Why do people want solo play in an MMORPG?

[Starlord]

I just don't get it, MMORPG stands for Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Game. Some people want the game to base around solo play, ( which was mostly 1.0 and at some points did get frustrating to just do everything by myself.)

Do they even know what an MMO is? This is just a little gripe that I been having everytime the subject arises.

Going to get bread now to make Sausage Sandwiches!

Example:

I just don't like parties because they all tend to turn into elitists who have to have a thousand pieces of armor in order to feel they are playing the game right and talk down to you if you do not. This is part of the reason I left FFXI because of players like that. I really would hate for FFXIV to end up down that same sad road

Source: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV?fref=ts

A little change in my stance but still needs Grouping:

I still stand by my Answer as MMO's should focus on Groups, and I still want solo in the game as well. There needs to be an equal Balance.

There needs to be an equal balance of content for both solo and party.

[DoctorMog]

Some people don't like being forced into social interaction.

Some of those same people like playing MMOs.

/thread

edit: Missed 2 words.

(Personally, I will just wait until friends log in, but I can see why others solo)

[HiirNoivl]

Link? Quote? What people are you talking about???

[Shougun]

Personally I like the social interaction as a choice. It really really supports the lone wolf feeling you can have out in the world making it yourself.

You do this in skyrim but there is no counter point that settles the idea in.

Beyond that its also nice to be able to login do something productive and log out in short spats of time without worrying about cattle herding a group you have no social interest in. Playing with friends is always nice but sometimes you dont have the time to give them an appropriate group (like "I only have time for one dungeon run and then you have to find someone else*" or they are too busy).

Basically, the option of social interaction is great. It adds an immersive experience and more play experiences possible. Of course if you improperly balance content. . . but that becomes a sort of subjective argument.

*I have a good friend on FFXIV that lets me do this all the time though lol. "Hey you want to come?!" "Yeah!.. but I only have time for one run.." "Thats cool, come join us!" <3

[Bowen]

Why is this relevant and worthy of a thread?

[Priya]

Short answer is: It depends.

The OPTION to play solo, at the very least every once in a while, is what's important.

Not everyone has the same time allotment for gaming. Being able to get a few things done on your own is very nice if you're short on time.

There are also days when you hate everyone, but you'd still like to play your character; another argument for some solo play.

Probably a terrible analogy, but in a relationship, don't you sometimes want "alone time"? It's kind of in the same vein; while it's nice to play with people... playing with them all day every day with no breaks is rough.

[Orophin]

I've had people tell me I'm maybe not cut out of MMOs anymore because I don't have enough patience to grind out a dungeon 500 times for a Darklight drop, but am willing to put over 120 hours into FFXII.

Maybe they're right. *shrug*

I don't mind interacting with people, but sometimes I just want to do things alone.

[Delsus]

I like some solo play, for example when I only have about 1 hour to play, but I don't understand the whole "I want to solo everything" mentality, give me forced grouping over that any day.

[Lady]

I just don't get it, MMORPG stands for Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Game. Some people want the game to base around solo play, ( which was mostly 1.0 and at some points did get frustrating to just do everything by myself.)

Do they even know what an MMO is? This is just a little gripe that I been having everytime the subject arises.

Going to get bread now to make Sausage Sandwiches!

Let's see...

1) Someone may just enjoy lore, and story
2) Someone may enjoy having people to chat with while they solo
3) Someone may absolutely hate the drama guilds/linkshells/groups inevitably go through

One could ask why is crafting/gathering a solo pastime in a mmo? Why aren't we forced into groups of 5-6 people in order to craft since its an mmo?

[Antanias]

Solo play does exist, it's called crafting and gathering >_>