Be it TTRPGs, board games or video games, a group of four players is the standard size.
DnD and adjacent systems balance their challenges around a party of four. Most boardgames come with four colours for players to choose from. Most video game consoles only can connect four controllers and most video games like Smash Bros and Mario Kart only have four slots? Why is that?
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Geometry. The reason is geometry.
Want to divide a TV so multiple people can play? Half or quarters was the most practical at the time before wide spread online gaming was an option. So 1-4 players made the most sense for video games that supported simultaneous multiplayer.
Want to play a board game? With a square table and one person per side you can hold your cards parallel to the edge of the table and your opponents can’t see anything. Early card and board games were therefore generally 2-4 player affairs. 4 also works well for paired games like Spades or Pinochle, where you can sit opposite your partner.
But outside games where hiding information or displaying it on a square screen was necessary you see many games without these limits, especially sports. Basketball has 5 per side, football (both American and soccer) has 11, hockey has 6.
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