Inside the mind of an MMORPG Soloist

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For many people, when they hear the words “Solo” and “MMORPG” used together in the same sentence, they tend to go bat-shit insane. They react as if someone just said their momma wore combat boots! It’s actually quite scary. However, Scary or not, Let me be clear on one thing: I am an MMORPG Soloist. Let the Bat-shittery commence!

Wait for the crazies to settle down. Wait for it.

Ok, I am assuming the lunatics had time to calm down, so I will continue.

Why do people get so worked up about someone playing an MMORPG solo? I don’t know! If they want to group, more power to them. Me playing solo has absolutely no fucking affect on them, since they will be in a group and I clearly will not be. So why get all worked up? Many people will say it pisses them off because it ruins the spirit of the MMORPG, and that if you want to play Solo, then go play a Solo RPG, like an elder scrolls game or something similar. These same people also fucking love to point out the word “Multiplayer” abbreviated in MMORPG.

These same people of course, are also douchebaggy dumbshits.

“Multiplayer” means more than one person playing the game. Last I looked, there is more than one person playing the game even if I am doing it solo. multiplayer does NOT mean Grouped. If it did, clearly it would be called “Group Required Online Role Playing Game” and while GRORPG may not be as catchy as MMORPG, it would still get the point across.

Bottom line, you can enjoy the multiplayer aspect of an MMORPG without being grouped. For instance, Even though I solo I still enjoy multiplayer activities that can’t be achieved in single player games. Examples are as follows.

PvP – I like to enter not just arenas, but also if I spot a lone adventurer adventuring that’s about my level, I like to engage them in combat. I also enjoy having to watch the area, and pay attention to my surroundings in case of a surprise player attack. This couldn’t be done in a single player RPG.

Role Playing – Yeah, the OTHER abbreviation in MMORPG that douche bags tend to have no problem ignoring, since it doesn’t fit their ideal of game play. I like to take on the role of a character, and play it, interacting with others along the way. Can this be done in a single player? No! (On a side note, this is also another reason I solo. I play games for the story, and groups tend to want to rush. I like to read the quest dialog, and appreciate it. Soak it all up, so that I can get a feel for the setting, to better evolve my character. This doesn’t tend to sit well with groups who are in a rush for their epic lewtz)

Crafting & Auctioning – I like to craft things, venture to the auction house and sell my things that I have made. Also, to sell items I have found, for more than what the vendor will buy it for. It gives me an alternate way to make money.

Occasional Grouping – I like to occasionally group up with a friend who might play on the rare occasion. However, I also want to be able to play on my own, whenever I want. I just want the OPTION to include my friends in the adventure with me, not be FORCED to run with people I hardly know, just to get some quest done.

Activities – Let’s be honest here folks! MMORPGs will always be larger than a single player RPG! It will have always increasing content, and also have special holiday events. This is something that doesn’t happen in single player games. A single player game does not evolve with or without you! It does not have new quests just suddenly appear that weren’t there before or programmed to be there.

Bottom line is this: No matter how advanced a single player RPG is, it will NEVER provide the continued growth or entertainment value that an MMORPG will.

Lastly, let me just say this — You don’t like that I play solo, even though it has no effect on you? Well, Fuck you. I don’t like that you don’t Role play which DOES affect my characters enjoyment. Do you see me bitching and whining? NO! Why? because your 15 bucks a month is worth just as much as mine, and vice versa. We each pay the same, and have the right to BOTH enjoy the game that we pay for, however we see fit.

That’s all I gotta say about that.

Related articles

• Another MMORPG going Free to Play (shaideblog.com)
• World of Warcraft goes Free to Play?! (shaideblog.com)

Yet another MMORPG goes Free-to-Play!

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Some of you may, or may not be aware, that Sony Online Entertainment recently released a free-to-play version of their extremely popular MMORPG “Everquest II”, which of course is part of the EverQuest series of games. The Free-to-play version is called Everquest II Extended, and is currently in Beta. If you haven’t played the game, you really should now! Seriously, there’s no excuse. 

For those unfamiliar with how the new batch of premium MMORPGs going Free-to-play work, let me explain; The game really is free-to-play, however if you want access to certain features or quest packs, then you have to purchase them with usually some game points. Not in-game gold, but with points which are purchased with real cash! That’s how they make their money, however you aren’t obligated to purchase anything, and can fully enjoy the game without ever plopping down a cent. 

Everquest II isn’t the first premium MMORPG that has adopted the micro-transaction method of gaming. Other games include Dungeons and Dragons Online, as well as Lord of the Rings Online. 

So, why are companies switching to this method? I honestly don’t know, but I do know that times are tough for everyone, and these games are great for people who might be struggling with financial issues, because they have the option to pay as much or as little as they want from month to month, and can still participate in the MMORPG craze that has literally swept across the face of the planet.

Lord of the Rings Online becomes free to play??

As many of you are fully aware, not too long ago Turbine adopted a free to play method for their MMORPG Dungeons and Dragons Online. Apparently that plan worked out really well for them, and they decided to give it a go with their other more popular MMORPG, Lord of the Rings Online.

Yes, you heard correctly! Lord of the Rings Online is going free to play! It’s not free yet, so don’t get your panties in a wad! However this fall it will go free! Now, not a whole lot is currently known, there is some information on their website which you can access through this handy dandy link! aww the miracles of the interweb!

Now, I am going to assume that it uses a similar method as their DDO game, of course that’s just a guess, and I could be totally wrong! Either way, the games going free, which should be exciting for any MMORPG gamer, because playing LOTRO free is better than second breakfast!

Here there be dragons

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I’m sure most people interested in on-line gaming knows about Dungeons and Dragons Online, Also known as DDO. Most of you may have even played it, at least the trial. A lot of you might not have really cared for it either. Especially when there were games like World of Warcraft and Turbines other hit MMORPG Lord of the Rings Online. With games like those, perhaps you just couldn’t see yourself plunking down a wad of cash for your monthly DDO fix.

Well, things have changed a wee bit as of late. To begin with as of this month, DDO has changed its name to Dungeons and Dragons Unlimited. However, the biggest change is the fact that the game is now FREE to PLAY. That’s right, it doesn’t even require a credit card!

However, to experience the game in ALL its splendor, it might be a good idea to invest some cash. They do charge to unlock some things, or to buy more character slots. Yer basically getting the core game free, and if you want to add something..plunk down a few dollars here..want to add a little more? plunk down a few more bucks.

The idea is remarkable, and it’s a great idea if executed PROPERLY. It will give people the chance to actually PLAY the game, beyond the couple of days free trial. Allow them to meet new people, interact and build friendships and in doing so also give them a chance to get incredibly addicted to the game so that they will want to keep adding to their game and expanding their enjoyment.

See how this could work in their favor? Secondlife already employs a similar business strategy and it works incredibly well for them. This is however the first time an established commercial MMORPG has decided to take this route, and I am REALLY excited to see how this will work for Turbine. If it proves to be successful this could change the face of MMO gaming. If their sales and income increases greatly, could they then consider to use this strategy in their already wildly succesful LotRO? Will other companies decide to experiment with the idea, or similar ideas?

Either way, for the gaming public it’s a sweet as hell deal…so, go start playing Dungeons and Dragons Unlimited…Free of charge!

One ring to rule them all

Lord of the rings Online is a great game. In fact, it’s one of my favorite MMORPGs to date. It’s got some good voice acting, epic storylines, and most importantly it takes place in a world that I am familiar with. Even when I was just starting out, I didn’t feel like a TOTAL noob. Some of the characters were familiar, The locations, the background storyline and even some of the monsters. Though i was new to the game, i still had a basic idea of what was happening, and was able to thrust myself into my character a lot more easily, than say if it was an unfamiliar setting that i had to learn every single thing about.

Anyway, so I have been trying to get my friends from Secondlife to play LOTRO as well. Why? because as good as Secondlife is, it does get boring after awhile, and im at that point, where the games a bit boring. The only reason i continue to log in, is because of my friends. If not for them, i would probably have abandoned Secondlife months ago. So, it would be nice if they were as interested in lotro as they are in SecondLife.

While on the subject of LOTRO, I purchased the expansion pack “Mines of Moria” advance order just last night, and im still not exactly sure why. my highest level character isn’t even 30 yet, so reall..the expansion pack won’t really benefit me for awhile. I have had that character for over a year….Thing is i don’t play as much as I would like to….so it’s not fast leveling. That being said, it will probably be another year before I even see any benefit from the expansion pack…but at least I get a spiffy title and (Hopefully) spiffy cloak.

Dragonlance

I’ve been reading the Dragonlance Chronicle….yea, I know…the books like from the 80’s. However I am just now getting around to reading them. Blame Television! It’s TVs fault, not airing any decent shows lately. Forcing me to read books!

At any rate, it’s actually a very good series of books, and I know there are some games based on the setting, and some RP campaigns and such, but what I would love to see is an MMORPG in this setting. I know there is D&D Online, but im not sure what world that game is set it, but i’m assuming it’s set in Forgotten Realms.

But, Yea, I would LOVE to see “Dragonlance Chronicles Online”. It could work the same way as Lord of the Rings Online works…Where you are adventuring in the world at the same time the companions are out there fighting the dragonarmy and all that…I think it would be a blast..I would buy it and subscribe to it….As long as it played like normal MMORPGs and not like the standard TSR cRPG titles. I just can’t get into those, which is a shame, because I freaking LOVE D&D stories.

MMORPGs

There are a lot of MMORPGs out there in the cyberverse, I have also played most of them. Some, I still play, others have fallen to the side of the road, however still hold a special place in my heart.. 🙂

So! Since I have nothing really to discuss here, I decided I would give my thoughts and oppinions about 4 games that are currently on the market..4 of the more popular ones and let you know my thoughts on them.