It would “dilute” the storytelling.
In a diametric opposite to EA’s current edict, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus isn’t going to have multiplayer. In a recent interview with GamesIndustry, MachineGames’ Tommy Tordsson Björk says they decided against multiplayer since it would detract from the game’s story:
The only way we can create these super immersive narrative experiences is if we can solely focus on the single-player […] Having a multiplayer component in this work process would just dilute it all. That’s the danger if you try to do two things at once.
Since the newer games in the series are considered Action-Adventure games by the studio, rather than shooters, this makes sense. Multiplayer games tend to put an emphasis on combat, since that’s the most common way of player-to-player interaction in most games. Dropping in multiplayer would divert attention away from the aspects that focus on the story portion of the game.
There are so many things you aren’t seeing. We’re definitely pushing the limits, but at the same time continuing what makes Wolfenstein really special: the drama, the human relationships, with dark humor and violence. It’s pushing them all, on all fronts.
To me, that’s the most interesting thing about working in games […] Pushing the boundaries. Trying out things that we haven’t seen before. When you write for games, there are so many avenues that haven’t been explored.
Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus releases October 27.
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