Originally posted by Hyanmen

If far more time goes into grouping than soloing, why are there only solo-based MMO's around these days? It makes no sense.

Your niche examples are silly, too. Each of those examples can be put into a subgenre of the ones I mentioned. Players can deal with not having one or two of those less important features, as long as the ones I mentioned are there. Players don't demand perfection, only that the general idea is there.

Like I already said, each of those genres has enough market to be profitable and successful. There's no reason to make a compromise.

Please name a solo game that does not support grouping.

There's a word that would adequately describe a situation whereby players can enjoy a game despite not having "one or two of those less important features" be exactly to their specifications: Compromise. I mentioned it earlier.

Originally posted by Ilvaldyr

Please name a solo game that does not support grouping.

There's a word that would adequately describe a situation whereby players can enjoy a game despite not having "one or two of those less important features" be exactly to their specifications: Compromise. I mentioned it earlier.

Please name a group game that has come out after 2004. Can't think of many. That's what I mean by the companies ignoring us.

Now we have the word in the right context too, great. We're making progress.

Originally posted by Hyanmen

Originally posted by Ilvaldyr

Please name a solo game that does not support grouping.

There's a word that would adequately describe a situation whereby players can enjoy a game despite not having "one or two of those less important features" be exactly to their specifications: Compromise. I mentioned it earlier.

Please name a group game that has come out after 2004. Can't think of many. That's what I mean by the companies ignoring us.

Now we have the word in the right context too, great. We're making progress.

Why is it that the solo players are just fine with people who want to group, but those who want to group hold such animosity for solo players?

Originally posted by madeux

 

Why is it that the solo players are just fine with people who want to group, but those who want to group hold such animosity for solo players?

Because every game released caters to solo playstyle, not grouping. I wouldn't have a problem if it was the opposite too, lol.

Originally posted by madeux

Why is it that the solo players are just fine with people who want to group, but those who want to group hold such animosity for solo players?

Just wanna point out that I didn't start this post out of any ill will against people that play solo...I just wanted to learn about it from someone that play the MMOs different from what I'm used to...If that is what you got out of the original post, I'm sorry...
 

Originally posted by Hyanmen

Originally posted by madeux

 

Why is it that the solo players are just fine with people who want to group, but those who want to group hold such animosity for solo players?

Because every game released caters to solo playstyle, not grouping. I wouldn't have a problem if it was the opposite too, lol.

So what game is it that doesn't allow you to group?

Originally posted by hailtothor

...you consider  grouping up a hassle???

I've been roaming around this immense forum now for a while, and I have come across several loud complaints about MMOs having a 'need' for grouping up to progress further...a need to get a group to progress in the 'story' etc. I'm of the social sort, and group up when I have the chance to. Both to complete the tasks above, and to meet new people...AND...have fun with people I already know. I thought grouping up was the intent when the gaming studios started making MMOs??....to play with other people etc.

Why would you pay to play on an online server, if you could get immense, story driven RPGs to have all to yourself...without the need to group???

I know that not everyone have the time it takes to get a pug for low-level group quests and other things it takes several low lvles to work together....especially in an old game where the 'newbie' zones most often are deserted, but I find that asking a high lvl also often yields a positive result. With a little effort most such tasks can be done in a timely manner...

Anyway...anyone up for answering my question :) preferably without taking my head off. I'm just wondering...that's all...hehe

Because mmo's are more than just grouping. They are about being in a living world. Doesn't have to be a full on living world but the feeling one gets, say, playing oblivion is different than playing in a game where real people are going about doing their own thing.

And I don't know what type of person you are in real life, but do you spend every waking moment doing things with other people or do you like to do things on your own?

I have times I want to hang with friends, times to be with the girlfriend, and times that I just want to write or practice or just read or listen to music.

When I play an mmo I want to enjoy myself, not have to always deal with other people's issues and drama. So I like the life they give to the world but don't always want to get caught up with players I'd rather not socialize with.

Originally posted by madeux

So what game is it that doesn't allow you to group?

Better question would be "what game is it that doesn't cater to my playstyle?" and the answer would be: All of them.

In grouping games you can solo as well, but that doesn't mean that the game caters to soloers playstyle. It's the same with MMO's nowadays, only that it's the opposite. Of course soloers won't have a problem with that, but it's obvious why groupers wouldn't agree with that.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Because mmo's are more than just grouping. They are about being in a living world. Doesn't have to be a full on living world but the feeling one gets, say, playing oblivion is different than playing in a game where real people are going about doing their own thing.

Why exactly is Oblivion different from some online game? Elaborate please. What's so special about people going about doing their own thing, it's hardly interesting in real life either- why does it suddenly matter in a game?

Originally posted by Hyanmen

Originally posted by Dibdabs

Because I like a thriving, player-driven economy, where I can buy and sell materials and gear on an Auction House/Bazaar.  Because I like the special Seasonal (and other) Events the designers organize.  Because I like new, free content when it is released in patches. Because I like to use the General Chat functions.  Will that do for now?

I don't believe that you play the game because you can sell people things. Or rather, I believe that players like that are in the very small minority at best. But still majority solos... the examples you gave don't explain that.

It is, as I listed in my post, ONE of the reasons.  It isn't even so much that I can sell to players - it's more like there are thousands of lowbies out there gathering resources (and making things I may wish to buy such as Weapon Enchants, armour, other gear, etc.)  so I don't have to farm items for myself.  I can buy from all these busy little bees and let them do the legwork.

OK, here's a few reasons why I don't usually group, as opposed to reasons why I play MMOs as an alternative to solo RPGs.

I seldom group because I see no need to split my XP and gp/plat/ISK with anyone,  I can solo the content comfortably anyway, I don't have to put up with others going AFK while mummy makes their dinner, I don't have to put up with their mistakes and inane banter, I can keep all the nice rare items that drop all to myself and I can keep all the resources such as metals and plants that I find.

The last and most important reason - way too many players are inarticulate, undereducated dimwits that I wouldn't waste my time with in Real Life, never mind a Virtual Life.  There may be some really nice people that I'll never meet in-game, but then, it IS just a game.  It isn't a relationship.

Originally posted by Dibdabs

Ah, that's the only concept that filtered through, was it?   It is, as I listed in my post, ONE of the reasons.  OK, here's a few reasons why I don't group, as opposed to reasons why I play MMOs as an alternative to solo RPGs.  

I seldom group because I see no need to split my XP and gp/plat/ISK with anyone,  I can solo the content comfortably anyway, I don't have to put up with others going AFK while mummy makes their dinner, I don't have to put up with their mistakes and inane banter, I can keep all the nice rare items that drop all to myself and I can keep all the resources such as metals and plants that I find.

The last and most important reason - way too many players are inarticulate, undereducated dimwits that I wouldn't waste my time with in Real Life, never mind a Virtual Life.  There may be some really nice people that I'll never meet in-game, but then, it IS just a game.  It isn't a relationship.

Ah, so it's because the developers have created the game to be anti-group-friendly that you don't want to group up. That's probably why most players tend to not bother with grouping either.

But if one company actually created a pro-group game the majority would end up liking it over solo experience. Too bad no one is willing to do it though, since they'd actually have to think of something new instead of copying the old models already present. Can't help it I guess.