i do think that its needs clearly labelling, its like the news of saints row having local co-op, its clear they need to separate LAN and split-screen from just 'local'

Also note the game does not have "Online Multiplayer 1-4" - it only has co-op. Someone botched this one badly.

I just checked 20 or so of my game boxes and in every case, the green states what can be done with one copy, and the orange what can be done LAN and Online.

Best example is Borderlands

Green 2 player co-op
Orange 4 player co-op LAN or Xbox-live

Major fail on THQ's part.

I agree, there is a lot of misinformation out there! It is unbelievable to me that so far, only this site has been trying to clarify this mess. Thanks!

Oh yes, that reminds me, that I think I need another site like this for multiplayer, and party games. So far there is no site tailored for that purpose and the misinformation on competitive multiplayer games is similar to the misinformation in co-op. Particularly for small titles that do not receive much publicity like downloadable games!

I completely agree. A lot of Publishers/PR like to call playing with other people "Multiplayer" (which you know, it technically is). The problem here is that almost everyone reads "multiplayer" as competitive multiplayer. So, while lableing co-op as "multiplayer" is true from a logical standpoint, it's generally confusing to people since the word "multiplayer" has come to refer exclusively to competitive gaming. Also, I can see why they labled LAN co-op as offline (aka Green), but I agree with Xeon, Green should be used for non-network stuff while orange should be used for anything requiring a network connection (LAN or Internet).

I never look at game boxes before purchase anymore thanks to this website, but I know a lot of people still do. bapenguin - Thanks for all the work put into keeping the database up to date.

It's even worse in the old days when a game was classified as for two players even when it meant that each player would take turns progressing their individual games and never play simultaneously ala what Mario Bros NES did.

Still, they need to really have 3 categories to ensure publishers never miscommunicate this info players on a single system, players on a local network, and players online.

--- Replying to Mugsy -----
The problem with having stationary "standard of measurement" is: developers are constantly trying to change the way you play games. How would you classify the Super Mario Galaxy games? They support 2 players simultaneously, but both are doing something different. How about WiiU games, where four people get a Wii remote and one gets a touch-screen gamepad?

With the variety of game engines, the oversaturated market, and the ever-evolving control styles, the bottom line is that it's up to consumers and consumer aids to keep informed. I consider Co-Optimus a consumer aid in this regard, and Nick has always kept that aspect of the site as much in the forefront as possible. It's why we take database errors very, very seriously.

Since that is quoted off the source that Nick used, all I can say is that's a prick move by THQ. To tell people "You should have payed more attention and did your research before you bought our game". Like everyone said, it should clearly state what everyone expects these days. But for the publisher to be that unforgiving in their PR department, all I can say to future purchases is to be speechless, with a middle finger.

--- Replying to Shazoo -----
Actually, that quote was from the developer - I don't believe they have control over retail quality assurance.

Hey guys. This is an issue that happened to me, when i bought serious sam 2 on the original xbox, where it specifically on the package said "splitscreen", and there was NONE. Granted, mistakes happen, but I dont like mislabeled packages. they cant say that all of their sales were 100% legitimate. because even if i bought it for that reason and took it back, they still got the money illegitimately.

I appreciate this site, because I am one for couch multiplayer. I did the online stuff also, but it seems there is no contingency plan when the internet fails.

BIG EXAMPLE. I love farcry 1 on the 360. it has 4-player splitscreen, you can make maps and if you want to play online, you can, especially since people hardly play it on the servers anymore. Farcry 2 has an awesome map maker, but you can only go online, or system link. they officially kick family to the curb, or even visitors who come by for a drunken romp.

Halo Reach fixed their editor, but can be used online and off. I like my own TV sometimes, but I have a 50" that can fit multiple screens. Even Call of duty does it, and I rarely love the game (and its cheating bastards).

Thanks for the article. Couch co-op would have garnered a purchase from me. Sad mistake, because as clear as it is, It would still fool a girlfriend, who wants to surprise her man for fathers day, and play a game together, only to take it to gamestop, who will then sell the game cheaper.

thanks for listening!

I wonder if Gamestop or the like would give you a full refund if you bought the game specifically for couch coop and it turned out that the box was wrong?