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Share Play is a Game Changer

Share Play is a Game Changer

The big event is happening next week. PS4 firmware updated 2.00 will arrive, and it’s going to launch a feature that will change the way we think about gaming. By this time next week, we’ll know if Share Play–Sony’s ambitious endeavor to allow players to play a game online with a friend who doesn’t also own that game–will work. The feature lets someone invite an online friend to team up for cooperative adventures in one title, or provide aid by taking the reigns of a game where some other friend is flailing.

It’s too early to tell if Share Play will work. There will be internet issues to consider. Not everyone has access to the same kind of quality support. Plus, there are always kinks in any system when it first launches. The fact that Share Play even exists is what makes it so revolutionary and special.

For the first time, we’re going to be getting the chance to experience the standard, local multiplayer experience without being local. A whole new world will open up, providing a chance for people to play with friends they might not have been able to before. It’s a whole new means of socializing while gaming.

This also works for developers and publishers as well. For every game we were mildly interested in, but didn’t purchase because there was no demo, we now have a chance of seeing it for ourselves for free. Depending on the title, Share Play could give us a taste of the game. It’s about more than connections, it’s about expanding our horizons by allowing us see even more games we could play. People could try a title they’re unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, because a friend needed a partner, and discover a whole new genre to enjoy.

Even the idea of offering aid is beneficial. I can’t tell you how many times, when revisiting old NES or Genesis games, I end up throwing the controller at a friend when times get tough. I even did it with Super Smash Bros last week, when I was having trouble beating the Duck Hunt Dog to unlock him. I paused, shoved my 3DS into my friend’s hands, and asked him to do it. Share Play is the future of “Hey! Beat this guy for me!”

Share Play is a Game Changer

Really, Share Play is a game changer for everyone. Sony may be the ones starting this trend, but you know Nintendo and Microsoft are watching. If this experiment goes well, there is no doubt in my mind that every system in the next generation of consoles will have some kind of feature that allows people to play together online, even if not everyone involved has the game. Nintendo already experimented with that a bit, with the 3DS multicard play. It could very easily happen.

Simply put, Share Play is exciting. This could very well turn out to be the next big thing in gaming. After all, we’re already reaching the limit of how lifelike games can look. The next evolution is going to be more about functionality, rather than form. Share Play is leading the way, and even if you don’t have and aren’t interested in the PS4, you have to admit it’s intriguing to see what this kind of concept could inspire.

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