Its cheaper to buy a rpg for your console than to buy a mmo and pay a monthly sub. Granted you can play a f2p mmo, but you still will spend money eventualy, well some do.
I dont see why people that wish to solo everything play mmorpg's. I think people have taken a step back from the true nature of mmo's and caused many companies to dumb down mmo's because people rather play a console rpg online. Its kind of turned mmo's of today into a lughing stock, none of these new games coming out are worth a damn. My hope for SWTOR and GW2 have already been dashed due to companions for TOR. GW's i already knew was not a true mmo, so no big loss there.
Seriously, want to solo go grab a rpg game. Leave the mmo genre alone. You just make it more horrible with all your want for solo play, no pvp, no player housing, no crafting, no real challenge, no skill, and no using the brain. Thats for the rpg section, not for a true mmo.
Your comment about GW2 not being a "true MMO" proves to me only one thing.....you haven't done your homework and you have no idea what you're talking about. After I got to that part of your post I felt like I wasted time reading it. You don't need to bother reading mine, but I assure you that I won't be making any comments as erroneous as YOURS regarding GW2.
People solo and group BOTH in MMORPGs because they CAN. There is a freedom inherent in the genre now that really encourages more styles of play than what it used to. HOWEVER....name just one MMO that does not require any grouping at all to be able to see ALL the content. There isn't one. Grouping is for certain parts of the content that were meant to be experienced in a group. The great thing is....there are all types of content in games and every gamer can probably find their own sweet spot in the genre, unlike other genres that cater to only ONE type of gamer, such as FPS games or action/adventure games. Other genres are great if you enjoy that type of gameplay. MMORPGs offer more varied gameplay by offering both PvE and PvP, crafting and collecting, titles, housing, etc. It's meant to be a more broadly defined genre.
I think solo players only play mmo's because other people can SEE what they have achieved. If they achieve something offline it's not as epic as when you do online.
A big chunk of modern mmo players play to be the best.
The best of their friends, the best of the server, the best of their region etc. etc.
'Older' mmo player tend emphasize the community and social aspects when they play and rather strife to become a personality within the world instead of the a-hole with an epeen with over 9000.
And the last mentioned group is getting outnumbered faster and faster by the 'new' mmo players (often introduced to the genre by the instant gratification block buster we all love and hate). And it's sad that companies start to cater to these people because to them $$$ > .
You must be confused or illiterate, because that is exactly one of the biggest motivators for raiders and has virtually nothing to do with soloers. Obviously you completely ignore all the posts that soloers have put forth over the years, let alone in this topic on why they like MMOs and enjoy soloing in them.
Hopefully TOR will change that because the grouping content I've seen in that game actually looks like something I have an interest in engaging in which is more than I can say about any other mmorpg I've played outside of COH...
How so raistlinm?
Might have to do with the fact that I have been burned out on fantasy for years I in fact prefer sci fi settings to fantays but as we know most rpg's are done in a fantasy setting so I'm stuck with that since I prefer rpg's to any other type of game. And I think ultimately that is what it boils down to for me seeing video of a raid in a star wars setting simply does more for me than seeing a lotro or wow raid video.
4 and 5 are good enough reasons on their own, IMO. Nothing more annoying than getting stuck in a zerg group that can't wait 30 seconds while you read the quest.
I only have one issue with soloers: They occupy a server slot which could otherwise be filled with a group friendly player.
This would be no problem but unfortunately there is a maximum number of players a server/world supports. This is true for nearly all mmo's. Only exception I know is Eve, there maybe a few more, but still, it is the exception not the rule.
Maybe a solution would be if mmo servers are flagged as solo-server or group-server. Just like pvp/pve servers. But this will not happen and I even doubt it would work.
Anyway, for those who are soloers for the 5 reasons given by OP... you can all have that in single player games you know
1) I generally dislike other MMO players as many of them are the scum of the earth who have no common sense nor sense of courtesy
there fixed for you, because thats the number 1 reason i usually solo. and thats mostly why i play singleplayer games because at least when i play Mass Effect 2 i don't have Garrus saying ...
"d00d wtf pull faster"
"wow man whats up with your gear it sucks I thought this group was using gearscore?"
I think solo players only play mmo's because other people can SEE what they have achieved. If they achieve something offline it's not as epic as when you do online.
It must really piss them off, then, that all the "acheivements" and "epic" lootz are in 12+ person raids in 99% of MMO's.
Oh wait. It doesn't. Solo'ers don't really give a rats ass(vendor trash) about that stuff, they just like to play the game. When they want to craft, they craft. When they want to quest, they quest. When they want to socialize, they socialize. When they want to get up for a bio break before a big epic conclusion to some solo instance, they get up and go do it. And yes, when they want to raid, they raid.
I do alot of solo-ing myself, because I like having those choices every bit as I like grouping with friends. I've never owned more than 2 uber lootz from any given expansion at any given time. And I couldn't care less about it.
I only have one issue with soloers: They occupy a server slot which could otherwise be filled with a group friendly player.
You make all or even HALF of all activities in your MMO group required content, and I assure you, you'll have PLENTY of empty server slots for your "group friendly" players... ;-)
I think solo players only play mmo's because other people can SEE what they have achieved. If they achieve something offline it's not as epic as when you do online.
no thats mostly the raiders and hardcore group oriented players. apparently most of those type players need some fulfillment or sense of accomplishment that they lack in the real world. so they use MMOs to fill the void.
thats why raiders throw hissy fits when ever the casual solo player gets any sort of epic item because if the raider doesn't have the best gear his life is meaningless.
Those pesky Massively MULTIPLAYER Online games expect me to play with other people! How dare they! It's not like I can play a single player game when I want to play by myself...that's to much to ask! /sarcasm
But seriously...change the name...it should be: The List: Five things I enjoy about playing single-player games, because that is all you are describing.
Of course...with that said...when is SWTOR coming out so I can solo to max level? :P
In The List today, MMORPG.com Associate Editor Suzie Ford takes a look at all the wonders of solo play. Massive multiplayer means nothing to we, the soloists of the genre. Find out why soloing is THE way to go in The List! Have more reasons to add? Think that group play is the only way? Let us know in the comments.
The title of The List today seems like a bit of an oxymoron doesn’t it? Or maybe I’m just a moron? Be that as it may, there is no question that millions of people play MMOs but play them as individuals who only occasionally enter into the “multiplayer” part of the game. To dedicated soloists, massive multiplayer simply means that they share a space with a lot of other people but that those people, other than convenient for end-game content, really don’t impact their game play experience.
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
It seems that the "Groupies" in this tread are far too concerned about how the "Solo" crowd plays. To the point of wanting to limit their (Solo's) ability to even play. Regulating them to a second class of player. With second class status as to login, loot, etc.
Whereas the "Solo" crowd could care less how the "Groupies" (or anyone else for that matter) play, when they play, or how they chose to play.
I find it fasinating how other players take it upon themselves to dictate to the masses what they should or should not play or do.
I look at it like this. It's my money / time, and I can do with either as I please.
Here's why: because I enjoy being in a massive virtual space peopled by other humans. It makes the game space far more live. Also, as someone has alread pointed out, the MMO game's play arc is in months and even years rather than days or weeks for a RPG.
I solo because I don't like most of the group play; I do like to play in small groups with family and rl friends. But most of my random encounters with ad hoc groups have not been enjoyable in the past so now I mostly avoid them.
Still, I far perfer a MMO to a RPG, because I like my virtual world to be alive with people. But just as in RL, while I'm happy they are in the world I wouldn't want to invite most of them into my home or my recreation space.
Here's why: because I enjoy being in a massive virtual space peopled by other humans. It makes the game space far more live. Also, as someone has alread pointed out, the MMO game's play arc is in months and even years rather than days or weeks for a RPG.
I solo because I don't like most of the group play; I do like to play in small groups with family and rl friends. But most of my random encounters with ad hoc groups have not been enjoyable in the past so now I mostly avoid them.
Still, I far perfer a MMO to a RPG, because I like my virtual world to be alive with people. But just as in RL, while I'm happy they are in the world I wouldn't want to invite most of them into my home or my recreation space.
An answer that I actually agree with, good show kyrawolf. This sums up my preferences almost exactly.
Its cheaper to buy a rpg for your console than to buy a mmo and pay a monthly sub. Granted you can play a f2p mmo, but you still will spend money eventualy, well some do.
I dont see why people that wish to solo everything play mmorpg's. I think people have taken a step back from the true nature of mmo's and caused many companies to dumb down mmo's because people rather play a console rpg online. Its kind of turned mmo's of today into a lughing stock, none of these new games coming out are worth a damn. My hope for SWTOR and GW2 have already been dashed due to companions for TOR. GW's i already knew was not a true mmo, so no big loss there.
Seriously, want to solo go grab a rpg game. Leave the mmo genre alone. You just make it more horrible with all your want for solo play, no pvp, no player housing, no crafting, no real challenge, no skill, and no using the brain. Thats for the rpg section, not for a true mmo.
Your comment about GW2 not being a "true MMO" proves to me only one thing.....you haven't done your homework and you have no idea what you're talking about. After I got to that part of your post I felt like I wasted time reading it. You don't need to bother reading mine, but I assure you that I won't be making any comments as erroneous as YOURS regarding GW2.
People solo and group BOTH in MMORPGs because they CAN. There is a freedom inherent in the genre now that really encourages more styles of play than what it used to. HOWEVER....name just one MMO that does not require any grouping at all to be able to see ALL the content. There isn't one. Grouping is for certain parts of the content that were meant to be experienced in a group. The great thing is....there are all types of content in games and every gamer can probably find their own sweet spot in the genre, unlike other genres that cater to only ONE type of gamer, such as FPS games or action/adventure games. Other genres are great if you enjoy that type of gameplay. MMORPGs offer more varied gameplay by offering both PvE and PvP, crafting and collecting, titles, housing, etc. It's meant to be a more broadly defined genre.
When creating a gameworld that has some group content and lots of "solo content" as in your example, this is also how many MMO's look nowadays !!
You will get the "forced solo effect"..
Since maybe 80% of the gameworld is designed to be taken on "solo" you have 2 choices..
1 Solo the content , naturally this is how this particular quest should be played, since it's designed for it,
2. Group up with other players for the "solo content" . This however is not that great
And since in most MMORPG , u usually end up with a group quest AFTER a series of soloquests, you basically are FORCED TO SOLO unless you want to be rediculous and group up picking apples for farmer John
Heh , honestly what the hell is the point in playing Solo in a MMORPG? Just making the concept of MMO obsolete. Also why even encourage Solo play on a MMO game on a MMO website? There's alot I don't understand but I'll stop here.
all MMO means is alot of people can play at one time online, it doesn't mean that said people have to group up and play, I'm a solo player and detest when a quest or objective requires me to group up with people, I agree with Kyrawolf's post
also I have more of a sense of accomplishement being able to do something alone than having/needing someone else to help me
Hopefully TOR will change that because the grouping content I've seen in that game actually looks like something I have an interest in engaging in which is more than I can say about any other mmorpg I've played outside of COH...
How so raistlinm?
I can't comment on why with any detail...but I agree with raistlinm.
I like to pay month to play a grindy, slow, solo game with little to no story or surpises in it.
I also like to complain to the devs that there isn't enough single player content in a genre based around playing with others in a friendly and/or competive evrioment and thus ruining a genre for those of us that want to play real mmos.
I will not play a game with a cash shop ever again. A dev job should be to make the game better not make me pay so it sucks less.
Good article! I really don't care about being seen dying [it usually happens in an instance, anyway], but the first two are spot on! If a single-player game had a persistant world that allowed grouping during the very rare occasions that I wish to do so - that would be the perfect game.
Ironically, though, PUGS can be dismal when no one talks and just wants to rush through the content ASAP.
Obviously, it's best if you have some RL friends to play with. If you don't, you are probably one of the millions of soloers.
If you are a high school or uni student, it's probably pretty easy to find a few people to play online with, but when you get to be a working stiff, depending on where you work and who you work with, pickings can be mighty slim.
Ha, I agree on points five, four, and three. As for number two that really doesn't bother me: I think many of us have accidently fallen off a ledge at one time or another. Point one I can relate to, but I really don't mind. Getting outrolled by somebody's off-spec kind of sucks, but from a pure adrenaline point of view I like the double roulette wheel spin. Spin one is to see what prize you MIGHT win, while spin two is to see if you actually win it: double the fun!
GW2 "built from the ground up with microtransactions in mind" 1) Cash->Gems->Gold->Influence->WvWvWBoosts = PAY2WIN 2) Mystic Chests = Crass in-game cash shop advertisements
Comments
Your comment about GW2 not being a "true MMO" proves to me only one thing.....you haven't done your homework and you have no idea what you're talking about. After I got to that part of your post I felt like I wasted time reading it. You don't need to bother reading mine, but I assure you that I won't be making any comments as erroneous as YOURS regarding GW2.
People solo and group BOTH in MMORPGs because they CAN. There is a freedom inherent in the genre now that really encourages more styles of play than what it used to. HOWEVER....name just one MMO that does not require any grouping at all to be able to see ALL the content. There isn't one. Grouping is for certain parts of the content that were meant to be experienced in a group. The great thing is....there are all types of content in games and every gamer can probably find their own sweet spot in the genre, unlike other genres that cater to only ONE type of gamer, such as FPS games or action/adventure games. Other genres are great if you enjoy that type of gameplay. MMORPGs offer more varied gameplay by offering both PvE and PvP, crafting and collecting, titles, housing, etc. It's meant to be a more broadly defined genre.
President of The Marvelously Meowhead Fan Club
You must be confused or illiterate, because that is exactly one of the biggest motivators for raiders and has virtually nothing to do with soloers. Obviously you completely ignore all the posts that soloers have put forth over the years, let alone in this topic on why they like MMOs and enjoy soloing in them.
Might have to do with the fact that I have been burned out on fantasy for years I in fact prefer sci fi settings to fantays but as we know most rpg's are done in a fantasy setting so I'm stuck with that since I prefer rpg's to any other type of game. And I think ultimately that is what it boils down to for me seeing video of a raid in a star wars setting simply does more for me than seeing a lotro or wow raid video.
4 and 5 are good enough reasons on their own, IMO. Nothing more annoying than getting stuck in a zerg group that can't wait 30 seconds while you read the quest.
I only have one issue with soloers: They occupy a server slot which could otherwise be filled with a group friendly player.
This would be no problem but unfortunately there is a maximum number of players a server/world supports. This is true for nearly all mmo's. Only exception I know is Eve, there maybe a few more, but still, it is the exception not the rule.
Maybe a solution would be if mmo servers are flagged as solo-server or group-server. Just like pvp/pve servers. But this will not happen and I even doubt it would work.
Anyway, for those who are soloers for the 5 reasons given by OP... you can all have that in single player games you know
there fixed for you, because thats the number 1 reason i usually solo. and thats mostly why i play singleplayer games because at least when i play Mass Effect 2 i don't have Garrus saying ...
"d00d wtf pull faster"
"wow man whats up with your gear it sucks I thought this group was using gearscore?"
"your dps sucks bro, you might want to l2p"
It must really piss them off, then, that all the "acheivements" and "epic" lootz are in 12+ person raids in 99% of MMO's.
Oh wait. It doesn't. Solo'ers don't really give a rats ass(vendor trash) about that stuff, they just like to play the game. When they want to craft, they craft. When they want to quest, they quest. When they want to socialize, they socialize. When they want to get up for a bio break before a big epic conclusion to some solo instance, they get up and go do it. And yes, when they want to raid, they raid.
I do alot of solo-ing myself, because I like having those choices every bit as I like grouping with friends. I've never owned more than 2 uber lootz from any given expansion at any given time. And I couldn't care less about it.
You make all or even HALF of all activities in your MMO group required content, and I assure you, you'll have PLENTY of empty server slots for your "group friendly" players... ;-)
no thats mostly the raiders and hardcore group oriented players. apparently most of those type players need some fulfillment or sense of accomplishment that they lack in the real world. so they use MMOs to fill the void.
thats why raiders throw hissy fits when ever the casual solo player gets any sort of epic item because if the raider doesn't have the best gear his life is meaningless.
#1: can't stand kids
#2: can't stand guild drama (wifes telling their husbands when to play or not to go raid without them etc.)
Those pesky Massively MULTIPLAYER Online games expect me to play with other people! How dare they! It's not like I can play a single player game when I want to play by myself...that's to much to ask! /sarcasm
But seriously...change the name...it should be: The List: Five things I enjoy about playing single-player games, because that is all you are describing.
Of course...with that said...when is SWTOR coming out so I can solo to max level? :P
To your dog:
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Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
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Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
It seems that the "Groupies" in this tread are far too concerned about how the "Solo" crowd plays. To the point of wanting to limit their (Solo's) ability to even play. Regulating them to a second class of player. With second class status as to login, loot, etc.
Whereas the "Solo" crowd could care less how the "Groupies" (or anyone else for that matter) play, when they play, or how they chose to play.
I find it fasinating how other players take it upon themselves to dictate to the masses what they should or should not play or do.
I look at it like this. It's my money / time, and I can do with either as I please.
"If you want to solo, why play in a MMO?"
Here's why: because I enjoy being in a massive virtual space peopled by other humans. It makes the game space far more live. Also, as someone has alread pointed out, the MMO game's play arc is in months and even years rather than days or weeks for a RPG.
I solo because I don't like most of the group play; I do like to play in small groups with family and rl friends. But most of my random encounters with ad hoc groups have not been enjoyable in the past so now I mostly avoid them.
Still, I far perfer a MMO to a RPG, because I like my virtual world to be alive with people. But just as in RL, while I'm happy they are in the world I wouldn't want to invite most of them into my home or my recreation space.
An answer that I actually agree with, good show kyrawolf. This sums up my preferences almost exactly.
When creating a gameworld that has some group content and lots of "solo content" as in your example, this is also how many MMO's look nowadays !!
You will get the "forced solo effect"..
Since maybe 80% of the gameworld is designed to be taken on "solo" you have 2 choices..
1 Solo the content , naturally this is how this particular quest should be played, since it's designed for it,
2. Group up with other players for the "solo content" . This however is not that great
And since in most MMORPG , u usually end up with a group quest AFTER a series of soloquests, you basically are FORCED TO SOLO unless you want to be rediculous and group up picking apples for farmer John
Heh , honestly what the hell is the point in playing Solo in a MMORPG? Just making the concept of MMO obsolete. Also why even encourage Solo play on a MMO game on a MMO website? There's alot I don't understand but I'll stop here.
[Mod Edit]
all MMO means is alot of people can play at one time online, it doesn't mean that said people have to group up and play, I'm a solo player and detest when a quest or objective requires me to group up with people, I agree with Kyrawolf's post
also I have more of a sense of accomplishement being able to do something alone than having/needing someone else to help me
I can't comment on why with any detail...but I agree with raistlinm.
Hey you soloers you forget two.
I like to pay month to play a grindy, slow, solo game with little to no story or surpises in it.
I also like to complain to the devs that there isn't enough single player content in a genre based around playing with others in a friendly and/or competive evrioment and thus ruining a genre for those of us that want to play real mmos.
I will not play a game with a cash shop ever again. A dev job should be to make the game better not make me pay so it sucks less.
Good article!
I really don't care about being seen dying [it usually happens in an instance, anyway], but the first two are spot on! If a single-player game had a persistant world that allowed grouping during the very rare occasions that I wish to do so - that would be the perfect game.
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Yup makes sense but I do like to play in smaller groups instead of soloing.
Hell is other people.
POINT 3 is the biggest factor for me.
Ironically, though, PUGS can be dismal when no one talks and just wants to rush through the content ASAP.
Obviously, it's best if you have some RL friends to play with. If you don't, you are probably one of the millions of soloers.
If you are a high school or uni student, it's probably pretty easy to find a few people to play online with, but when you get to be a working stiff, depending on where you work and who you work with, pickings can be mighty slim.
Ha, I agree on points five, four, and three. As for number two that really doesn't bother me: I think many of us have accidently fallen off a ledge at one time or another. Point one I can relate to, but I really don't mind. Getting outrolled by somebody's off-spec kind of sucks, but from a pure adrenaline point of view I like the double roulette wheel spin. Spin one is to see what prize you MIGHT win, while spin two is to see if you actually win it: double the fun!
GW2 "built from the ground up with microtransactions in mind"
1) Cash->Gems->Gold->Influence->WvWvWBoosts = PAY2WIN
2) Mystic Chests = Crass in-game cash shop advertisements