D&D Online solo stuff

By Tom Bramwell Published 8 June, 2006

Play with yourself.

Friendless? Fed up of Dungeons & Dragons Online? Tired of having to pal around just to make progress? Bored of lusting after loot, and only being able to get at it by stalking the entrance to a tasty dungeon in a sailor suit offering Stormreacharounds? Good news then, because Turbine's planning to release some solo-friendly content in a new update.

"An all new solo setting is being introduced to help new DDO players navigate through the early game content, allowing them the time and space to learn about their characters, try strategies and face monsters for the first time on their own," says Turbine in a website update. "Players will now have the option to play at their own pace as a solo-player in the Harbor."

Well not now, but fairly soon. "In addition to the Normal, Hard and Elite settings already available for each dungeon, the Solo option allows you to take on a dungeon at a difficulty setting suited for a single player. When you enter a dungeon on the solo setting, it contains monsters and traps that can be defeated without the help of a party." Apparently solo play won't be available for Waterworks, Irestone Inlet or Kobold Assault dungeons, but then beggars can't be choosers, eh?

More on all that along with other changes due over on DDO.com.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (5) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Wrestlevania #1 6 years ago

    "Stormreacharounds"

    I think I'm going to be sick...

    Anyway: a completely pointless - not to mention jarringly ironic - update for an MMO.
    Edited by 1 at 08/06/06 @ 10:19

  • Kami #2 6 years ago

    Actually, solo content is equally as important in an MMORPG.

    The problem about these game worlds is that... well, there's not always a load of people standing around to party with. So to pass the time, yes, you DO need solo content, just for those times when you need to do SOMETHING.

    There's often a balance to be struck in an MMORPG, namely, how MUCH solo content should be included? Too little, or indeed, too much solo content can affect the MMO aspect quite significantly. Too little, and the group aspect becomes even more important to get right, whilst too much and you need to make very sure that groups are rewarded for their team efforts, as well as challenged and entertained.

    So no, not a pointless or jarringly ironic update. If anything, from what I heard D&DO was in dire need of some solo content, placing far too much emphasis on groups from the very start (and not being honest enough to tell you that actually, you really shouldn't be doing those first few dungeons alone). I think people will be thankful that when they can't find a group - or just don't want a bunch of other people talking about the loot they've come for and then moaning constantly when they don't get it.

    Solo content is just as important for an MMORPG. Not everyone will want to group 100% of the time, and those customers are just as important.

  • Wrestlevania #3 6 years ago

    OK, fair enough. All good points and duly noted.

    However - ;) - I still think it's ironic, especially in a D&D game, that solo content is getting any kind of focus at all. My understanding (and modest experience) of (A)D&D roleplaying was the party aspect.

    It was also the most fundamental part of the game when I beta tested it; it just worked, even if some of the quests were bugged and therefore couldn't be completed when questing en masse. But, yes, I do fully appreciate the need to cater to more tastes than just my own.

    So, apologies for the arrogance in my earlier post.

  • El_MUERkO #4 6 years ago

    "stalking the entrance to a tasty dungeon in a sailor suit offering Stormreacharounds"

    :o

  • Kami #5 6 years ago

    Not at all Wrestlevania, no need tgo apologise. I know what you mean when you say that the D&D brand isn't really "synonymous" with solo content. (Wow, I've used that word twice already in less than an hour!)

    But I think there are some games out there which are soilo and use the D&D rulebook. Plus, as an added problem, with an online game you're reliant on a regular userbase so it has to appeal to a broader spectrum of players.

    The only thing I found a little... odd, was the supposed initial lack of dragons.