SpyParty: Psychological Multiplayer Gaming at its Finest

Wired contributer Gus Mastrapa has tested out a new type of game designed by Chris Hecker (Spore) called SpyParty and it is awesome. Adding a deeper level to psychological gaming, the game challenges one player, the sniper, to determine which of the attendees of a cocktail party is player two, the spy, with other attendees being controlled by the computer. The spy must complete four tasks of espionage before the sniper shoots him/her; the sniper has just one shot. The best parts of this game actually occur off-screen as the sniper studies the real-life spy, looking for tells, and the spy tries to hide them. This type of asymmetrical multiplayer is rarely done and is reminiscent of a video game version of hide and seek. SpyParty is still in the earliest stages of development but I am excited to see what Hecker can do with the concept. The game is part of a long-term trend moving toward innovative, personally engaging multiplayer options and away from traditional console gaming. MMOs allow for, well, MMOs/human interaction; the Wii incorporates movement and encourages casual gamers to participate; Rock Band and Guitar Hero use additional equipment to enhance the experience, especially among multiple players; and now SpyParty can take much of the game off-screen, increasing the connection between the two players. So much for the traditional stereotype of the lonely gamer; these new kinds of multiplayer games dominate the markets.