Shut Up And Let Me Grind: Why I Hate MMO Dialogue And Cutscenes

Dear MMO developers, do not make me sit through one-minute or even one-second cutscenes, or scroll through walls of dialogue. I just want to jump into action and play the damn game with minimal interruption. While narrative can add flavor to the setting, I have always believed that MMOs should prioritize gameplay over storytelling. This is especially true nowadays with social media, where everything on the Internet competes for your pea-sized attention span. If you force me into an exposition lecture before I get to the actual fun, I will uninstall your game before I even go any further.

MMOs thrive when they create dynamic experiences between players. The genre is not at its best when it mimics single-player RPGs, filled with dramatic camera pans and lengthy monologues. I am not here to read a book. In fact, I have not read a single book since graduating from college. Books are for nerds. I am here to grind. The fun of MMOs is anything but listening to an NPC explain why I have to do a certain quest. I do not care. Give me the objective, and then hand over the rewards after I go kill the five boars that are messing with your crops.

Games like Warframe and Tower of Fantasy get it right.

Warframe, for example, throws you into a mission almost immediately. There is an overarching story, but the game rarely gets in your way with mandatory cutscenes. You can skip most of the early dialogue, and even the major cinematic quests are optional until you decide to dive in. The core loop — shooting, looting, and moving at breakneck speed — is always at the forefront.

Tower of Fantasy does not waste too much time either before handing you a jetpack and letting you roam its open world. While the game does feature some anime-style story beats, you can mostly mash your way through them and get back to grinding gear and exploring with friends.

These games know their audience: players who want a power fantasy, fast progression, and ultra flexibility.

On the other hand, there is story-focused MMOs like Final Fantasy XIV. It is praised for its rich story, but it completely loses me. The endless dialogue boxes, unskippable cutscenes, and slow pacing make me feel like I am being punished for wanting to play. I understand that many players love it for the narrative, but it simply is not what I come to an MMO for. I do not want to spend a dozen hours unlocking basic features because the story demands it.

What makes MMOs special is the community. Your best memories will not come from a cutscene; they will come from unexpected player encounters. That one time your raid wiped and everyone laughed instead of lamenting. The guild drama that unfolded over loot distribution. The stranger who helped you finish a quest and then vanished without a word. These are the moments that matter, and they cannot be scripted.

When developers over-rely on story, they risk smothering what makes MMOs unique. Games like RuneScape understand this. There is lore if you want it, but no one is forcing you to watch lengthy intros or sit through dialogue trees. You make your own story, whether you are grinding for hours, staking your gear in PvP, or selling freshly caught fish in town.

I am not saying MMOs should have no story at all. What I am saying is that the story should serve the game, not dominate it. If your cutscenes are longer than your dungeon queues, you are doing it wrong. Give me the quest, give me the loot, and let me move on. Okay? If I care about the lore, I will read the Wiki or listen to a YouTube video essay.