Hi, so here's my idea on a splitscreen mode for DA:I (this is similar to split screen mode found in FPS games like modern warfare. I've noticed that little, if any, RPG games have some sort of split screen function where two players can play the game at once).
- I will first address the importance of splitscreen mode.
I think splitscreen mode is a great way for 2 players to become close friends; I mean, when you're on the battlefield and your partner is the one who decides whether you live or die, trust goes a LONG way even in a video game. This works with strangers too. For example, if you're in the big lobby of a fancy college dormitory and you're playing Dragon Age, people will look, and some people will even want to play. And if you're lucky, you might get the girl who catches your eye to pick up the extra controller. I think that this is a great way to introduce newcomers to the RPG and DA universe.
Another thing is that splitscreen mode in this game will make DA:I an unforgettable and truly unique RPG game. As I said earlier, I believe that little, if any, RPG games have a splitscreen function and they mostly restrict the game to one single player. This isn't a bad idea, but it's just too old and overused if you get what I mean. Splitscreen function will also (Hopefully) encourage newcomers to buy a copy of this game to share it with their own friends through splitscreen mode. This should help lower the chances of someone who loans their games to a friend for months and the friend doesn't ever buy the game (player 2 will be restricted compared to player 1, so player 2 will be more motivated to get his/own copy to become a player 1 and have someone else restricted to player 2). Do you see the ripple effect in terms of game sales when you install splitscreen mode? Splitscreen mode will also encourage players to take on harder difficulty levels and thus skyrocket replayability; the feeling of having an actual and trustworthy friend besides you is quite thrilling as you take on hordes of monstrously difficult creatures.
- Now I will address how splitscreen mode will work
I think that splitscreen mode should be an option that is activated in the main menu rather than a separate mode. In this way, a player doesn't need to leave his/her main progress just to play with someone else. When a 2nd player is introduced, the player will have the option of controlling 2 party member (the main player controlls the main character and another party member). This option of designating who controls what and how many should be availible through the main menu.
When player 2 plays, he/she is just like the main player except for a few restrictions. Player 2 cannot talk or interact with NPCs nor can he/she stray too far away from the main character (if at a certain distance, a timer is activated and player 2 is automatically transported to where the main player is if player 2 is still too far away from player 1). Player 2's character will also engage in regular dialogue with other party members (party banters). Player 1 can also speak to player 2's character as though he/she was just a regular party member. During dialogue and cutscenes, there is only 1 screen focused on the main character and player 1 is the one who decides which option to choose. However, player 2 will be allowed to equip his/her character as he/she sees fit as well as having control over leveling up and choosing which abilities to equip.
- Now I will address how awesome Bioware is
I think Bioware is a great company because they actively listen to their players feedback (this is a great way to develop your company and games because video game producers need players; Bioware's apporach to ME3's femshepard was quite impressive). The two greatest games that I have played from Bioware were Neverwinter Nights and Dragon Age Origins. I also played ME2, but that was nowhere next to the previous two. I really think that DA:I is going to be a very succesful game from the looks of it so far. Just look at what's availible: multiple races and voicing, open world environment, and awesome stories as usual. If it's okay, I will also insert some personal opinions right here (you don't have to read them): I think Bioware should tone down on how personal choices will carry over to a new game; this just seems to put too much stress and work on Bioware unless they're very willing and able to do it. What I think Bioware should do is declare a certain route canon and move on from there (this will allow Bioware to create very original and creative stories instead of being restricted by player choices from the previous games) This opinion will even seem less popular, but I think we should return to the voiceless hero (like DAO's grey warden and NWN's hero of neverwinter). This will put less stress and demand on Bioware's voice actors as well as the company's expenses. This will also make the main hero more personal to the player because the player will imagine the hero's voice instead of having some other guy do it for them. The voiceless hero will make the player seem like he/she is actually in this game and doing something very heroic and adventurous (this is the exact feeling that I got from DAO and NWN but not from ME2; Shepard just felt too much of a different person than who I wanted him to be (which is me, the player)).
And to those who have thus read this so far, I humbly and sincerely thank you especially to any Bioware members part of the DA:I production team. DAO was a legendary and memorable game as well as NWN, and I hope that you will continue their legacies in producing great games for great people. Once again, I would like to thank everybody for reading this. Any feedback is most welcome!
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