Multiplayer as default mode will increase in popularity, says Jade Raymond

Ubisoft Toronto boss Jade Raymond has discussed the intimidating nature of creating a new, innovative multiplayer experience going into next-gen, and has predicted that multiplayer as a game's default mode will likely increase in popularity as the industry marches on.

Speaking with Digital Spy, Raymond suggested that innovation on next-gen formats could give rise to narrative-heavy multiplayer modes with more NPCs on screen at one time.

She explained, "Let's say a game where instead of having crowds where there are a hundred of them, what if there are 1,000 in the street, and you really feel that, and they're acting intelligently. To me, it's all about the gameplay experience and how there's stuff we're doing in terms of investment and performance that isn't just about cinematics and cutscenes.

"It's how that performance that makes sense and enriches the experience in a multiplayer context, where you're not even watching a cinematic, but it's performance of your character and the other characters being played by people, right?

"If you think of it now, for example, you could be playing multiplayer games and you could be like, 'Oh crap, what's going on? Let's go hide there!' or whatever you're saying, and your character is just still walking on or whatever."

Raymond added that multiplayer, as a default mode is going to increase in popularity" down the line, but cautioned that in order for this to work online play needs to cater to all skill levels, not just the hardcore regulars.

She concluded, "I think the key is how do we make those games appeal to a broader audience. I think a lot of them are intimidating to people, unless you're an amazing first-person shooter player, you probably don't want to go online for most of those games and even try them.

"Maybe that's not something that a lot of people are thinking about, but to me, if all these games are online now by default or that's the primary mode, then how do we make sure they're still enjoyable for different people?"

How indeed. Let us know how you think this issue could be tackled below.

Thanks OXM.