One of the features of modern video games that practically become a standby is the prevalence of online game modes. Whether it's online co-op or competetive multiplayer, gaming has taken a definite online-focused turn. Just look at the ad campaign for Xbox Live from last gen: "it's good to play together." This statement seems to best embody the spirit of what online gaming is trying to accomplish - bringing people closer together by offering more and more ways to play with your friends online.
With this in mind, I can't help but think back to my high school days. Another Dr. Pepper saturated weekend spent in my friend's living room playing local matches of Halo: Combat Evolved until 6 or 7 in the morning. Sometimes we'd be trying to out-pistol snipe each other, other times (like when we got REALLY tired), we would employ rocket launchers and warthogs to hillarious and gravity-defying effects for hours on end. Now of course, we can do this from the comfort of our own living rooms, which means we don't have to worry about waking up sleeping parents, and we can enact the "no pants rule" without things getting to weird. Don't get me wrong - the weekend get togethers didn't stop with the introduction of Xbox Live, as games like Risk are still very conducive to burning the midnight oil.
Then this past August, things changed again when Risk: Factions was brought to the Xbox Live arcade. All of a sudden, the only reason to get together to play a game of Risk was if we wanted to eat from the same pizza, or if we wanted the luxury of watching South Park episodes from the DVD series constantly playing in the background while the other players mulled over exactly how many troops they were going to move into Kamchatka. In fact, Xbox Live versions of previous "hard copy only" games offer more options, easier setup, and no fussing over the rules, so in many ways it's actually preferable to sit at home and play from your couch, while your buddies play from their's.
In a way, online gaming platforms like Xbox Live/Arcade, PSN, etc are making good on the original Xbox's promise of making it easier (and better) to "play together" using their online space. It's easier and faster to play a game through Xbox Live. In fact, I've met friends (even good friends) specifically through Xbox Live; I wouldn't be able to play with these people otherwise. However, it still seems like there's something to be said for the all-nighter practice. Perhaps this is just a product of my unique position on the cusp of the offline online gaming generations, but I still feel like cramming 4 or 5 guys into a living room playing Halo, Risk, Magic, etc until the wee hours of the morning does something for your "nerd cred" that you just can't get from Xbox Live. I'm curious to see how far this trend goes, and actually quite anxious to see what other activities ultimately find their homes on online gaming platforms. With ESPN and Netflix on Xbox Live, even fairly normal practices like watching TV may soon require a gamertag to really get in on.
To clarify, I'm by no means saying that this is a bad thing. I'm no luddite, and to complain about the convenience offered by online services is nothing short of anti-progress. But it's impossible to deny that these new conventions have changed video games and how they're enjoyed socially. I don't think it's premature to claim that this almost certainly spells doom for the nerd slumber parties of the late '90s and early '00s. However, I think I can safely say that the video game companies have shown us that it is indeed good to play together. Playing together can just be done separately now.
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