Journey doesn't let you play with your friends

Thatgamecompany's co-founder Jenova Chen has revealed that Journey will not let you play with your friends during the game's co-op, and instead pair you with a "completely random person" each time you play.

[LORD-PHOENIX]

thats dumb especially if you cant talk to the person

[RedDead]

That is dumb...ah well they must have their reasons for it...

[captain-obvious]

i think they are aiming to some kind of demon souls kind of online play

[RedDead]

Well when you put it that way I can see why they would do it, I would have liked split screen for demons souls aswell though, it would be a nice feature for me and my little bro.

[rockleex]

No voice chat or partying with friends because it detracts from the theme of the game.

"The sands are unknown," said Chen. "If you know your friends then when you play this game you'll be thinking about 'what is Tom or Jimmy thinking?', and that's not really what we want you to feel.

"if you play the whole game with someone else, that means they chose you, and that is an intimate decision."

No voice chat because then you'll be focused on relying on each other verbally and not intimately. Not only that, players could try to irritate the other person on purpose.

Imagine if Shadow of the Colossus had NPC's, towns, stores, etc. It would distract you from the feeling you get of traveling through a desolate land with no one but you and your horse... and 16 gigantic colossi.

[ComboBreaker]

Letting you play and chat with your friend does not make any sense...

since you're suppose to be alone in a strange mystical land meeting strangers with a language you can not understand.

[TBM]

I think its rather interesting. There must be a method to their madness.

[Shani]

I find it interesting as well.
I agree that playing with friends would be fun. But playing with stranger whom you don't know. No name, no gender, just another player.
I think that is totally new experience.

[callahan09]

It's not dumb. If you've been following this game at all, you'd understand perfectly why this is the case, and in fact you'd have expected it right from the beginning. Jenova Chen has stated in the past that the game is supposed to be a journey of loneliness and desolation and when you do come across somebody it's supposed to be a very impactful experience. How would inviting a friend into your game possibly fit into that formula? Just because a game has networking/online functions in it doesn't mean they have to be the same sort of features as every other game out there where you invite friends and play together. There's room for some creativity, some difference, and this is one of those different experiences.

[LORD-PHOENIX]

it is dumb,because fine i understand they want it to be unique every time you play it but to not be able to communicate with the person makes it dumb

and its disappointing because this is one of my most wanted games

[fooltheman]

then enjoy the filosophy of Chen... if you're really a fan

[Sitris]

Lord phoenix you are 100 percent wrong, the game is about being alone in a world, with no contact to anyone.picture this.... You see someone in the distance, with the great desert sound effects around you begin the JOURNEY towards them, as you get closer you hear the distinct sound of....rap music as the person is listen to tunes as they play. " no mum i'm playing a game" he says, "sup dude, how you doin?"

Thus the awesome illusion of being alone is destroyed, no communication in this game, is a fantastic idea, makes the game world feel fresh and emotive.

[Redempteur]

@Sitris

if it's not rap music it's a baby crying in the background or a poorly set up mic ... where you don't understand half of the words ...

[specialguest]

Why don't we throw in online death match multiplayer and some rocket launchers..../s

Ok, maybe I'm over exaggerating, but the point here is out of so many games with standard/generic gameplay features, I'm glad there's a rare few that refuse to stray away from their original vision.

[Malebaria]

That is the point of the game though- you are supposed to feel alone in this world and start interacting with total strangers just because you have to, as opposed to bringing along a friend.

[Quagmire]

Agreed. If these idiots actually READ the article like they were supposed to before commenting, they would understand that TGC's decision of not allowing co-op with friends is perfectly valid, in terms of there personal beliefs and the game's intentions.

[Rashonality]

that's brilliant
they really want you to be lost and feel weak
it's a journey you'll have to take alone

[koehler83]

I guess the example he gave of walking with your grandmother was a fallacy.

[bobrea]

Not a fan of this decision.

[bobrea]

Seriously, 11 disagrees? Do people really not enjoy playing with their friends? I understand the concept that the game is trying to pull by isolating you, but I'd also like to have the option to play with my friends if I want.

[denero1]

yeah can't wait to be with my strange team mate only to have him disconnect lol or the running in circles guy or the guy who keeps pushing o making gestures -_-

[fishd]

They should change their name to Team Ico 2 !

Of all these so called AAA games , Flower is stil THE game of this gen for me , Ok , maybe not , it's a tie between Flower and God of War III :)

[ZombieAssassin]

Ha i love that, Flower and GoW3...totally different games. Good choices though.

[Redempteur]

Flower is forever in my must play games this gen ....

[TheObserver]

You can't always pick who you run into on your Journey. I have no objection as this is the theme and nature of the game.

[Acquiescence]

he'd facepalm himself to infinity.

Why the hell would you want to play this game with friends anyhow, it's hardly the ideal experience to be accompained by (not so) witty banter. You're playing as a lone figure in a sprawling wasteland/wilderness/whatever: I for one would not want to engage in any form of conversation.

[koehler83]

I don't think random travelers are a bad thing. I think the option of friendly travelers is a good thing.

I don't understand the design philosophy of limiting choice where irrelevant.

[dead_eye]

irrelevant??

[wenaldy]

You can feel a loneliness from all games of ThatGameCompany..

[Redempteur]

BUt they all end with hope ..

Hope for yourself , hope for a better tomorrow ...

i'm pretty sure Journey will be the same

[ComboBreaker]

and loneliness are two very different things.

[anasurimbor]

Uh... ok. I don't see any problem with this really.

[Oldman100]

So you play as an islamic woman that tries to run away from her strict religion and lifestyle and embarks on a journey through the desert in hopes of finding her rights and freedoms while choosing whether or not to cooperate with other women like herself that are trying to do the same?

Day 1

[Darkfiber]

OH SHIT NIGGA YOU SEE DAT SAND DUNE? THAT SHIT IS SCARY MUTHAFUCKA!

[danielle007]

I think this will be a game for me. Flower was not for me, because I don't do drugs and sitting there flowing through flowers didn't keep me entertained, unfortunately. This game gives you something to do, obv, since you are on a Journey.

I almost wish I could experience it with a friend, but I can definitely see how it would detract from everything the game is setting out to do. I think it'll be a great water cooler game, though. :)