Flock is an easy game with a delightful loop; you’re a flying shepherd riding on the back of a big, beautiful bird. You spend your time cataloging and catching different creatures. All of them are reminiscent of real-world animals but they’re a little simpler, a little rounder, and a little cuter. The progression structure of Flock is about observing, collecting, and completing some challenges and tasks along the way but the real sauce here is the joy of flying. 

Just point in the direction you want to go and give it some gas. The elevation is dealt with automatically so there’s nothing to figure out, no friction to get around, just the wind in your hair as your rainbow-colored scarf blows in the wind like it’s another member of your flock. 

Flock is a peaceful, put-your-brain-on-autopilot kind of game and multiplayer implies coordination and/or competition. So why does multiplayer fit so well here? The answer is parallel play.

What is Parallel Play

For those unfamiliar, Parallel Play is a term originally coined by Mildred Parten Newhall: an American sociologist who theorized that there are six stages of child’s play (including the aforementioned parallel play stage). While these stages are no longer viewed as a direct progression for kids, the core ideas of distinguishing between different types of play still stands.

Parallel Play is when children play next to each other, separately. Sometimes they’re doing completely different tasks (ex. coloring and playing with Lego) and sometimes they’re doing the same activity independently of each other (ex. playing with Hot Wheels but independently, no racing, crashing, or other narrative overlap). 

Flock’s Multiplayer Explained

In Flock, after starting the game and selecting your file, you’re presented with the option of playing solo, hosting a game, or joining a (public or private) game. By playing Flock you’re inherently engaging in the same activity, but you’re largely still playing alone. You can see a fellow shepherd pass by or fly alongside you. They may even lend a helping whistle when it comes to charming a creature or drop an icon on the map for a point of interest. If you’re doing a separate voice chat, you could directly communicate about what you’re each looking for and find it faster by splitting up and reporting back. 

But Flock’s multiplayer is more of a fun fact than a key component to its gameplay.

Birds of a Feather

Flock's gameplay isn’t better or easier with more players but you might feel better having the company the way you might enjoy knitting while a friend reads quietly next to you or doing your planning at a busy coffee shop instead of at your kitchen table. It’s a feeling of community, camaraderie, and bonding that's on your own terms. 

You don’t need to start or keep separate files for Flock’s multiplayer. And even the “tutorial” opening can be done while you’re already in your friend’s game (though you can’t fully fly around with them until you’re done). Like an independent project or hobby, you’re playing through Flock regardless. But it can be nice to have others along for the ride.

"Let's Ignore Each Other in the Same Room" by Sophie Vershbow for the New York Times discusses the benefits of parallel play for adults. In the article, Vershbow cites Dr. Jessi Gold — a psychiatrist at Washington University — who described adult parallel play as “a safety blanket while still being able to do what you want to be doing.” That’s exactly how playing Flock feels. Like a warm blanket you knit yourself: you have the pride of having made progress (in the campaign) and the comfort of the ease, atmosphere, and maybe a little company all rolled into one game.

Often multiplayer involves the pain of scheduling and the pressure of executing on something successfully together but when parallel play is evoked it creates a stressfree bonding experience for everyone involved. Whether someone joins my game or not, the experience is largely the same. I don't have to wait to continue or show up to help someone progress. Much like adult parallel play in real life, I'm doing what I want to do regardless. The invitation (whether it's a private code or open setting) is simply that. It's a refreshing and welcomed experience I hope more games include.