The irony is that forced grouping is NOT the natural social state in most cultures, particularly in America. The best example of forced grouping in America, IMO, is mass transit(loads of fun, right?). And all those people on the bus with you aren't necessarily going the same place you are. It's taken 10 years, but MMO devs(some of them, anyway) are finally starting to get what makes a natural social environment. It's an environment in which you can choose the level of interaction you have within the community at any given time. THAT is a natural social environment. THAT is the environment most people want to, and believe they live in. It's the force group people that live outside the norm, then insist that everyone want what they want or be forced into giving them what they want. But what they want is not a very natural social state by any means. If they want it, they're welcome to it, but don't make me have to partake in it cuz I won't pay for that...
lol, being in the Boston area I can attest that public transportation is not always fun.
You bring up a good point though. There are cultural differences, even here in the U.S. where certain areas have a populace that are more prone to talking with strangers and certain areas "not so much".
And even the areas with people who are more prone to talk, it is mostly on a superficial level. A supervisor of mine who was from the south mentioned that people in the south are very friendly but that is because they feel that that is what polite society requires. They might hate you in reality or just not even care but they are always polite and friendly in public.
Whereas we here in the northeast aren't much inclined to talk with strangers at all but if you do become one of our friends we will go out of our way to shovel you out.
In the end, interaction must come naturally and willingly.
The idea that making games require grouping and then the players will see the light is not going to work. Only the players who are prone to group and talk with strangers will line up.
everyone else will just pass.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
You are assuming that there is only one way to be social and that there is no other value in being surrounded by players. If you go into a game like morrowind or oblviion you feel that the world is essentially dead. Even with some mods that make the cities a bit livelier you feel that you are the only one around with free will. Sort of twilight zone.
But in an mmo, I am surrounded by life. I may interact with any of these people or just know that they are on their own quests. I see them fill up the world with purpose. This is important.
I might sometimes lend a hand or give some advice but the world, though not exactly changing does offer change to the inhabitants.
So no grouping is required only when desired.
edit: whenever anyone asks this question I wonder if they really ask it to themselves.
There are things that others do that puzzle me so what I do is to say "ok, they are doing it therefore it must have some value. What type of value 'might' it bring". In this way I can examine it and go beyond my usual preconceptions of what people are and what they do. And usually in the end I end up answering my own question.
But if you only come to the problem from your experience and make value judgements based on the idea that your experience is the quintessential definition of how something should be then of course you will be confused.
We are all different.
Well said Sovrath.
Like to add that I play allot solo, due to limited time aswell want to know/explore/discover things offered by the game, sometimes I group but mostly I solo, when I reach cap lvl of a MMO I often seek out those I have met on my journey, share my experiance with others, newbs, getting into the craft wheel to offer all things I am able to craft ranging from the lowby stuff to the cap lvl stuff.
But me playing solo is kinda caused by how many people started to act in these games, I use to group ALLOT, but that all changed with the useless discussions about who got the "loot" or the silence nobody talks PUGs which aren't much fun to be in.
I always talk when grouped, may it be coordinations to where and what to do, but often most don't talk and simply need another person to complete some mission/quest, sorry can't be bortherd with that.
Also people who play MMORPG DON'T seek soloplay, if we seek soloplay we play singleplayer games, but that's something OP simple does not understand or is willing to understand.
Besides that I am a very social player in MMO's which does not require to be grouped as grouping is just a minor aspect of MMORPG's, and a MMO is NOT like a basketball game, it is supose to be a world in which we need to survive in any way we see fit, will we always be grouped in real life to accomplish things? The social part of MMORPG is something I feel many don't understand especially when seeing topics like this one, there is more then to group when playing MMORPG and there is more to be social in a MMORPG then just group.
solo player should have access to only solo endgame content same for grouper :grouper should have access only to group stuff not solo stuff you dont clear you dont have access to endgame counterpart its that simple in my book!
And once again, its about the fucking end game isn't it? Screw the journey and the ride there, get me to end game content so I can bitch about not having any content..... And I want to know why everyone is so ready to delegate other players journey and experience for them? Can't be happy playing the game YOUR way can you? As if we needed yet another thread like this anyhow.
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box. ~ Italian proverb
You can pretty much solo Star Trek Online if you so choose. Settings default to allow other players to join some missions, effectively public quests, but you can easily change settings not to auto-group you if you wish. There is Raid content but not until you have hit the level cap.
I can't think of another off the top of my head, Auto Assault and Tabula Rasa would have been good candidates but of course are now gone.
2 main reasons for me. First of all, grouping with rude punks kills my enjoyment and you never know who you get stuck with in a group. i have had way too many bad experiences which now has totally pushed me away from grouping and yes i did love grouping. 2nd reason is i dont want to wait an hour to do a group quest on my level because i cant find a group. it spent me 5 nights recently in a game trying to find a group for a group quest that was a main quest to finish recently. it helped push me away from the game and quit shortly after. i dont have time to sit there for an hour a night to find groups and when you do then half of the time people are rude in it whether its to me or other players in the group. and yes i am always in guilds but doesnt fix these problems at all.
2 main reasons for me. First of all, grouping with rude punks kills my enjoyment and you never know who you get stuck with in a group. i have had way too many bad experiences which now has totally pushed me away from grouping and yes i did love grouping. 2nd reason is i dont want to wait an hour to do a group quest on my level because i cant find a group. it spent me 5 nights recently in a game trying to find a group for a group quest that was a main quest to finish recently. it helped push me away from the game and quit shortly after. i dont have time to sit there for an hour a night to find groups and when you do then half of the time people are rude in it whether its to me or other players in the group. and yes i am always in guilds but doesnt fix these problems at all.
thats one feature i love about wow
random pug group!no drama no trash the way its made if player are honest they find the proper player for their group talent and often get reward no mather if there is stuff that dropped or not so you end up at minimum = in gold when you get out of instance .
you dont choose an MMO to play Solo, you have every expectation to group, but after dealing with all the YAHOO's, idiots, and Players that think you should play YOUR character the way THEY want you too, your forced to SOLO at least 80% of the time just to enjoy the game, other option is to link 5-6 computers, and accounts together (on the extream end).
solo player should have access to only solo endgame content same for grouper :grouper should have access only to group stuff not solo stuff you dont clear you dont have access to endgame counterpart its that simple in my book!
Why so black and white?
How many solo players (that never group) do you think there are?
How many groupers (that never solo) do you think there are?
It's silly to restrict content based on preference.
Playing: EVE, Final Fantasy 13, Uncharted 2, Need for Speed: Shift
This again? Ok fine. You are assuming that there is only one way to be social and that there is no other value in being surrounded by players. If you go into a game like morrowind or oblviion you feel that the world is essentially dead. Even with some mods that make the cities a bit livelier you feel that you are the only one around with free will. Sort of twilight zone. But in an mmo, I am surrounded by life. I may interact with any of these people or just know that they are on their own quests. I see them fill up the world with purpose. This is important. I might sometimes lend a hand or give some advice but the world, though not exactly changing does offer change to the inhabitants. So no grouping is required only when desired.
edit: whenever anyone asks this question I wonder if they really ask it to themselves. There are things that others do that puzzle me so what I do is to say "ok, they are doing it therefore it must have some value. What type of value 'might' it bring". In this way I can examine it and go beyond my usual preconceptions of what people are and what they do. And usually in the end I end up answering my own question. But if you only come to the problem from your experience and make value judgements based on the idea that your experience is the quintessential definition of how something should be then of course you will be confused. We are all different.
This topic is the ultimate Dead Horse beatdown next to the Hardcore VS. Casual argument and the above response is probably the BEST response to it that I have come across in all the years I have seen the OP's question come up. A mod here needs to sticky this response somewhere and the next time the old "why solo in an MMO...bla bla bla" comes up just post it as the response and close the thread.
To add, MMOs are very much like living in NYC (which I do). Millions of people that don't necessarily "hook up" to do anything, but we still feed off the energy of living here with all those people. I love the energy in a vibrant MMO, I dont need to group or do anything with anyone UNLESS I choose to. Again, very much like living in any highly populated city. Many of us love it.
Good question. For my part sometimes i do want to just play alone but see other people around. Kinda like in real life, which is the greatest mmo ever.
The problem is that most of the replies, even the so called 'good' replies all entail multiplayer action at some point.
The question is, why play mmorpgs if all you ever want to do is play solo?
Now, perhaps thats a strawman, maybe 99% of the people want to play some option multiplayer action when the mood strikes them. I suspect this is the case. Its certainly the case with me. Though lately i find myself grouping up more and more.
However, i think that mmorpgs provide a play different from the oblivions and such. That even if you never wanted to group, there is a unique experience to be had playing a mmorpg. On the one hand, i think the games are a bit easier. The oblivion type games all tend to be a little more difficult and perhaps wrap you too much in the story. I think maybe a more daggerfall type play is nicer. The story doesn't bonk you on the head so much.
Good question. For my part sometimes i do want to just play alone but see other people around. Kinda like in real life, which is the greatest mmo ever.
Let's just hope the server doesn't go down.
Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb."
Stupid question that comes up too often. It is the same as asking, why do you have any friends in real life, if you don't like going out with them everyday? It's a dumb idea. In an MMO sometimes you want to play with friends, and sometimes you feel like a group, and other times you want to explore on your own.
If you mean to never interact with other players, then fine, so what, an MMORPG at any rate is about being a role playing game, if I choose to role play a loner solo player in the world, what business is it of yours.
The only difference is that in a virtual world I can be an outcast with a label like... Bounty hunter, or assassin... Or something cool like that. Not... Hey... Its that outcast guy, the loner. Who sits in the corner.
Sometimes I just like to go it a lone and experience the game I want to.
And not with annoying people.
I usually only group if I need to, with my friends, or if there are people around who I can have a decent conversation with while playing a fun game.
solo player should have access to only solo endgame content same for grouper :grouper should have access only to group stuff not solo stuff you dont clear you dont have access to endgame counterpart its that simple in my book!
Think MMORPG's are not the right type of games for you if you have that mind set. Perhaps try your luck in multiplayer games.
Simple, because there other aspects to being in a community, I can trade what I find solo, I can chat in town. I can double up with somebody if I so wish. A MMO is not just about getting in groups and going to kill things.
Comments
lol, being in the Boston area I can attest that public transportation is not always fun.
You bring up a good point though. There are cultural differences, even here in the U.S. where certain areas have a populace that are more prone to talking with strangers and certain areas "not so much".
And even the areas with people who are more prone to talk, it is mostly on a superficial level. A supervisor of mine who was from the south mentioned that people in the south are very friendly but that is because they feel that that is what polite society requires. They might hate you in reality or just not even care but they are always polite and friendly in public.
Whereas we here in the northeast aren't much inclined to talk with strangers at all but if you do become one of our friends we will go out of our way to shovel you out.
In the end, interaction must come naturally and willingly.
The idea that making games require grouping and then the players will see the light is not going to work. Only the players who are prone to group and talk with strangers will line up.
everyone else will just pass.
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 again?
Ok fine.
You are assuming that there is only one way to be social and that there is no other value in being surrounded by players. If you go into a game like morrowind or oblviion you feel that the world is essentially dead. Even with some mods that make the cities a bit livelier you feel that you are the only one around with free will. Sort of twilight zone.
But in an mmo, I am surrounded by life. I may interact with any of these people or just know that they are on their own quests. I see them fill up the world with purpose. This is important.
I might sometimes lend a hand or give some advice but the world, though not exactly changing does offer change to the inhabitants.
So no grouping is required only when desired.
edit: whenever anyone asks this question I wonder if they really ask it to themselves.
There are things that others do that puzzle me so what I do is to say "ok, they are doing it therefore it must have some value. What type of value 'might' it bring". In this way I can examine it and go beyond my usual preconceptions of what people are and what they do. And usually in the end I end up answering my own question.
But if you only come to the problem from your experience and make value judgements based on the idea that your experience is the quintessential definition of how something should be then of course you will be confused.
We are all different.
Well said Sovrath.
Like to add that I play allot solo, due to limited time aswell want to know/explore/discover things offered by the game, sometimes I group but mostly I solo, when I reach cap lvl of a MMO I often seek out those I have met on my journey, share my experiance with others, newbs, getting into the craft wheel to offer all things I am able to craft ranging from the lowby stuff to the cap lvl stuff.
But me playing solo is kinda caused by how many people started to act in these games, I use to group ALLOT, but that all changed with the useless discussions about who got the "loot" or the silence nobody talks PUGs which aren't much fun to be in.
I always talk when grouped, may it be coordinations to where and what to do, but often most don't talk and simply need another person to complete some mission/quest, sorry can't be bortherd with that.
Also people who play MMORPG DON'T seek soloplay, if we seek soloplay we play singleplayer games, but that's something OP simple does not understand or is willing to understand.
Besides that I am a very social player in MMO's which does not require to be grouped as grouping is just a minor aspect of MMORPG's, and a MMO is NOT like a basketball game, it is supose to be a world in which we need to survive in any way we see fit, will we always be grouped in real life to accomplish things? The social part of MMORPG is something I feel many don't understand especially when seeing topics like this one, there is more then to group when playing MMORPG and there is more to be social in a MMORPG then just group.
solo player should have access to only solo endgame content
same for grouper :grouper should have access only to group stuff not solo stuff
you dont clear you dont have access to endgame counterpart its that simple in my book!
And once again, its about the fucking end game isn't it? Screw the journey and the ride there, get me to end game content so I can bitch about not having any content..... And I want to know why everyone is so ready to delegate other players journey and experience for them? Can't be happy playing the game YOUR way can you? As if we needed yet another thread like this anyhow.
Once the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box. ~ Italian proverb
You can pretty much solo Star Trek Online if you so choose. Settings default to allow other players to join some missions, effectively public quests, but you can easily change settings not to auto-group you if you wish. There is Raid content but not until you have hit the level cap.
I can't think of another off the top of my head, Auto Assault and Tabula Rasa would have been good candidates but of course are now gone.
2 main reasons for me. First of all, grouping with rude punks kills my enjoyment and you never know who you get stuck with in a group. i have had way too many bad experiences which now has totally pushed me away from grouping and yes i did love grouping. 2nd reason is i dont want to wait an hour to do a group quest on my level because i cant find a group. it spent me 5 nights recently in a game trying to find a group for a group quest that was a main quest to finish recently. it helped push me away from the game and quit shortly after. i dont have time to sit there for an hour a night to find groups and when you do then half of the time people are rude in it whether its to me or other players in the group. and yes i am always in guilds but doesnt fix these problems at all.
thats one feature i love about wow
random pug group!no drama no trash the way its made if player are honest they find the proper player for their group talent and often get reward no mather if there is stuff that dropped or not so you end up at minimum = in gold when you get out of instance .
you dont choose an MMO to play Solo, you have every expectation to group, but after dealing with all the YAHOO's, idiots, and Players that think you should play YOUR character the way THEY want you too, your forced to SOLO at least 80% of the time just to enjoy the game, other option is to link 5-6 computers, and accounts together (on the extream end).
Why so black and white?
How many solo players (that never group) do you think there are?
How many groupers (that never solo) do you think there are?
It's silly to restrict content based on preference.
Playing: EVE, Final Fantasy 13, Uncharted 2, Need for Speed: Shift
Because I can.
Playing | GW2
Wanting | Pantheon
Watching | Crowfall
Retired | WAR, Cabal, MO, CO, SHK, WoW, FFXIV: ARR
This topic is the ultimate Dead Horse beatdown next to the Hardcore VS. Casual argument and the above response is probably the BEST response to it that I have come across in all the years I have seen the OP's question come up. A mod here needs to sticky this response somewhere and the next time the old "why solo in an MMO...bla bla bla" comes up just post it as the response and close the thread.
To add, MMOs are very much like living in NYC (which I do). Millions of people that don't necessarily "hook up" to do anything, but we still feed off the energy of living here with all those people. I love the energy in a vibrant MMO, I dont need to group or do anything with anyone UNLESS I choose to. Again, very much like living in any highly populated city. Many of us love it.
Current Games: WOW, EVE Online
Oh look... it's this thread again...
Reasons are as varied as the gamers all over the world playing them.
Simple answer from my wife's and my point of view: Evolving persistent world in which we can multi-play if we want but don't have to if we don't.
TL;DR
Good question. For my part sometimes i do want to just play alone but see other people around. Kinda like in real life, which is the greatest mmo ever.
The problem is that most of the replies, even the so called 'good' replies all entail multiplayer action at some point.
The question is, why play mmorpgs if all you ever want to do is play solo?
Now, perhaps thats a strawman, maybe 99% of the people want to play some option multiplayer action when the mood strikes them. I suspect this is the case. Its certainly the case with me. Though lately i find myself grouping up more and more.
However, i think that mmorpgs provide a play different from the oblivions and such. That even if you never wanted to group, there is a unique experience to be had playing a mmorpg. On the one hand, i think the games are a bit easier. The oblivion type games all tend to be a little more difficult and perhaps wrap you too much in the story. I think maybe a more daggerfall type play is nicer. The story doesn't bonk you on the head so much.
Let's just hope the server doesn't go down.
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
More to explore.
I also like knowing there are folks in the same world and If i choose to, I can participate with them.
Godspeed my fellow gamer
Stupid question that comes up too often. It is the same as asking, why do you have any friends in real life, if you don't like going out with them everyday? It's a dumb idea. In an MMO sometimes you want to play with friends, and sometimes you feel like a group, and other times you want to explore on your own.
If you mean to never interact with other players, then fine, so what, an MMORPG at any rate is about being a role playing game, if I choose to role play a loner solo player in the world, what business is it of yours.
There are outcasts in non-virtual societies.
There are outcasts in virtual societies.
The only difference is that in a virtual world I can be an outcast with a label like... Bounty hunter, or assassin... Or something cool like that. Not... Hey... Its that outcast guy, the loner. Who sits in the corner.
Sometimes I just like to go it a lone and experience the game I want to.
And not with annoying people.
I usually only group if I need to, with my friends, or if there are people around who I can have a decent conversation with while playing a fun game.
Don't really think it matters to ask, if they pay for the game and the sub fee they are entitled to play however they please....
Each to there own, leave them alone :P
Some people want to play by themselves until they want to play with others, it makes perfect sense.
Think MMORPG's are not the right type of games for you if you have that mind set. Perhaps try your luck in multiplayer games.
Well that's because I hate working in teams.
Simple, because there other aspects to being in a community, I can trade what I find solo, I can chat in town. I can double up with somebody if I so wish. A MMO is not just about getting in groups and going to kill things.
Really simple:
Even the most hardcore solo player finds value in the game they play being an MMO, or they wouldn't be there.
"What is truly revealing is his implication that believing something to be true is the same as it being true. [continue]" -John Oliver
I prefer solo pve.
But I still want econmic(market, craft, trading), and pvp.
A guild to socialize with people.