What does multiplayer mean in games?

Multiplayer means a game or game mode in which two or more people play at the same time, either with each other (co-op) or against each other (competitive). It can be local, on the same screen or network, or online over the internet. The opposite is single-player, where you play alone against the game.

Types of multiplayer

• Local / couch multiplayer: players share one device, using split screen or one shared screen.
• LAN: several devices on the same local network.
• Online multiplayer: players connect over the internet through servers or peer-to-peer.
• Co-op: players work together against the game, such as in It Takes Two.
• Competitive / PvP: players compete, from 1-v-1 fighting games to large battle royales.
• MMO: massively multiplayer online games with thousands of players in a shared world.

Online vs. offline

An offline game works without an internet connection. Many games have both: a single-player campaign that runs offline and multiplayer modes that require a connection and, on consoles, often a paid subscription such as PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online.

A short history

Early two-player games like Tennis for Two (1958) and Spacewar! (1962) were multiplayer from the start. Arcades, split-screen consoles and LAN parties came next, followed by internet play in the 1990s and today's always-online games.

FAQ

What's the difference between online co-op and online multiplayer?

Co-op is one kind of multiplayer: you team up against the game. "Multiplayer" also covers competitive modes where you play against other people.

What does network co-op mean?

Cooperative play over a network, local or online, where each player uses their own device.

When does multiplayer unlock in Genshin Impact?

Co-op unlocks at Adventure Rank 16. If you can't join a friend's world, check that you both meet the requirement, are on the same server region and that their world settings allow joining.

What is the purpose of multiplayer?

To share the experience: playing with friends, testing your skills against real people and joining a community around a game.