Repetitive grind parties should NOT be the main source of leveling

[Godryc]

I think that's a bit close minded to say "Grouping for XP is the only viable option.", it doesn't provoke much thought and produces a fallacy called a "false dichotomy". There are always other options.

Now I dont mean soloing is the alternate way of immersion in the game, what I mean is that group activities beyond grinding can be a lot more fun then just killing common monsters over and over

I agree Ventus, party game play can be emphasized without resorting to mindless grinding. The only fun I can really imagine being had in that mindless grind situation is socializing with your friends/group mates. That's fine but where is the fun game play? Hours and hours of the same objective over and over (kill anything in sight) for no other reason that to gain a level, is this the height of MMO's? I really hope not.

So yes to those of you that want a discussion along the lines of what Ventus has been saying, how about the role of interactive environments in this game. Quests that instead of just send you from point A to point B, find ways to come to life and tell a story and provide an adventure where the only text is dialogue and the rest of it happens in front of you as an experience not some NPC's recollection of events just past.

Not talking about cinematics either. I suppose i'm talking about scripted NPCs, both enemy and ally and anything that could be built from that or added to it. Also these events could take advantage of the social and often party based aspect of MMOs and require parties to split up and work together in the same relative location but at two things at once. ie one team has to hold off waves of enemies while the other has to solve a puzzle and tackle a mini boss type monster.