The debate around whether MMOs should force players to group up as part of their progression remains a hot topic. With the upcoming release of New World: Aeternum for consoles and PC, Amazon is highlighting solo play as one of the game's main selling points. This shift towards solo-friendly gameplay reflects a growing trend in MMO development, but this wasn’t always the case.
When New World first launched in 2021, the main storyline missions required players to form groups to tackle dungeons, known in the game as Expeditions. This forced grouping, however, led many players to quit the game when they hit this roadblock. A prime example was the Amrine Expedition, where a significant number of players dropped out due to the requirement of forming a group.
This drop in player numbers during these forced-grouping stages caught the attention of Amazon Games’ development team. In response, they began redesigning the game's progression system to make it more accessible for solo players. This shift is not unique to New World—other MMOs have also started relaxing their group-play requirements.
Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft are famous for their group content, such as dungeons and raids, which historically required players to team up to progress through the story. However, over time, both games introduced ways to complete these group activities solo, like FFXIV’s Duty Support system and solo Delves in The War Within endgame content.
Throughout the history of MMOs, group content was a core part of player progression. But with the rise of solo-friendly experiences, even the most cooperative-heavy MMOs have adjusted to meet this demand. Even games like Embers Adrift, which initially prided itself on offering group-exclusive content, eventually adapted to allow more solo play options.
What was once the heart of an MMO experience—teaming up with other players and forming bonds while overcoming challenges together—has been evolving. For many players, the joy lies in exploring the world on their own, while for others, the essence of an MMO remains in teamwork and the friendships formed along the way.
In New World: Aeternum, despite the solo-friendly shift, the developers haven't completely abandoned the multiplayer experience. The endgame content includes a new 10-player raid and an open-world PvP zone, both of which are designed for group play. These features show that the game still values player collaboration, even as the overall focus has tilted more towards solo play.
The big question is: Should MMOs force grouping to maintain the genre's identity, or should they adapt to this new trend of offering solo alternatives? It’s possible for both playstyles to coexist, but developers need to strike a balance between these two approaches.
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