In a survey, we wanted to know from you at MeinMMO whether you prefer to play in groups or alone in MMORPGs. The result clearly shows: Almost 80% of you usually or always play alone.
How did the survey turn out? In our survey on July 2, 2022, 1,154 people participated:
- 742 participants (64.30%) reported that they usually play alone
- 191 participants (16.55%) said they exclusively play alone
- 188 participants (16.30%) mostly play with others
- Only 33 participants (2.85%) indicated that they exclusively play with others
This confirms that a large part of our readers spends their time alone in MMORPGs. This aligns with current trends, as more and more games even focus on offering a large portion of content for solo players:
- ESO has been redesigned post-release to ensure the entire game world can be mastered alone.
- Games like Mist Legacy, which claims to be perfect for solo players are appearing on Steam.
- There is often a search for solo MMORPGs, which is why we have also compiled a list of such games:
You want to share the world with others and achieve something meaningful
What do our readers say on the subject? The general sentiment is that coordinating with others is difficult these days – which is not only due to others, but sometimes also to oneself. Zapfhähnchen writes, for example:
In the past, back in school days, I was an absolutely loyal guild player. Playing an MMORPG solo was actually unthinkable. Nowadays, however, things have turned around 180° for me: Playing in a guild has become impossible. The reason for this is the time commitment: I can no longer come online three times during the week and all weekend evenings like I used to, just to quickly defeat the boss or whatever.
Therefore, many of you quest and level alone. This can also have its advantages. Zapfhähnchen further states in his comment that this way he finally gets to read quest texts. AlexMK, on the other hand, watches YouTube videos or listens to podcasts while playing solo.
Nevertheless, many also enjoy interacting with other players, especially in dungeons, raids or against world bosses. Jahjah comments:
That’s what I love about ESO. You can play it solo, but you are never alone, you help each other, but you aren’t tied down. In High Isle during events, there are always random players. You join in, complete the event together, and then go your separate ways. Or you do your dungeons and always meet other players in them and can fight together until you’re done.
If you want to reminisce about the good old days, you can find here old school MMORPGs that are still played:
But it’s not just our readers who feel this way. I have also explained in a column why I simply can no longer play single-player games:
What do group players say? Our reader ParaDox cannot imagine playing an MMORPG alone:
I can’t imagine playing an MMORPG for a longer time without a fixed group. For me, the motivation would be gone after a maximum of 90 days.
Ooupz puts it simply: “Content intended for groups is mastered in groups. Everything that can be done alone will be done alone.”
Are you surprised by the result of our survey or did you expect that most players prefer to go solo? Feel free to share that and your own attitude on the topic of solo vs. group in the comments.
Wouldn’t single-player games be more suitable? This question is raised by our reader Ooupz. But our readers do not see it that way:
- Damian, for instance, is bothered that no single-player game is developed as regularly as an MMORPG. Trading in auction houses or joint events wouldn’t happen in a single-player game.
- Marcel, on the other hand, is fascinated just to watch other players succeed in their activities while he himself plays Final Fantasy XIV.
But it’s not just our readers who feel this way. I have also explained in a column why I simply can no longer play single-player games:
What do group players say? Our reader ParaDox cannot imagine playing an MMORPG alone:
I can’t imagine playing an MMORPG for a longer time without a fixed group. For me, the motivation would be gone after a maximum of 90 days.
Ooupz puts it simply: “Content intended for groups is mastered in groups. Everything that can be done alone will be done alone.”
Are you surprised by the result of our survey or did you expect that most players prefer to go solo? Feel free to share that and your own attitude on the topic of solo vs. group in the comments.
