Can i state first that i haven't tried sto yet but from a standpoint of playing the mo(guild wars, ddo) and the mmo(swg, lotro etc) that i found it much easier to group in the field as it were in mmos when you come across others out in the open about to do the same quest and this was always the best way to make friends ingame(at least for me). Whereas grouping in the mo has always been a bit difficult to say the least and sounds like your friend was having the same sort of trouble
This is a misconception about STO, its instance system is nothing like in guildwars(i also had huge problems grouping there), where you always had the instance to yourself if you entered it ungrouped. Its actually the reverse here. You enter a instance alone and meet other people in it, and more often then not get autogrouped with them(or fly ungrouped with them). Also the normal mmo etiquette that you dont attack mobs that are tagged by others doesnt seem to apply here, i dont even think there is such a thing as tagging here. The game seems able to treat assists like if you where grouped, even if you are not. And yes there isnt alot of talking in such groups, which is why i joined a fleet(guild/corp).
It also has to be said that fighting as a group is easier here, since everyone is basicly selfsufficent, even without talking there isnt really alot that can go wrong as long as you stick together and help each other a bit now and then. And yes, im looking forward to harder groupcontent like proper 5 man instances. In the meantime i just do missions with enemys that are +2-+4 to me with my fleet, thats plenty hard and requires some teamwork(and gives better rewards).
Edit: I would definitly call this game casual, if it werent so damn difficult to figure out stuff like a proper skillplan or weapon layout. Almost playing a week now, and there is still so much i have no idea about. Not always easy to figure out what you need stuff like astrometrics or a better deflector dish for. Or what those numbers that increase with your skills actually mean. Its still alot of hit and miss, and well without respecs ...
A very good point on the grouping. I've also had no problems finding people to group with and we chat often. Most of them are Star Trek fans who love the fact that they can name their own ship or dress their character up in whatever unifroms they see fit. Most of the time this happens when I do a mission and warp into a system and the message pops up that I'm joining a team. IMO it's the best grouping mechanic I've ever seen in a game. If I don't want to be with the group I'm with I simply leave it.
I still think it's casual friendly but I HAVE been surprised by the occasional "I QUIT!!!!" thread that pops up whining about the game being too hard. Usually it's players who have only played World of Warcraft and are used to having every single little thing explained to them. The controls do take some getting used to and there is still a thing or two I discover on occasion, but it's no worse than any other game I've played. In fact I find it refreshing.
I'm sorry but this post is so off base I don't know where to start. I haven't read or seen 1 thread where someone stated they are quitting the game because it's too hard. If you can find one and post it here I'd be curious to read what idiot wrote it because I've been able to solo the entire game with absolutely no issues. The only times I've died are when you fly into a deep space encounter before the timer is up and there are 8 or 9 ships right over the spawn point. This game is not hard and they made it easier before it launched. Umm, and nice try at digging on WoW players but tbh with only 3 classes to choose from there's not much that needs to be explained. The game is so much more shallow than Warcraft was when it launched that the 2 really can't be compared.
Comments
This is a misconception about STO, its instance system is nothing like in guildwars(i also had huge problems grouping there), where you always had the instance to yourself if you entered it ungrouped. Its actually the reverse here. You enter a instance alone and meet other people in it, and more often then not get autogrouped with them(or fly ungrouped with them). Also the normal mmo etiquette that you dont attack mobs that are tagged by others doesnt seem to apply here, i dont even think there is such a thing as tagging here. The game seems able to treat assists like if you where grouped, even if you are not. And yes there isnt alot of talking in such groups, which is why i joined a fleet(guild/corp).
It also has to be said that fighting as a group is easier here, since everyone is basicly selfsufficent, even without talking there isnt really alot that can go wrong as long as you stick together and help each other a bit now and then. And yes, im looking forward to harder groupcontent like proper 5 man instances. In the meantime i just do missions with enemys that are +2-+4 to me with my fleet, thats plenty hard and requires some teamwork(and gives better rewards).
Edit: I would definitly call this game casual, if it werent so damn difficult to figure out stuff like a proper skillplan or weapon layout. Almost playing a week now, and there is still so much i have no idea about. Not always easy to figure out what you need stuff like astrometrics or a better deflector dish for. Or what those numbers that increase with your skills actually mean. Its still alot of hit and miss, and well without respecs ...
A very good point on the grouping. I've also had no problems finding people to group with and we chat often. Most of them are Star Trek fans who love the fact that they can name their own ship or dress their character up in whatever unifroms they see fit. Most of the time this happens when I do a mission and warp into a system and the message pops up that I'm joining a team. IMO it's the best grouping mechanic I've ever seen in a game. If I don't want to be with the group I'm with I simply leave it.
I still think it's casual friendly but I HAVE been surprised by the occasional "I QUIT!!!!" thread that pops up whining about the game being too hard. Usually it's players who have only played World of Warcraft and are used to having every single little thing explained to them. The controls do take some getting used to and there is still a thing or two I discover on occasion, but it's no worse than any other game I've played. In fact I find it refreshing.
I'm sorry but this post is so off base I don't know where to start. I haven't read or seen 1 thread where someone stated they are quitting the game because it's too hard. If you can find one and post it here I'd be curious to read what idiot wrote it because I've been able to solo the entire game with absolutely no issues. The only times I've died are when you fly into a deep space encounter before the timer is up and there are 8 or 9 ships right over the spawn point. This game is not hard and they made it easier before it launched. Umm, and nice try at digging on WoW players but tbh with only 3 classes to choose from there's not much that needs to be explained. The game is so much more shallow than Warcraft was when it launched that the 2 really can't be compared.