I have seen a lot of negative feedback on the new system that Turbine is opening up. Here is what you have to consider about this.
I have played many MMORPG games in the last ten years. All of them had more solo content then grouping. The group content was, for older player, pasted by. The new players to the game who wanted the full experience would have to wait forever to get a party to do them. The raids in the games too FOREVER to complete and were set up for the hardcore gamers only. DDO is a VERY group dependent. Though they have created a few areas to solo, and certain dungeons to solo, you really can not level quickly on your own. It could take you days of playing and tons of plat to get just one level once you reach 5 or 6. I have a pally that has, for the most part solo leveled. She is almost at 6 and I have hit a road block. The quests she can solo are no longer giving her the xp needed, and the groups are slim, when I try to work with her.
What I am trying to say that group running will still be needed to a new player coming into our game. The DDO store can buy you many things, but per the press release, will not give you the gear needed to work in high dungeons. Think of a lvl 16 fighter in a +1 Full Plate and Masterworks Great Sword :P.
I have many friends in other games that said they would never play DDO because of the group dependent gaming. But Turbine holds pretty true to the game by not creating a world that make it easier and less of a hassle to solo level. The gear, experience, currency, and overall game play still hold true to P&P games.
I am going to try and persuaded my friends to try the game with a free account. There should be enough content to have them hooked, pay for an account and join our VIP section. I welcome the changes and applaud Turbine for trying to make the game more appealing to all gamers. If this works we should see our server numbers rise and hopefully get a few more great gamers in our little part of the world.
I don’t think that the new system will affect the older player that much. The worse case is the unattended 6 year old that gets on, which happens now.