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I’ve owned about a million copies of Plants vs. Zombies at this point. One copy on PC, two different Mac versions, and an iPhone version of the game. You’d think I wouldn’t have needed the 360 version, but you’d be entirely wrong. The idea of playing co-op and vs. modes with other people was too strong of a draw to pass up. I was in particular looking forward to destroying Mat over Xbox Live, and was disappointed when I discovered that there was no online multiplayer component to the game. I had to ask PopCap about this particular decision, and I got the straight dope from Matt Johnston, Sr. Producer on PvZ/XBLA):
“At the beginning, middle and end of the day, PopCap makes decisions with regards to our games that we believe make them the most fun possible for players. When we set out to create the XBLA version of Plants Vs. Zombies, designing a great multiplayer experience was at the top of the list – second only to getting the controls right on the Xbox 360 gamepad. Our first impulse was to create a great connected multiplayer game but when we set out to do that with the ‘Versus’ game, we quickly discovered a hitch. In the connected version, the multiplayer fun is largely dependent on other players – it was too easy for someone to drop out of the game ruining the experience for the other player. We at PopCap are also console gamers, and we know how much it hurts to spend 5-7 minutes building your strategy, only to have someone drop out of the game because they were losing.
In Co-op Survival game there is so much real-time collaboration required to survive for very long in those modes, that it just couldn’t be done satisfactorily over live. For instance, if someone starts grabbing up all the sun so that you can’t plant anything, you need to be able to express your disdain with some good old fashioned couch justice.”
Well, there you have it. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t get some online action in the game, but ultimately it’s probably a stronger experience playing with someone sitting right next to you.
I also took a second to ask about any upcoming DLC in the form of new maps, modes, or plants/zombies, and was told that they couldn’t answer that question at this time. Keep your eyes open for news on that front! We’ll definitely have it here on NonsenseGamer if anything is released in the future.
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September 9, 2010
#1
Fair enough. Some companies would have caved and included a buggy online portion just to keep people quiet.
Good on Popcap for taking out what didn’t work and leaving a solid port behind.
Also, we can now presume that I’d have kicked your ass Joe, and there’s no way for you to prove me wrong .
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September 9, 2010
#2
Fair enough. Some companies would have caved and included a buggy online portion just to keep people quiet.
Good on Popcap for taking out what didn’t work and leaving a solid port behind.
Also, we can now presume that I’d have kicked your ass Joe, and there’s no way for you to prove me wrong .
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September 9, 2010
#3
One day we will meet, and your shame will be felt all the way across the pond.
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September 9, 2010
#4
One day we will meet, and your shame will be felt all the way across the pond.
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September 9, 2010
#5
I can’t think of a better reason not to come to America than that you could possibly put a stop to my PvZ Bravado.
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September 9, 2010
#6
I can’t think of a better reason not to come to America than that you could possibly put a stop to my PvZ Bravado.
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September 9, 2010
#7
I can’t think of a better reason not to come to America than that you could possibly put a stop to my PvZ Bravado.
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September 19, 2010
#8
Here’s a novel concept. Friends only online play. Make it happen, Popcap. This is a lame excuse for a lame decision.
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September 19, 2010
#9
Here’s a novel concept. Friends only online play. Make it happen, Popcap. This is a lame excuse for a lame decision.
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September 19, 2010
#10
Here’s a novel concept. Friends only online play. Make it happen, Popcap. This is a lame excuse for a lame decision.
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September 19, 2010
#11
Here’s a novel concept. Friends only online play. Make it happen, Popcap. This is a lame excuse for a lame decision.
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September 18, 2010
#12
Here’s a novel concept. Friends only online play. Make it happen, Popcap. This is a lame excuse for a lame decision.
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September 19, 2010
#13
What was the point of putting the game onto xbox live arcade if the game was not going to be xbox live compatible, this makes no sense. The idea of co-op and verses with this game is so brilliant, yet Popcap did not execute it correctly. I will not buy this game for that sole reason. I was going to buy it to play with my friends online but i might as well stick to the pc version by myself. This excuse would be like Epic saying they are taking online co-op out of their game because they are nervous that people will fight over who gets a certain power weapon. This upsets me and im sure a whole community.
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September 19, 2010
#14
What was the point of putting the game onto xbox live arcade if the game was not going to be xbox live compatible, this makes no sense. The idea of co-op and verses with this game is so brilliant, yet Popcap did not execute it correctly. I will not buy this game for that sole reason. I was going to buy it to play with my friends online but i might as well stick to the pc version by myself. This excuse would be like Epic saying they are taking online co-op out of their game because they are nervous that people will fight over who gets a certain power weapon. This upsets me and im sure a whole community.
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October 5, 2010
#15
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
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Mat Growcott Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 8:57 am
, Do you have a photo of the back of the cover where it says that? More than happy to ask about it on your behalf if you can get us the picture.
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Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
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Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
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Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
[Reply]
Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
[Reply]
Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
[Reply]
Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
[Reply]
Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 6th, 2010 at 2:21 am
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#16
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#17
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#18
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#19
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#20
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
October 5, 2010
#21
I just bought the Xbox 360 cd format of PvZ @ Gamestop yesterday. I too have owned different versions of this game. (PC, Iphone, Ipod touch) So when i heard it was coming to Xbox live i knew i had to get this just to own some of my friends. Well, I’m very dissapointed. Even on the back of the case it says “online multiplayer 2-4″. That right there is false advertisement, there is no online multiplayer and if you consider playing someone thats sitting next to you as online then you’re seriously mistaken. I would like my money back. Thanks
[Reply]
Mat Growcott Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 1:57 am
, Do you have a photo of the back of the cover where it says that? More than happy to ask about it on your behalf if you can get us the picture.
[Reply]
Dante Ravenkin Reply:
October 5th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
, I just got a physical copy of it today as well, and it does say “Online Multiplayer 2-4″. However I think that’s for Peggle which is included on the disc, cause I was surprised that that was online multiplayer at all.
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October 12, 2010
#22
it was prety hard the people in the whole house couldin’t beat the whole game
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October 12, 2010
#23
What a lame excuse, Live has voice chat FFS! Unless you are required to physically assualt someone for not playing correctly I fail to see how this is not adequate. If I want to play co-op I’ll play it with people I know and therefore can trust not to steal all the sun! Sounds just like an excuse because Popcap could not be bothered, to be honest.
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October 31, 2010
#24
Sounds like a shitty excuse from developers who couldn’t figure out some problem.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link
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