FFXIV needs to stop accommodating Solo Players

[AmiableApkallu]

Multiplayer should be a core focus of the game -- But it shouldn't be the only focus. It's an MMO, sure -- But how people consume the MMO, and how the interact with an MMO will differ greatly.

I think the way I'd put it is: If some piece of content is going to allow multiple players to participate at the same time, then that should come through clearly in its design. It's like the difference between Castrum Lacus Litore or Dalriada, and Endwalker's alliance raids. The former contain spots where people split up, talk to each other, and coordinate; the latter can be done by 24 headless chickens each marching to their own beat.

If that same piece of content is going to have a single-player version, then either the replacements for the players need to be Good Enough™ to do it as-is, or there needs to be a second, solo-oriented design. (Note: This isn't completely out of the realm of possibility, because the one 8-player trial doable with Duty Support starts the player out with a buff that isn't present when queueing with 7 other players.)

[Donze]

As a player that does most things solo, where possible, I couldn't care less about the complaining here, nor do I believe the people here even agree on the difference, if any, between 'an RPG that takes place in an MMO' vs a "MMO that happens to be a RPG'. OP doesn't even specify what SE's 'accommodating Solo Players' is... you bitching about duty support? trust system? island? solo house ownership? additional retainer services? etc etc. There is a very long list of features that are squarely not something other players can engage with, and thus 'solo content'.

Alternatively, you can stop pretending vague designators like "stop accommodating solo players" has a clear meaning and use them words to specifically identify what constitutes 'accommodating solo players' that you find objectionable, at which point genuine dialogue might begin. YoshiP has states that they are moving towards more multiplayer in Dawntrail, and as a person that mostly solo's what I can, that sounds just fine with me.

For my part, I play FF14 how I want, when I want, and there is nothing anyone else can do about that, so deal with it. I'm the Warrior of Light, you're the side character in my game =D

[SieyaM]

I think making the story solo or able to be soloed is a pretty good idea, since it is mandatory to access features and later parts of the game it is a good way of future proofing. Too many MMOs end up with not enough population in the early game to support new players and even allow them to get to the parts of the game the community are engaged in. This will end up with new players either needing to sink money in for level and story skips or just permanently bar new players from joining leaving the population to slowly dwindle over time as players leave.

[CidHeiral]

Personally I don't understand the point of playing an MMO if you only want to play solo, but to each their own. I see no issue with having content for solo players as long as the Massively Multiplayer content is the primary focus of the game.

[ZiraZ]

Personally I don't understand the point of playing an MMO if you only want to play solo, but to each their own. I see no issue with having content for solo players as long as the Massively Multiplayer content is the primary focus of the game.

I assume its some sort of findom, paying a monthly fee for no reason, probably the same type of people that spend 500 dollars a month on streaming services.

[Boblawblah]

I assume its some sort of findom, paying a monthly fee for no reason, probably the same type of people that spend 500 dollars a month on streaming services.

What is a findom?

[strawberrycake]

What is a findom?

Boblawblah Noooooooooo!

[Volkai]

Yeah uhhhh no they don't.
I'm fine with them doing so, especially if they're doing so without diminishing the experience of those of us who enjoy playing with others. More people is better, and the things the dev team have done to accommodate more shy and introverted members of the potential player base to join are also good because they allow those players to get their feet wet before throwing the metaphorical sharks that are Jerks In The Player Base can scare them off.

[TBerry]

I don't see how crafters and gatherers could be pushed into multiplayer.

[Merrigan]

I don't see how crafters and gatherers could be pushed into multiplayer.

Ooooh there are so many possibilities for that! Unfortunately, it'll never happen because the MMORPG community (as a whole, not just FF) has changed too much for us to go back. Too much focus on optimisation, high achievements, the end-game, and everything else that makes the modern MMORPG.

Star Wars Galaxies (Legends) offers a fine example of multiplayer in the crafting field. The secret is to limit the number of selling npcs and allow players to set up their own shops. From there, crafting and resource gathering become extremely rich aspects of the game, on which the whole community depends: without them, there would be no low-level equipment, no resources to build your own craft, no supplies for your house, etc. etc.

The introduction of NPC sellers is what completely destroyed the economic side of MMORPGs, which was one of the most pronounced multiplayer aspects at the very beginning of the genre.