Interesting as I hardly ever play solo. I am usually in groups of 2 to 3 people and we have a blast. LOTRO is not dying it's just more spread out. I see lots of people in the lower level areas and I am leveling two new alts. I am not a big fan of PvP at all...usually PvP is very unbalanced and causes problems with the PvE side of the game. Every time I try a new game I am disappointed and return to LOTRO. Turbine operates their games very well (not perfect mind you). Also, I help others who are looking for fellowships to complete a book or instance.
first of all the title is wrong. im sure that if you go to a busy server like elendimir... or brandywine you will always be able to gorup with some one wif u want to!
first of all the title is wrong. im sure that if you go to a busy server like elendimir... or brandywine you will always be able to gorup with some one wif u want to!
I play on Brandywine and the first 57 levels of my Wardens life I have been in.... ZERO groups. Could probably get into one in Moria but at this point.. 57 levels why not 8 more?
Brandywine may be the more populated server but it certainly isnt a highly populated server.. Especially pre 50.
It's not the LFG tools, but the CHAIN QUEST. No one is ever on the same part. This is the most major problem with Lotro hands down, and everyone ignores this.[/quote]
Uh, no. Lots of people are on the same quests, they've just lost faith in finding a complete group. For example, in Angmar these quests I had were on pretty much every 3rd person's quest log whenever I found groups for CD/Uru. Yet these people don't often reply back to LFG shouts unless you put in "4/6 just need 1 or 2 more!"
Though seriously, its just funny and amazing how they've ignored the LFG panel so far, I mean 2-3 years since the game's release right? And not a single person uses it, and they've chosen to do nothing about it. If that doesn't tell you how much they care about grouping then I don't know what will. Some really great friends I made in lower levels while grouping up for landscape quests in Lone-Lands are all now gone. **** you Turbine.
Bumping for potential buyers (which can be discouraging or encouraging depending on your playstyle). Majority of the community is still made up of solo elitists and Turbine is doing nothing but removing more and more group content with every update.
The sad thing is they made it solo friendly and what happens is nobody groups until you get to a raid, and then you find out your in a pug group and nobody knows how to play in a group.
Yeah, that's one thing they need to work on, is group play. It's perfectly fine if they want to give people the ability to solo, but just ignoring grouping completely is stupid.
Contrary to that last few posts here, LOTRO is still a very good game whether you solo or decide to group. Yes, there are "elistists" like in every MMO but not to the degree that has been mentioned. There is a very good LOTRO community that is more then willing to help (and group) with any new player that happens along.....just don't expect to be spoon fed. What I mean by that last statement is that if you need help, don't be afraid to ask.
Or you guys can join a good kin and problem solved.
Yes...that obviously solves all grouping problems instantly.......
You can be in a great kin, and I am, but people don't always wish to do low level stuff with others all the time. They may say, sure, once you get 4 other people. Or they may be busy when you just need one or two more.
But besides that, that still is the attitude that doesn't fix group issues at all. I, personally, enjoy doing quests and most instances with a level appropiate group. Not two end game people that can just afk us through it.
They need to do something about finding a group for at least instances, if not something a little easier for quests.
Or you guys can join a good kin and problem solved.
Yes...that obviously solves all grouping problems instantly.......
You can be in a great kin, and I am, but people don't always wish to do low level stuff with others all the time. They may say, sure, once you get 4 other people. Or they may be busy when you just need one or two more.
But besides that, that still is the attitude that doesn't fix group issues at all. I, personally, enjoy doing quests and most instances with a level appropiate group. Not two end game people that can just afk us through it.
They need to do something about finding a group for at least instances, if not something a little easier for quests.
I can't disagree that they need some better tools for finding groups but the tools that exist aren't horrendous.
As far as the kin thing, well I'm not a big believer in the whole "I'm the victirm" way of living.
It reminds me of a time, long time ago, where we were all playing in our clan and we had this guy who would log on, ask "hey guys what are you doing" and we would all tell him and he would summarily log off.
He then came on one day and proceeded to say how he didn't like the clan because we were all off doing our own thing. Our response was "well, we were happily doing our own thing however if you would like to organize a group thing then by all means please do and we will join you".
But he didn't want to do that.
The thing is, in the end, we are responsible for our own fun. So if you are in a good clan but your people are doing low level stuff they are either very casual and therefore not a good match for you (therefore not a good clan because they don't fit your playstyle) or they are into alts. If they are into alts and they have several high lvl characters why don't you and yours organize something for high level players.
If there is one particular night that you play then post it as "the night we do monster play" or "The night we do one raid" etc.
Because otherwise what I"m reading is "people aren't being cruise directors and managing my fun".
That seems a bit harsh but I find it hard to see people, hordes of people complain that they can't find groups and they aren't looking around realizing that "hey... with all these people wanting to group 'maybe' we should form our own kin/legion/clan/guild and make it happen.
It's like the times you see "LFG for Caves of ultimate Evil" and several people are shouting but no one is saying "wait... this is a group, even if it is not the perfect group".
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Or you guys can join a good kin and problem solved.
Yes...that obviously solves all grouping problems instantly.......
You can be in a great kin, and I am, but people don't always wish to do low level stuff with others all the time. They may say, sure, once you get 4 other people. Or they may be busy when you just need one or two more.
But besides that, that still is the attitude that doesn't fix group issues at all. I, personally, enjoy doing quests and most instances with a level appropiate group. Not two end game people that can just afk us through it.
They need to do something about finding a group for at least instances, if not something a little easier for quests.
I can't disagree that they need some better tools for finding groups but the tools that exist aren't horrendous.
As far as the kin thing, well I'm not a big believer in the whole "I'm the victirm" way of living.
It reminds me of a time, long time ago, where we were all playing in our clan and we had this guy who would log on, ask "hey guys what are you doing" and we would all tell him and he would summarily log off.
He then came on one day and proceeded to say how he didn't like the clan because we were all off doing our own thing. Our response was "well, we were happily doing our own thing however if you would like to organize a group thing then by all means please do and we will join you".
But he didn't want to do that.
The thing is, in the end, we are responsible for our own fun. So if you are in a good clan but your people are doing low level stuff they are either very casual and therefore not a good match for you (therefore not a good clan because they don't fit your playstyle) or they are into alts. If they are into alts and they have several high lvl characters why don't you and yours organize something for high level players.
If there is one particular night that you play then post it as "the night we do monster play" or "The night we do one raid" etc.
Because otherwise what I"m reading is "people aren't being cruise directors and managing my fun".
That seems a bit harsh but I find it hard to see people, hordes of people complain that they can't find groups and they aren't looking around realizing that "hey... with all these people wanting to group 'maybe' we should form our own kin/legion/clan/guild and make it happen.
It's like the times you see "LFG for Caves of ultimate Evil" and several people are shouting but no one is saying "wait... this is a group, even if it is not the perfect group".
This is good advice. Often the best way to find a group is to start one. "LFM...." will get more responses than "LFG...."
10 day free trial, people can find out for themselves whether the game is for them or not. BTW finding a good fitting kinships solves any grouping problem
I think LotrO really need to be more grouping friendly. Been saying for years that they need a better LFM panel (like DDO) and some kind of mentoring (up/down) system. MMOs should encourage people to play together and right now that is lacking in LotrO.
If WoW = The Beatles and WAR = Led Zeppelin Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
I noticed it was tough getting groups together in the starting areas, but now that I'm in my 30s I don't have a problem finding someone to group with if I want. Keep in mind I started last December and took some time off to play STO. In my experience, people are quite friendly about teaming up, especially if you make the first move. I'm not sure why people think LOTRO players are elitist, because I've had the opposite experience than I did in WOW where your gear mattered above all else.
I noticed it was tough getting groups together in the starting areas, but now that I'm in my 30s I don't have a problem finding someone to group with if I want. Keep in mind I started last December and took some time off to play STO. In my experience, people are quite friendly about teaming up, especially if you make the first move. I'm not sure why people think LOTRO players are elitist, because I've had the opposite experience than I did in WOW where your gear mattered above all else.
You been lucky. Also you not made it to 60 yet. That is when gear becomes king in the game. You will run into the same gear checks that wow has, and if you dont have the gear you dont make the run. When you got into you 58-65 range the game all becomes about gear and LI. In fact all the raid instances require radiance, and if you don't have a good 2nd age or 1st age weapon you can bet your bottom dollar your not going to be in that group.
Sorry I had to tell you that, in the 30 range it does not matter you only hang around that level for about 5-10 days max, and most of those folks your playing with are on alts.
I noticed it was tough getting groups together in the starting areas, but now that I'm in my 30s I don't have a problem finding someone to group with if I want. Keep in mind I started last December and took some time off to play STO. In my experience, people are quite friendly about teaming up, especially if you make the first move. I'm not sure why people think LOTRO players are elitist, because I've had the opposite experience than I did in WOW where your gear mattered above all else.
They are on the official forums, unlike here. Turbine got mostly praises for deleting all group quests from Lone-Lands. People wanting better LFG panels/incentives are the minority there. Turbine made a comment sometime last year and they said that the majority of their gaming pop in LoTRO just wants a more solo than a grouping game, and it is the direction they are heading in ultimately. Basically is like this, they have two games - DDO and LoTRO, where DDO is group heavy and LoTRO is Solo heavy.
first of all the title is wrong. im sure that if you go to a busy server like elendimir... or brandywine you will always be able to gorup with some one wif u want to!
I play on Brandywine and the first 57 levels of my Wardens life I have been in.... ZERO groups. Could probably get into one in Moria but at this point.. 57 levels why not 8 more?
Brandywine may be the more populated server but it certainly isnt a highly populated server.. Especially pre 50.
Either you honsetly are a soloist your self trying to scare off people that enjoy group games,Or your just not wanting to LFF,or have just had bad luck,witch of those I dont know becsuase I have been back a monthish now. I have been in plenty of groups,and instance runs. There is not lack of people in areas...I do have to say though the Beginging areas Like archet and combe are mostly individuals running around, but those areas really dont require groups for the most part. Im in a kin too that makes another big diff...so ehy who no disrespect intended. Lotro is hella fun imo.
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
For me, I just recently cancelled my sub. I had gone back to the game because I'd heard it was more solo-friendly that it used to be. While that is true, there is still a ton of group-required stuff and if they ever let me have an end game that I can do solo, I may sub back up, but not until then.
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
For me, I just recently cancelled my sub. I had gone back to the game because I'd heard it was more solo-friendly that it used to be. While that is true, there is still a ton of group-required stuff and if they ever let me have an end game that I can do solo, I may sub back up, but not until then.
What MMO HAS End Game Solo content.Any MMO you can Level TO the End of THE game, but as far as I know (Ive played all the major mmos and some of the not so popular ones) there is no solo End Game content, its all about grouping. I get Online to play with other people, Besides soloing EVERYthing in an mmo kinda defeats the purpose of playing an mmo, imo. some one would be better off playing a Morrowind game. but to each there own I guess.
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
For me, I just recently cancelled my sub. I had gone back to the game because I'd heard it was more solo-friendly that it used to be. While that is true, there is still a ton of group-required stuff and if they ever let me have an end game that I can do solo, I may sub back up, but not until then.
What MMO HAS End Game Solo content.Any MMO you can Level TO the End of THE game, but as far as I know (Ive played all the major mmos and some of the not so popular ones) there is no solo End Game content, its all about grouping. I get Online to play with other people, Besides soloing EVERYthing in an mmo kinda defeats the purpose of playing an mmo, imo. some one would be better off playing a Morrowind game. but to each there own I guess.
City of Heroes, for one. And please, let's not go over the many many reasons to play an MMO that have nothing to do with teaming. This very site lists many of them in many threads. If you want to group, great! But I don't understand why MMOs need to force players to group up to experience content.
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
For me, I just recently cancelled my sub. I had gone back to the game because I'd heard it was more solo-friendly that it used to be. While that is true, there is still a ton of group-required stuff and if they ever let me have an end game that I can do solo, I may sub back up, but not until then.
What MMO HAS End Game Solo content.Any MMO you can Level TO the End of THE game, but as far as I know (Ive played all the major mmos and some of the not so popular ones) there is no solo End Game content, its all about grouping. I get Online to play with other people, Besides soloing EVERYthing in an mmo kinda defeats the purpose of playing an mmo, imo. some one would be better off playing a Morrowind game. but to each there own I guess.
City of Heroes, for one. And please, let's not go over the many many reasons to play an MMO that have nothing to do with teaming. This very site lists many of them in many threads. If you want to group, great! But I don't understand why MMOs need to force players to group up to experience content.
I do here you, on solo friendly content,guess its just my belif that getting the best or uber gear should some how require a team/group effort. there are times when im playing that i just dont feel like grouping so i go do some solo stuff. If A MMO made End Game content Solo'able or atain'able with out groups, there would be NO reason in an MMO to group at all. btw very well put with out takeing my post personal its nice to be able to have conversations with out every one getting all heated because some one mite have a diff. point of view or idea >.0.
I do here you, on solo friendly content,guess its just my belif that getting the best or uber gear should some how require a team/group effort. there are times when im playing that i just dont feel like grouping so i go do some solo stuff. If A MMO made End Game content Solo'able or atain'able with out groups, there would be NO reason in an MMO to group at all. btw very well put with out takeing my post personal its nice to be able to have conversations with out every one getting all heated because some one mite have a diff. point of view or idea >.0.
I think it's pretty fair to say that a lot more players seek a solo experience in MMOs these days compared to the old ones. I do not feel, though, that one playstyle needs to stomp on or override the other. I simply think that MMOs need to adapt, to modernize to reflect this. As such, both soloing and grouping need to be made viable. If the rewards were equal, most people would indeed solo. However, making loot exclusive to one playstyle (grouping) does stomp on the other.
My suggestion would be that in a particular dungeon, not only would exp bonuses be granted to every member of the team, scaling on team size, but loot drop possibilities as well. So, as an oversimplified example: a soloer would enter a dungeon, fight mobs in groups of one or two on the way to a boss that's scaled down such that he could be defeated one on one. This boss would drop some modest piece of loot and have a small, say 5% chance of dropping a nice item. If a group of say, five entered, there would be roughly five times as many mobs, and the boss would scale up accordingly. As well, the chance of good loot dropping would be roughly 5 times as good as the soloer's was. This could apply to any mobs that drop loot.
This way, grouping is highly encouraged, but soloing is not denied the opportunity to experience content.
Finally, there is nothing wrong with having group-centric MMOs, even at end game. I just don't think it must be that way for all, or nearly all of them. One big peeve I have with MMOs today is that many of them let you solo til the end-game, and then require you to group up to continue to improve your character or gear.
Comments
Interesting as I hardly ever play solo. I am usually in groups of 2 to 3 people and we have a blast. LOTRO is not dying it's just more spread out. I see lots of people in the lower level areas and I am leveling two new alts. I am not a big fan of PvP at all...usually PvP is very unbalanced and causes problems with the PvE side of the game. Every time I try a new game I am disappointed and return to LOTRO. Turbine operates their games very well (not perfect mind you). Also, I help others who are looking for fellowships to complete a book or instance.
first of all the title is wrong. im sure that if you go to a busy server like elendimir... or brandywine you will always be able to gorup with some one wif u want to!
I play on Brandywine and the first 57 levels of my Wardens life I have been in.... ZERO groups. Could probably get into one in Moria but at this point.. 57 levels why not 8 more?
Brandywine may be the more populated server but it certainly isnt a highly populated server.. Especially pre 50.
[quote]Wrong, Wrong, Wrong.
It's not the LFG tools, but the CHAIN QUEST. No one is ever on the same part. This is the most major problem with Lotro hands down, and everyone ignores this.[/quote]
Uh, no. Lots of people are on the same quests, they've just lost faith in finding a complete group. For example, in Angmar these quests I had were on pretty much every 3rd person's quest log whenever I found groups for CD/Uru. Yet these people don't often reply back to LFG shouts unless you put in "4/6 just need 1 or 2 more!"
Though seriously, its just funny and amazing how they've ignored the LFG panel so far, I mean 2-3 years since the game's release right? And not a single person uses it, and they've chosen to do nothing about it. If that doesn't tell you how much they care about grouping then I don't know what will. Some really great friends I made in lower levels while grouping up for landscape quests in Lone-Lands are all now gone. **** you Turbine.
Bumping for potential buyers (which can be discouraging or encouraging depending on your playstyle). Majority of the community is still made up of solo elitists and Turbine is doing nothing but removing more and more group content with every update.
The sad thing is they made it solo friendly and what happens is nobody groups until you get to a raid, and then you find out your in a pug group and nobody knows how to play in a group.
And bam you fail.
Or you guys can join a good kin and problem solved.
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
Yeah, that's one thing they need to work on, is group play. It's perfectly fine if they want to give people the ability to solo, but just ignoring grouping completely is stupid.
Contrary to that last few posts here, LOTRO is still a very good game whether you solo or decide to group. Yes, there are "elistists" like in every MMO but not to the degree that has been mentioned. There is a very good LOTRO community that is more then willing to help (and group) with any new player that happens along.....just don't expect to be spoon fed. What I mean by that last statement is that if you need help, don't be afraid to ask.
Let's party like it is 1863!
Yes...that obviously solves all grouping problems instantly.......
You can be in a great kin, and I am, but people don't always wish to do low level stuff with others all the time. They may say, sure, once you get 4 other people. Or they may be busy when you just need one or two more.
But besides that, that still is the attitude that doesn't fix group issues at all. I, personally, enjoy doing quests and most instances with a level appropiate group. Not two end game people that can just afk us through it.
They need to do something about finding a group for at least instances, if not something a little easier for quests.
I can't disagree that they need some better tools for finding groups but the tools that exist aren't horrendous.
As far as the kin thing, well I'm not a big believer in the whole "I'm the victirm" way of living.
It reminds me of a time, long time ago, where we were all playing in our clan and we had this guy who would log on, ask "hey guys what are you doing" and we would all tell him and he would summarily log off.
He then came on one day and proceeded to say how he didn't like the clan because we were all off doing our own thing. Our response was "well, we were happily doing our own thing however if you would like to organize a group thing then by all means please do and we will join you".
But he didn't want to do that.
The thing is, in the end, we are responsible for our own fun. So if you are in a good clan but your people are doing low level stuff they are either very casual and therefore not a good match for you (therefore not a good clan because they don't fit your playstyle) or they are into alts. If they are into alts and they have several high lvl characters why don't you and yours organize something for high level players.
If there is one particular night that you play then post it as "the night we do monster play" or "The night we do one raid" etc.
Because otherwise what I"m reading is "people aren't being cruise directors and managing my fun".
That seems a bit harsh but I find it hard to see people, hordes of people complain that they can't find groups and they aren't looking around realizing that "hey... with all these people wanting to group 'maybe' we should form our own kin/legion/clan/guild and make it happen.
It's like the times you see "LFG for Caves of ultimate Evil" and several people are shouting but no one is saying "wait... this is a group, even if it is not the perfect group".
Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w
Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547
Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo
This is good advice. Often the best way to find a group is to start one. "LFM...." will get more responses than "LFG...."
10 day free trial, people can find out for themselves whether the game is for them or not. BTW finding a good fitting kinships solves any grouping problem
http://www.lotro.com/trial/
I miss DAoC
I think LotrO really need to be more grouping friendly. Been saying for years that they need a better LFM panel (like DDO) and some kind of mentoring (up/down) system. MMOs should encourage people to play together and right now that is lacking in LotrO.
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
I noticed it was tough getting groups together in the starting areas, but now that I'm in my 30s I don't have a problem finding someone to group with if I want. Keep in mind I started last December and took some time off to play STO. In my experience, people are quite friendly about teaming up, especially if you make the first move. I'm not sure why people think LOTRO players are elitist, because I've had the opposite experience than I did in WOW where your gear mattered above all else.
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You been lucky. Also you not made it to 60 yet. That is when gear becomes king in the game. You will run into the same gear checks that wow has, and if you dont have the gear you dont make the run. When you got into you 58-65 range the game all becomes about gear and LI. In fact all the raid instances require radiance, and if you don't have a good 2nd age or 1st age weapon you can bet your bottom dollar your not going to be in that group.
Sorry I had to tell you that, in the 30 range it does not matter you only hang around that level for about 5-10 days max, and most of those folks your playing with are on alts.
They are on the official forums, unlike here. Turbine got mostly praises for deleting all group quests from Lone-Lands. People wanting better LFG panels/incentives are the minority there. Turbine made a comment sometime last year and they said that the majority of their gaming pop in LoTRO just wants a more solo than a grouping game, and it is the direction they are heading in ultimately. Basically is like this, they have two games - DDO and LoTRO, where DDO is group heavy and LoTRO is Solo heavy.
Either you honsetly are a soloist your self trying to scare off people that enjoy group games,Or your just not wanting to LFF,or have just had bad luck,witch of those I dont know becsuase I have been back a monthish now. I have been in plenty of groups,and instance runs. There is not lack of people in areas...I do have to say though the Beginging areas Like archet and combe are mostly individuals running around, but those areas really dont require groups for the most part. Im in a kin too that makes another big diff...so ehy who no disrespect intended. Lotro is hella fun imo.
"a pair of pant is not going to fit everyone"
As a soloist and duo and trio on occasion I would say that yes much of the game is geard towards 1 to 3 BUT instances and endgame are all group oriented. This is so much so that we have had to leave Windfola just to try to get some decent gear. I think there alwasy needs to be a balance and what Turbine has doen with skirms...solo/duo/small/large/raid is brilliant!!!
just my opinion but since I have been there since beta and have a lifetime must say that the solo aspect is just the fluff/backstory leading up to the group content.
For me, I just recently cancelled my sub. I had gone back to the game because I'd heard it was more solo-friendly that it used to be. While that is true, there is still a ton of group-required stuff and if they ever let me have an end game that I can do solo, I may sub back up, but not until then.
What MMO HAS End Game Solo content.Any MMO you can Level TO the End of THE game, but as far as I know (Ive played all the major mmos and some of the not so popular ones) there is no solo End Game content, its all about grouping. I get Online to play with other people, Besides soloing EVERYthing in an mmo kinda defeats the purpose of playing an mmo, imo. some one would be better off playing a Morrowind game. but to each there own I guess.
City of Heroes, for one. And please, let's not go over the many many reasons to play an MMO that have nothing to do with teaming. This very site lists many of them in many threads. If you want to group, great! But I don't understand why MMOs need to force players to group up to experience content.
I do here you, on solo friendly content,guess its just my belif that getting the best or uber gear should some how require a team/group effort. there are times when im playing that i just dont feel like grouping so i go do some solo stuff. If A MMO made End Game content Solo'able or atain'able with out groups, there would be NO reason in an MMO to group at all. btw very well put with out takeing my post personal its nice to be able to have conversations with out every one getting all heated because some one mite have a diff. point of view or idea >.0.
I think it's pretty fair to say that a lot more players seek a solo experience in MMOs these days compared to the old ones. I do not feel, though, that one playstyle needs to stomp on or override the other. I simply think that MMOs need to adapt, to modernize to reflect this. As such, both soloing and grouping need to be made viable. If the rewards were equal, most people would indeed solo. However, making loot exclusive to one playstyle (grouping) does stomp on the other.
My suggestion would be that in a particular dungeon, not only would exp bonuses be granted to every member of the team, scaling on team size, but loot drop possibilities as well. So, as an oversimplified example: a soloer would enter a dungeon, fight mobs in groups of one or two on the way to a boss that's scaled down such that he could be defeated one on one. This boss would drop some modest piece of loot and have a small, say 5% chance of dropping a nice item. If a group of say, five entered, there would be roughly five times as many mobs, and the boss would scale up accordingly. As well, the chance of good loot dropping would be roughly 5 times as good as the soloer's was. This could apply to any mobs that drop loot.
This way, grouping is highly encouraged, but soloing is not denied the opportunity to experience content.
Finally, there is nothing wrong with having group-centric MMOs, even at end game. I just don't think it must be that way for all, or nearly all of them. One big peeve I have with MMOs today is that many of them let you solo til the end-game, and then require you to group up to continue to improve your character or gear.
The game is only soloist from 1 to 45. After 45 you gotta have your hand held to get everything from then out.
Archlinux ftw