Hey there;

  I've only a little while ago learned of AoC and though I've visited the AoC-wikki page and done some reading up, I've tried to look into the #1 concern of mine when I choose a MMOG, call me anti social or whatever, but I like the option to play solo if I choose (the internet just has way too many asshats these days for that not to be a necessary playstyle supported by any game I look at).  I'e tried doing searches on the topic, but haven't had much success in finding anything salient in addressing that.  Any more knowledgible members of this site care to offer me some insights or even links and I'd be very grateful.

Well if I understand you right U want to be in the world all alone without any other playing on the same server? If thats the case U can always ask if U can buy your own private server from funcom

Originally posted by Seeker728

Hey there;

  I've only a little while ago learned of AoC and though I've visited the AoC-wikki page and done some reading up, I've tried to look into the #1 concern of mine when I choose a MMOG, call me anti social or whatever, but I like the option to play solo if I choose (the internet just has way too many asshats these days for that not to be a necessary playstyle supported by any game I look at).  I'e tried doing searches on the topic, but haven't had much success in finding anything salient in addressing that.  Any more knowledgible members of this site care to offer me some insights or even links and I'd be very grateful.

Hi there,

The game lets you play Solo, its possible to level all the way up to 80 in solo too, if you choose, although later in the game you might need some help.

Also its been publically said that in tortage (starting area) you have the option to switch between Day and Night cycles by way of sleeping at the "Thirsty Dog Inn" - During the daytime, its just like any other mmo with people running around. At Night you are on your own, the game world all to yourself (no other human players about) There are seperate quests for the Day and the Night time, as only some things can be accomplished at night. You can always talk to other players at anytime during either day or night cycles.

How this plays out later in the game hasn't been publically made available yet.

Night time is more like a traditional RPG game, whilst having the ability if one desires to talk to anyone at anytime of the day/night cycle.

Avery;

Hrm...now that's a very interesting dynamic they came up with there, piques my interest for the game much more than it has been already.  Thanks for the reply.

Originally posted by Smackr

Well if I understand you right U want to be in the world all alone without any other playing on the same server? If thats the case U can always ask if U can buy your own private server from funcom

Hrm...forum troll, but I'll bite because I'm waiting on some people to sign in still.

First off, use normal english, subsituting "U" for you just makes you sound like a twit, if your fingers can't manage to fling out those 3 letters as fast as a shift+u then you have no business handling a keyboard. 

Second:  No, you don't understand correctly.  In fact you totally misconstrued the entire meaning of the post, your reading comprehension skill needs some serious attention.  If you look back, I said I want the option to play solo when the mood strikes because why?  Because of the plethora of idiots that populate MMOs these days.  I prefer to play in groups when I can, but being forced to play in groups is a design element I do not wish to have to endure, been there, done that, and hated it.

Next time, if you wish to be witty, at least stay within the context of the post rather than making irrevelant assumptions or misconstruing a post completely, at least that way you'll come across as of average intelligence instead of being one of the overpopulated mass of idiots that troll so many forums.

Originally posted by Seeker728

Avery;

Hrm...now that's a very interesting dynamic they came up with there, piques my interest for the game much more than it has been already.  Thanks for the reply.

Hey no worries.

Think of it like the same area, buildings and NPC's are about. However, depending on if its Day or Night they will react differently too you. For instance, its been said at night you do a lot of sneeking around, and only some NPC's might give a quest out then. There has been screen shots released where your character is climbing roofs in the twilight. The Thirsty Dog Inn comes alive, just like a normal pub.

So essentially is like two games in one based solely off a day's cycle. Plus it gives you the ability to take your time and explore the game and progress at your own pace continuing progressive chain type quests developing your character as you go. You dont have to rush thru quests either (or feel you need to)

Apparently alot of the later quests empower the player rather than the group so your own decisions rather than a groups become more appropriate. You can even RP quests if your into that =)

I'm no troll. I see that I totally misconstrued "Ur" point.... its late and I'm tired, my fault, srry about that, wasn't out to offend/upsett "U". btw I like 2 write simpel! (doubt that a smart guy  like "U"  will have any problems understanding what I'm writing anyway when "U" know how to use so many fancy words) It's up 2 "U" if "U" will take my type of writing seriusly *Going 2 bed* ZZzzzz

Originally posted by Smackr

I'm no troll. I see that I totally misconstrued "Ur" point.... its late and I'm tired, my fault, srry about that, wasn't out to offend/upsett "U". btw I like 2 write simpel! (doubt that a smart guy  like "U"  will have any problems understanding what I'm writing anyway when "U" know how to use so many fancy words) It's up 2 "U" if "U" will take my type of writing seriusly *Going 2 bed* ZZzzzz

You win at losing.

About the easiest way to determine if a MMO is solo friendly is whether or not it has 'Elite' mobs. It's been a common tactic since EQ2. Take mobs of a given level, buff them beyond anything reasonable and Voilà: group content. So far I haven't seen anything designated as elite in any screen shots or vids, so there's hope. And I'd never call you anti-social, I've spent way too much time playing WoW to have anything but sympathy for your position.

Besides, playing an mmorpg isn't just about playing cooperative modes, its about living within a virtual culture and setting and being a part of it.  One doesn't have to go adventuring with anyone in order to, for instance, be a part of the economy.  And the typical notion of "solo = anti-mmo" means most if not all crafters in all mmo's are therefore disqualified from being part of the mmo game.  That's pretty silly.

Originally posted by Jadar

About the easiest way to determine if a MMO is solo friendly is whether or not it has 'Elite' mobs. It's been a common tactic since EQ2. Take mobs of a given level, buff them beyond anything reasonable and Voilà: group content. So far I haven't seen anything designated as elite in any screen shots or vids, so there's hope. And I'd never call you anti-social, I've spent way too much time playing WoW to have anything but sympathy for your position.

For AoC i havent seen any cons. Does it have any cons ? Well, i guess it ll be like overland mobs are soloable and instanced mobs are group content.

just saw the video of character customisation.

The dev was mentioning that the character doesnt start as a noob in AOC who has to kill rats and puppies

The 1st 20 lvls is story oriented and can be played solo with option to play with friends but not necessary

Well, Seeker, it probably depends on what you are looking for specifically.  Ok, first I want to inform you that being a critic of this game has become something of a hobby for me.  I'm a disenchanted former fan from the earliest days of it's development.  I tell you that because it only seems fair that I should.

Ok you want solo play.  I'm sure that AoC will have plenty of PvE solo play all the way up to max level.

However, the end-game of AoC will be heavily focused on raiding.  The devs have revealed that there will be quite a lot of raid content but as yet they have said nothing about end-game progression for solo players.

The game will make players heavily dependant on guilds.  For example, guilds will get bonuses to harvesting resources.  Crafters can't do the top tier crafting unless they are in a guild that has a guild city which is advanced to a certain point.  And PvP is mostly guild versus guild.  There will be some sort of arena type PvP mini-games but it's unclear if you will be able to enter it individually or if you'll have to put together a group first and then enter.

There may or may not be some sort of mercenary system that will let guilds call on un-guilded players to join in border kingdom fights.  They talked about something like that but haven't said anything about it for a while and it's highly questionable whether it would work out anyway.

The upshot of all this is that if you play solo and are not in a fairly large, well established guild, your options are going to be very limited in AoC.

I guess my 1st post has to go somewhere...

This is an interesting discusion on a topic that also interests me. AoC and WAR are the two MMOs I'm most interested in and solo enjoyment is always a consideration for me.  I often play during off-hours and sometimes like to watch something on TV (usually sports) while playing.

Curently LOTRO is my MMO (after WOW, DAOC, AC) and I'm generally OK with the efforts Turbine has put into solo content. Yes, there are elite mobs (simplistic as it was, I thought the elite rule of thumb for soloability was pretty good) but that game is also relatively easy. Killing an elite usually means just having to wait a couple of levels beyond the recommended level for the quest, stocking-up on food and potions and going at it.  Even those quests where the grouping requirement is based on numbers of mobs you can usually figure out a way to do it with careful CC.

However, LOTRO suffers from most of the same problems so well described by Neanderthal in the previous post: High level activities, be it crafting, PVE or PVP require grouping and usually guilds for support.  I'm not aware of any MMO where this is not true.

And then there's "end-game..." This is where I typically start to loose interest unless there is something to do that doesn't require massive blocks of times (read: I hate long raids.) Of all the MMOs I've played, DAOC was best in this respect. That game was totally geared towards Realm-vs.-Realm conflict and those massive battles or casual skirmishes were good enough to be repeatable and never the same twice. Sadly even that didn't hold me more than a couple of years but a lot had to do with old friends going elsewhere (WOW mostly.)

MMOs by their very nature are group games (that would be the 2nd "M" :) ). For that reason, soloability of any of them is a relative thing: it can be done more or less in an enjoyable way but you will never... ever... get the full-content experience just by soloing. Solo satisfaction for the hard-core soloer has a lot to do with individual preference and how much of the content you're willing to live without.

I think developers these days "get it." They know that sometimes we want to play alone or as a duo. The newer MMOs all make an effort to provide a good mix of solo and group content. But if there is one out there where you can go everywhere and do everything solo, I'm not aware of it.

Originally posted by Seeker728

Hey there;

  I've only a little while ago learned of AoC and though I've visited the AoC-wikki page and done some reading up, I've tried to look into the #1 concern of mine when I choose a MMOG, call me anti social or whatever, but I like the option to play solo if I choose (the internet just has way too many asshats these days for that not to be a necessary playstyle supported by any game I look at).  I'e tried doing searches on the topic, but haven't had much success in finding anything salient in addressing that.  Any more knowledgible members of this site care to offer me some insights or even links and I'd be very grateful.

You obviously didn't look.  There is a FAQ@ on about three major AoC site's that could answer this and many of the most idiotic post I have ever seen on any message boards.

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Originally posted by Seeker728
...the internet just has way too many asshats these days...

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Yep, and they are almost impossible to avoid completely. You cant even ask a question with out running into one.