Single-player video game

You can play games all by yourself.

In these games, one person plays alone. You do not need a friend to join. Some games use a computer to tell a story. This helps you feel part of the world.

Early games like Pong were for two people. Later, games like Space Invaders became popular for one. These games let you focus on the action.

You might meet characters in the game. They can feel like real friends. You can also play simple puzzle games. It is a fun way to play.

A single-player video game is made for one person.

You do not need a friend to play. You can play alone. Most modern games let you play this way. Some games also have modes for many players. Very few games truly need more than one person.

Early games like Pong were for two people. Later, games like Space Invaders became popular for one player. Computers became better at making these games. They could tell stories and let players work together with the computer.

Many single-player games focus on a good story. This helps you feel part of the world. Since you are not playing a real person, the computer makes the story. You might meet characters called non-player characters. These are people in the game that are not you. They can feel like real friends. They can also be enemies. This is common in role-playing games, or RPGs. Games like Dragon Quest use this to build a world. Other games, like Tetris, focus on puzzles instead. They do not need a big story to be fun.

A single-player video game is made for one person.

You do not need a friend to play these games. You can enjoy the whole experience by yourself. Most modern games on PCs or consoles work this way. Many games also have modes for two or more players. However, very few games actually require more than one person. The Unreal Tournament series is an example of a game that needs others.

In these games, the computer acts as your opponent. It creates the story and the conflicts for you. This is different from multiplayer games where humans interact. Single-player games often use a deep story to pull you in. They want you to feel invested in the world. This helps you care about what happens next. Because the computer is in charge, the story stays on track.

Early video games were often meant for two people. For example, Tennis for Two from 1958 was symmetrical. Spacewar! from 1962 and Pong from 1972 were also for two. Single-player games became popular a bit later. Speed Race came out in 1974 to play this way. Space Invaders in 1978 was another early hit. Better computers helped make these solo experiences possible.

Some big game companies have worried about these games. In 2012, Frank Gibeau from Electronic Arts said he did not approve single-player games. In 2017, a studio called Visceral Games was closed by EA. They were working on a Star Wars game at that time. Some people thought big games were moving toward multiplayer models. Games like Overwatch and Destiny 2 were very successful. This made some think the single-player model was fading.

Things began to change again after a few years. In 2020, the game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was a success. This helped EA find new interest in single-player titles. They even looked at remaking the Dead Space series. Phil Spencer from Xbox Game Studios also sees a place for these games. He says they can be risky to make with big budgets. But new services like cloud gaming can help reduce that risk.

A single-player video game is a game designed for one person.

In this mode, the player provides all the input during the gameplay. While many modern games offer multiple modes, most are built to be played alone. Most console, PC, and arcade games can be played by one person. However, very few games actually require more than one person to function. The Unreal Tournament series is a rare example of a game that requires multiple players.

To create a single-player experience, the computer must take on many roles. In multiplayer games, humans provide the conflict and the social interaction. In a single-player game, the computer generates the narrative and the conflict. This allows the game to deliver specific experiences that multiplayer games often lack. The computer controls the pacing of the story and the behavior of enemies. This ensures that the player follows a specific path or sequence of events.

Storytelling is a vital part of this game type. Single-player games often rely on a compelling narrative to create player investment. Because human players are unpredictable, they cannot reliably carry a set story. In multiplayer settings, players might ignore the plot to focus on combat. In contrast, single-player games use a linear narrative to guide the player. This helps the player feel deeply connected to the world and its events.

Character development is another essential mechanism. Since there are no other humans to interact with, the game must build social connections artificially. This requires deep characterization of non-player characters, often called NPCs. These characters help create sympathy between the player and allies. They also help create antipathy, or strong dislike, toward the antagonists. This is very common in role-playing games (RPGs). Examples include series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, which focus on character-driven settings.

Not all single-player games follow this pattern. Some games focus entirely on mechanics rather than stories. For example, the puzzle game Tetris focuses on gameplay. Racing games also prioritize skill and movement over a deep plot. These exceptions show that single-player gaming can take many different forms. Whether through story or pure skill, the focus remains on the individual's experience.

History shows that early video games were often meant for two people. Symmetrical games like Tennis for Two (1958) were designed for pairs. Other early titles like Spacewar! (1962) and Pong (1972) also required two players. Single-player games became popular later with titles like Speed Race (1974) and Space Invaders (1978). This shift happened because computers became more sophisticated. Better interfaces allowed for asymmetric gameplay, where the player and computer act differently. Additionally, improved technology allowed for better cooperative play and story delivery.

Despite their popularity, the industry has faced financial challenges regarding single-player games. In 2012, Electronic Arts (EA) vice president Frank Gibeau stated he had not approved any game developed solely as a single-player experience. In October 2017, EA closed Visceral Games. This studio was known for narrative-focused games like Dead Space. At the time, they were working on a linear Star Wars game. EA decided to change that project into a broader experience with more player agency.

Many experts worried that the AAA single-player model was waning. This concern grew after the poor sales of titles like Resident Evil 7 and Prey. Meanwhile, multiplayer games like Overwatch and Destiny 2 were very successful. These games often use a "games-as-a-service" model to keep players engaged. However, interest began to return after the 2020 launch of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. EA began evaluating its catalog for single-player remakes, such as the Dead Space franchise. Phil Spencer of Xbox Game Studios also noted that while these games are risky due to high budgets, cloud gaming and subscription services can help reduce that risk.