The Solo disease?

[Kilta_Firelotus]

Well it is entirely, without question, opinion based. It is my opinion that the party mechanic is a small part of an MMORPG. I have met some people that feel that the 95% (or there abouts) of most MMORPG's are just leading you up to the last 5% (end game content) and that the entire game is meaningless until you reach that stage. To me, an MMORPG is a lot more than just questing (for lore or gear) or grinding for exp, which are really the only aspects of the game that a party mechanic is employed in. Crafting, exploration, harvesting, talking with people in chat channels, having discussions with your LS, and many other activities are done without a party mechanic (although you could employ one, for example partying up to harvest so you can harvest in dangerous areas, etc...) and these make up a lot of what I feel is an important aspect of an MMORPG. It all really boils down to what aspects of an MMORPG are "worth" more to you. For example someone who doesn't participate in anything except quests and instances (who is arguably missing out on a lot of the game, similar to how someone who would refuse to party would miss out on a lot of end game) would probably feel that the parts of the game that utilise a party mechanic are "the game" with the rest just being extras.

Again it is all about how you choose to enjoy the game, and what aspects appeal more to you. Thankfully FFXIV is great in these aspects and provides outlets for almost every game play style you could want.

I do party on occasion. I try to avoid it whenever possible, but when friends, or on occasion random people, need help, or if I need to complete some group based instance for gear or items, I do not sit there and whine about groups, I suck it up, grab my weapon of choice, and party. I never (for the record) say (even to myself) that they should make this or that content soloable so I can do it by myself. I played FFXI, arguably the most party centric MMORPG I know, for many many years and not once complained about the game not being solo friendly.

A few things first off no one who plays solo replied my questions. If mmo are not about grouping, then why do developers promote the games as group games, " meeting up with players going exploring and doing content with them."? Direct qoute from devs of from Star wars Tor. If anyone here has a 360 go on zoom and look up indepentent videows under gaming.
But nearly all mmo devs promote their mmo that way.

Second All those things TDJ listed that I made bold and underlined, are not done solo. Now before you blow a gasket, those CAN be done solo or in groups. More so the exploring. That is hanging out with friends.

Third the other thing I made bold and underline, if TDJ tries to avoid groups. I think this stance is clouding his replies a bit, and maybe i feel misunderstanding mmorpg a bit.

Now.. to explain what I mean

Just because you does not group mean you are playing solo. If you are talking to people, hanging out (not in a group), buy stuff from other people. That is still multiplayer playing. Soloist (real ones) avoid people and relying on others to play. They make or farm their own gear etc.

Play solo means playing by yourself. If your in an LS chating you are not really alone.

Honestly though grouping up or not grouping up don't make people solo or not solo. (I've been sick the last few days and havn't been thinking well or I would have said this. You do not need to be in a group to hang with people. Only if you need to. But if you hang with other peopple you are not soloing. Your just not grouping.