Developer Spotlight - Cooperative and Competitive Multiplayer

Dear Players,

In developer spotlight posts, we discuss the detail and ideas behind Carrier Command 2.

In this post, we discuss the cooperative and competitive multiplayer features, why multiplayer is important, and how it works.

Multiplayer was one of the first features we implemented in the development of this game, because we wanted to be able to play and test together, discuss the experience and iterate the design while bouncing ideas off each other. While the entire campaign can be played as singleplayer, we also wanted the game to fundamentally work as a multiplayer experience.

You can play the entire campaign as singleplayer or multiplayer, as well as being able to customize the game mode to have multiple teams and different sized worlds. This depends on if you want to play the full game through with your friends, perhaps over several sessions, or if you want to play versus other players over a small number of islands.



The design of Carrier Command 2 is heavily influenced by the classic gaming experiences of the 1980s and 1990s. This was an age of gaming where mechanics were typically deeper and players made more complex and broader decisions, but networking and the internet was much, much less common. I often longed to play with friends in the same game, rather than taking turns on the same screen. Playing with friends and communicating is just more fun.

When the game offers more to players in terms of systems to manage, and roles to adopt, multiplayer is particularly effective. Some players will be most comfortable multi-tasking, while others may prefer focusing on helm operation or logistics and manufacturing. In a game like CC2, where the player has authorship over their play style and focus, and where there is no single correct way to play, then playing with others produces a new and fresh experience within the same game.



As previously discussed, the bridge of the carrier is divided into several stations, each with a specific role and function. These functions include inventory & logistics, command, helm, carrier weapons, carrier systems, and remote vehicle control. In singleplayer, who will find yourself using all of these stations to some degree, while in multiplayer, it is up to the players how to play. While there is less to be done per player, gameplay can be more efficient, and communication (including in-game VOIP support) becomes a critical and engaging layer to the game.

In a player-versus-player game mode, the experience is very different. Knowing that you are playing versus a team of humans is a competitive experience, and defeating human players simply means more.

We are still tweaking and balancing many areas of the game, including multiplayer, so please let us know your thoughts, ideas and feedback so we can consider them as we tune these final layers of gameplay.

We look forward to sharing more as we approach release. What would you like to hear more about? Would you want to see some video content? Let us know in the comments!

Much love
The Carrier Command Developers