To the masses? Yep.
To me? Nah. I'd rather see em spend more time developing a quality single player campaign.
I guess that's why I like MGS, JRPG's, and Nintendo games. Not too big about "online multiplayer." It's just the same thing with a different game playing in the background, imho.
I think the industry wants you to think that online gaming is the future, and that everyone loves it, but there is a vast number of gamers out there that would just rather steer clear of that sort of stuff.
I personally got my fill after Halo 2 and 3 years of World of Warcraft.
A lot of people just like to use online as a way to flame Nintendo and to a lesser extent Sony.
I don't need your console war.
It feeds the rich while it buries the poor.
You're power hungry, spinnin' stories, and bein' graphics whores.
I don't need your console war.
NO NO, NO NO NO.
