by Jeff Woleslagle on Apr 17, 2006
Encourage Grouping; Support Soloing
Shayalyn is an antisocial gamer. How can upcoming MMOGs like Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar score points with players like her? Simple, says she: they have to encourage group play, yet provide meaningful solo experiences, yet avoid making soloing the best means of character progression. Well, okay, maybe it's not that simple.
We know that players will be able to solo in LOTRO, and we know that the solo quests wont consist of the sort of tedium weve seen in other games, specifically the Collect 2,500 flesh-eating fungi spores for Alchemist Fiddlesticks sort. The ability to enjoy meaningful solo experiences, if even on a limited basis, is music to my antisocial ears. But what is Turbine doing to facilitate grouping, the core of a game designed around the tale of a Fellowships cooperative efforts toward victory over evil?
Has Turbine worked out the magic formula? Read Fellowship of the Ding to learn more.