MMORPGs How they have changed for the better? or worse?

[Zabuza]

I havent much to say on the issue that this thread is actually discussing since FFXIV is the first MMO I've ever played and I havent read the whole thread either, I just stumbled over this comment and have to say: I can relate to the talk about making RL-friendships and meeting your SO through the game.
And thats the reason I want to comment on this - remember that I said this was the first (and infact only) MMO I ever played? (I kinda do hope you remember because if you dont, you might wanna see a doctor for short-term-memory-loss... besides the point)

Maybe I'm missunderstanding your comment, but it seems to imply to me that you dont believe that making meanigful, real life connections is possible in this game - or in other "casual MMOs" - and I just want to assure you that it still is, that it still happens and that people are still grateful for that. And everytime I see comments wishing back for "the old days" when they could find friends within the game they were playing, I cant help but to think about all the amazing from all over the world that are in my FC and came to the last two EU-fanfests so we could all meet up, despite living thousands of kilometers apart. I cant help but remember a 10-hour flight I took to america to visit a friend from the game and about the other people who took a simliar long flight so we could all spend 2 amazing weeks together. I cant help to think about how I would have never met my boyfriend if it wasnt for this game!

Please, dont missunderstand this as me disagreeing with you - its very much the opposite! All I want to do is to point out that all of those amazing things - longlasting, meanigful friendships, finding love, finding joy - are still happening today, in this game and thats an amazing thing!
And I feel sorry for those who cant see that - probably not you, Zabuza, but certainly some other people here...

Well, all I know is for me, the closest bonds I formed on an MMO were doing the Chains of Promathia missions with my static for the story at the time. Similar to how those who fight together on a battlefield form a unique, tight knit bond, the same applies when people struggle together. It doesn't exist as much in games like these because there really is no need for people to struggle together. Savage is optional and can easily be done in PF with people you won't see again. All the other content is done in DF, and you DEFINITELY don't see them again. The struggle with a certain group of people on a persistent basis is notably absent. With dungeons, you're lucky if you get a 'hi' from the people in your random group. The rest is just speed running the content, while probably looking at something on your other monitor. There is very little engagement, and most people only do them to reach their weekly tomestone cap.

[MonteCristo]

Well, all I know is for me, the closest bonds I formed on an MMO were doing the Chains of Promathia missions with my static for the story at the time. Similar to how those who fight together on a battlefield form a unique, tight knit bond, the same applies when people struggle together. It doesn't exist as much in games like these because there really is no need for people to struggle together. Savage is optional and can easily be done in PF with people you won't see again. All the other content is done in DF, and you DEFINITELY don't see them again. The struggle with a certain group of people on a persistent basis is notably absent. With dungeons, you're lucky if you get a 'hi' from the people in your random group. The rest is just speed running the content, while probably looking at something on your other monitor. There is very little engagement, and most people only do them to reach their weekly tomestone cap.

This is spot on...id pay good money for the devs to read this comment and actually have them take some form of action. Ive said for years this game feels very hollow in more ways than one.

[Nix]

Well, all I know is for me, the closest bonds I formed on an MMO were doing the Chains of Promathia missions with my static for the story at the time. Similar to how those who fight together on a battlefield form a unique, tight knit bond, the same applies when people struggle together. It doesn't exist as much in games like these because there really is no need for people to struggle together. Savage is optional and can easily be done in PF with people you won't see again. All the other content is done in DF, and you DEFINITELY don't see them again. The struggle with a certain group of people on a persistent basis is notably absent. With dungeons, you're lucky if you get a 'hi' from the people in your random group. The rest is just speed running the content, while probably looking at something on your other monitor. There is very little engagement, and most people only do them to reach their weekly tomestone cap.

Amen to this - not saying strong friendships aren't formed, but honestly I've found it harder to make those bonds - especially in the last 10 years of gaming.
I am still friends with many of my old linkshell members from FFXI - I started playing and met them back in 2004ish. In FFXIV, there's only really two players I've known since the game's release and who I would consider "close friends"... people seem content to play solo, hardly talk in chat, remain in FCs for the buffs over the companionship, and don't even really interact in dungeons unless it's to blame the someone for something (/sarcasm, but you get what I mean).

I feel like FFXIV, and modern MMOs too, that it's harder to forge those bonds because gameplay doesn't really foster it. It's not for lack of trying, but when you only need to check in with players once in a while to make progress, the social aspect of the game suffers.

That being said, it's not all bad. I have enjoyed seeing people come together this week for Moonfire Faire - Costa Del Sol on Hyperion has been pretty chatty & friendly; it's just a shame that this level of interaction will be gone until the next event that brings everyone together