Kyle Vallee, creative director for EverQuest 2, shared his thoughts on the current state of MMOs, expressing his belief that the genre has shifted away from fostering community. Vallee highlighted that many modern MMOs lack the necessary tools to facilitate meaningful player interactions and community building.

According to Vallee, the sense of community and cooperation that was prevalent in early MMOs, such as EverQuest, has diminished in recent years. He noted that in some MMOs, players often find themselves playing solo without engaging with others due to the absence of robust community-building features.

Reflecting on his own experiences with MMOs, Vallee mentioned that while some games like FF14 offer group content, the overall gameplay experience can still feel isolating. He observed that in certain MMOs, players can utilize group finders to quickly complete tasks without any real interaction with fellow players, leading to a lack of meaningful social connections.

Vallee emphasized the importance of player interaction and collaboration in MMOs, citing the organic community that formed in early MMOs like EverQuest where players had to work together to overcome challenges. He expressed concern that the current trend in MMO design may be hindering the development of strong player communities.

As the creative director of EverQuest 2, Vallee’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of MMOs and the potential impact of community-focused gameplay. While some MMOs prioritize storytelling and solo experiences, Vallee’s perspective underscores the value of fostering social connections and shared experiences within the gaming community.