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Editor's note: Like Michael, standard-fare multiplayer modes for genres overflowing with similarly designed games also bore me. I'd add Demon's Souls to his list for From Software's innovative mix of single-player, co-op, and competitive multiplayer modes all in one package. -Rob

Most multiplayer games these days are boring and uninspired. With a creative medium such as video games, you would expect some truly unique experiences on offer. But most big studios haven't gone there, because…well…it's risky, and the money isn't in it.

On the other hand, indie developers have nothing to lose. Instead of deathmatches and respawns, capture the flag, and other sport-type modes, these devs try to capture something new. They don't necessarily make co-op games but experiences we can have together using the magic of software.

At this year's E3, the industry still put most of their focus on upcoming shooters: Medal of Honor, Gears of War 3, Killzone 3, Crysis 2, and Call of Duty: Black Ops, for example. But the last thing I want to do is shoot another hundred marines and/or aliens in the face.

Unless it's something like Spy Party.

 

Spy Party (PC)

An upcoming game by Chris Hecker for two players where one is a spy, and the other is a sniper.

The sniper only has one bullet, and he needs to make it count. At the same time, the spy must mingle with guests and try to disguise himself as an A.I. character while he goes about the room engaging in spy-related activities.

While you might tell some pretty cool spy stories from this game, you may find it easier to orchestrate a unique narrative in Sleep Is Death.

 

Sleep Is Death (Geisterfahrer) (PC)

Jason Roher released his turn-based, storytelling game in April of this year.

One player is the "controller" who sets up the story and commands what would usually be non-player characters. The "player" directs his avatar and makes decisions based on the scenarios created by the controller. Both the controller and the player build the narrative through these mechanics.

But perhaps you're after something more minimalist — something without the aid of language. Something like Journey.

Journey (PS3)

Although we've heard and seen little about Journey, Thatgamestudio's next title appears to take a fresh look at multiplayer.

If the developer behind Flow and Flower plans to tackle multiplayer games, you know they'll to do it with style. You'll glide across a desert, join up with strangers, and dance about the sand dunes using only your avatar to communicate. Sounds neat to me.

So, we've got the indie games well covered, but what about the big developers? What are they doing to revolutionize multiplayer?

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood (PC, PS3, X360)

While some joked about adding multiplayer to Assassin's Creed, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood's "wanted" mode looks like it's taking a slightly different approach than what we've come to expect. (Arguably, it's only one mode of many that developer Ubisoft Montreal has shown.)

The game gives you a target to take down while simultaneously assigning at least one other player to claim the bounty on your head. Brotherhood has no sword fighting involved — just tactics, stealth, and (possibly) chases.

N+ (DS, PSP, X360), Schiziod (X360), and Portal 2 (Mac, PC, PS3, X360)

Two player co-op games are usually the most inventive. No — I'm not talking about jumping into a friend's Gears of War campaign. I mean titles that ask players to work together towards a common goal that goes beyond just killing the bad guys.

N+ has a great — although punishing — co-op mode. Schizoid is made for co-op and is another brutal game — no doubt. And the upcoming Portal 2 promises to take us through Aperture Laboratories again while playing alongside a buddy.

Multiplayer games could be so much more. Developers, it's time to step up to the challenge.  Head shots just aren't enough for players like me anymore. We want something more substantial — possibly even thought provoking.

Don't just leave it to the indie games to innovate. We have a thriving industry and millions of networked computers and consoles — let's take advantage of that.

Michael Gray writes for ButtonMasher and Game Console magazine over in a far away land that isn't part of Australia (hint: it's New Zealand). You can reach him, belittle him, or just say g'day to him, over at his personal blog or Twitter.