning to it. Tim mentioned it briefly, but I think the achievements system it puts has still gives you that incentive to persevere with the game. Despite sucking greatly, you can still see a progress bar inch its way up on certain achievements.

Of course, it ties in with Steam as well, so all my friends can see what I've achieved recently. Sure, they are a lot better at TF2 than me, and their positive statement of "Nice work" can feel a little condescending sometimes, but at least I feel like I'm contributing to something.

Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

@Overquill

TF2 is my prime example as well, although I didn't get much chance to bring it up since none of the others are cool enough to have much experience with it.

Tying in to something we did talk about, TF2 does a great job of letting you know why you failed. The camera zooms in on the person who killed you immediately after you die, and the weapon they used is indicated in the little bars in the top right corner. Knowing exactly why you died is a big part of getting better.

I've never cared that much about achievements, but to TF2's credit their achievements will help you get the unlocakble weapons at least. That system is tolerable, although the item drop system they first implemented with the sniper/spy update was horrendous.

Just thought I'd comment. Great podcast, I'm definitely eager to hear the next one. I personally don't like multiplayer because I'm constantly killed when I spawn.

On the whole addiction thing, here's an interview on a podcast that delves into it more deeply from a neurologist's perspective. I think its very interesting.

http://imamp.colum.edu/blogs/?p=15045

Hey all, just a quick note; Libsyn fixed the problem with our podcast feed and the show should be flowing freely into your podcatching applications as you read this. Thanks for your patience.

And as for TF2 -- that game has like 400 achievements and after five games I unlocked exactly 0 of them. Not even a charity "Die 10 times in a single match" achievement.

@Tim

What classes were you playing? Some of them have achievements that are pretty ridiculous. There are some other generic ones that are pretty easy, but you have to spend more than 0.9 hours playing :)

Bad Company 2 would more than likely be the multiplayer shooter that fits your needs. You can choose where you spawn, and even if you suck at the game, you still can earn points for resupplys, or dropping med kits. I'm not the greatest player, but BC2 has its moments.

I think I was the orange-colored guy with the firearm. As a point of comparison, Torchlight gives you an achievement for starting the game. That's more my speed. TF2 needs a "Shoot Your Gun" achievement or perhaps a "Jump" one.

http://tf2wiki.net/wiki/Achievements

Enjoy :)

So when are you releasing the "fresh" Too Human single on to iTunes? I got my buck lined up. ;-)