I think it’s common knowledge that ‘Nintendo’ and ‘online’ are two things that have never really gone hand in hand. Friend codes, the apparent lack of Wii U online strategy, and the stripping of online multiplayer content from 90% of the 3DS launch games attest that.
So it’s quite fitting that Nintendo has filed a patent for a “Massively Single-Playing Online Game.”
The patent states some examples of how this idea could work, such as your character stumbling across a pile of tools and materials, and building a house. As it is essentially the same world, the next person to some along would find the house built, and a pile of tools. Also mentioned was an idea where you could gossip to an NPC, only for them to spread what you’ve said to the next person that comes along. It sounds like Animal Crossing…or Desperate Housewives: Animal Crossing Edition.
Whilst this all sounds a bit odd, the patent does mention that those on your friends list would be visible in the world.
Source: GameSpot
carson321
sounds like a dating game……….
Nauraph
Does that mean Dark Souls (and Demon’s Souls) are Massively Single-Playing Online games, in some ways it fits the description?
And if I remember correctly there were some concepts about Last Guardian where opening a bridge in your game would open it for someone else online, so I suppose this will also fit the description.
A new genre incomming? MSPOG’s? =P
Dan Lee
MSPOG…kind of rolls off the tongue (if youre Klingon.
rept0n
Also seems a similar mechanic deployed in Journey.
Jakster123x
Ahhh, right, the title sort of left me confused but I understand now.
Journey FTW!
Milereb
Kinda fits in with the recent shift within MMO’s from group-content to solo-content. It’s online, you can kinda influence each other, but it isn’t necessary to ‘work together’ to progress.
hazelam
sounds just like something nintendo would do, try and make multiplayer where you never actually get to meet another player.
ron_mcphatty
I misread the titale as ‘Nintendo apologies for…’, I think that would be more appropriate.
Kennykazey
Patenting a genre? Can they do that?
TSBonyman
What happens if you find a house and some tools – can you make a pile of rubble .. and then spread gossip that someone else did it..?
The Lone Steven
Wait what? I thought the point of Online games were to play and kill other players.O_O I forgot that the 3DS had the friend codes and some sort of online.:o
colmshan1990
But doesn’t that sound like Demon’s Souls?
How can you patent a genre anyway? Especially when it’s already been used?