Grouping versus soloing as the genre evolves

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As the typical server population from olden days has grown, finding a group to quest with that doesn't evoke feelings of trips to the dentist has become harder and harder.

I love the mechanics of group combat. I love the socializing of playing with fun people. I love being able to do things you can't do alone.... However, babysitting a string of unknown players who can't seem to communicate effectively, don't seem to understand the game they're playing at all, or seem convinced that the purpose of any group is to enable them to do everything they ever wanted to do and nothing else, is not my idea of a good time.

Wow... when did I get so grumpy?

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I feel somewhat the same. I was a noobish 11 year old starting on Guild Wars, probably very annoying, but I was willing to learn, and there were mature people seriously willing to tech me the ways of first the game, then the community. Knowing your skills is only half the game; Learning how to use your comrades skills is the other. I formed a special bond with my first mentor, it was like he was a father to me. People like him inspired me, and so I joined his guild and was never alone. Thats the reason MMO's are 'Massive', so you can be social.

in WoW I finally became like he was, handing out freebies, giving out plenty of tricks hints and general guidance to many people while in a group. As soon as I was finished with a lesson, though, my pupils just vanished. there was no permanent relationship, no sense of closeness, no sense of community. Its heartbreaking, that over all these years these younger kids now are allowed to go solo, and decide to do so...

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