Wolfenstein: The New Order is passing on multiplayer

Thank goodness for that

As much as I don’t like assuming the worst, the continued inclusion of multiplayer components in games that truly don’t need them and would be better off concentrating on single-player has given me no alternative. Which is why it’s a relief to hear from GameSpot that MachineGames will not be offering multiplayer in Wolfenstein: The New Order.

I’m unsure who made the decision — either publisher Bethesda, MachineGames, or both parties — but job well done. Let Wolfenstein be Wolfenstein. Creative director Jens Matthies considers this project to be “an honor and a legacy,” and says that “If there’s a video game museum, Wolfenstein is in the first room. It’s the start of the wave that shaped the world of gaming.”

While The New Order may very well be another “generically dark, monochromatic, FPS, kill-the-Nazi-giant-robot game,” in the words of outspoken designer Warren Spector, at least it won’t have multiplayer.

No multiplayer in new Wolfenstein [GameSpot]