Quit Treating MMOs as Single-Player Games

I enjoy playing MMOs because interacting with other players adds a unique layer to the experience. Whether it’s joining forces in a dungeon, fishing next to a stranger, crossing paths in a bustling town, or just chatting away, I love the feeling that “I’m not alone in this world.” This element is what makes the genre enchanting. It’s all about creating a lively environment, not just populated by NPCs, but also filled with real players engaging in activities around you.

It has always puzzled me that some gamers approach MMOs as if they were single-player titles. I don’t believe that every activity needs to be done in a group; in fact, I appreciate the occasional solo quest or grind session. However, opting to play a massively multiplayer online game while steering clear of the multiplayer aspects seems a bit contradictory.

And I’m referring to the big names here: Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, RuneScape, Lost Ark, MapleStory, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. Each of these games offers solo play, even if the experience is enhanced through grouping.

I understand that some players might not enjoy random matchmaking or may have encountered unpleasant interactions with toxic gamers. However, those instances are quite uncommon. The core design of MMOs — raids, world events, trading, guilds, emotes, and so on — revolves around player interaction. Personally, the highlights of my gaming journey come from shared moments: pulling off a clutch heal in battle, witnessing an unexpected victory over a boss after everyone else has fallen, or simply connecting with others while pursuing life skills.

Everyone has the right to engage with games in their own way. However, if you’re experiencing an MMO like a single-player game, I can’t shake the feeling that you are overlooking the most rewarding aspect of the experience — the connections with other players.