Most of the Co-Optimus staff isn't really keen on playing with "randoms" or "pubbies" - people who are matched up online without any real link to each other. While it's always nice to get the word out about our awesome co-op site, playing and chatting with randoms can be an exercise in frustration.
The flip side of that coin is that it's often difficult to meet up with people you're already acquainted with. But mismatched schedules or differing tastes in games aside, it will always behoove you to make the extra effort to play co-op games with a friend...and the same goes for team-based competitive multiplayer games.
To prove the point a little, I interrupted Andrew's late-night movie on Wednesday with an offer to play Call of Duty: Black Ops in public multplayer rooms. He graciously accepted. Even though I knew that he would normally rather stick to the co-op modes, I wanted to wade with him into open waters and get some screenshots of our adventure.
While we made complete noob spectacles of ourselves, I made some mental notes as to exactly how playing with Andrew was oodles better than just jumping into a game at random. These are some of my personal reasons for preferring to play with mi amigos over randoms.
Andrew, untrusting of his own aim, sets a trap...
...to great effect. Booom!!
BACKUP
"Well, duh!" you say? It may be obvious to most team-based multiplayer gamers, but the shooter scene seems to be rife with "lone wolves": people who play for score and not the satisfaction of successful teamwork.
If you're clearing an area of enemies, you want to know that a surprise ambush will only surprise one of you. If the point is to take an objective, you may have to turn your back for some time - backup is extremely important to your success at times like these. Multiplayer games almost always include "bomb plants" and "vehicle repair" actions that render you unable to defend yourself, and it's times like these that it's valuable to have a friend that can give you some breathing space.
REVENGE
Served cold, hot, served at the pool, or on a trampoline - I don't care how it's served; revenge is sweet. And who better to exact revenge than a flatmate, a cousin, a spouse, or a fellow writing staff member?
When you get hit with a cheap shot or you just plain lose a standoff, the punk that bested you must. be. destroyed. What else are friends for, if not retribution?
Andrew's nemesis...meet Jim's RC-XD.
LOOSE COMMUNICATION
Playing with friends is a great way to catch up with what's going on in each other's real lives. Voice chat traffic multiplies when there are more things to talk about than just griping about game lag and claymore mines.
"Hey, tha's a purty nice ban-do-lier ya got there. You get your'n over at Rick's Surplus? Tha's where I got mine."
Back in the SOCOM II days, we had a saying: "If you want to have a record-breaking game, take a few calls." This was based on the phenomenon wherein slurring drunkards and distracted phone conversationalists all seemed to have had superhuman reflexes.
Obviously they didn't, but there's something to be said for the effect that relaxation has on a gamer, even in the middle of a stress-inducing and hectic game. Indeed, having a chit-chat with Andrew made my Black Ops run not only more enjoyable...but even productive at times. Thanks, buddy!
"You see that new VT-16?"
"Yeah, some of the other guys were telling me about, they say it's--...What was that?!"
TIGHT COMMUNICATION
Hardcore randoms can get really testy, especially if you waste valuable in-game pickups or special actions. I had a particular string of bouts with a guy that just would not stop complaining about the lack of people in support roles. A few follow-up voice messages told the story of a man in his late twenties who literally had no other aspirations in life but to play Call of Duty, and don't you dare get in the way of his kill/death ratio.
Andrew -vs- Chopper
People like that are no fun. It's much nicer to play with someone who is considerate of the fact that this is just entertainment, and it's often motivation enough to get a good, tight method of coordination going.
"Oh, hey...I got a carpet bombing run I can call in."
"Cool. Give me a minute, and I'll see if I can get a UAV."
That's how a team wins.
When life gives you lemons...bomb the crap out something.
HDTJH MOMENTS
"How did that just happen?!!" is something you might hear while playing with people like us (the Co-Opticrew and our incredible community). Whether it's Mike swinging a gravity hammer on Halo 3: ODST, Nick with a magnetic grapple gun in Red Faction: Armageddon, or myself sniping helicopter pilots in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, "HDTJH" moments garner a much funnier reaction when friends are along for the ride. Not to mention the stories that will come later.
I'm not even going to ask. I'm too busy laughing.
MINUTES > KILLS
In competitive games, score matters. These days developers try to shake things up by creating new scoring systems based on actions other than straight destruction, but ultimately competitive matches are won by comparing numbers.
Get the right wingman, though, and kills take a backseat to just plain old fraternization.
One of the last things Andrew told me as we were in the process of calling it quits for the night was, "I really enjoyed playing this." For him, playing with a friend kind of breathed new life into the game, if you will.
It seriously does make a difference who you play with. Which is why our forums have constant meet-ups. It's why open calls for Left 4 Dead runs and Ghost Recon Advanced Warrior 2 co-op missions were some of the most popular threads we've ever hosted.
THE END
And now that I've got that out of my system, here are a few bonus images...