Common Design Pattern #1 Single player games make great multiplayer games

 From what I've seen with TF2 from it's MVM to payload and other games such as Stalkers I see a common design rule. Hell even Super Mario Odyssey I see this design rule; single player games make a great multiplayer experience.

For TF2 that is odd to say but keep in mind; the game was designed around the player themselves, not around teammates or allies. It's core focus was focusing on the player only, the one who plays said character.

Other games such as Overwatch and many live service games don't take this approach and even the design of the abilities of the Borderlands Series was a question of, "is this fun?" and not "is this balanced?" That then brings the question around to games like Stalker then.

MMO Stalker-esc games where they steal the Stalker gameplay elements and throw it into a MMORPG environment being a common trend but said lazy games dying.

A game that is fun to play itself and by yourself will always be valued over a game designed around other players, the experience feels rewarding and engaging not because you were forced to work as a team but because you chose to, that the game empowering you as the individual made you stronger when you chose to work as a team.

A general rule I run by

A general rule I run by for multiplayer games is this; "is it fun with a stranger?" and "is this game fun by itself?" In both instances I have to ask myself this. The reason why I ask is because often times I found myself playing a game I didn't like but was able to enjoy it with friends or I found myself in a game I didn't enjoy and played it with friends even if I didn't like the game.

An example; I don't like Rocket League, I have a hard time spending time with friends when playing said game. These understandings allow you to see where the mindset of the player will sit when going into this kind of experience.

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