I feel like there are a lot of more introverted people who feel the same way. When I play a game, I want to use it to escape from people. If there's a multiplayer option, then it's nice when you have a friend or two over, but for the most part, needing someone else to play is simply an irritant (Even moreso if you can be paired with random people online). I hate group projects. Similarly, I hate forced multiplayer. Instant turnoff for me in a game
I'm still trying to formulate a response that isn't filled purely with venom, because that's mostly what this "concept of what gaming is becoming" fills me with. So I'll just start out by agreeing with LR. Gaming for many is meant to be a fun, stress reducing (unless you live for the challenge), and enjoyable experience. Why eagerly await, buy something, pay for additional DLC, spend all the time on updates, downloads, installs... and all to get annoyed by other people? I get it, kids like to play with their friends. Adults like to "hang out" with others they can't see often and enjoy a game together. MMOs can be massively fun (in theory) and sometimes hit the mark of epic awesomeness. Though this all tends to pale in comparison to me when game culture often "demands" a shift to the "new cool title". People hop on the new trend/release. Or the toxic environment kills the experience. Don't get me started on hackers, try hards, trolls who just enjoy verbally abusing or causing grief to other players. Let alone the new (personally horrifying trend, and why microsoft lost my business permanently) you "must be connected to play this game". Even if it's just for solo campaign, seriously?!?! Forget that, long live a deep and meaningful campaign or well written story experience. I loved titles like Final Fantasy, Devil May Cry, even Halo & Call of Duty long before everything started shifting toward multiplayer being the main selling point. So, I guess I'll leave it there for now, with a final thought. I only feel that the developers and producers need to find the integrity to not focus as much on the money to be made from micro-transactions, parceling out games piece by DLC piece when unnecessary, and promoting herd mentality toward "this is the only future of gaming".
Long live a true storyline.