Original Link (now dead) - http://acdm.turbinegames.com/featuredarticles/?action=view&article_id=150
Programmer Extraordinaire: Solo in an MMP game
By Alicia Brown
During an interview with srand, Turbine's very own " programmer extraordinaire," we tripped upon the fact that she feels she is " fundamentally a solo player." This may seem like an oxymoron, to play solo in a massively 'multi-player' (MMP) game.
Naturally enough, our interviewer couldn't help but go the extra step and ask, "Why do you prefer to play solo in an MMP game?" The answer was long but not all that complex; once understood, it made complete sense - and gave such a different and interesting perspective to the game that we decided to present her answer to this perplexing question as a separate part of the series we've been running about her here.
Srand on playing solo:
There are, of course, many reasons why people choose to play a game like AC - and it's important for me, as a developer, to be aware of them. That's the only way I can help make the game as much fun as possible for every kind of player.
But personally, my primary reason for playing is relaxation - and when I'm relaxing, the last thing I want is to be organizing groups of fractious individuals into a coherent team. Although I understand why others enjoy this sort of thing, I personally don't want to be tip-toeing through the fragile mesh of interpersonal relationships that is an allegiance. I don't want to be dealing with people on that level at all. I don't want to be haggling or scheduling or, perhaps most importantly, I don't want to be responsible to or for anyone other than myself. That's my work life, and when I play AC I want to get away from that. I just want to be somewhere tranquil, quiet, soaking up the calm and completely unstressed aura of my alter-ego. You know, killing things and taking their stuff!
Okay, then why, you may well ask, don't I play single-player games and avoid other people entirely? The truth is complicated and, frankly, may be more emotional than logical.
Part of it is that I like to feel the time I invest in playing the game is achieving something, even if it might not be a great deal, and thus that I'm not totally wasting my time. It may not be strictly rational but the emotional side of my brain tells me actions taken in a shared persistent world are not the same as those that only happen on my computer. If other people can see my character, then it doesn't exist solely in my head - it exists in their heads, too. And that makes it more real, right? Virtual reality becomes, virtually, more real.
Another thing is that, while I don't particularly care for all the social maneuvering that being an active part of a group entails, I nonetheless want to feel connected. Playing an MMP game ensures there's a large number of people out there with whom I share a certain interest. I can talk to them in-game or via fan sites when and if I feel like it. Even when I don't feel like chatting, I still feel connected to a community of like-minded individuals; I feel included.
And finally, having other people around definitely adds something to the game. The fellowships or allegiances may do that for others, but I'm talking about more subtle touches. I mean asking directions to the new island. Finding better stuff in shops because higher-level players sold it there. Watching traveling theatre groups put on performances. Sharing a slice of cake with a newlywed couple. I mean admiring someone's set of armor or complimenting them on the incredibly cool fish flag they have. Even if I hunt solo, having other people around adds a certain dimension to the environment - to the world, as opposed to the game (and don't get me started on a game vs. world debate right now) - that single-player games can't match, no matter how good their non-player character AI may be.
So yes, I'm a solo player of a massively multi-player game - and I'm proud of it. *grin* And that's probably a good bit more answer than you bargained for when you asked.