MMO dilema

Norborb

I cant play MMOs anymore. Most games are party based, which is fine but I have the kind of schedule that requires me to possibly leave at a moments notice. Unfortunately, this doesn't work with playing an MMO because they require you to be dedicated to the game for several hours on end which I just don't have. I am afraid if i leave on too many people early, then the community at my level on my server will just start to universally hate me making it so i basically can't play. Is there any help for me? Is there a game that I can play in sessions that aren't 5 hours long?

Qaze

If I were you mate, I'd stray away from MMORPGs altogether. Try playing FPSs more, you can play them in short bursts or for hours on end if you like.

Czzarre

It may be that you need to change your objectives rather than changing games.

I find that it is the PVE componant of games that truely require the time commitment. PvP games can be more forgiving of going AFK or intermittant playing (sure you may die, but when you return you just get back into the frey). So if time of playing is the main factor, look into the PvP aspects of your current game, or look at gamkes which are based more on PvP. However, PvP and PVE do have a complex relationship,  in some games (WoW is a good example) success in PvP is directly proportional to your PVE success in gathering equipment. I believe DAOC and Guild wars may be good PvP based games for a time restricted player. 

Most every game that is being released has solo content. The  grinding levels of many games can be accomplished solo.  You can try many different MMORPGs in thier leveling content and then start anew when you find yourself at the top level. If what you are looking for is to be and see the best end game PVE content... then in many games that requires a long term, steady commitment which in some guilds requires 5 hour stints. Note that I said guilds and not games, look for soe casual guilds with players who have time restrictions like yourself ...we are out there...we have to go to work...pay the bills...take our spouses to a chick flick and stay seated bored out of our minds....er, I digresss.

WoW did make a consious effort to shorten thier PVE instances and focus on smaller groups. However, even with that I believe WoW is one of the worst games for a time restricted player.

I dont know about EQ2, that may be an option. Perhaps others can offer advice about.

I know a lot of casual players also like the less poopular F2P (Free to play) games. Check those out as well.

Hope this helps

Good Luck

Torrential

Taera

Check out NCSoft's Dungeon Runners - it's a F2P game with a membership option for some extra perks, and it's the kind of game you can sit down with for 15 minutes and have some fun.

And honestly - most games these days have some "solo classes".  In Vanguard you can solo through the levels as a cleric or a necromancer - sure, you don't get the uber epic group quest items, but some sacrifices must be made! Pet classes in most games are fairly soloable...even in EQ, a good mage or necromancer can do some damage on their own.  WoW has Hunters, Guild Wars has NPC hero parties, and the list goes on.  If you play any game with the right mindset, you can play it in 1 to 2 hour sessions