Multiplayer with one keyboard
Before the breakthrough of the internet, multiplayer titles were usually only available in split-screen mode on the Super Nintendo, N64, or PlayStation. But there were also titles on the PC that attempted to cater to multiple players on the same machine.
One of those games was “Settlers 2” on the PC.
Anyone who wanted could play the game in split-screen against a colleague. Now it should be mentioned that Settlers 2 was anything but a hectic game. The various settlers moved slowly from A to B, and matches often lasted several hours. Player 1 could control the camera with WASD and still use useful keyboard shortcuts, while Player 2 only had the numeric keypad for navigation.
A second mouse was also needed, as it would have been nearly impossible for the second player to issue commands and get their own base running.
Another game was Blobby Volley, which was so simple and easy that it could easily be played by two people on the same computer. Without this game, the numerous “computer science” classes in school, where we were taught Word, would likely have resulted in an extra portion of beauty sleep.
Split-screen or multiplayer on PC has almost disappeared since then. Occasionally, there are some games that still offer it, but it never really took off – and that’s probably for the best. Although a round of “The Yawhg” with friends is always fun.
What “old things” from gaming do you still remember? What is fortunately forgotten, and what should make a comeback?
Note: This article was originally published in December 2017. However, since it is “timeless” and amusing, we do not want to withhold it from our new readers.
