I prefer to do alot of soloing, group when needed for quests/dungeons and obviously guild stuff.

I see articles written all the time by TTH and I just think to myself “Really? That’s like … months old and you’re reporting on it?” Maybe they aim their articles at casual gamers or something, I dunno

Anywho … If the article is labeled as an Opinion piece I generally don’t get worked up over what’s in there because it’s just that: an opinion. But if you’re doing a game review and the game happens to have aspects that appeal to the solo gamer and you flame that portion of it, that’s not cool at all. Review the game as objectively as you can and IF you feel you must make statements that regard your opinion on a matter, make sure to state it’s your opinion and that’s that.

@Hudson — I agree with you. Like I said, we get it (and despite my rant, will probably continue getting it) because of Stargrace’s articles, because we like her and like to read everything she writes. And because of the codes, which are like the MMO equivalent of the old “Demo Cover CDs” that print gaming mags used to include. Back before you could easily d/l any demo you were interested in.

Idle thought: If everyone who ever solos suddenly canceled their MMO subscriptions and went off to play console games, what impact would that have on the industry?

@Longasc — The hate you mention should be directed at the developer. Their challenge is to make a game that both encourages grouping and allows soloing as well. I’m not saying that would be easy, but I think that’s the challenge before them.

This goes for most print magazines now, my XBOX one being the only one I keep mainly for the perks of demo’s and such. Even that will probably go away soon. Console mags have more reviews as well but I honestly skim over those now and usually hit IGN.com

Muckbeast has a nice write-up on this solo vs group stuff:
http://www.frogdice.com/muckbeast/game_design/playing-alone-together.html

I think Aion does it right – you want 1-2 partners after the intro areas, but you can also make do without them.

The job of an editor is to edit. I never suggested the editor should spike the entire story, but off-hand comments that alienate your readership should be edited out, yes. Unless, of course, you’re talking about an opinion piece, in which case the writer’s opinion should be left completely intact.

Are you sure you are not going to far if you call Rebecca Bundy bigot and ignorant if you suggest something like that?? Really.

@Smak — In my dubious defense, I do at least add the ‘rants’ tag to posts that are pure venting pieces (which this absolutely was).

Generally people get bent out of shape because some obscure article or opinion piece digs up some kind of long-running issue (I think). This group vs solo thing has been kicked around the blogosphere a lot in fairly recent times.

I just resent the suggestion, coming from fellow customers, that we (solo players) should get the F out because of our play style. If solo players were constantly blogging that people who group suck and that they should go play Team Fortress, it might eventually wear on you too. Well, probably not in your specific case probably not since not much seems to get to you. But it might wear on a lot of group-oriented players.

Want to get pissed at the devs for not putting in enough group content? You’ll have my full support. But don’t give me attitude because I’m paying for, and playing, the game the devs built.

I sometimes forget the purpose of blogs and wonder why people get so bent out of shape about some obscure article or opinion piece. Then I remember, a lot of bloggers use their blogs to vent.

Personally, I enjoy the group game. I don’t feel chained to five other people, but I do admit I’m reluctant to simple LFG because of the baggage it can bring. More often than not, I don’t really get any issues in groups.

But hey, if the game is designed to support solo play, go for it.

I think the main irritation of groupers (no the fish) is that a lot of solo players become vocal and suggest changes to a game that wasn’t designed to be solo. Of course, that’s resentment speaking – the likely cause is what ever developer or big wig sees the numbers WoW pulls in and wants that too so they make the decision to add more solo content/focus. It’s kind of tough to find a (new) good group oriented MMO at the moment.

MMORPG -> MMOG -> MOG