In a survey, we wanted to know if you play alone or in groups in MMOs. Here are the results.
This is what the survey was about: Although one of the core aspects of MMOs is playing with others, not all of us are constantly in groups.
Last week, we asked you in a survey what your preferred playstyle is in MMOs regarding solo and group play. Do you prefer to go solo or with your friends and guild members?
These are the results: A total of 666 MeinMMO readers participated in the survey. Only one answer per person was allowed. The distribution of votes is as follows:
- always in a group: 1.5%
- always alone: 9.91%
- prefer in a group: 16.81%
- about equally often solo and in a group: 25.53%
- prefer alone: 46.24%
The overwhelmingly most chosen option is that you prefer to play alone. Almost half of you are rather solo on your adventures through the MMO worlds.
This is followed by those who prefer the mix, spending about equal amounts of their MMO time alone and in groups. After that come the players who prefer to play in groups.
The pure solo and group players form the smallest groups.
Difficulties in an MMO finding the “right people”
Here’s what your comments say: But why do so many of you prefer to go solo in MMOs? You shared your reasons with us in the comments.
The most common answer was the desire to explore the vast MMO worlds and content at your own pace. You don’t want people to have to wait for you in random groups, and you also don’t want to “carry” anyone.
I can take my time in such games: I like to look around, read quest texts, choose all dialogue options (e.g., in ESO) and listen to them. In group play, I can’t do that because I don’t like it when everyone waits for me (except for friends, they have to deal with it :D). Therefore, I prefer to play alone.
Comment by Hamurator
I’ve often tried to level or do events with other players, but either they are too fast for me or too slow. In both cases, it’s not fun.
Comment by Bodicore
One of the problems, then, is finding people for group play who are on the same wavelength as you. Several aspects that you mentioned in your comments come together here:
- You need to understand each other personally,
- be roughly on the same skill level
- and be online at approximately the same time.
So, if you are with other people, it is often a smaller group of friends or family guilds where there is no pressure. Many of you have had bad experiences with random players.
[…] That’s why I also prefer only casual guilds where you can be peacefully together, do everything, but nothing has to be done and no drama is made when, for example, a raid is on and one has to cancel shortly […]
Comment by Evels
MMOs are geared towards solo play
Some of you justify this with the gameplay structure of modern MMOs, which, due to better accessibility, are geared towards solo play. These MeinMMO readers want a change in this regard towards enforced group play by the developers to bring back the old feeling to MMOs.
I personally prefer to play in groups and would also prefer the focus on that. Much of the leveling process is simply designed for solo playing. As already mentioned, the entire quest systems were not created with the thought of providing a good gaming experience for groups […].
Comment by chips
What do you think? Were you expecting the result, or were you surprised? Would you prefer more group content? Let us know!
