Why do people want solo play in an MMORPG?

[Starlord]

I just don't get it, MMORPG stands for Massive Multiplayer Role Playing Game. Some people want the game to base around solo play, ( which was mostly 1.0 and at some points did get frustrating to just do everything by myself.)

Do they even know what an MMO is? This is just a little gripe that I been having everytime the subject arises.

Going to get bread now to make Sausage Sandwiches!

Example:

I just don't like parties because they all tend to turn into elitists who have to have a thousand pieces of armor in order to feel they are playing the game right and talk down to you if you do not. This is part of the reason I left FFXI because of players like that. I really would hate for FFXIV to end up down that same sad road

Source: http://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV?fref=ts

A little change in my stance but still needs Grouping:

I still stand by my Answer as MMO's should focus on Groups, and I still want solo in the game as well. There needs to be an equal Balance.

There needs to be an equal balance of content for both solo and party.

[DoctorMog]

Some people don't like being forced into social interaction.

Some of those same people like playing MMOs.

/thread

edit: Missed 2 words.

(Personally, I will just wait until friends log in, but I can see why others solo)

[Cendres]

Some people don't like being forced into social interaction.

Some of those same people like playing MMOs.

/thread

edit: Missed 2 words.

(Personally, I will just wait until friends log in, but I can see why others solo)

YUP!!

Starlord, you are an awesome individual so I will be both frank and gentle (the latter is rare for me on these forums.. ^-~) But your title of thread very much incenses me. Because I am a solo player primarily and I don't think I owe you or anyone else any reason for my choices I also do NOT go around telling the devs how they should design their game or others how they should play.

I enjoy soloing because it allows me freedom, I can hop in and out of game totally guilt free and most days that's a big deal for me. However I enjoy the company of others as well so chatting and meeting new people out in the world is attractive to me. That's why I play MMOs and not just stick to single player RPGs that offer no other human to talk to or interact with.

There MORE ways to be social then LFG or partying with people all the time, there are many ways of doing many things in life as well that do not conform to how MOST people do them either.

Now that quote you have is from someone who's had bad experiences which I also had in XI, and that's due to the community being very rigid in their expectations and interactions with others, not really to do with grouping in itself. So both that player and yourself have something to learn here, that a better online multiplayer game starts with you, set the example and be open minded to have fun in different ways. And don't get discouraged by a few bad experiences.

[Starlord]

YUP!!

Starlord, you are an awesome individual so I will be both frank and gentle (the latter is rare for me on these forums.. ^-~) But your title of thread very much incenses me. Because I am a solo player primarily and I don't think I owe you or anyone else any reason for my choices I also do NOT go around telling the devs how they should design their game or others how they should play.

I enjoy soloing because it allows me freedom, I can hop in and out of game totally guilt free and most days that's a big deal for me. However I enjoy the company of others as well so chatting and meeting new people out in the world is attractive to me. That's why I play MMOs and not just stick to single player RPGs that offer no other human to talk to or interact with.

There MORE ways to be social then LFG or partying with people all the time, there are many ways of doing many things in life as well that do not conform to how MOST people do them either.

Now that quote you have is from someone who's had bad experiences which I also had in XI, and that's due to the community being very rigid in their expectations and interactions with others, not really to do with grouping in itself. So both that player and yourself have something to learn here, that a better online multiplayer game starts with you, set the example and be open minded to have fun in different ways. And don't get discouraged by a few bad experiences.

My OP is a lot different as the thread progressed, if you read my posts you see my stance changed a little. I still stand by my Answer as MMO's should focus on Groups, and I still want solo in the game as well. There needs to be an equal Balance.

If most of the game is solo ( by game design not by player choice there's a difference), the game will be like it was in 1.0 at the beginning.

[Cendres]

If most of the game is solo ( by game design not by player choice there's a difference), the game will be like it was in 1.0 at the beginning.

You mean it will have zero content so people will have to make up their own fun just like in Saga of Ryzom? (if you don't know what that is it's a good idea to look it up, it's educative on what could have happened to XIV 1.0)

No it will not, also I grouped easily in XIV 1.0 and I don't expect that to change in ARR. What I do completely expect from the game is something akin to modern XI where you can level solo if you want but you must group in order to finish story lines, do dungeons and all that jazz.

There's no problem in adding solo or puzzle dungeons too but that must come after the group stuff is in and balanced.

I honestly do not fear much for this game because Yoshi knows very well who the solo/casual crowd is and what they like and who the groupers/hardcores are and what they in turn like.

It's going to be okayyy. Also the real issue was never grouping it's always about TIME management. Make it so you can get a group in a good amount of time and you encourage people to participate.

I only have so much time on my hands, like in the last XIV G+ chat, I end up leaving because over one hour and I have to go make dinner or help my daughter with homework or something. Rarely do I get 3 hours of uninterrupted time to myself. That's the problem.

[HiirNoivl]

Link? Quote? What people are you talking about???

[Shougun]

Personally I like the social interaction as a choice. It really really supports the lone wolf feeling you can have out in the world making it yourself.

You do this in skyrim but there is no counter point that settles the idea in.

Beyond that its also nice to be able to login do something productive and log out in short spats of time without worrying about cattle herding a group you have no social interest in. Playing with friends is always nice but sometimes you dont have the time to give them an appropriate group (like "I only have time for one dungeon run and then you have to find someone else*" or they are too busy).

Basically, the option of social interaction is great. It adds an immersive experience and more play experiences possible. Of course if you improperly balance content. . . but that becomes a sort of subjective argument.

*I have a good friend on FFXIV that lets me do this all the time though lol. "Hey you want to come?!" "Yeah!.. but I only have time for one run.." "Thats cool, come join us!" <3

[Bowen]

Why is this relevant and worthy of a thread?

[Priya]

Short answer is: It depends.

The OPTION to play solo, at the very least every once in a while, is what's important.

Not everyone has the same time allotment for gaming. Being able to get a few things done on your own is very nice if you're short on time.

There are also days when you hate everyone, but you'd still like to play your character; another argument for some solo play.

Probably a terrible analogy, but in a relationship, don't you sometimes want "alone time"? It's kind of in the same vein; while it's nice to play with people... playing with them all day every day with no breaks is rough.

[Orophin]

I've had people tell me I'm maybe not cut out of MMOs anymore because I don't have enough patience to grind out a dungeon 500 times for a Darklight drop, but am willing to put over 120 hours into FFXII.

Maybe they're right. *shrug*

I don't mind interacting with people, but sometimes I just want to do things alone.