I wanna know

[LeonTrifang]

So, I will admit, I do this, I’m curious if I’m the only one. Okay, so how many of you view other players as NPC’s from time to time, just to make the game feel more solo? I have it to where at all times only names of those on my friends list will show, it makes it feel more solo based. Of course I treat other players properly when interacting, but I wanna know how many other people pretend the game just has a bunch of NPC’s running around?

[Ntol]

While I don´t pretend it (it´s a MMORPG after all), I too activated the option to only show friend´s names. Not because of your reasons, but because on crowded areas all I would see would be a bunch of names floating around.
Ironically, that makes my experience closer to what you try to achieve, and sometimes I find myself clicking on random people to see if they are a NPC or a player.

[LeonTrifang]

I see. And yeah, it makes crowded areas feel less crowded lol

[Istaru]

So, I will admit, I do this, I’m curious if I’m the only one. Okay, so how many of you view other players as NPC’s from time to time, just to make the game feel more solo? I have it to where at all times only names of those on my friends list will show, it makes it feel more solo based. Of course I treat other players properly when interacting, but I wanna know how many other people pretend the game just has a bunch of NPC’s running around?

I do not do this. They’re still people that are attached to those characters. More importantly, I play MMOs because of the social aspect of them. If I wanted to play a single player game I would go and play those.

[LeonTrifang]

I see. I understand that opinion and know the attachment to a character all too well. Thank you for your opinion!

[MuseTraveller]

That's interesting way to look at it. Never thought to see people that way but running Alliance Roulette and seeing people wipe on Crystal Tower makes me think I'm running with squadron AIs... does that count? :'D

[LeonTrifang]

Sure! I love hearing how other people view the game. Your view is very similar to mine lol

[Sebazy]

I’m quite the opposite, even though I’m fortunate enough to have a long running, stable static in a successful FC, I still enjoy pugging and PFs regardless of how comparatively painful they might be. I love meeting new people, seeing more variety in playstyles and strategies and of course it’s always good to make new friends and contacts IMO.

FFXI taught me to appreciate that there’s a person behind each character, and after some of the foul behaviour I saw in that game, I guess I’ve conditioned myself to becareful to treat people respectfully and considerately. Karma goes a long way in my eyes.

[LeonTrifang]

That’s a very kind, empathetic way to view the game. Thanks!

[Maero]

Myself i only hide names while in Eureka because the less stuff on screen to draw the better, lol
Otherwise outside of that i prefer to actually see names and the like.