Then you must be looking forward to GW2 and its WvW! If you haven't read about it, do a search... you HAVE to work together as a server to accomplish goals in WvW (and I don't mean "HAVE" in a bad way, like being forced to, but "get" to). I think GW2 will bring the community aspect back into MMOs. Besides WvW, helping others in PvE won't be penalized... imagine that! an MMO that encourages helping others instead of penalizing players who are not grouped together. You owe yourself to at least read up on GW2 and try it when it comes out.

I honestly never thought I would say this, but... God, I'm glad I'm old(er) and don't have the time or feel the compulsion to do things like this. However, more power to you guys! [Hope we don't read about you on the internet ending up in the hospital or something worse -- spoken like a true parent ]

when... the companion always stands directly between your char and the item/node/button/NPC you want to click on.

Bounty Hunter: Let's see... I shoot people, I get paid. 'Bout sums it up. Now if only I could get a job like that in real life. Unfortunately, having Mako as my companion, I have to lean more to the light side to please her -- dang, I'm not even married to her yet and it feels like marriage. Heck, I've probably let more people "off the hook" than I've killed. In fact, I think I've only chosen one dark side option through level 27. And that was because of all the trouble I had to go through to finish the quest... NPC, "please don't destroy X, we need it to survive" -- choices: [Dark Side] Destroy X and complete original request; [Light Side] Don't destroy X and save people. I'm like, "After dying 3 times myself to finally destroy X, the NPC gets no sympathy from me" -- [click] Dark Side option!

Hide companion helm option... /signed

If you are spending time on your ship, do what all men do in their "cave"... strip down to your skivvies! Heck, I run around, when not in a combat zone, without my shirt on because my Rattatki is one buff, "he-man", bad-arse dude!

Is there a way to view a local area that you are not physically located in? If your world map is fully populated for any particular world, is there a way to view other local areas of the world map from any other location? I'm not talking about using the magnifying glass. I'm talking about being able to actually view a different local area than the one you are located.

^^This. Seems so simple that an MMO would "encourage" others to help instead of "penalizing" players involved. If a game discourages cooperation when solo, but "forces" players to group... seems like a paradox to me. Am looking forward to GW2.

One issue I see with MMOs is that Americans, in general, are independent-minded. Why do MMOs work "better" in Asia? Because Asians have a sense of community in real life. I am the "typical" independent American. I want to accomplish things myself; I don't like to be put in a box and told, "you have to do it this way"; I don't like having to rely on annoying, immature, selfish people to complete a task. That is why "forced" grouping will never work in America. Don't punish players for helping each other without being grouped. Let grouping happen spontaneous and dynamicly. I would bet that more people would cooperate if it wasn't forced or punished. A note about combat progression. I remember when I tried to get my daughter to play an MMO, her first question was, "do I have to fight all the time to progress?" When she found out that she did, she didn't play. Anyway, how does a company get Americans to cooperate in a game when we won't in real life? Even if a miracle occurred and a game was created that accomplished true community cooperation, unfortunately, if the game allowed non-combat players to progress and be rewarded financially (in game), guess what? Some A-holes would exploit the system! I like the idea of having a "true" community in a game, where there are a myriad of professions and progression could happen other than being combat-related. I'm just not sure how, or if, it would work in America.

Now that you mention it, I can't think of a player off the top of my head that seemed to have a better season after signing a big contract. I'm sure someone has, but for some reason, no one stands out.

To me, the thing about hockey that separates it from other sports is how exciting low-scoring games are. For example, last Wed. night's game between Buf v NYR - 0-0 tie and then the shootout. Dang, that was a thriller. I remember another regular season game between WAS v PIT and thought I was watching a playoff game instead of a regular season game. I don't get the same "thrill" from a low scoring game in football or baseball or soccer (ok, I don't watch soccer because ALL the games are low scoring and boring). Low scoring games in those sports make me fall asleep. Just wanted to throw out some more hockey talk...

/silence

What about RPG content? RPG content shouldn't have to have grouping... So you believe we should have to group 100% of the time? God, I pity the people that would have to play 100% of an MMO with you. I doubt they would last as "groupers" very long. Come to think of it... it's people like you that made me stop grouping.

When are people going to stop asking this same question? Re-roll already... it's a quicker solution.

What is the point? Why have an RPG on the end of the MMO? Unfortunately, us soloers have to deal with people like you. And you wonder why more and more people solo instead of group. I can only imagine how many "groupers" decided to convert to "soloers" after grouping with you. Maybe you should look in the mirror before calling others idiots.

Exactly... The better question on this argument is, "Why do groupers care that people play the game solo?" Are we ruining their fun? Are we taking away a spot in a raid? Are we ranting like imbeciles in general chat? When will groupers understand that they focus on the MMO and soloists focus on the RPG?

This personal tired and redundant argument reminds me of the statement: "Don't confuse me with the facts, I've already made up my mind." Apparently his mind is made up.

I agree Skyrim is the best single-player RPG out there. And... TOR is the second best single-player RPG out there. That's why I play both.

Are you a politician by chance? Cause only politicians believe the bull they shovel.

You make a lot of assumptions about solo players... yes? First, I could care less if others are around. I play the game because I LIKE the game -- there's a "new" concept. Second, I pay to play, so I can and will play the way I want. I actually get less for my money because of my style of play, but you get the benefit of my dollars supporting the game and the devs making more group content that I don't participate in. So, what is your gripe? [Edit] I don't complain or care about how much group content there is or who plays it [Edit]

I could try and justify why I solo (and I mean only solo), although I am not opposed to grouping... scratch that, from my previous experiences, I am opposed to grouping for the most part. But trying to explain why I solo to groupers is akin to trying to explain why I eat meat to vegetarians (or vegans)... it just doesn't work. [Edit] The bottom line is that I like meat and I like to solo -- deal with it! [Edit] Remember that this is an MMO RPG. Groupers fixate on the MMO part, soloers fixate on the RPG part. Nuff said. [Edit] SWTOR is more akin to a single-player RPG. I also play, and love, Skyrim. [Edit]

Yeah, I like Mako as a companion, but... she is so female. After Mako comes back from gathering she says, "Now would be a great time to tell me how terrific I am." Dang Mako! Now when my wife sits out in the living room using her laptop while I play, she'll say, "Now would be a great time to tell me how terrific I am." I can't handle two of them!! [edit]

[To Ransom]: In the first pic, you have a stalker. In the second pic, love the eye color.

I thought it was a brilliant move to put him in charge of discipline!

Speaking of Gretzky... Although I will admit that I started following hockey after Gretz came to L.A. (my home town) and L.A. went to the finals in 1993. I fell in love with hockey after the Rangers and Messier won the cup in 1994. I never saw Gretz play in his prime, but for my money I would take Messier over Gretz any day. Here's an interesting stat between them... who has more cups? Yep, Messier has 2 more. Both won without Gretzky on his team. Gretz has 0 without Messier on his team. That speaks volumes to me.