[Column] Elder Scrolls Online: The Solo Game

SBFord

There are many features that players look for in MMOs including things like the end-game and, interestingly, the solo game. In today's column devoted to The Elder Scrolls Online, we take a look at the solo game. See what we've got to say before heading to the comments.

The first key to this equation is their open world. Even though the game is divided into three factions, there is still a lot of exploring to do. The best part of Skyrim for me is picking a direction and wandering down a path. It really opens up your gameplay experience. It makes you think, and you can enjoy the game on your own without following question marks and exclamation points. If you stumble into a quest, great, if not you kind of make your own up. I have enjoyed this type of gameplay in other games as well. 

Read more of Garrett Fuller's The Elder Scrolls Online: The Solo Game.

Doogiehowser

After playing ES games for so many years it would be odd to not have heavy focus on solo gameplay in TESO. I want to play TESO like i play Skyrim...just me and my sword against the world

 

Sovrath

I agree, part of what I love about the ES games is that they can be very novel.

You enter a fort, discover some secret passages, learn about the "story" of the place through books, through what was left behind and even discovering some unique items.

Heck, even in tera, at the lower levels, I would get a rare gold item drop. It was fun and really made my day.

I have mixed thoughts about everyone being a crafter and being self sufficient. Though I suspect that's why many people craft.

If everyone can eventually make incredible legendary weapons then I wonder how that really affects the economy. I love the idea of personal stores but if anyone can make items how effective or even needed will personal stores be?

 

Montana-dr

Usually to make incredible legendary weapons takes a lot of grinding and MOST people never actually do it.

Aeonblades

I'm really glad they are taking the stance of all gear is equal here. The best crafted items should definitely be comparable to any and all raid gear. Gear disparity has been killing games for years and it drives away social players and crafters from the 5-15% of people who actually raid in a game. Hard dungeon gear should be equivalent as well. There is no reason to punish a player because they prefer small group content over trying to lead 20 idiots.

Good article, thanks guys!

Sovrath

Originally posted by Montana-dr
Usually to make incredible legendary weapons takes a lot of grinding and MOST people never actually do it.

 

I suppose that's a good point.

Xarko

Oh no the ugly argonian screenshot again..why ? WHY ? There must a be tons of other art to use by now

Anyway Im glad they want  to bring importance of crafting back.

ShakyMo

Wait crafted gear is equal? That can't be right, we have "facts" from several "mmo experts" on these very forums that this is a wow style raid gear beats all game

Rthuth434

i hope all the art in these articles isn't really from the game. somehow looks way worse than the art in even oblivion.

Aeonblades

Originally posted by ShakyMo
Wait crafted gear is equal? That can't be right, we have "facts" from several "mmo experts" on these very forums that this is a wow style raid gear beats all game

I know, I'm waiting for the crying to begin, surprised it hasn't already!

Sovrath

Originally posted by Rthuth434
i hope all the art in these articles isn't really from the game. somehow looks way worse than the art in even oblivion.

I'll admit some of the art design in the game seems a bit over the top. Such as the size of the horns on the nordic helmets. Hopefully that will change during development.

rnkis

I still... just don't get... why people want a MMOrpg to be a single player RPG experience. I. Do. Not. Get. It. It's an MMO! NOT a single player RPG!

Sovrath

Originally posted by rnkis
I still... just don't get... why people want a MMOrpg to be a single player RPG experience. I. Do. Not. Get. It. It's an MMO! NOT a single player RPG!

actually rnkis, this really isn't hard.

This goes back to the solo vs grouping thread which is on this site and you can check that out for a more in depth discussion.

Essentially there are people, myself included, who can be social without grouping. Whether that's helping others, chatting while playing, perhaps even being a merchant and dealing with players 1 on 1, they are there to experience a living world that is populated by people going about their own business.

The soloing is more about going at one's own pace, experiencing the world and the challenges by pitting yourself and your skill against greater difficulties and in some cases not having to deal with players who don't have a similiar playstyle as yourself or having to explain yourself at every juncture.

It's more about being with people on a real social level as opposed to tackling challenges with people.

Hope that helps.

Ktara

Originally posted by rnkis
I still... just don't get... why people want a MMOrpg to be a single player RPG experience. I. Do. Not. Get. It. It's an MMO! NOT a single player RPG!

The reason I play solo, or with my bf only, is because I don't want to be stuck on someone else's schedule.  If I'm grouping and need to afk, I feel like I shouldn't because they want to get on with whatever we're doing.  Or perhaps I get a phone call.  I can't just stop everything, and I can't just not answer the phone (I'm self-employed, I have to take these calls). 

There's also the loot problem, unless this will be a game like TSW where each person gets their own loot.  I want my own stuff if I've spent time killing that creature, I don't want to roll for it.  But that said, there are times I just need to stop and sort it all out.  Sometimes I want to browse the shops, or just stand on a mountaintop taking in the view. 

I've found that when I'm with a group, whether they're part of my guild or just a bunch of strangers, that everyone is moving way too fast.  I miss the story (I'm one of the few that actually read the quests/books and listen to the npcs) or the scenery.  Witht the bf sitting beside me, I can say "Hey, stop and look at this", and he will.  He likes scenery too

 

 

mistmaker

@rnkins i dont get it neither. all solo mmorpgs are failing, because its the MM part which keeps you playing. its good that you can do things solo, but grouping should always be the preferred play style in a mmorpg.

Dragnelus

Originally posted by Ktara

Originally posted by rnkis
I still... just don't get... why people want a MMOrpg to be a single player RPG experience. I. Do. Not. Get. It. It's an MMO! NOT a single player RPG!

The reason I play solo, or with my bf only, is because I don't want to be stuck on someone else's schedule.  If I'm grouping and need to afk, I feel like I shouldn't because they want to get on with whatever we're doing.  Or perhaps I get a phone call.  I can't just stop everything, and I can't just not answer the phone (I'm self-employed, I have to take these calls). 

There's also the loot problem, unless this will be a game like TSW where each person gets their own loot.  I want my own stuff if I've spent time killing that creature, I don't want to roll for it.  But that said, there are times I just need to stop and sort it all out.  Sometimes I want to browse the shops, or just stand on a mountaintop taking in the view. 

I've found that when I'm with a group, whether they're part of my guild or just a bunch of strangers, that everyone is moving way too fast.  I miss the story (I'm one of the few that actually read the quests/books and listen to the npcs) or the scenery.  Witht the bf sitting beside me, I can say "Hey, stop and look at this", and he will.  He likes scenery too

 

 

Yes, your a solo player! But he said, why ppl want a mmorpg to be a solo rpg.... Like I want that apple to be a pear :P

It is what it is ^^ Dont try to mutate it.

 

Sovrath

Originally posted by Mikeyfree

 

Yes, your a solo player! But he said, why ppl want a mmorpg to be a solo rpg.... Like I want that apple to be a pear :P

It is what it is ^^ Dont try to mutate it.

 

I don't think people want these games to be a solo rpg unless of course you mean "upping" the game play?

all these statements pertain to each of us. To many people want too many different things.

I also remember mostly soloign in Lineage 2 which was an earlier game (before wow) and not having any problems. I have heard that some of the earlier games were soloable but with effort and of course the right class and that people did this. So I don't think anything is mutated. I would say that developers need to add good group content and not have people group for one quest and then go their merry ways. That's ridiculous.

Skeeter50

Leveling should not be a simple task of follow the markers. Reaching cap should be an exciting event that supplies both reward and the feeling of achievement. It is for the devs to design.

Vorthanion

Originally posted by Sovrath

I agree, part of what I love about the ES games is that they can be very novel.

You enter a fort, discover some secret passages, learn about the "story" of the place through books, through what was left behind and even discovering some unique items.

Heck, even in tera, at the lower levels, I would get a rare gold item drop. It was fun and really made my day.

I have mixed thoughts about everyone being a crafter and being self sufficient. Though I suspect that's why many people craft.

If everyone can eventually make incredible legendary weapons then I wonder how that really affects the economy. I love the idea of personal stores but if anyone can make items how effective or even needed will personal stores be?

 

When you take into consideration that the majority of gamers don't like crafting, then you will find there is no problem with people opening shop and selling items to adventurers.  I think people tend to forget that despite all of the MMOs out today that offer things like crafting, raiding and PvP, they remain niche play styles compared to the diehard questers and adventurers.

Ktara

Originally posted by Mikeyfree

Originally posted by Ktara

Originally posted by rnkis
I still... just don't get... why people want a MMOrpg to be a single player RPG experience. I. Do. Not. Get. It. It's an MMO! NOT a single player RPG!

The reason I play solo, or with my bf only, is because I don't want to be stuck on someone else's schedule.  If I'm grouping and need to afk, I feel like I shouldn't because they want to get on with whatever we're doing.  Or perhaps I get a phone call.  I can't just stop everything, and I can't just not answer the phone (I'm self-employed, I have to take these calls). 

There's also the loot problem, unless this will be a game like TSW where each person gets their own loot.  I want my own stuff if I've spent time killing that creature, I don't want to roll for it.  But that said, there are times I just need to stop and sort it all out.  Sometimes I want to browse the shops, or just stand on a mountaintop taking in the view. 

I've found that when I'm with a group, whether they're part of my guild or just a bunch of strangers, that everyone is moving way too fast.  I miss the story (I'm one of the few that actually read the quests/books and listen to the npcs) or the scenery.  Witht the bf sitting beside me, I can say "Hey, stop and look at this", and he will.  He likes scenery too

 

 

Yes, your a solo player! But he said, why ppl want a mmorpg to be a solo rpg.... Like I want that apple to be a pear :P

It is what it is ^^ Dont try to mutate it.

 

 

Because a single player game ends.  An MMO is ongoing, the world changes (if there are expansion packs).  You can chat with people without going out fighting with them.  You can craft and sell to them.

In real life, I'm a solo player.  The bf and I don't go out much because it's expensive, so we stay home and game.  We don't have a lot of friends, most everyone has moved away, gotten married, died, etc., so there aren't many opportunities to do things socially.  We're not going to go out to a bar and just sit around, that's boring and costly.  So we do our socializing online.

People want to play MMO's so they can have conversations with others from around the world while they're in their pajamas.  People want to get out of their own lives for a while, leave that job behind, do something courageous and daring and have others applaud them for it---this doesn't happen in real life.  We all need an audience sitting across the desk from us, clapping when we do something right

I don't know how to explain this any better, but it makes sense to me. 

 

ShakyMo

Not all single player games end.

orbitxo

I like solo gaming in an mmo eviroment=if that make sany sense.

GW2 is awsome at world exploration-  Tera lately has me exploring doin story questline. not sure how far ill get once the dungeons kick in.

Blizzard unfortunately emphesizes too much on social play with their mmo and not were its needed = (starcraft 2 co-op is highly needed) and makes their game too linear...

i hope ESO takes into consideration solo players.

Amsai

Originally posted by ShakyMo
Not all single player games end.

I think she means single player rpgs end for all major gameplay/story/etc. And I think you probably actually realized it, you are just being difficult.

I agree with her. The single largest reason that I like to solo MMOs is because the story/game never ends. The closest non-mmo Ive found to this is TES series. However, you do eventually beat every challenge, find everything, do everything, max your progression, and gobble up the few DLC  additions.

I challenge you to name 1 single player rpg that excedes TES series (not just meets it) to the significant degree that I would be able to play it with continuous content updates for years. I actually can think of one other series that attemepts to do this (but its dated, and its only one!)

Tell you what, if you can convice some develpoers to come out with a game like Skyrim/Oblivion (maybe a bit more fleshed out battle system) that does allow up to 10 people multiplayer, and has a subscription model, and comes out with a huge world, with constant updates for YEARS !!! I would gladly let them take my money , leave MMOs for good, and never look back.

Sovrath

Originally posted by Amsai

Tell you what, if you can convice some develpoers to come out with a game like Skyrim/Oblivion (maybe a bit more fleshed out battle system) that does allow up to 10 people multiplayer, and has a subscription model, and comes out with a huge world, with constant updates for YEARS !!! I would gladly let them take my money , leave MMOs for good, and never look back.

me too me too!!!!!

ShakyMo

I didn't say single player rpg. I said not all single player games have an end. Best example I can think of being minecraft, but you could also include any game with a heavy pvp element like starcraft or team fortress.

I also disagree that mmos don't end. Depends on mmo I guess, a game like eve doesn't, but a game like wow does - until the next expansion.

Senadina

I just want to add to the random loot thought. I want truly random loot: i.e  random stats like in Diablo. I am sick of the WoW model of every Axe of Hacking or whatever having the exact same stats. It makes the item hunt more engaging if it is truly random.