They probably think that online strangers could never decide who gets to be the character with the gun, whereas real-life friends could sort it out in person.....this seems so...strange. Why?
Is there some kind of gameplay issue that would prevent online co-op?
This would actually seem like the -perfect- thing to include co-op since it would require actual co-op play. You know, COOPERATIVE, talking to each other. Planning things out. Relegating tasks. Instead of most co-op games where it's just twice the guns and twice the bullets and you shoot shit up.
Online co-op via voice chat on invisible mode would be fantastic for hardcore fans. If they are worried about the reliance on mics, fine. Have microphone function be a requirement. Besides, only purists are going to want to bother with invisible mode to begin with.
I'm so fucking let-down by this. Fuck.
(Me personally, I have just as much fun with Moira/Natalia as I do with Claire/Barry)