General Discussion

I cannot say that solo oriented quests take anything away from the game. It depends on what you want out of the game. If you dont want to quest, you dont have to. If someone does want to solo quest, I have no reason to be upset...they are enjoying themself

On a personal level I have no problem with anyone doing anything solo.  If thats what you enjoy go for it.

Originally posted by Misiu

On a personal level I have no problem with anyone doing anything solo.  If thats what you enjoy go for it.

All I am saying is when you remove the need for social interaction you lose something in a MMORPG.  Its almost like we need two sub categories of MMORPG.  Group oriented, and causally social. But MMORPGGO is one hell of an acronym. Now im not making the comparison to hardcore vs casual gamers here. 

Simply solo oriented content vs Group oriented content.   A number of games over the years have tried to put in both and I think in the end have suffered for it. 

Sounds to me like you are wanting forced social interaction.  No thanks.

Originally posted by wjrasmussen

Sounds to me like you are wanting forced social interaction.  No thanks.

And alot of people feel the way.  Hence part of the reason wow is doing so well... I like to think of it more as I am looking for more of a challenge then im looking for forced Socail interaction.

Either way.  Group or solo content.. I stick by the comment in my original post that being driven through the game by quests, takes something away from what we clasicly consider a MMORPG

Originally posted by Misiu

Oddly enough quests are what I believe are killing the MMORPG. All the new games are going towards solo-able quests to move you through the content.   Which I think takes a lot away from the game.

Think about it this way. In every game message board there is a post about how they wish they could capture the feel of their first MMORPG.  No matter how much they might like a game very few people feel the same draw that they did when they first started EQ1. Now we can argue all day long about SOE bashing, bad customer support. Etc etc. I’m not saying the game was the best or that it’s better than anything else… All I’m talking about in this post is not being able to find anything that re-creates the feeling you had when you first started.

This could be a few reasons but I believe when you get right down to it. MMORPGS have lost their single most important corner stone. .. And that is social interaction. The game styles of the earlier MMORPGS led you to have to interact more socially. Because of that you made friends earlier and kept them longer, you made enemies too; you built a reputation that was good or bad. All because you got in that first Dervish group in the common lands hoping for the rings, or got in a CB group and fought your way tooth and nail to the castle.    Building those relationships early on is what draws us into the games, and keeps us there. Through bad patches, nerfs and terrible customer service.

When you don’t have to group up till you hit your 40’s you never build those relationships and even if you do they just are not the same.

Sadly this is not even close to as long as what my first post was supposed to be but.. I’m in a conference call now and I just can’t devote the time needed to re-write it all the way

But as for the title. Static camps and contested spawns.   I think are what helped generate those relationships.  Places where people congregated to adventure.  

Now I’m not saying quests are bad.. I’m just saying that the current quest model leaves alot to be desired.    Back in the day your movement around the word was to help friends, destroy enemy’s or just because you wanted to go see a new area. Not because you were pushed in that direction. All of the newer MMORPGS to me feel like I’m playing a regular RPG and I’m progressing through the content rather than experiencing it.  

Maybe that’s what I should have titled this post. Progression vs Experiencing is what’s killing MMORPGS.

Misiu

 

 

 { Merged by Mod }

Once upon a time, people started playing MMO's and because they had no other choices available played what they could get their hands on.  Then, as more and more varied MMO's started being released they started to realise that their tastes differed to others.  Some liked raids, some like groups, some like solo content and some like a combination of any of the above.  Not everyone who played the very first MMO's liked them.  Some just played them because there was nothing else to out there.  And most of the early MMO's forced people to group whether they liked it or not.

Also, not everyones first MMO was EQ1, I know some friends who have cut their MMO teeth on WoW and love grouping because WoW's TBC has more group orientated dungeons and quests than before.  But with that said, WoW has its fair share of solo orientated content too.  And those same people love soloing as well.

People aren't sheep.  They will do what they want to do if it pleases them.  Its just unfortunate for the OP that a large segment of the MMO playerbase happens to enjoy solo content.  Want people to interact?  Give them reasons to that they will enjoy and not feel like they are being forced to do it.

And so, in conclusion: 

Quests, lack of contested camps and static spawns aren't destroying the OP's ideal of social interation in MMO's.  People having the luxury of choice are. 

Originally posted by Misiu

 

Originally posted by wjrasmussen

Sounds to me like you are wanting forced social interaction.  No thanks.

 

 

And alot of people feel the way.  Hence part of the reason wow is doing so well... I like to think of it more as I am looking for more of a challenge then im looking for forced Socail interaction.

Either way.  Group or solo content.. I stick by the comment in my original post that being driven through the game by quests, takes something away from what we clasicly consider a MMORPG

 

 

it's great that you think of forced social interaction challenging.  And rising to the challenge makes you feel special to be sure.  Hope you find a game which will meet all your needs.