Games You Only Need One Copy Of To Play With Others

The video game industry's escalating prices have coincided with a dramatic reduction in couch co-op games that allow multiple players to enjoy a single copy. As online connectivity has become standard infrastructure, publishers have increasingly abandoned local multiplayer as a design priority, assuming players prefer or expect remote play instead.

GameSpot's Cheap Week campaign seeks to counter this trend by identifying and promoting games that maximise value for players seeking affordable multiplayer experiences. This effort addresses a growing consumer concern: the near-disappearance of affordable shared-play options that don't require multiple purchases.