Now it’s out: Most of you play World of Warcraft as a single-player title. Only a small part prefers to play the game in a group.
Are MMORPGs actually games that should mostly be enjoyed in groups or even must? This is a discussion that is repeatedly held in the comments and in various forums. A few days ago, we wanted to know and started a survey on the subject regarding World of Warcraft. Almost 1,800 of you participated and painted a pretty clear picture of opinions.
You conclude that World of Warcraft can easily be played as a solo game. And you enjoy it that way.
Over 50% play only very rarely in groups
More than half of you (52%) stated that you mainly play World of Warcraft alone. You spend most of your time solo in the game and use the rest at most as a little chat to have a few conversations on the side. The actual gameplay, however, takes place solo. Exceptions are absolutely necessary group quests, occasionally the current world boss, or a visit to LFR. However, the majority of the content in WoW is tackled solo.
This is what Rene Mantek wrote on Facebook:
I mostly play alone, I run dungeons in random groups, and raid when it’s LFR. Not because I don’t want to achieve anything in the game, but the game environment is currently simply too toxic for me to have to deal with that stress. If I want to get upset, there are other ways to raise my blood pressure. When I’m gaming, I want to relax and have peace.
Still, 15% belong to the hardcore loners. You play World of Warcraft completely as a solo game. Group tasks are not even attempted or are completely tackled solo, which can also present a nice challenge. Relying on other players is simply not your thing – and especially annoying, as you have to adapt to their time when you just want to dive in for a few hours without complication.
The reason for this can sometimes simply be found in the preferences or problems of the player. Sinpai admits on MeinMMO:
I play Retail alone, very stereotypically because I don’t have any friends at all. This shouldn’t sound silly, but I have social deficits, which makes it difficult for me to play in a group with others even online. (…) So yes, I’m one of those who gets looked at sideways because he plays an MMORPG alone.
If you add these two statements together, there is a group of 67% – that is, 2 out of 3 players – who predominantly or completely play WoW solo.
A quarter enjoys both – Solo and Group
The next large group makes up 24%. These are the players who play equally solo and in a group. Every fourth of you maintains a balanced combination. From time to time, there are phases where you play solo, tackling quests and world quests or other content. But later there is always time to dive into dungeons with the guild or friends, join a raid group, or dip into PvP. Here, the contents also complement each other perfectly. Those who grab good gear from group activities are also more effective as a solo player. And those who stock up on buff food in solo play benefit in the group as well.
Melanie Evers agrees on Facebook and explains:
I mostly play solo when questing, but I also enjoy playing with guild members. We have a raid team and M+, where we play internally in the guild. Personally, I enjoy that the most rather than alone and with randoms.
Only 10% are preferred group players
Still, 7% of you prefer to play World of Warcraft in groups. While you also complete necessary tasks alone, that is rather rare. Most of the fun you draw from activities with other players. Sure, some things, like questing or preparing for the raid can also be done alone. But real joy only comes when it’s time to battle with friends.
Nico writes on MeinMMO that unfortunately, that is not always possible:
I primarily play MMORPGs in a group. With many MMORPGs like WoW, I leave the game after a while because I repeatedly realize how solo-heavy the game is. I just miss group play, alongside things like dungeons and raids or, for example, elite areas, elite quests, open dungeons, etc. Regardless of whether it’s ESO, WoW, SWTOR, etc. – that is often not possible. Because what do you want to do in a group when the mobs aren’t a challenge even solo?
Only a very small fraction – namely 3% of you – can only play World of Warcraft in a group. The communal experience is not only in the foreground, it is the sole argument to even log into Azeroth. This group includes the hardcore group players, but also role players who always rely on interaction with other players. Because reading self-written emotes all day will eventually get boring.
If you add these two groups together, you get 10% who predominantly or completely perceive World of Warcraft as a group game.
Did you expect this result? Did you think that the proportion of solo players would be so massive and that only a few see group play as the heart of WoW?
