User:Cogsdev/MMOs

note to self; write more

Solo Play
Playing solo is extremely important, because players aren't all online at the same time and the vast majority of players are total retards. Finding a group is therefore hard, so in order to be enjoyable at all times, an MMO has to be playable by a single player. Unfortunately, leaning too hard towards solo play can discourage team play and/or devalue items. It can also lead to a lot of exploitation and can fuck up in-game economies. So, here are some possible solutions:

Solo Instances
Adding an option to play an instance solo allows players who can't get a group together to enjoy instance content, but also removes the incentive to form groups and can also make the experience of entering an instance less memorable and unique. Therefore, creating instances tailored towards solo players or small groups that contain useful gear allows players to equip themselves for instances without depending on their guild or other players.

Solo Modes
The best solution as I see it is to create several instances with several balance modes:
 * Solo Mode, which is balanced towards two players but only allows one player. Would work best in more skill-based MMOs. Item drops allow for progression, but aren't terribly valuable or powerful.
 * Party Mode, which is balanced towards a group of up to 4 players. Gear better than Solo Mode.
 * Versus Mode, where two(or more, you could have FFA i suppose) teams of players all put money into a pot. Teams compete to finish a challenge first in separate instances. Winning team takes the pot, which is split amongst winning team members.
 * 15 man, 25 man, 40 man, etc. modes. Typical MMO stuff, the kind you get in WoW and so on. Currently all instances are at this level. Has the most rewarding gear, whilst also requiring the most teamwork.

Everything Soloable
Make groups entirely optional, as seen in very few MMOs. Valkyrie Sky did it. That's the only example that comes to mind. Personally I think this is ideal, but only because I am very anti-social.

Last Thoughts about Solo Play
As I said before, I feel that solo play is extremely important to an MMO. The best way to accommodate solo players is to simply make your MMO skill-based from the start, prioritizing player skills over character stats. That way, a player who enters an instance intended for 25 people on their own has a chance of winning through pure skill and determination.