# What does multiplayer mean in games?

> Multiplayer means a game or mode where two or more people play at the same time, together or against each other, locally or online.

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.

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https://gamevoyages.com/what-does-the-word-multiplayer-mean/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30