Instances, Dungeons, & Players

So, there's been some debate thus far on the subject of instancing and dungeons. My first MMORPG was actually City of Heroes (I'm not a super hero fan, but that game was/is FUN ^-^), and everything was instanced. I've also played games like EQ2 where the world is zoned, but not instanced. I can't count the number of times I've been in places like RoV and merged my party with another (party sizes allowing, of course).

Both types have positives and negatives, and I'll refrain from posting them here since I'm sure most are familiar with them (and the posters who reply to this thread will likely reiterate them anyways). My thought on the matter is how difficult would it be for SE to implement BOTH setups for each dungeon?

What I mean is that when you walk through the entranceway to a dungeon (or cavern, or tower, or lair, etc), it gives you a choice: "Launch private encounter? {Yes} {No}" Selecting yes gives you a private instance, while selecting no deposits you in the open world version of the instance.

As the forums have shown, we have some rather strong divisions in how players feel the game should be structured, and a part of me wonders if extra effort to appease both sides in matters like this is worth the effort.

I like this idea. I like how some of the NMs are world roaming, and then can also be fought in leves. Its the best of both worlds, and I think that a similar option, such as what you suggested, is a great way to continue that trend. Everyone gets what they want, and I don't see that it would be all that much harder to program.

Are private instances and open world dungeons really any diferent? If dungeons are as intense as SE is making it out to be, then no one is going to be in there by themselves(hardly), and if you are with a group then of course you are going to select a private instance. You dont want to be in a dungeon where you are going up against someone else for spoils.

The only interesting way I think there should be a reason for this is one of two things.

1. Apon entering a dungeon you are asked if you want a private instance, if not, then you simply enter, and anyone inside the open world dungeon is either automatically grouped up with you, or you have the option to enter a public group. So, giving the player optional or non optional rules inside the open world dungeons.

2. I think it would be cool, if there was a dude standing outside of each dungeon who could teleport you to the past, and that would be equivalent to entering a private instanced dungeon. and if you choose not to do this, then you just enter the free world dungeon, and you can see like ageing, and old ruins and stuff that would be the present time version of these colossal dungeons. However, the spoils would far less in the present time, and could be soloable/small group oritented.

i see no reason to join others party if i can keep the lot to my group.
Unless is quest type of dungeon, then i would dig.

As stated by SE, dungeons will be group oriented and be difficult to a level we haven't seen yet. So I assume if you can go throughout an entire dungeon without the need of others, then everyone will be doing that, and the entire dungeons system will a fail lol

Doesn't make sense to me because everyone will choose private so as to avoid competition unless the public dungeon has better rewards. Its either forced open world or not at all imo. I don't care which way they go cuz all I care about is something that's fun.

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Originally Posted by Mack

Doesn't make sense to me because everyone will choose private so as to avoid competition unless the public dungeon has better rewards. Its either forced open world or not at all imo. I don't care which way they go cuz all I care about is something that's fun.

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Exactly! No reason to have both really. Like I said, as you can read above, there are only few exceptions to having both. And those are really aesthetic reasons.