Will Only Up Ever Get Multiplayer? An Expert’s Perspective

The short answer is: almost certainly not. While the concept of scaling the dizzying heights of Only Up with friends sounds incredibly appealing (and perhaps masochistic!), the game’s creator has explicitly stated their desire to move on from the project and focus on new ventures, citing significant stress as a primary motivator for its removal from Steam. The likelihood of them revisiting the project to add a feature as complex as multiplayer seems extremely slim. Let’s delve into why this is the case and explore the broader context surrounding Only Up‘s meteoric rise and equally sudden departure.

The Rise and Fall: A Solo Climber’s Tale

Only Up took the gaming world by storm with its simple yet brutal premise: climb, and keep climbing. Inspired by Foddian games like Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, it punished even the smallest mistake with a devastating fall back to (or near) the beginning. Its viral popularity stemmed from streamers’ reactions to the game’s infuriating difficulty, creating a compelling spectacle for viewers. The absence of checkpoints and save functionality only amplified the tension and frustration, making each successful climb feel like a significant victory.

However, the game’s success was short-lived. Issues surrounding copyright claims arose initially, leading to a temporary removal from Steam. More significantly, though, the developer cited the overwhelming stress associated with the game’s popularity as the primary reason for its permanent delisting. This is a crucial factor to consider when assessing the potential for a multiplayer update. Adding multiplayer functionality would be a substantial undertaking, requiring significant development time, resources, and, crucially, a renewed commitment to the project – something the developer has explicitly stated they don’t have.

Why Multiplayer is Unlikely

Several factors contribute to the improbability of Only Up ever receiving a multiplayer mode:

• Developer’s Explicit Statement: The developer’s stated reason for removing the game – stress and the desire to move on – is the most significant obstacle. A multiplayer update would require them to revisit a project they wish to leave behind.

• Game Design and Balance: Only Up is meticulously designed as a single-player experience. The precision platforming and the mental fortitude required to endure repeated failures are core to its design. Introducing multiplayer would necessitate significant alterations to the level design, physics, and potentially even the core mechanics of the game. Balancing the experience to be both challenging and fair for multiple players simultaneously would be a herculean task.

• Technical Challenges: Implementing seamless multiplayer functionality, especially in a game with such demanding physics and environmental interactions, would be technically challenging. Ensuring stable performance and preventing exploits would require significant optimization and testing.

• Resource Constraints: As an indie developer, SCKR likely has limited resources. Investing those resources into a major update for a game they’ve already removed from sale may not be a financially viable decision.

• Potential for Exploitation: The competitive nature of multiplayer could lead to players discovering exploits to gain an unfair advantage, further complicating development and potentially diminishing the overall experience.

In short, while the idea of a multiplayer Only Up is tantalizing, the practical realities and the developer’s stated intentions make it exceedingly unlikely.

Exploring Alternative Experiences

While Only Up may remain a solitary climb, there are plenty of other cooperative games available that offer a similar blend of challenge, frustration, and ultimately, rewarding teamwork. Games like It Takes Two, known for its innovative co-op mechanics and heartwarming story, or Unravel Two, with its physics-based puzzles, provide engaging multiplayer experiences that can be enjoyed with a friend.

For those seeking a more competitive climbing experience, games like Fall Guys offer chaotic multiplayer fun, while more structured platformers often feature time trial modes where players can compete against each other’s best times.

FAQs: Delving Deeper into the World of Only Up

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation surrounding Only Up and its potential for multiplayer:

H3 Why did Only Up get removed from Steam?

The primary reason was the developer citing “stress” and a desire to move on from the project. Copyright claims were also a factor in an earlier, temporary removal.

H3 Is Only Up still available to play?

No, Only Up is no longer available for purchase or download on Steam.

H3 Will Only Up ever come back to Steam?

Given the developer’s stated reasons for its removal, a return to Steam seems improbable.

H3 Was Only Up a multiplayer game?

No, Only Up was designed and released exclusively as a single-player experience.

H3 Is there any chance of a multiplayer mod for Only Up?

While technically possible, the likelihood is low. Creating a mod of that scale would require significant technical expertise and access to the game’s files, which are not readily available.

H3 Are there any games similar to Only Up with multiplayer?

Yes, several games offer similar climbing or platforming challenges in a multiplayer setting. Fall Guys and various co-op platformers can provide comparable experiences.

H3 What type of game is It Takes Two?

It Takes Two is a co-op adventure platformer designed exclusively for two players.

H3 Is It Takes Two free to play?

Only the first level is free to play through the Friend’s Pass. A Friend’s Pass allows you to play the full game with someone who owns it.

H3 How long does it take to beat It Takes Two?

On average, it takes around 14 hours to complete It Takes Two.

H3 Is It Takes Two suitable for kids?

While It Takes Two has a charming art style, its storyline explores complex themes related to marriage and relationships, which may not be suitable for all children. Parental discretion is advised. The Games Learning Society offers valuable resources for understanding the impact of video games on learning and development. Check out their insights at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

H3 What other games did the developer of Only Up make?

Only Up was the first game released by SCKR, the indie studio out of Korea.

H3 What were some issues with the models?

Only Up faced allegations of copyright infringement due to the use of certain assets without proper licensing.

H3 How long does it take to beat Only Up?

The developer estimated 40 to 120 minutes of gameplay, but most players take 4 to 5 hours on average.

H3 Why was I banned from Steam?

Community bans are issued for violations of Steam’s Community Guidelines, such as cheating, harassment, or inappropriate content.

H3 What are some other Foddian-style games?

Besides Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, other Foddian-style games include A Difficult Game About Climbing, Jump King, and Pogostuck.