Emphasis on soloing or group play - What is your preference?

[datherton]

Hi,

This is my first post on these forums, so hello to everybody. :)

My first question about the game revolves around soloing and group play, in that I am wondering if the game will have any encouragement for characters who prefer to play MMORPGs solo more than in groups. I figure there may have been some discussions about this topic at some point in time, but I have not had the time to sift through all of the forum threads yet. In either case, I am also curious as to how the rest of you prefer to play. Is the group system most appealing to the majority of you or are there are a good amount of you all who find a great appeal in the idea of being a solo player in the Star Trek universe?

Personally, I am not entirely sure if I am all that gung-ho about playing in groups, although I can certainly understand the appeal of it. I haven't played any MMORPGs seriously since about 2002 or 2003 or thereabouts, and Star Trek Online is really the only MMOG during that interim that has given me any real excitement. I also don't want to give the impression that I discourage playing in groups, or that I'm oblivious to the common sentiment towards many solo players that, if you want to play an MMOG, why are you wanting to play it solo? I mainly like the idea of socializing on my own terms within the game world but still being able to advance as a solo player because my hours in-game may be erratic and thus inconducive to regular co-op play.

I understand that it may be difficult to emphasize soloing in a universe where working onboard a Federation starship is the epitome of teamwork, but I also think it would be great if the game were complex enough to allow for players to play as freelancing mercenaries or traders or what-have-you, as Star Trek certainly has a number of those characters who operate outside Starfleet. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.

Thoughts?

[marshalleck]

Grouping, since this is supposedly an online multiplayer game.

[Thorgar]

i dont see how we wont be grouping even if we are all running a ship, besides which teh first person to show me the logistics of how to succesfully run a ship of players ONLINE gets a cookie.

[jayman]

My preference would be "solo ship" play, but with several players on that one ship. So like a group of players on a single ship. If we're able to do that then that's probably what I'll try to do most of the time. Other than that, a little fleet play could be fun, and I think actual solo play could be fun at times too.

[datherton]

Grouping, since this is supposedly an online multiplayer game.

Well, I know this, and I addressed that sentiment in my post, but allow me to explain further. A multiplayer game as large as an MMORPG doesn't necessarily demand playing in groups as paramount to one's ability to succeed in the game world. It should make it easier and enhance the game, certainly, but if the game puts way too much emphasis on people's ability to play in groups all the time, then the game becomes frustrating very quickly because that is an ideal which can never always be reached. In other words, there has to be a way for players to solo when they either just feel like it or whether they simply cannot find other players they can conveniently play the game with. For example, I have found that in many of the MMOGs that I have played that it will take perhaps a half an hour or an hour to find a good group of players to play the game with, while I have found that many times I simply want to hop into the world for about an hour or so to hunt some monsters and collect some loot. If I spend half that time finding a group and then bail out half an hour later, that is enjoyable to nobody involved. For me, MMOGs are great because you can socialize in them and group when you want to. I don't find them very fun when you have to socialize and group all the time. In other words, a good MMORPG is one that could be fun to play even when there are not others around in the game world, but one which is so much better when you do play with others.

Star Trek Online is a very ambitious project, no doubt, but I think the developers have got to give some leeway in regards to allowing solo play. Forced group play has hurt some other MMORPGs pretty badly because, like I said, it's an ideal that doesn't always pan out the way one would hope. (I am thinking of games like Dungeons & Dragons Online, World War II Online, and Everquest II.) There has to be a good balance. I also think the game could be enhanced greatly if there were a greater mixture of character types throughout the world. My guess is that it will quickly become very stale if every character you run into is the captain of a starship. Wouldn't it be great to play as a bounty hunter or a mercenary or a trader in the Star Trek universe? I don't think it should be an overlooked option.

[Capt._D]

It’s about 60/40 for me. I want to play all by my lonesome most of the time and “level up.” But I also want to get in a group and fight of the “bad guys.”

[datherton]

i dont see how we wont be grouping even if we are all running a ship, besides which teh first person to show me the logistics of how to succesfully run a ship of players ONLINE gets a cookie.

The logistics has worried me from the start when I first started reading about the game. Will it require everybody to agree on meeting at the same time every day to play? It's incredibly difficult to coordinate something like that. You have to have a lot of dedication to it, but that dedication is very difficult to create if there are "weak links," so to speak, in your crew. I started playing MMORPGs back in 1998 when I was a young teenager, and it was nearly impossible for me to play consistently in a group because either my connection would cut out or an older family member would kick me off the computer. I'm not a young teenager anymore, of course, but that doesn't exclude the possibility that such situations will not happen with others. It's just not feasible to demand the game hinge upon the absolute success of group play for all situations. I do worry if the system will be another one of those "broken systems" which MMOGs are renowned for, but I'm really hoping that the developers have some really cool tricks up their sleeves to avoid disasters like that. Most specifically in this system, I wonder about the hierarchy. If everybody is a captain, who will be willing to relinquish his or her position as a captain to become some other player's subordinate? Will it even be possible to expect average players to respect a chain of command in a virtual starship? It's definitely asking for some hardcore role-playing dedication. Even though this may sound like heresy, a developer of a game which intends to be mainstream -- especially a mainstream MMORPG -- has got to cater to the casual player as much as the dedicated role-player. It can't be focused solely on the dedicated role-player, otherwise the casual players will be alienated.

[yardbird]

It has to be balanced.

My preference is for solo, most of the time. I like being amongst real people, but usually don't want to be bothered until it suits me.

Nevertheless, groups are totally necessary for a real MMO, and group-specific content is a must. I don't want to be forced into duty aboard some mo-fo's engineering crew, but I don't want too many zone instances (as few as possible).

I'm happy with the captain-your-own-ship (with npcs) scenario provided there is plenty of opportunity for strong community interaction in other, meaningful ways.

[Thorgar]

dont forget its not just starship , we get planetside and inside the ship as well, so grouping should be fairly easy. besides these are the guys who created teh sidekick system that let you team with anyone no matter the level difference. they know how to make teaming and grouping fun and easy.

[zaxxon23]

I do not believe in any form of forced gameplay. There are people who like to solo, there's people who like small groups, some like even larger groups, and some people enjoy raiding. Some people (like me!) actually enjoy all types of gameplay. But the bottom line is that no one gameplay style should provide any advantage over the other types. For example, the best items or crafting components coming from group and raid encounters is bad gameplay design. Some people simply do not have the time or ability (not in terms of mental ability, but more in terms of real life obligations) to participate in such complex adventures. Yet are those people so undeserving of quality equipment to progress in the game? Of course not. ALL itemization whether through complete itemization or through components for crafting should be available for ALL players in ALL stages of the game. Granted, the drop rates for solo play should be DRASTICALLY lower then that for larger group or raid play. Yet, top tier items MUST be available for all types of players. Otherwise, a subclass of players is created which loses customers and breeds deep-seated hatred for those that have the ability to play a specific playstyle that others are unable to play. As long as the drop rates for solo adventuring is made vastly lower, then it will all equal out in the end.

For example, a soloer over the course of a year will find three to four top quality items in his solo adventures. Alternatively, a raider will find three to four top quality items in the course of raiding for a year (as with more players, less loot can be spread around). Alternatively, someone who doesn't participate in combat, but instead chooses to function on improving the efficiency of warp drive through a career in crafting will make enough "money" to purchase three or four top quality items in the course of a year (assuming the extremely destructive *bind on pickup* element is not introduced in this game). See how this all equals out, and appropriately rewards players for their investment in the game? To provide another example, let's say the solo player has more time to play then the raider (or vice versas). In that case, that player will find five to six good items in a years time (or the crafter will make enough to buy five to six good items), all through the fact that they spend more time in the game in whichever manner is their preferred playstyle. Those who have more time to spend in the game are rewarded for it, while no players are punished for not choosing a particular playstyle.

To sum it all up, forced grouping or forced soloing is destructive to a game, and is in the end bad game design. Just because a player solos doesn't mean they don't participate in the multiplayer aspect of the game. Remember, multiplayer does not equal forced grouping. Multiplayer simply means that there are lots of people playing in the same world. Those who advocate forced grouping would be well advised to keep this in mind.

[UfcFan78]

Both ways would work......I like options.

[Fluxion]

My preference in a perfect world would be an "emphasis" on neither. I would like the game to be playable from beginning to endgame either by soloing or grouping (with no special content, or loot if you will, achievable only to one playstyle or the other). That way everyone gets what they want, STO gains the maximum about of subscriptions, and it's alive and thriving for many, many years. :)

[Fluxion]

But the bottom line is that no one gameplay style should provide any advantage over the other types. For example, the best items or crafting components coming from group and raid encounters is bad gameplay design.

I concur, Sir. :)

[Yavin_Prime]

Honestly I'd love to see a balance and I'm sure thats what Cyptic will go for due to the fact that everyone has a differnt idea of how they want to play.

The important thing to me is I don't want to feel as though my progression is being heldback because I can't find a group. So the best way to allow solo & group play is make it so the game is highly soloable but you get better rewards for grouping (better xp, loot, faction, prestige... what ever the game has to offer).

[ParkerHayden]

I'm a solo-er, but I like the option of grouping. Although, I only group if I know that person. I don't want to end up playing chicken with Klingons, or something.

[Severix]

I like soloing alot, but have been known to group as well. If the game contains alot of solo opportunities I'll be a happy guy.

[Thorgar]

with what they have posted so far it looks like it will be a good balance of grouping and solo. heck they have made champions soloable to the end game and Omega content. so i can easily see them making this game both group and solo based all the way through.

[Angelphoenix12]

I like soloing alot, but have been known to group as well. If the game contains alot of solo opportunities I'll be a happy guy.

same here :D

[Varrangian]

If I find a group I enjoy playing with, it is a lot of fun. But I don't count on that and a games mechanics can't count on that.

[BewareofDawg]

Being an avid WoW raider I much prefer group interaction than anything. If I want to solo I'd probably play something else. Star Trek is a game that has the opportunity to appease multiple styles of gameplay and still have enough to go around for everyone.

Now we just gotta hope Cryptic can pull it off but I have faith.

[krehator]

I think the game should cater to both. However the devs should be careful not to cater too much to solo play. You just end up with selfish players that want uber loot and an alpha character. After all this is an MMO not an FPS with multiplayer ability.

I prefer interdependency, complexity, and choices with consequences.

[Mattastic]

Personally, I tend to prefer to solo. Fact is, MMO players tend to be complete jerks. They tend to be immature, arrogant, greedy, unco-operative, illiterate and aggressive. But there are a few who aren't like this, and it's likely that with its firmly established history and fanbase, the jerks in STO will at least be immature, arrogant, greedy, unco-operative, illiterate and aggressive roleplayers, who get offended over canonical errors in warp physics rather than someone having better lewt than they do.

I was about to type, "so I'll probably group up more in this one", but to be honest, I probably won't. I'll try and give the community in the game a bit more of a chance though, but I'll probably just team up with people I know IRL instead.

[hipiap]

I like the ability to have Both Types of Content.

Solo content is great for the days I just want to do things by myself, or don't have a ton of time to do group content. And group content is great for when I have several hours to spend online and do many things.

[Myopic_Aardvark]

Since Jack Emmert said for Champions that he felt that the days of forced teaming were past, I suspect we'll get missions which can be soloed or teamed and bigger raids which require more numbers (but don't require completion to advance the plot/game)

That would make me happy. I prefer soloing and smaller numbers in my teams.

[Reinkaos]

No emphasis on either, but a fair split between the two.. at least you shouldn't HAVE to group for anything, except perhaps higher-end content, when it would be more fun anyway as everyone will be better acquaninted with the game.

[NeoWolf]

I prefer to solo for the most part myself, but with the option to group if I want too as occasioanlly I like to group up with friends or strangers for some team fun.

If we actually end up with the optional capability to play separate ship roles on a single ship (i.e different players for captan, x-o, science, weapons, helm etc..) then as far as Star Trek MMO went I would be massively more inclined to group play more regularly as lets face it Star Treks tends to be about the Bridge Crew as opposed to the ship for the most part.

[Acidrain]

I would like the option of being able to do both, perhaps having to accomplish certain missions with groups and other things you can do on your own.

[mintor426]

Grouping, since this is supposedly an star trek online multiplayer game.

[thor79]

I'm all for playing however you want to play...the more options the better. No one should be forced into a way of play they don't like to progress through the storyline.

That doesn't mean there shouldn't be group only content...just that the majority of the content in the primary storyline should be soloable. I hate games where I play through the primary storyline and I run into something that requires a group to complete. Content/difficulty should be scaled to the size of the group.

[Acidrain]

I'm all for playing however you want to play...the more options the better. No one should be forced into a way of play they don't like to progress through the storyline.

That doesn't mean there shouldn't be group only content...just that the majority of the content in the primary storyline should be soloable. I hate games where I play through the primary storyline and I run into something that requires a group to complete. Content/difficulty should be scaled to the size of the group.

I would have to agree with what you have to say, no one should be restricted or forced one way or the other.

[Kinjiru]

I would have to agree with what you have to say, no one should be restricted or forced one way or the other.

And I agree with you agreeing with him.

There are times when I want to be a part of a group, there are times when I just want to play with... errr... BY myself. :)

[Nooblet]

I like grouping in MMOs, it makes things easier and it's fun to interact with others while playing a game.

[Ecoi]

Hi,

This is my first post on these forums, so hello to everybody. :)

My first question about the game revolves around soloing and group play, in that I am wondering if the game will have any encouragement for characters who prefer to play MMORPGs solo more than in groups. I figure there may have been some discussions about this topic at some point in time, but I have not had the time to sift through all of the forum threads yet. In either case, I am also curious as to how the rest of you prefer to play. Is the group system most appealing to the majority of you or are there are a good amount of you all who find a great appeal in the idea of being a solo player in the Star Trek universe?

Personally, I am not entirely sure if I am all that gung-ho about playing in groups, although I can certainly understand the appeal of it. I haven't played any MMORPGs seriously since about 2002 or 2003 or thereabouts, and Star Trek Online is really the only MMOG during that interim that has given me any real excitement. I also don't want to give the impression that I discourage playing in groups, or that I'm oblivious to the common sentiment towards many solo players that, if you want to play an MMOG, why are you wanting to play it solo? I mainly like the idea of socializing on my own terms within the game world but still being able to advance as a solo player because my hours in-game may be erratic and thus inconducive to regular co-op play.

I understand that it may be difficult to emphasize soloing in a universe where working onboard a Federation starship is the epitome of teamwork, but I also think it would be great if the game were complex enough to allow for players to play as freelancing mercenaries or traders or what-have-you, as Star Trek certainly has a number of those characters who operate outside Starfleet. I'm getting ahead of myself, though.

Thoughts?

Grouping, it would be awesome to work together on a ship, etc. Just more challenging and fun imo.

[Shaggz]

Gotta play in groups, with maybe the ability to play on your own if you ever get the desire.
It's not like you'll actually need hundreds of people working together. All you need is a small groups to play the senior staff, and then work with other groups on other ships/locations. Not sure how you could expand on that and have junior officers or non essential people, that would be boring to play as.

[Ktar]

I think the MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR STO IS: to be well balanced for both soloing and group play. This is a must because there are both types of players out there and in order to have a happy community this is necessary. I personally however am very excited about group play. :D

[Nasedo]

I would have to agree with what you have to say, no one should be restricted or forced one way or the other.

if a player wants a solo ship and do solo ship he should be able to,,

i like options we should have the options to do whatever we want in the game... but chances are so unlikely

[JSM3050]

I enjoy the social interaction of grouping and the ship-to-ship combat gets better the larger the engagement. That said, I also want all content to be soloable for those times where nobody is on or nobody is doing the same missions as I am.

Having all content soloable also means that everyone gets to enjoy the various plotlines. However, this should be balanced such that those who put forth the effort to form a group are given better rewards after finishing the mission (which should, in turn, be harder as a group than done solo).

[Acidrain]

if a player wants a solo ship and do solo ship he should be able to,,

i like options we should have the options to do whatever we want in the game... but chances are so unlikely

I agree, i want the ability to be able to roam around on my own though in order to accomplish certain things you have to group up with others.