More content for solo players?

[Rowyne]

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.

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.

[Northman]

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.

[Makwa]

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

[Onidemon]

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

[ThePatriarch]

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.

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.

[Morticous]

go away. >_>

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.

[byyako]

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?)

[Peptaru]

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.

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?

[Morticous]

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?

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.

[Onidemon]

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.

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.