Why does everybody still play competitive online FPS games?

Competitive online multiplayer shooters really haven't grabbed me since back during the days of Unreal Tournament 2004 or the first Call of Duty game. Following those two, I really just lost a lot of interest in the genre. I've been playing it since back in the Goldeneye days (sans the online aspect), and I feel like I've seen pretty much all there is to see in the genre, barring a few innovations here and there such as the leveling system introduced in the first Modern Warfare.

I've always wondered why other types of games get so much flak for failing to innovate, yet first person shooters consistently feature the exact same basic design for their online multiplayer and nothing is mentioned about it. A great example is the rhythm genre, which is falling flat on its face thanks to oversaturation and a total lack of any kind of meaningful innovation. Why do we get sick of those games, but a new FPS for us to play online every three months is a totally welcome release?

Because the competition is with others is what makes it fun.  Sports games really haven't evolved dramatically and it is pointed out with them but these 2 genres get a pass because it is fun to play against others in  both.

Because unlike rhythm games, whilst FPS all seem very similar the tiny things completely change the MP underneath the surface. 

Lets face it, there are some things that we enjoy doing in online shooters...and then there are all of the modes, maps and weapons that get no use.
 
People want something specific out of online shooters, and I'm not sure where you could go from their without essentially creating a different genre. I mean, how do you mkae "shoot the guy and he dead!!!" more fun? Dramatic changesUsually just unbalance the game somehow. 
 
I will say that there is development in online shooters, but it has been a strong evolutionary process. All those little changes have lead to markedly different games than we played back in "the good old days" ("Its a stupid thing we say, cursing tommorrow with sorrow!")

Most console kiddies started gaming online when? Like I think COD4 was probably their first online competitive FPS. 
 
They aren't nearly as good as they were before. Like compare Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 2 or Battlefield 1942. 
 
Compare MW2 to COD1 w/ United Offensive 
 
Compare UT3 to UT2004 
 
They've been dumbed down for a wider audience sadly. I mean look at the first Operation Flashpoint. Look at the one released in 2009.  
 
Hell, people call COD4's multiplayer innovative LOL.  

The majority of the genre's audience likely weren't around back in the heyday of Counter-Strike or Unreal Tournament. It's not so much that everybody 'still' plays them, it's that with XBL and PSN most people are only just getting started with online shooters.

I'm with you dude.  My last real game I really got into was UT2k4 and Killzone 2, but mostly UT2k4.
 
I just can't stand console FPS games (aside from KZ2)....too many kids, too many idiots on an open mic, and I'm just tired of being called a faggot, jew, cunt, gaylord, etc...

" I'm with you dude.  My last real game I really got into was UT2k4 and Killzone 2, but mostly UT2k4.  I just can't stand console FPS games (aside from KZ2)....too many kids, too many idiots on an open mic, and I'm just tired of being called a faggot, jew, cunt, gaylord, etc... "

for fun

It's fun. Why do you play any kind of game?
 
Pretty retarded question OP.

It's a winning format. 
People enjoy it.
Beats JRPG.

" It's a winning format.  People enjoy it. Beats JRPG. "

I miss playing UT2k4 and taking off the full HUD and just playing Insta-Gib.  It was pure reflex and energy.
 
Why did UT3 fail so hard?  I was so hyped for that game since it was UT2k7...why did they go for the Gears graphics and not that semi-cartoony look of UT2k4?  UT is never meant to be serious...it frickin' takes about 6 rockets to kill a guy.

Just because they don't grab your attention, doesn't mean others wont enjoy them.

To each his/her own.

Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games.

Because they do innovate. In the details, it's not like the basic act of shooting and killing will change, but the feel of everything, controls, multiplayer features, and the overall complexity will.  
 
Plus there's different kinds of games with different feels to them. There's tactical ones, arcadey ones, ones that promote teamwork, and good ol' arena deathmatches.  
 
There's a lot of possible variations to them. People thinking they don't change or innovate, or whatever aren't thinking very well, I'd say. That's not even counting all the hybrids they're making with other genres. Plenty of room for online FPS games.

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

people play these types of games because they can just jump right into the game and start playing it. once they are done they can stop playing and continue to do their work. it is why it is so popular to play. sadly though they have dumbed down games a lot so there would be more people to play them.

Games are expensive and multiplayer shooters give gamers hours upon hours of gameplay.

" @Osaladin said:

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

...Or because of the artistic potential...? That seems like a good reason to play games. Not online shooters maybe, but games for sure. "

" @nintendoeats said:

" @Osaladin said:

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

...Or because of the artistic potential...? That seems like a good reason to play games. Not online shooters maybe, but games for sure. "

I think artistic potential just draws people's interests towards certain games. The reason they will keep playing the game is because they enjoy it. "

Nostalgia; I remember when online FPS games were fast paced and interesting.

" @Osaladin said:

" @nintendoeats said:

" @Osaladin said:

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

...Or because of the artistic potential...? That seems like a good reason to play games. Not online shooters maybe, but games for sure. "

I think artistic potential just draws people's interests towards certain games. The reason they will keep playing the game is because they enjoy it. "

But there is a difference between enjoying something and having "fun." I ENJOYED watching Downfall, but it sure wasn't fun. I ENJOY reading 1984, but I don't consider that to be remotely fun either. "

Because we aren't shit like you. (joking of course)

" @Vendetta:  I got a better question for you: why are online fighting games fun? just beating each other up over and over and over in a narrow 2D game...   i'll tell you why. its human nature.. as long as there's pwning and killing and owning others and teabagging, with lots, lots of GUNZ and big explosions, it'll keep rolling for fucking ever. thats why im disgusted by multiplayer Modern Warfare fans.. their neverending ache to kill each other in such a boring and repititive game is beyond me. i do like me some Battlefield though because it throws you into huge maps with lots of fun possibilities and tactical sniping and vehicles and all that.. "

" I'm with you dude.  My last real game I really got into was UT2k4 and Killzone 2, but mostly UT2k4.  I just can't stand console FPS games (aside from KZ2)....too many kids, too many idiots on an open mic, and I'm just tired of being called a faggot, jew, cunt, gaylord, etc... "

I don't know man, they all suck - seriously. I much prefer single player experiences hands down. The only reason why my statement seems vague is I have expanded upon in various formats my dislike of multiplayer gaming. The only reward these days seems to me aim > spray > insta-win. I used to play Gears Of War, and Call Of Duty 4 online, so I'm not making a statement like, "they were so much better two years ago," but after recently playing through and enjoying various single player games, as well as playing older pc games (System Shock 2), I realized these single experiences are so much more rewarding and fun than a contest that is purely formulaic.

fun??

for fun??

" @Osaladin said:

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

...Or because of the artistic potential...? That seems like a good reason to play games. Not online shooters maybe, but games for sure. "

Simple playing against a human is more interesting, engaging, harder and creative than against any AI

Because first person shooters are the only lasting multiplayer games anymore. Most of them take just enough skill, allow just enough room for beginners, and have plenty of customizable options to personalize the experience. You can say that other games have this as well, but they really don't and it's sad. I'd give up shooters for a good, long while if something else came out that had a lasting singleplayer or multiplayer experience.
 
Recently I've been playing Dawn of Discovery on my DS (as well as Pokemon) and that game has a ton of re playability and can be very addicting. 

" @nintendoeats said:

" @Osaladin said:

" Because it's fun, the only reason anyone should be playing video games. "
 

...Or because of the artistic potential...? That seems like a good reason to play games. Not online shooters maybe, but games for sure. "

Maybe if you're a pretentious twat "

The only fps í play online is TF2, i love that game to death! you are rewarded for great team play and smart strategy.

Because AI is never going to offer the dynamic of mutiplayer. You can play the same maps over and over and have a different experience each time. The FPS genre has come some way from the dated and stale power-up based shooters a la Quake and Unreal Tournament.

" Most console kiddies started gaming online when? Like I think COD4 was probably their first online competitive FPS.  They aren't nearly as good as they were before. Like compare Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 2 or Battlefield 1942.  Compare MW2 to COD1 w/ United Offensive  Compare UT3 to UT2004  They've been dumbed down for a wider audience sadly. I mean look at the first Operation Flashpoint. Look at the one released in 2009.   Hell, people call COD4's multiplayer innovative LOL.   "

i wish they would make a nonviolent fps, and it was like the best one out no question and it attracted all the hardest of the hardcore dudes and had an insane competitive scene
 
like paintball or nerf or something, but it played like (insert name of your favorite fps here), but BETTER.

" i wish they would make a nonviolent fps, and it was like the best one out no question and it attracted all the hardest of the hardcore dudes and had an insane competitive scene  like paintball or nerf or something, but it played like (insert name of your favorite fps here), but BETTER. "

that's why it needs to happen.

" @sexy_nipples said:

" Most console kiddies started gaming online when? Like I think COD4 was probably their first online competitive FPS.  They aren't nearly as good as they were before. Like compare Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 2 or Battlefield 1942.  Compare MW2 to COD1 w/ United Offensive  Compare UT3 to UT2004  They've been dumbed down for a wider audience sadly. I mean look at the first Operation Flashpoint. Look at the one released in 2009.   Hell, people call COD4's multiplayer innovative LOL.   "

I play console games so I don't have to listen to elitist PC assholes like this. "

" @ArchScabby said:

" @sexy_nipples said:

" Most console kiddies started gaming online when? Like I think COD4 was probably their first online competitive FPS.  They aren't nearly as good as they were before. Like compare Bad Company 2 to Battlefield 2 or Battlefield 1942.  Compare MW2 to COD1 w/ United Offensive  Compare UT3 to UT2004  They've been dumbed down for a wider audience sadly. I mean look at the first Operation Flashpoint. Look at the one released in 2009.   Hell, people call COD4's multiplayer innovative LOL.   "

I play console games so I don't have to listen to elitist PC assholes like this. "

Yeah he comes across like that, it's true. Except that he's mostly right.  Console games are pretty much always streamlined experiences due to the limits of the control interface.  "

 
As to why the competitive online FPS never loses its charm while other genres kind of die down in intervalls and then have comebacks... I think its the e-pen factor; competitive online FPS mostly (i didnt say only) attract a certain kind of people - pubescent males with the compulsive urge to be primates (both as in behaving like monkeys and coming first) a.k.a. "to PWN" - those also happen to be a very easy to satisfy and lucrative target demographic, and their ranks are ever renewing, too... But for correctness sake i'll say that we cant apply this to competitive online FPS exclusively, they just take a great slice of the phenomenon. Still, i rather much prefer to have this kind of individual locked away in a basement screaming at others of his kind over xbox live while grinding ranks and perks on Modern Warfare than to actively ruin the experience of something i'm actually partaking in myself, so, the "problematic" doesnt really touch me, as i dont obsess about competitive multiplayer nor FPS, the're both cool and to be consumed with moderation, but the industry - any kind of industry - doesnt make money on moderation; its the excesses. And i'm done =P

Because its simply just fun and competitive.....though I prefer arcade type online shooters like Timesplitters Future Perfect over Modern Warfare or Battlefield

"

 
As to why the competitive online FPS never loses its charm while other genres kind of die down in intervalls and then have comebacks... I think its the e-pen factor; competitive online FPS mostly (i didnt say only) attract a certain kind of people - pubescent males with the compulsive urge to be primates (both as in behaving like monkeys and coming first) a.k.a. "to PWN" - those also happen to be a very easy to satisfy and lucrative target demographic, and their ranks are ever renewing, too... But for correctness sake i'll say that we cant apply this to competitive online FPS exclusively, they just take a great slice of the phenomenon. Still, i rather much prefer to have this kind of individual locked away in a basement screaming at others of his kind over xbox live while grinding ranks and perks on Modern Warfare than to actively ruin the experience of something i'm actually partaking in myself, so, the "problematic" doesnt really touch me, as i dont obsess about competitive multiplayer nor FPS, the're both cool and to be consumed with moderation, but the industry - any kind of industry - doesnt make money on moderation; its the excesses. And i'm done =P

"