The Solo disease?

[Chezen]

*Pulls up chair* "I'm Chezen Lightbreak and I am a solo player."

First off, there has been some really nice replies here from all sides. I want to thank everyone who has presented their view in a calm way without purposely insulting anyone (in a subject like this, some accidental ones are bound to come up). I will try to do the same.

Recently, I saw a similar thread about soloing in Rift. The OP was actually rather obnoxious, although his points were generally true, and I expected him to get flamed to the ground. But to my surprise, there were some very sincere replies to it, just like this one, many of which are being echoed here. Solo players aren't a small minority any more. They are growing, rapidly. Interestingly enough, one of the most common replies in that thread, but barely been mentioned in this one, was that many used to group, but got fed up with the (I use the term often used in that thread) "jerks". The irony that people became "antisocial" soloists because of players who don't know how to socialize, didn't escape me.

However, despite the mmo part of an mmorpg, solo players still like to play mmos, effectively debunking the standard "anti-social" stigma. Someone truly as anti-social as the stigma implies wouldn't play an mmo. And yet, I'll even offer for debate, that there are plenty of "social" people who are effectively far more anti-social than many soloers.

What is a community? I think of community as being a group of individuals who share a common sense of concern for the wellbeing of the group in their area, in this case, servers or cities. Some within a community will be more independent than others. Just because they prefer to contribute in a more solitary way, doesn't mean they do not contribute. I think FFXIV has the foundational build to allow a community that can participate in whatever way suits the individual.

The key is... solo, casual, and hardcore play should not interfere with each other. But at the same time, in order to maintain community, they should not be entirely separate from each other either. Crafting, as already brought up in the thread, is one way to accomplish this. I actually loved how detailed each crafting piece was (I'm aware they are downsizing), because I saw how it could either make the community depend on each other, or at least, make a soloer work very hard for his independence, which is as it should be. If you are going to do it on your own, it should be a little harder to do, imo. (This doesn't mean I think there shouldn't be soloable battle content, but as was also stated in the thread, don't overnerf it. Of course, easy and hard varies to the individual.) With the companies and class and job changes coming out, I think there some unique opportunities to have both separate and interacting solo and party missions, should SE seize the idea.

For my own part, my reasons for soloing are many, and both simple and complicated. Many are mentioned in the thread, such as uncomfortable LS conversations, liking to do things myself and on my own time, having to leave at any given moment, etc, etc.

Other reasons... I do enjoy being on my own. I am introverted by nature, meaning I enjoy keeping to myself. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy interaction. As one person stated, more or less, in the Rift thread I mentioned, "An extrovert will enjoy solitude for a time, then go socialize to recharge. An introvert will enjoy socializing for a time, and then go find solitude to recharge." That is me. It is difficult to find people who really understand that. They are offended by the idea that I might not actually want to be in their company every time I log on. I never really want to offend anybody, and I would feel bad if I hurt someone's feelings, although in my old age I'm getting less concerned about that. I guess I came to a point that I thought my feelings should count for something too.

The most important reason is the most personal, and that is... I was part of a group once. A very close-knit group of very good people who either understood or at least tolerated my introversive ways. But even good people, through no real fault on their own, can find ways to hurt each other, and such things can end very, very painfully. We are all, in the end, different people, from different families, and different backgrounds. Maybe someday I might find myself in a permanent group again, but I'm in no hurry. I am honestly very happy in my own little niche of this game. I enjoy my character. I love guildleves. I love cutscenes. I love DoL activities. I tolerate crafting. Occasionally, I'll have some sort of interaction with people, and I love that too. Then when it's said and done, I'll go to my fun, and I'm happy.

(I'm really sorry for the book this became.)

[Jamel-Irief]

As one person stated, more or less, in the Rift thread I mentioned, "An extrovert will enjoy solitude for a time, then go socialize to recharge. An introvert will enjoy socializing for a time, and then go find solitude to recharge."

This sums it up. People are different. To me it really is as simple as that. I thought we in 2011, in a MMORPG that seems to have a more mature and dare I say intelligent crowd than the other popular MMORPG's, would be more accepting to natural differences in human behaviour.

According to some people in this thread, people who sit at home, alone, in front of their PC 8 hours straight grouping up with other people online are suddenly more social than people who play the same game a couple of hours solo before doing something else in real life? That is a very odd thing to assume, in my oppinion.
I know that is painting the picture very white/black, but that was the vibe I got after reading all of these 20 pages in this thread.

[Bled]

This sums it up. People are different. To me it really is as simple as that. I thought we in 2011, in a MMORPG that seems to have a more mature and dare I say intelligent crowd than the other popular MMORPG's, would be more accepting to natural differences in human behaviour.

According to some people in this thread, people who sit at home, alone, in front of their PC 8 hours straight grouping up with other people online are suddenly more social than people who play the same game a couple of hours solo before doing something else in real life? That is a very odd thing to assume, in my oppinion.
I know that is painting the picture very white/black, but that was the vibe I got after reading all of these 20 pages in this thread.

Discussion in this thread was fairly intelligent for a time being, at least id like to believe; now it does feel as though people are jumping to conclusions and their short minded assumptions of other peoples life styles/gaming habits.

[Leeloo]

Discussion in this thread was fairly intelligent for a time being, at least id like to believe; now it does feel as though people are jumping to conclusions and their short minded assumptions of other peoples life styles/gaming habits.

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster. I've been following it because of those moments of really good discussion from varying viewpoints. Then there's the valleys where it became less open-minded arguing. Very entertaining thread nonetheless.

[Jamel-Irief]

Discussion in this thread was fairly intelligent for a time being, at least id like to believe; now it does feel as though people are jumping to conclusions and their short minded assumptions of other peoples life styles/gaming habits.

Yeah, you are right. As often in debates likes this, it doesn't take more than a small handfull of people to distort the thread by over emphasizing their viewpoint while intentionally not listening to others. I'm not saying anybody is wrong (that would be contradicting of me), but I'm saying I don't understand how one can expect to convince others of ones viewpoint, while only attacking and not listening to the other person(s) views.

If FFXIV is to grow and be a big time player in the MMORPG business (that is what "we" want, isn't it?) then there must surely be a place in the game for all different playstyles.

[Kilta_Firelotus]

Also to the OP, what anti solo threads are you talking about? so far this is the only thread to be about soloing.

@ someone who posted about sitting infront of the pc for 8 hours in a party is more social then a soloer who plays casually because of life
OP stated he has time to party if he wanted to, but adimitedly refuses to.
Which can and infact did tick a few ppl off.