Quote Originally Posted by Ventus View Post
I see what you're saying but that's a very one track mind way of thinking. In your mind, you've essentially taken the idea that Massively Multiplayer means 95% of the game should be group work when soloing in tandem with group activities can be just as fun, if not more fun.

Sometimes people like to solo and feel more powerful on their own and sometimes as a group, additionally being in an mmo makes you feel like you're in a living, breathing world but just like in our real world do you always want to do group activities?

Solo play and immersing yourself in the game by feeling efficient as a player on your own can be pretty cool. MMOs should cater to many different playstyles because games shouldn't be played in only one way.

Besides, their are many cons to group play such as:

1. usually need a good amount of time to dedicate to group

2. players for desired purpose are not always available

3. loss of freedom in gameplay goals may occur when having to constantly yield to a group majority desire.

There are pros to grouping as well but I'm simply trying to pose a point for the other side. Soloing should be able to coexist with grouping and not be a wretched, decrepit part of the game.

I understand what you're saying and you make good points, and I didn't mean to come across as saying soloing shouldn't exist.

My biggest point is, when soloing becomes attractive enough to people to where it starts hurting the party portion of the game, that is not ok.

I think the argument stems from what an acceptable rate of experience gain from soloing is. If its too high, nobody will want to party, if its too low, people are forced to party. Neither of which are good. But finding a perfect balance is very difficult, if not impossible.

And I just think when choosing between the two sides, encouraging party play should take priority as this is primarily a multiplayer game.