OGGENRE

Multiplayer games

Games where you share the same space with other people; your rival or teammate is not an AI.

52 games 2 rated
Multiplayer games

What is the multiplayer genre?

Multiplayer is a way of playing more than a genre: The player across from you or next to you is a real person, not the computer. This one difference changes the whole game, because a human opponent cannot be memorized. The same map, the same weapons and the same rules produce a different match every time.

The genre splits in two. On the competitive side players face each other, and balancing and ranking systems are decisive. On the cooperative side players work toward the same goal together; here the real mechanic is communication and dividing up the job. Local split screen and online matchmaking both fall under the same roof.

What defines it?

Human opponents

Because the other side is unpredictable, no two matches are alike.

Competition or cooperation

Players can play against each other or work toward the same goal together.

A question of balance

Developer updates constantly readjust character and weapon balance.

Life tied to the community

How alive a game feels is directly linked to its number of active players.

Landmark games

Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.

Counter-Strike League of Legends Fortnite Among Us It Takes Two

At a glance

GenreMultiplayer
Games on our site52
Rated games2
Latest release2026

Frequently asked questions

What does co-op mean?

It is the mode where players play together rather than against each other. You complete the same mission or campaign as a team. On a split screen it is local co-op, and over the internet it is online co-op.

What is cross-play?

It is the feature that lets players on different platforms, such as PC and console, meet in the same match. It shortens matchmaking times, but not every game has it.

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