More content for solo players?

I don't understand why people play an MMO and want to SOLO play. I thought the point of an MMO was to play with others.

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Originally Posted by Agoven

I don't understand why people play an MMO and want to SOLO play. I thought the point of an MMO was to play with others.

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I am so tired of this response (it's not just you Agoven, so this isn't personal).

Have you people ever played another MMO besides FFXI?

Every single MMO (except FFXI) has 1000's of quests which are primarily done solo. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO (except FFXI) has Class/Job quests & Storylines that you can complete solo and at your own pace. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO also has Party-based content that you either need a full party to complete or need to be "over-leveled" in order to complete with a short party or solo.

FFXI was and still is the one and only exception to having tons of solo content and imo is the main reason it was never more popular than it was.

Yes the "point" of an MMO is to play with other people but not all the time 24/7, 7 days a week.

Please stop with this failed "go play a single player offline game" crap. It is really getting old and is just not factual.

p.s. Sorry for the rant...going to bed now...obviously need sleep cuz am getting cranky (although I am old so I am allowed) ;>P

Some people like me only get to play for a couple hours a day due to work
I pretty much had to quit FFXI because I wasn't getting my money's worth spending what little time I had looking for a party, then having to go to work an hour later

Same with XIV... I can pretty much only see Ifrit in youtube videos :(

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Originally Posted by Davorok

What I do not want to see though is more Forced 8-man Party Content or even Forced 4-man content. Please get rid of minimum party requirements entirely. I have no problem with needing a full party to complete content, I just have a problem with being forced in to it. If someone wants to take on Ifrit alone, go for it...you're gonna lose, but go for it anyway.

Eventually there will be a Level Cap Raise so if 2 lvl 75's wanna go back and Duo content, they should be able to, imho.

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I wholeheartedly agree.

Perhaps even quests based not on the number of party members but on the total number of levels. In the group or individual.

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Originally Posted by Davorok

I am so tired of this response (it's not just you Agoven, so this isn't personal).

Have you people ever played another MMO besides FFXI?

Every single MMO (except FFXI) has 1000's of quests which are primarily done solo. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO (except FFXI) has Class/Job quests & Storylines that you can complete solo and at your own pace. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO also has Party-based content that you either need a full party to complete or need to be "over-leveled" in order to complete with a short party or solo.

FFXI was and still is the one and only exception to having tons of solo content and imo is the main reason it was never more popular than it was.

Yes the "point" of an MMO is to play with other people but not all the time 24/7, 7 days a week.

Please stop with this failed "go play a single player offline game" crap. It is really getting old and is just not factual.

p.s. Sorry for the rant...going to bed now...obviously need sleep cuz am getting cranky (although I am old so I am allowed) ;>P

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I'm not saying you're wrong, but why should it be this way? Before WoW came out FFXI was extremely popular, so there was clearly interest outside of the lack of single player content.

I'm gonna put in a vote for more solo conent. I don't get what people are crying about. It's not like if they added solo content you'd be forced to play it.

solo-ing in mmo and playing single player is different
in mmo you can be civilian that is everywhere
but in single player game , you are forced to be a hero , thats what i dislike to play single game sometimes instead of playing solo in mmo
i just want to be one of them , that is very normal town citizens of Eorzea ( when i solo )
but when i teaming up , things goes more realistic, people starts talking about his real world , and i'm forced to be real person of real world not citizen of Eorzea
oops i should gotta go to some RPing ls maybe

Maybe this is how FFXIV (and XI) want to be different.
They want to be very focused on group play to the point where the benefit of solo play is negligible.

It may not be what everyone wants. It may not be the best thing in the world. But it may be one (of many) things that sets this world apart. And this can lead into the development of aspects that are not common in other games (like the tighter bonding of linkshell members and people you meet).

Again, not saying its good or bad. Just saying, maybe its intentional, maybe its supposed to be an aspect.

(Kind of like how I dislike yucky skeletons and wish they were not here, but I accept that it is an aspect of this game).

There is no tight bonding... People with multiple LS's that have 60+ people each still shout in town for things... that isn't bonding. since you mentioned XI, there were a ton of VARIOUS things you could do solo. XIV has a very finite amount of solo-friendly content.

Solo 50 instances would be nice.

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Originally Posted by Peptaru

There is no tight bonding... People with multiple LS's that have 60+ people each still shout in town for things... that isn't bonding. since you mentioned XI, there were a ton of VARIOUS things you could do solo. XIV has a very finite amount of solo-friendly content.

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I'll make a brief list of Solo Friendly content from FFXI:

FoV/Garrison

Farming - 100's a things to farm (Small ingredients, trigs for NMs (ie Alky, Pallas, etc), pricey items (Iolite from Corses)etc

NM Hunting

Quest's - City Quests, random side quests, etc

Exploration... I did this alot. Pretty zones!

There was so much more.. but even with the small list above there was so much to keep one occupied, and having fun for hours upon hours.

There is literally nothing fun to do in FFXIV that will keep me stationed for more than 30 mins.

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Originally Posted by Riaayo

Reading some of the nay-saying to solo content in this thread kind of makes me want to throw up a little.

Party play is extremely rewarding and makes your MMO experience much more fun in the company of other people. That said, some people will hop on with only a short amount of time to play that cannot possibly encompass finding a party or doing what said party was created to do within the amount of time that player has.

I do not believe that party content should be soloable, but separate content should exist that can be done solo (and is actually enjoyable and rewarding in some way, unlike most Leves).

The argument that someone who doesn't have time for party play shouldn't be playing an MMO is also stupid and I'm sure SE holds their breath every time someone on these forums makes a comment like that that could essentially cost them a paying customer (yes that person's opinion is worth just as much to SE as yours). Also acting like someone who wants to solo is antisocial or doesn't get along with people is completely asinine; I get along fine with most everyone and love party play, but had many instances in MMOs with solo play where I solo'd leveling etc to go at my own pace and not hold anyone back if I felt like afking every 15 minutes.

Solo content needs to exist along side party content to give people things to do when they just want to be on their own clock or don't have time to gather a group. Dungeons can take up to an hour for one run, and that's excluding the time it takes to form a group or do multiple runs, wait after a win or loss, repair, etc.

But for the people being complete sour-pusses towards those who want something to solo... get over yourselves, seriously.

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I would only like to add to/supplement what this person said. as well, right now there is not the player base they would have hoped to have that would make finding a party easier. finding parties for specific runs can take hours (if it isnt the newest released content) Linkshells are still handicapped because they cannot kick players who stopped playing. i used to resent having to rely on "your average idiot" to accomplish anything. sometimes its nice to proceed at your own pace and be able to take a bathroom break, get a drink, etc without feeling pressured by holding up everyone else.
to compensate it would be fun to have a solo dungeon/instance that would have objectives tailored to solo play.
eg:
1) solo thief/nin dungeon where you sneak through and need to be as undetected as possible to clear out the target general
2) kill the rat king, go through a maze of a dungeon searching for the rat king to help out an NPC
3) dungeon where you have various tasks to preform (free prisoners, rescue a princess and guide her safely out) with a boss at the end that can be taken on solo.
4) make it so the dungeon is customized to the level of the player providing a challenge at any level of play

I dont want this to detract from party play but at least provide a fun alternative when people just dont feel like parties for whatever their reason. as well maybe make leader boards or a way of keeping track of who the top player in that solo task so people can compete for the fastest clear, biggest kill chain, etc. i hope you get the point.

If you want solo content go play a one player game.

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Originally Posted by Morticous

If you want solo content go play a one player game.

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you dont want to play solo content, dont play it. that is a sad excuse for not having solo content. "it ruins my immersion that there is not more solo play content"

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Originally Posted by Morticous

If you want solo content go play a one player game.

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"I still wanna play this game but don't have the time for a party due to work" lol do trolls ever think about that crap when posting... Really tho people should be able to do whenever they want whether it's soloing or partying... hopefully in FFXIV 2.0 SE will keep that perfect balance.. They did design the game for causal gamers after all ~.~ or was I wrong?!

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Originally Posted by Morticous

If you want solo content go play a one player game.

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I'm losing faith in humanity when I read posts like these.

Maybe I mistook what you meant by solo content.. if you meant a few quests here and there.. I'd agree, sort of like the companion quest in 11.. if your talking about a mass amount of solo content for solo players bla bla bla.. again.. go play a one player game. Tanaka's idea of casual was fail. If it wasn't already obvious, we are moving away from this train of thought.

I voted for gatherer and crafter content. This would be enough solo content until 2.0

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Originally Posted by Drunk-Bandit

They did design the game for causal gamers after all ~.~ or was I wrong?!

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It's still possible to reach 50 solo

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Originally Posted by Felis

It's still possible to reach 50 solo

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Reaching Lv 50 solo and keepin yourself amused with solo content aren't one and the same. I do agree we need more DoL/DoH stuff, though!

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Originally Posted by Felis

It's still possible to reach 50 solo

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But it's not fun.

Just 1 question for the OP that wants more fighting "solo" content.

Do you have a Butcher's Crown?

If the answer is No.

You have content to do.

If the answer is Yes.

There are so many other battle related Achievements to work on...

EDIT:

It's an MMO,

M U L T I P L A Y E R (That doesn't mean Solo)

If you'd like some awesome Solo games.... I know some good ones....

Why do people keep thinking that multiplayer means party, it just means more than one person sharing the same virtual world.... multi = more than one... player = player.... it isn't MMOPartyRPG. This "if you want a solo game go find a single player offline game" statement is so repetitive and bland it almost makes me vomit. If you don't like to solo, or fail miserably at it, you shouldn't care if they add more of it, you can ignore it.

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Originally Posted by Irana

FF11 had plenty of stuff you could do solo.

Leveling your companions for example, or the "solo" content in teh past defending the cities from the beastmen...
Even in Aht Urghan(sp?) you could do a defense were everyone would gather even if you didnt have anyone to play with you were able to do it and got rewarded for it.

Also, what you said made no sense...do you know what "solo" content is?

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You're right, but i'm fairly certain that stuff wasn't in the game the first year, actually I know it wasn't cause it was in JP first year and 2nd year it hit america, that stuff you're mentioning wasn't in the game for 3-4 years. =\ I understand you want more content, but the game is a special circumstance, they're trying to gut it and re-do it in time for the beginning of next year, just try to be patient. =\

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Originally Posted by Morticous

If you want solo content go play a one player game.

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go away. >_>

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Originally Posted by ThePatriarch

I'll make a brief list of Solo Friendly content from FFXI:

FoV/Garrison

Farming - 100's a things to farm (Small ingredients, trigs for NMs (ie Alky, Pallas, etc), pricey items (Iolite from Corses)etc

NM Hunting

Quest's - City Quests, random side quests, etc

Exploration... I did this alot. Pretty zones!

There was so much more.. but even with the small list above there was so much to keep one occupied, and having fun for hours upon hours.

There is literally nothing fun to do in FFXIV that will keep me stationed for more than 30 mins.

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I must admit this has me a bit confused..
Farming: There is a bit of farming one can do here (besides totems). A lot of it can be used for crafting or sold in the AH to be crafted. I remember spending days farming plume feathers? to sell in the AH. Now I can do the same here too! (joy...)

Quests: I think most (if not all?) of the Main storyline and sidequests and class quests can be soloed. Some of the Job quests and Faction Leve quests, no, but that is a small percentage I think (and it is fair there be some that require a group). This is in sharp contest to FFXI's quests where a lot of them required parties (CoP, Rank9, etc.?)

Exploration: Lots to explore here, but yes, not as beautiful as in Vana'diel. Parts look nice, for the first 10 minutes.... the next one hour you are usually 'wait, wasn't I just here?'

But I think it is important to keep in mind that there is still plenty of Solo content for those who want to spend some quality time alone.

All of DoH and DoL are aimed at solo play.

Granted, it may not be what some specific people want, but nonetheless it is there. And it is enjoyed by many.

So whereas yes, I can agree there could be some more solo-friendly content (especally around the areas of DoW, obtaining semi-rare equipment, or challenging fights/quests), I would not go so far as to suggest we are solo-player content poor.

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Originally Posted by Davorok

I am so tired of this response (it's not just you Agoven, so this isn't personal).

Have you people ever played another MMO besides FFXI?

Every single MMO (except FFXI) has 1000's of quests which are primarily done solo. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO (except FFXI) has Class/Job quests & Storylines that you can complete solo and at your own pace. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO also has Party-based content that you either need a full party to complete or need to be "over-leveled" in order to complete with a short party or solo.

FFXI was and still is the one and only exception to having tons of solo content and imo is the main reason it was never more popular than it was.

Yes the "point" of an MMO is to play with other people but not all the time 24/7, 7 days a week.

Please stop with this failed "go play a single player offline game" crap. It is really getting old and is just not factual.

p.s. Sorry for the rant...going to bed now...obviously need sleep cuz am getting cranky (although I am old so I am allowed) ;>P

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Basically this. Thank you.

This should be repeated anytime someone says that MMOs should not have content for solo players because it's an MMO. Ideally it should cater to someone who may not have the ability to get a group together quickly as well as those that do. Take Dark Souls for an example. Not an MMO sure, but it's big focus is isolation. A lone adventurer against an army of baddies...yet that game also has the option to summon friends if you choose it.

Saying you shouldn't play an MMO if you want solo content is a copout. The game should of course have good party content, but having good solo content can only help the game more and not hurt it. Because newsflash; if people really enforced this kind of logic half of the crafters who don't prefer to play combat classes wouldn't be here because there's no such thing as party play for crafters.

Does that make it anything more than a glorified chat room though?

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Originally Posted by Davorok

I am so tired of this response (it's not just you Agoven, so this isn't personal).

Have you people ever played another MMO besides FFXI?

Every single MMO (except FFXI) has 1000's of quests which are primarily done solo. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO (except FFXI) has Class/Job quests & Storylines that you can complete solo and at your own pace. It has always been this way and always should be.

Every MMO also has Party-based content that you either need a full party to complete or need to be "over-leveled" in order to complete with a short party or solo.

FFXI was and still is the one and only exception to having tons of solo content and imo is the main reason it was never more popular than it was.

Yes the "point" of an MMO is to play with other people but not all the time 24/7, 7 days a week.

Please stop with this failed "go play a single player offline game" crap. It is really getting old and is just not factual.

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I'm so glad someone finally came out and said this.

I don't see how giving players the option of solo content harms those who want to party. Why can't we have both? That other game with over 10 million subscribers gives players that option. In fact, FFXI is the only MMO I've ever played that didn't allow you to progress through a variety of quests and other content that can be completed solo.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Does that make it anything more than a glorified chat room though?

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If that's the way someone chooses to play after a hard day's work, so be it. I work in customer service, and there are days I'm tired of dealing with people, but I still want to log on and play. And there are times I craft in silence, just watching LS chat. And it is pretty much playing a game with a chat room inside.

And there are times I want to party up and do serious group content like raids and dungeons. And other times where I want to do not so serious group content like Behests (not to get off topic, but I really hope they expand more on this concept in the future). And often I just want to duo with my husband and spend time with him and no one else. I don't feel like doing the same kind of content all the time.

If I wanted a game where I needed five other people at all times just to wipe my nose... I won't even say it, it's becoming cliche at this point. >.<

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Does that make it anything more than a glorified chat room though?

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I could counter this with "Doesnt teh current game not make it more or less a glorified voice chat room?" I spend my days on mumble laughing with my LS members while doing the party content.


Again, I dont get why people are so quick to anger...Im not asking to let me solo ifrit (though ....why not in the future?) Im asking for more solo CONTENT not to "solo"ify the current content.

Maybe rework how company leves work? Standing in place waiting for a single mob to come attack npc for 15 minutes...is NOT entertaining.

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Originally Posted by Rowyne

I'm so glad someone finally came out and said this.

I don't see how giving players the option of solo content harms those who want to party. ....

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I think it (the option of solo content) does right now harm those who want to party. And I think there is some evidence to this.....

It is possible to easily solo to level 15.. 20.. 30.. and in some case considered simpler/easier to do so.

This means someone who wants to party at level 15 will have greater difficulty in finding a group of people.

When I first ventured here, it was basically told to me: Go do leves or get PLed until 30, then you can go to Ul'Dah and try to get a party.

If there was NO solo content (inability to do any leves and levelling on mobs was as difficult here as in Vana'diel), we would all be running around the dunes with our flag up getting parties at level 13.


So yes, too much solo content can harm those seeking party play. (And this was just one example, there are plenty more).

I'm not saying we should have no solo content, or less solo content, or more solo content.
I think it is more of a matter of WHAT content is solo, and WHAT content is not.
I also truly believe that the 'pressure/encouragement' to 'party' more often than 'going solo' is one of the differentiators for Final Fantasy and truly sets it apart from the 'Every single MMO' out there.

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Originally Posted by Asiaine

I think it (the option of solo content) does right now harm those who want to party. And I think there is some evidence to this.....

It is possible to easily solo to level 15.. 20.. 30.. and in some case considered simpler/easier to do so.

This means someone who wants to party at level 15 will have greater difficulty in finding a group of people.

When I first ventured here, it was basically told to me: Go do leves or get PLed until 30, then you can go to Ul'Dah and try to get a party.

If there was NO solo content (inability to do any leves and levelling on mobs was as difficult here as in Vana'diel), we would all be running around the dunes with our flag up getting parties at level 13.


So yes, too much solo content can harm those seeking party play. (And this was just one example, there are plenty more).

I'm not saying we should have no solo content, or less solo content, or more solo content.
I think it is more of a matter of WHAT content is solo, and WHAT content is not.
I also truly believe that the 'pressure/encouragement' to 'party' more often than 'going solo' is one of the differentiators for Final Fantasy and truly sets it apart from the 'Every single MMO' out there.

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Actually, the problem is not that we have too much solo content, it's that there's not enough party content. Most modern MMO gamers do not find old-school party grinding a la FFXI a desirable activity. Why would they when, like you said, they could do leves which not only yield exp, but also gil, item rewards, faction rep, and count toward achievements. Naked grinding doesn't give you any of that. However, if there were more low-mid level dungeons in this game (like Shposhae and Toto-Rak) that gave people incentive to group up and get not only exp, but also loot/gear, and achievements, you might see more partying.

The answer isn't to force partying on people, but to give them more incentive to do it.

Oh, and this power leveling garbage needs to go.

Rowyne and Davorok said it. Politely. I respect you. I'm still baby in MMO but my biggest enjoyments have been in that "another" in 3-4 hours dungeons, solo with my NPC companion. If you FF'rs need help in Dune... ask Navigator.Whenever.

I always saw solo content as something to do when you're low on time, or biding time before an LS event, or waiting for a party. I mean, there's days when I'm tired or in a lousy mood and just want to do some content by myself.
I agree though, there needs to be an incentive to party up with other players too. Maybe exp can come faster if your levels are close in a full PT(or if they ever add a level sync-type thing, under that status), or something. There is plenty of solo content as there is, but there can always be more.
Of course, more content is usually good no matter what it is. :P

I love playing with a party but i also love playing solo sometimes, especially when i dont have much time to play. I know there is a lot of MMO players out there who prefer going solo through most of the game until they reach max level and then they tackle the end game content which is always party based.

IF we want more people in the game and if we want the game to grow, then we do need these options available. We can't just say oh FFXI didn't focus on solo or Final Fantasy games are party based. This is not FFXI nor is any Final Fantasy game like any of its predecessors.

The best way to make this game grow and reach out to more people is by having something for everyone. And let's be honest here, even those of you who only want party gameplay, if the game doesn't have enough elements to attract a wider audience then who are you going to party with? Regardless if your playstyle is solo or party, in the end we all end up doing party based content

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Originally Posted by Asiaine

I must admit this has me a bit confused..
Farming: There is a bit of farming one can do here (besides totems). A lot of it can be used for crafting or sold in the AH to be crafted. I remember spending days farming plume feathers? to sell in the AH. Now I can do the same here too! (joy...)

Quests: I think most (if not all?) of the Main storyline and sidequests and class quests can be soloed. Some of the Job quests and Faction Leve quests, no, but that is a small percentage I think (and it is fair there be some that require a group). This is in sharp contest to FFXI's quests where a lot of them required parties (CoP, Rank9, etc.?)

Exploration: Lots to explore here, but yes, not as beautiful as in Vana'diel. Parts look nice, for the first 10 minutes.... the next one hour you are usually 'wait, wasn't I just here?'

But I think it is important to keep in mind that there is still plenty of Solo content for those who want to spend some quality time alone.

All of DoH and DoL are aimed at solo play.

Granted, it may not be what some specific people want, but nonetheless it is there. And it is enjoyed by many.

So whereas yes, I can agree there could be some more solo-friendly content (especally around the areas of DoW, obtaining semi-rare equipment, or challenging fights/quests), I would not go so far as to suggest we are solo-player content poor.

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I agree, but my main complaint is that the solo opportunities provided therein are not even half as compelling and/or captivating as compared to other MMO's.

There is a decent bit of solo stuff to do in XIV, but almost all of it is boring, repetitive, and not worth doing in the first place.

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Originally Posted by Searious

go away. >_>

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sorry if im not into the extreme casual movement. Like i said before.. if you want a little solo content added i agree.. but if your asking for this game to turn into etreme solo casual final loser fantasy.. i will never agree with you, so again.. sorry if i misread your sacred posts, this is where i stand.

It is such a nightmare... to get something done I have to stay in uldah keep shouting and shouting.... I mean I wouldn't mind out soloing levequests while waiting to form a party.........it would be nice if the party function on my menu would work better. (or does it work at all?)

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Originally Posted by Morticous

sorry if im not into the extreme casual movement. Like i said before.. if you want a little solo content added i agree.. but if your asking for this game to turn into etreme solo casual final loser fantasy.. i will never agree with you, so again.. sorry if i misread your sacred posts, this is where i stand.

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Solo and easy mean the same thing to you? You need to get out more. If you are a terrible player (which you may be... or maybe not idk you) then you can suck in a party and still accomplish things.Other people will carry your lack of ability through content. If you die solo then you're the only one to blame.... have you ever had to throw your controller cuz you're upset with yourself for dying but blame the game or an outside influence?

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Originally Posted by Peptaru

Solo and easy mean the same thing to you? You need to get out more. If you are a terrible player (which you may be... or maybe not idk you) then you can suck in a party and still accomplish things.Other people will carry your lack of ability through content. If you die solo then you're the only one to blame.... have you ever had to throw your controller cuz you're upset with yourself for dying but blame the game or an outside influence?

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I read all sorts of crazy stuff on this forum man, i can never exactly tell whats going through anybodies head.. what i can say though is i see a lot of posts for casual play, less anima cost, all instant gratification, so i don't think misreading this topic as basicly someones request to make an MMO a solo game is so outlandish.

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Originally Posted by Morticous

I read all sorts of crazy stuff on this forum man, i can never exactly tell whats going through anybodies head.. what i can say though is i see a lot of posts for casual play, less anima cost, all instant gratification, so i don't think misreading this topic as basicly someones request to make an MMO a solo game is so outlandish.

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The issue is not making this a solo mmo or forced grouping a la FFXI. It is about having great content for both without pissing off either side. You get plenty of content for parties and i get the ability to go through the game without partying much. Everyone is happy and more people will join.

It is not true that making some things more solo friendly will hurt the ones who want to team up with people. The secret to a good MMO these days is being able to do both at the same time and do it well.