To be honest, I am not sure which name applies to which idea. For the sake of simplicity, let’s go with the idea of Multiplayer as the concept people are more familiar with. There are hundreds of examples, but I really want to focus on the concept of multiple players in a family or party type environment. So I choose Rock Band and Katamari Damacy.

The first, Rock Band, is what I would call a multiplayer game. There are a few people, each with a controller, playing the game and the success or failure is based entirely on the group. Each person focuses completely on doing their part, and doing it well. If one person fails, everyone fails. True, Rock Band is an exceptional game, and I have spent many hours singing slightly off tune, or whacking away at a plastic guitar, but when not one of the band members, more often I am relaxed, bored, and probably playing with my phone.

How is this different from Katamari Damacy? (Especially since anyone who has played this game will loudly proclaim, “It doesn’t even HAVE MULTIPLAYER. How can it be a multiplayer game?!?”)

It isn’t. But really, it is. More so than Rock Band or other such games. Why? Because as mesmerizing as the notes floating toward the bottom of the screen are, they really aren’t that interesting when seeing them for the 3rd or 4th time (or 100th). I like Rock Band, but if our band numbers five, Rock Band does not get put in the Xbox.

Katamari Damacy is a weird game in that while one person controls the ball and the game, everyone in the vicinity of the tv gets involved. “Turn that way! No! You’re too small! WHOA did you just pick up a CAR?!?” I once sat at a party where the only entertainment for up to 20 people, over the course of 6 hours, was a single game of Katamari. The controller was passed around a bit, though often passed back to the best player. But instructions, comments, and expletives were shouted with a frequency that rivaled a football game. Despite not holding a controller, or having any control over the game, everyone in the room was a part of it. Everyone got enjoyment and fun from this game, regardless of position or ability to affect the outcome.

Rock Band is a multiplayer game, but not one that allows for multiple (beyond the 4) players. Katamari, while a single player game, appeals to all players and as such ends up being a better party game.