Weekly 'Interesting' Post: Solo MMO Players

Do you enjoy going off on your own in MMO games?

Lately I've been sort of dull, I think anyhow, with my writing. I have a lot of ideas but sometimes just can't bother to compile them into a post. It's really numerous reasons I suppose, while I am still getting a decent amount of traffic the input from readers has really halted and I don't know if it is because I'm just that boring lately or maybe nobody wants to read about EQ, EQ2 and Vanguard (what I've been playing). So, I'm going to try to get, at least, one interesting post out a week, I use to be better about that. Later on in the month will make two years for this blog and I suppose I'll decide where to go from there.

Anyhow, today's post! I thought I'd talk about why some people would rather play an MMO solo instead of an RPG. I've heard people complain about others, who just like to solo, wondering why play an MMO and not an RPG. Solo MMO(RPG) players- this week's 'interesting topic'.

I'm a social butterfly in my games, I like to chatter, love making new friends and I enjoy grouping but I can see from a solo player's point of view. Plus soloing is fun, I solo plenty, just not all the time. I  love to group but only when it is convenient to me. I think that is true with most people. We live busy lives, have children, busy work schedules, things to do people to see and so on. When we log in we want to get things done. Sometimes getting a group up and running can just be cutting it too close for someone who has limited amounts of time, or even someone who has to afk often. Just because you don't have tons of time to spend on an MMO doesn't mean you shouldn't play. It's your time, you decide how to enjoy it.

Sometimes it is relaxing just to go off by yourself and explore or quest. Some people will use an MMO to unwind and soloing just helps them relax. No drama, no fussing, just peaceful playtime. If you're social enough to join a guild you still have access to chit-chat with people but not actually having to group with them.

I group with my guild whenever given the chance in EQ2, however I find myself soloing a lot in EQ. I play EQ   to relax and reminiscent, explore and unwind. As I get older I find I have less interest in the busy fast paced MMO scene. I cringe from meters, gearscores and the like, which has pushed me away from certain things and games. Some people just like to stay away from it all, it ruins the immersion. If they are soling anyhow, why would they care about those things or want to group with people who do?

I would say one of the biggest reasons to play an MMO over an RPG, as a solo player, would be because it keeps on going. Each day you can set new goals and do different things. It isn't like you're going to actually beat the game and it's done for good, so to speak. It's a persistent world that keeps going and changes with time.

On top of being persistent, MMO games get frequent updates, well most of them do. More stuff for us to do, more interesting things to check out. Add in alts to the equation and there is even more to do, you can twink them or just take a new direction with a totally different class and race.

Plus, there is always the chance that the solo player may decide soloing is fun but maybe reaching out and making new friends to play with is another avenue of play they'd like to try. Also it just feels less lonely knowing there are other players out there, even if you don't always see them or maybe you pass them by on your adventures, you know they are there. I know I always feel sort of lonely playing an RPG game over an MMO, weird eh?

All in all I think there are more options in an MMO for long term enjoyment. Each of us pay our monthly fees and each can play as we choose.  Some games even seem to be phasing the offline RPG element out e.g., D3, leaving very little choice for the soloist, perhaps.

-kaozz