How about a little love for us solo PvE'ers?

Jroc

It is nice to get solo updates (I play (90%+ of my time solo) but this game needs to focus more on group and PVP. There are a plethora of RPG games that are solo (Skyrim as an example) that give solo players an RPG experience, however MMORPGS are really the only place that group players get to experience RPG elements in a group setting. Instead of taking from the group with hardly any options (group people) and giving to the group with a multitude of games (solo'ers) we should be focusing on finally having a game where people who like to group can do so enjoyably in an RPG setting.

Audigy

mtwiggz wrote: »

I don't want to shut down anyone's ideas, as we're all entitled to our own. Yet I don't see this need for solo PvE content. A lot of the group content is easily soloable already - other than the vet dungeons (even though recent videos prove otherwise).

This is an MMO. The content should be based mostly around group play. Almost the entire story line from level 1 to VR14 is all solo content.

I understand a lot of ESO players come from TES games, which are all solo. If you want another solo TES game I believe one is in the works already. That will be your time to shine, again. Let us TES fans who have always wanted an online version finally be able to play it. There's already a serious lack of content, I would much prefer not to see the devs time wasted on creating solo content. Which can already be found in every TES game before ESO.

Just my opinion.

I don't think that people who prefer solo content, want a Skyrim 2.0. Skyrim is a "closed world", a game where only one human being plays.

An MMO however is an open world, where thousands of human beings play. Players who pick MMOs want to play with and see other gamers, but this doesn't automatically mean that they like to be bossed around by "dictators" that lead raid groups or guilds.

The big issue with current MMOs and their content is, that you are forced into obeying to orders. A good example is raiding, if you don't have a specific schedule and can dump your family, friends a few times a week, then you simply put wont see that content. Not because you don't like playing with others, but because you don't fit and are not a reliable members for your groups.

Craglorn or the undaunted pledges show this pretty good. A lot of players are unable to do said content, just because they have a RL and don't see gaming as a "I obey my lord" game. Same could be said about specs, the use of Addons or voice coms. Try to join a group setting with a character that isn't a copy of "pro gamer build 1000", its pretty much impossible.

Now we need to ask ourselves, should all content that was developed for a whole year go into such a system, or should ESO maybe focus on something else, like more VR1-10 content that all players can actually do?

Its not a coincidence that group content dies out in MMOs, only about 5-10% of the playerbase usually do it all - that's just depressing isn't it? Thousands of $ spent for things that hardly anyone will see.

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

Faulgor

Audigy wrote: »

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

I was so thrilled before release when they announced public dungeons, but they remain absolutely pointless. You run them once just like delves for the completion exp and the skyshard, and that's it. There's no reason to go there for loot or exp (which is worse than anywhere else), so what's the point?

There is great solo and group content in the game, the problem is nobody wants to do it because the rewards are pointless. People run some undaunted pledges for shoulders or CoA for the Valkyn helmet but that's about it. Unless they address this, no new content whether solo or group will increase the longevity of the game.

JD2013

I'm sorry, but I can do nothing but disagree with the OP and anyone who says ZOS hate solo players.

Let's look at the evidence:

21 zones that can be done solo. 21. (All alliance faction zones and Coldharbour)

2 zones where you need to group up to do things.

There are, of course, group dungeons. Most world bosses and Dark Anchors can be done solo.

The thing is that yes, of course, MMORPG does not, in its name, mean that you have to group up to play. But that is how most MMORPG's play. You play together to achieve things. That is why there are lots and lots of other people in the same game.

I think far too many people here walked into this game expecting Skyrim Online or Elder Scrolls VI. This game is neither. It is the most solo friendly MMO that I have ever played.

I would like to see a lot more random events, dungeons, trials and the such that require you to group.

More solo zones are coming, too.

But the solo content in this game FAR and away outweighs the group content, so don't kid yourself when you say ZOS hates solo players.

Rioht

Faulgor wrote: »

Audigy wrote: »

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

I was so thrilled before release when they announced public dungeons, but they remain absolutely pointless. You run them once just like delves for the completion exp and the skyshard, and that's it. There's no reason to go there for loot or exp (which is worse than anywhere else), so what's the point?

There is great solo and group content in the game, the problem is nobody wants to do it because the rewards are pointless. People run some undaunted pledges for shoulders or CoA for the Valkyn helmet but that's about it. Unless they address this, no new content whether solo or group will increase the longevity of the game.

That is the point I was trying to make with my original post.

I'm not against there being group content, or having content that is not accessible to solo players. That's expected in mmorpgs.

My issue is that gear is not distributes ideally to incentivise players to spend their time outside of the latest content areas and heavily focused group activities.

If ZoS were to include every armor set/weapon set as droppable items EVERYWHERE in VR1+ zones. Then players would not feel so inclined to ignore all the other content that ZoS has spend countless hours perfecting. Further, there would still be a reason to engage in group content (when you want to!) Because you could target your time towards finding specific pieces of gear rather than be subjected to the RNG loottable of open world.

Players could:

A ) spend time doing what they enjoy, with the small possibility of finding end game items.
B ) Engage in group activities if their choosing to work towards earning targeted gear to help their build, and have a much higher chance of getting that gear.

Heromofo

To Those That Disagree With Solo Playing

Answer some things for me



1.
Help me out here then what will happen on consoles when they expect skyrim with a multiplayer side meaning no forced grouping and do things as you want to.

They market it this way as well "play as you like"

2. I think these guys are mainly referring to end game because there is no end game solo.
This will be bad for point one.

3. Leveling in all mmos is normally solo style

4. Just because i dont want to group with others all the time does not mean i dont enjoy seeing others out and about while i do my own thing.

5. Mmo's is not about grouping but been in a world populated with other players.

6. I enjoy playing with my mates but we enjoy doing solo quests,exploring and dungeons. Been forced to group is not cool with us even with each other outside of instanced dungeons.

7. I would love to see a few things for single players come into the game like these:

For Housing
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/168288/improving-on-eso-s01e01-player-housing-guild-halls-and-pvp-pve-options/p1
For Small Scale PVP
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/169417/improving-on-eso-s01e03-small-scale-pvp-and-arena-also-a-voting-poll/p1
For Gambling
http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/170345/improving-on-eso-s02e01-gambling-quick-swapping-and-mini-games#latest

And to come later solo end game like trials and dungeons

Pallmor

Audigy wrote: »

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

As a soloer mostly, I really do like the public dungeons and public group delves in the game (I hate the instanced group dungeons that require you to formally group). I was reminded of this last night when I happened into the public group dungeon in Rivenspire. I saw the large mobs and thought "Well, this skyshard is going to be a pain." Then, here come two other players just out of nowhere and we ended up forming an impromptu group and wiping out the whole place (getting the skyshard *and* finishing the dungeon quest). No LFG, no dealing with the awful group finder. Just some players who happened to run into each other and teamed up. That's my idea of fun group content, without the pressure of having to fill some specific role or getting yelled at because your DPS/taunting/healing isn't up to snuff.

timidobserver

Rioht wrote: »

Faulgor wrote: »

Audigy wrote: »

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

I was so thrilled before release when they announced public dungeons, but they remain absolutely pointless. You run them once just like delves for the completion exp and the skyshard, and that's it. There's no reason to go there for loot or exp (which is worse than anywhere else), so what's the point?

There is great solo and group content in the game, the problem is nobody wants to do it because the rewards are pointless. People run some undaunted pledges for shoulders or CoA for the Valkyn helmet but that's about it. Unless they address this, no new content whether solo or group will increase the longevity of the game.

That is the point I was trying to make with my original post.

I'm not against there being group content, or having content that is not accessible to solo players. That's expected in mmorpgs.

My issue is that gear is not distributes ideally to incentivise players to spend their time outside of the latest content areas and heavily focused group activities.

If ZoS were to include every armor set/weapon set as droppable items EVERYWHERE in VR1+ zones. Then players would not feel so inclined to ignore all the other content that ZoS has spend countless hours perfecting. Further, there would still be a reason to engage in group content (when you want to!) Because you could target your time towards finding specific pieces of gear rather than be subjected to the RNG loottable of open world.

Players could:

A ) spend time doing what they enjoy, with the small possibility of finding end game items.
B ) Engage in group activities if their choosing to work towards earning targeted gear to help their build, and have a much higher chance of getting that gear.

It is not an endgame item if it randomly drops in non-endgame places.

Rioht

timidobserver wrote: »

It is not an endgame item if it randomly drops in non-endgame places.

Technically, everything after level 50 is end-game. This will be especially true of/when Veteran Ranks get removed.

idk

hmr13.76preeb18_ESO wrote: »

I have a lot of time writing about it. Propose to introduce in the game SOLO dungeons, difficulty equal VDSA ! Without scaling ,only for veterans 14. In General let it be SOLO HELL , but with the reward equal to the rewards of trials and leaderboards .

I disagree. Good group content cannot be scaled to solo and keep the same level of challenge. While vDSA is not a big challenge since the 1.6 nerf there are some parts that require players doing different things at the same time. When that is removed to make it solo content it cannot begin to compare.

It is an aspect of an MMO that group fights can and should be designed in a manner that it cannot be scaled to solo without making it weaker in nature. As such any epic content should NEVER provide equal reward when it is scaled down to solo. At that I do not think it should be scaled to solo to begin with.

There should be some epic content that requires grouping. It's an MMO after all. If you want to see it and you want the gear the solution is easy. Group up.

timidobserver

Rioht wrote: »

timidobserver wrote: »

It is not an endgame item if it randomly drops in non-endgame places.

Technically, everything after level 50 is end-game. This will be especially true of/when Veteran Ranks get removed.

I disagree but am utterly uninterested trading semantics with you on the meaning of endgame.

Gandrhulf_Harbard

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an MMO after all.

Not a valid argument, as well you know.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the concept of an MMO (especially an MMORPG) that requires players to group up.

All that is required is that they inhabit and interact with the same world.

All The Best

AngryNord

I will never understand the people that install and play a game that is clearly labelled as MULTIPLAYER and then demand that it should be turned into a single-player game...

Heromofo

AngryNord wrote: »

I will never understand the people that install and play a game that is clearly labelled as MULTIPLAYER and then demand that it should be turned into a single-player game...

I will never understand people that fail to understand the difference between multiplayer and populated worlds lol.

Read my post above in colors and answer it if you can.....

@AngryNord

Why you so Angry?

Heromofo

Emma_Overload

Pallmor wrote: »

Audigy wrote: »

So if we talk about group content, then it must be open world content like those dungeons that we have, where everyone can enter. Something like this as raid content would be awesome - everyone could enter and contribute and if someone has to leave to help the kids with their homework, then nobody would get mad.

As a soloer mostly, I really do like the public dungeons and public group delves in the game (I hate the instanced group dungeons that require you to formally group). I was reminded of this last night when I happened into the public group dungeon in Rivenspire. I saw the large mobs and thought "Well, this skyshard is going to be a pain." Then, here come two other players just out of nowhere and we ended up forming an impromptu group and wiping out the whole place (getting the skyshard *and* finishing the dungeon quest). No LFG, no dealing with the awful group finder. Just some players who happened to run into each other and teamed up. That's my idea of fun group content, without the pressure of having to fill some specific role or getting yelled at because your DPS/taunting/healing isn't up to snuff.

I agree with this wholeheartedly! The best grouping experiences I've had in this came came as a result of spontaneous meetings with other players in public spaces. As long as I have the time, I NEVER turn down an "invite" to group, because I enjoy helping other players take down a boss, especially if they're struggling.

In seems so strange and nonsensical to me that ZoS doesn't try to encourage this kind of grouping, but instead they do things like:

1) Nerfing XP and other rewards in Public Dungeons where solo players can meet each other.

2) Nerfing XP on Craglorn world bosses that formerly enticed solo players to spontaneously group.

3) Nerfing XP for groups larger then TWO?! Is this supposed to be Elder Couples Online?

It's so bizarre! On the one hand, they require grouping for so much content, but on the other hand, they do everything they can to discourage players from grouping. I don't understand it.

milkbox

Most of my gaming has been as a solo-player, and it took me a loooong time to get into the swing of grouping (almost a year...) but once I did, it changed my idea of what "role play" means.

Taking on a role within a group can be very rewarding, and it's something you can't really "get" until you do it. Being part of a team that relies on your particular specialty (healer, dps, tank) is one of the few things that lends real meaning to the class system. Left to my own devices (if everything were solo-able), I never would have discovered this.

So, while I understand that some people might never want to group, I'm glad that the game forced me to. Keeping my group alive and being respected as a healer is part of what has made it worth it to keep going in this game.

In a way, I hope they never make everything solo-able, so people like me can be pushed into something that they might find out they really like.

Emma_Overload

JD2013 wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I can do nothing but disagree with the OP and anyone who says ZOS hate solo players.

Let's look at the evidence:

21 zones that can be done solo. 21. (All alliance faction zones and Coldharbour)

2 zones where you need to group up to do things.

There are, of course, group dungeons. Most world bosses and Dark Anchors can be done solo.

The thing is that yes, of course, MMORPG does not, in its name, mean that you have to group up to play. But that is how most MMORPG's play. You play together to achieve things. That is why there are lots and lots of other people in the same game.

I think far too many people here walked into this game expecting Skyrim Online or Elder Scrolls VI. This game is neither. It is the most solo friendly MMO that I have ever played.

I would like to see a lot more random events, dungeons, trials and the such that require you to group.

More solo zones are coming, too.

But the solo content in this game FAR and away outweighs the group content, so don't kid yourself when you say ZOS hates solo players.

So basically, you wrote your post without reading (or comprehending) ANY of the other posts, including the OP. In the very first sentence of his post, the OP uses the term "end-game". THAT'S what many of us are complaining about here... the ENDGAME.

It doesn't matter to solo players if we have 95% of the game's content to play in, if so much of the GOOD STUFF is walled off in that last 5%.

"I would like to see a lot more random events, dungeons, trials and the such that require you to group."

Before ZoS adds any more content to ESO that requires grouping, they should fix this game's BROKEN grouping process. I'm not just talking about the LFG tool, either, although that's a big part of it. The sad fact is that ZoS has off-loaded responsibility for grouping onto unregulated, unsupervised and unpoliced 3rd party organizations called GUILDS. Why is this a problem? Because the first thing you hear on the forums when you complain about the non-functional LFG tool is "Well, you should join a guild blah blah blah..."

Obviously some people like it this way, but I think it's terrible for the game. Let me clear: I don't have a problem with the existence of the guilds, but with the fact that the individual player is practically forced into a dependent relationship with them. This dynamic creates an unfavorable power differential for the individual player... maybe this is fun for some people, but this is not fun for me. Put another way, I don't want to grovel through a [snipping] JOB INTERVIEW just so I can have a crack at a Valkyn Skoria set!

Tl;DR: Add some ENDGAME content for solo players, then fix the grouping mechanism, THEN add more group content.

Shunravi

@Emma_Eunjung, I have extended the offer in the past if I'm not mistaken, and with the content as it is at the moment... I would like to take you through vCoA no questions asked, no interview, no voip if you don't want it, no chat, no complaints, no 'advice', just a run. (You are AD/ NA right? )

So I'm basically offering to saddle me up and ride me through the dungeon...

AlnilamE

Shunravi wrote: »

@Emma_Eunjung, I have extended the offer in the past if I'm not mistaken, and with the content as it is at the moment... I would like to take you through vCoA no questions asked, no interview, no voip if you don't want it, no chat, no complaints, no 'advice', just a run. (You are AD/ NA right? )

I believe she's DC/NA.

idk

Gandrhulf_Harbard wrote: »

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an MMO after all.

Not a valid argument, as well you know.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the concept of an MMO (especially an MMORPG) that requires players to group up.

All that is required is that they inhabit and interact with the same world.

All The Best

Taking one sentence out of a post can often lead it to be taken out of context as has occurred with quoting me above. For those that read this please scroll up to see my full text. Thank you.

Emma_Overload

Shunravi wrote: »

@Emma_Eunjung, I have extended the offer in the past if I'm not mistaken, and with the content as it is at the moment... I would like to take you through vCoA no questions asked, no interview, no voip if you don't want it, no chat, no complaints, no 'advice', just a run. (You are AD/ NA right? )

Yes, I am DC, but I will soon have an alt on AD ready for action! Thank you for your kind offer... I will try to find you on AD when my toon is ready

Sallington

For the people getting caught up with the "Play as you like" thing:

Play as you like DOES NOT MEAN Play as you like AND get all of the same rewards as people who also do group content. I could literally just fish all day, and that's playing how I want. I would never level or get any gear, and get bored pretty quickly. Should I complain that I can't play as I like?

You can very easily play solo the entire life of this game, but don't expect to see all of the content. This game already has by far the best solo experience in any MMO to date. Way way way more content than group content and PvP. Quit being selfish and let PvP get some love .

Shunravi

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

Shunravi wrote: »

@Emma_Eunjung, I have extended the offer in the past if I'm not mistaken, and with the content as it is at the moment... I would like to take you through vCoA no questions asked, no interview, no voip if you don't want it, no chat, no complaints, no 'advice', just a run. (You are AD/ NA right? )

Yes, I am DC, but I will soon have an alt on AD ready for action! Thank you for your kind offer... I will try to find you on AD when my toon is ready

Ok, wasn't sure

I don't know what they may do in the future, but it'll do for now.

Faulgor

Audigy wrote: »

That is the point I was trying to make with my original post.

I'm not against there being group content, or having content that is not accessible to solo players. That's expected in mmorpgs.

My issue is that gear is not distributes ideally to incentivise players to spend their time outside of the latest content areas and heavily focused group activities.

If ZoS were to include every armor set/weapon set as droppable items EVERYWHERE in VR1+ zones. Then players would not feel so inclined to ignore all the other content that ZoS has spend countless hours perfecting. Further, there would still be a reason to engage in group content (when you want to!) Because you could target your time towards finding specific pieces of gear rather than be subjected to the RNG loottable of open world.

Players could:

A ) spend time doing what they enjoy, with the small possibility of finding end game items.
B ) Engage in group activities if their choosing to work towards earning targeted gear to help their build, and have a much higher chance of getting that gear.

I usually don't like token systems, but I like daily quests even less, so maybe they could reform the Undaunted for this. Every boss, no matter if world, delve, public dungeon, group dungeon, trial, has a chance to drop tokens that I can trade in for goodies at undaunted enclaves. Doesn't matter if I play solo or in a group, all day or only once a day, I have stuff to do for "endgame" rewards.

Dysturbed

Games are like sex always more fun with some one else....

Sidney

Tomg999 wrote: »

daemonios wrote: »

I think you are forgetting the MM part of MMORPG.

That's funny, I don't see the letters "MMORPG" on this gamebox. All I see is "Play the way you want".

While I understand that folks with different tastes are fretting & fighting over ZOS's priorities, the hope would be that they support all types and styles of play. I'm a Solo PVE'er, but I hope that eventually they fix the lag in PVP AND provide content for high-level solo play.

@tomg999 I don't have box but I do see it says massively multiplayer here
https://account.elderscrollsonline.com/store.

Slurg

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

I agree with this wholeheartedly! The best grouping experiences I've had in this came came as a result of spontaneous meetings with other players in public spaces. As long as I have the time, I NEVER turn down an "invite" to group, because I enjoy helping other players take down a boss, especially if they're struggling.

In seems so strange and nonsensical to me that ZoS doesn't try to encourage this kind of grouping, but instead they do things like:

1) Nerfing XP and other rewards in Public Dungeons where solo players can meet each other.

2) Nerfing XP on Craglorn world bosses that formerly enticed solo players to spontaneously group.

3) Nerfing XP for groups larger then TWO?! Is this supposed to be Elder Couples Online?

It's so bizarre! On the one hand, they require grouping for so much content, but on the other hand, they do everything they can to discourage players from grouping. I don't understand it.

Yes, it really is bizarre that for 90% of the game it is to our advantage to avoid other players so we don't get penalized with lower XP while we are leveling our characters, and then it completely flips for end game so we need those same people we were conditioned to avoid in order to continue playing the game.

idk

Slurg wrote: »

Emma_Eunjung wrote: »

I agree with this wholeheartedly! The best grouping experiences I've had in this came came as a result of spontaneous meetings with other players in public spaces. As long as I have the time, I NEVER turn down an "invite" to group, because I enjoy helping other players take down a boss, especially if they're struggling.

In seems so strange and nonsensical to me that ZoS doesn't try to encourage this kind of grouping, but instead they do things like:

1) Nerfing XP and other rewards in Public Dungeons where solo players can meet each other.

2) Nerfing XP on Craglorn world bosses that formerly enticed solo players to spontaneously group.

3) Nerfing XP for groups larger then TWO?! Is this supposed to be Elder Couples Online?

It's so bizarre! On the one hand, they require grouping for so much content, but on the other hand, they do everything they can to discourage players from grouping. I don't understand it.

Yes, it really is bizarre that for 90% of the game it is to our advantage to avoid other players so we don't get penalized with lower XP while we are leveling our characters, and then it completely flips for end game so we need those same people we were conditioned to avoid in order to continue playing the game.

While I am not familiar with the penalty for being near other players that you speak of, it is common in MMOs that leveling up content is mostly solo with some instances and objectives that encourage and even require grouping. Just as common us end game content that has designs that increase difficulty that require multiple players that cannot be duplicated in a single player instance without making the fight easier for the single player that it was for the group.

1. I agree that the game lacks something for solo players
2. Epic content and its rewards I hold should remain grouped there should still be a reason to group. It is an MMO.

Merlin13KAGL

Gandrhulf_Harbard wrote: »

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an MMO after all.

Not a valid argument, as well you know.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the concept of an MMO (especially an MMORPG) that requires players to group up.

All that is required is that they inhabit and interact with the same world.

All The Best

@Gandrhulf_Harbard , you're right. There is also nothing in the concept of an MMO that requires you to be able to successfully access/complete all content without certain requirements, be they level, quest line completion, or firepower (translated to more people).

You don't have to group up. Don't expect to be able to access/clear everything if you never do.

I don't have to be a level 50 to access level 50 areas...but you better believe it will be required (even if it doesn't say it on the box (loading screens anyone?) if I wish to survive it.

Your counterargument is equally flawed.

Sallington wrote: »

For the people getting caught up with the "Play as you like" thing:

Play as you like DOES NOT MEAN Play as you like AND get all of the same rewards as people who also do group content. I could literally just fish all day, and that's playing how I want. I would never level or get any gear, and get bored pretty quickly. Should I complain that I can't play as I like?

You can very easily play solo the entire life of this game, but don't expect to see all of the content. This game already has by far the best solo experience in any MMO to date. Way way way more content than group content and PvP. Quit being selfish and let PvP get some love .

THIS. @Sallington , people are still getting "Play as you want" confused with "Play anyway you want successfully."

The only consolation I an offer to Group players and Solo players alike is that they are unlikely to offer any new content ($$$ store excluded) for either side long after console release goes live.

idk

Merlin13KAGL wrote: »

Gandrhulf_Harbard wrote: »

Giles.floydub17_ESO wrote: »

It's an MMO after all.

Not a valid argument, as well you know.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in the concept of an MMO (especially an MMORPG) that requires players to group up.

All that is required is that they inhabit and interact with the same world.

All The Best

@Gandrhulf_Harbard , you're right. There is also nothing in the concept of an MMO that requires you to be able to successfully access/complete all content without certain requirements, be they level, quest line completion, or firepower (translated to more people).

You don't have to group up. Don't expect to be able to access/clear everything if you never do.

I don't have to be a level 50 to access level 50 areas...but you better believe it will be required (even if it doesn't say it on the box (loading screens anyone?) if I wish to survive it.

Your counterargument is equally flawed.

Sallington wrote: »

For the people getting caught up with the "Play as you like" thing:

Play as you like DOES NOT MEAN Play as you like AND get all of the same rewards as people who also do group content. I could literally just fish all day, and that's playing how I want. I would never level or get any gear, and get bored pretty quickly. Should I complain that I can't play as I like?

You can very easily play solo the entire life of this game, but don't expect to see all of the content. This game already has by far the best solo experience in any MMO to date. Way way way more content than group content and PvP. Quit being selfish and let PvP get some love .

THIS. @Sallington , people are still getting "Play as you want" confused with "Play anyway you want successfully."

The only consolation I an offer to Group players and Solo players alike is that they are unlikely to offer any new content ($$$ store excluded) for either side long after console release goes live.

Exactly the point. Play as we want doesn't mean we can do anything we can think of just as any build we want doesn't mean it is effective.