Guild Wars 2 V2: GOTY 2017 or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Arenanet - Games

So I did a little bit of math. A normal game subscription is $180 a year ($15 * 12). Calculated the number of gems per dollar was 72 (1800 gems for $25, was an estimate I found). That means you get 12960 gems for $180. That's like 16 character slots, or 64 dye packs (450 random dyes), or 103 hours of +50% exp, or 405 transmutation stones, or 129 random miniatures. Using the beta gem trading rates (20 silver for 10 gems, I think it was?), you could get 259 gold. Dunno why I did these calculations, but I did.

[QUOTE=kenji;36427312][URL]http://www.arena.net/blog/help-us-stress-our-servers-on-june-27[/URL][/QUOTE] I was going to post this but my phone wouldn't let me log on... Anyways I think this is a stupid decision for Arenanet. If they want to "Stress Test" their servers wouldn't it be better to choose a time where more people are going to be available? That's 1-5PM EST! Anyone in the U.S. wouldn't be able to play unless they're are lucky enough to be off or have the ability to leave early! (except those who don't even have a life/job). Don't think i'll be able to play this Stress Test. Sorry guys.

maybe it's EU focused for once then?

Or for all the students on vacation who have no jobs, or part time jobs

Well I guess that makes since because it's summer break in US (for my state atleast), and most teens are unemployed. Still makes me angry that they aren't trying to target a larger audience with this Stress Test. I'd say push it back two hours, 3-8PM would be better or 3-9PM like they had last Stress Test.

[QUOTE=Winner;36378947]I think it's very optimistic but also this image comes to mind again [t]http://i.imgur.com/XZb2g.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] Silly goose its year/month/day so its June 12th, 2028

No, it's month/day/year, meaning it will never be released unless we switch to a new calender. Arenanet doesn't like the Gregorian calender apparently.

i'm ok with that.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36420590]If hours upon hours of super boring grinding and farming is necessary to do what real money will buy me instantly than it's obvious that the average player is expected to spend money for store items.[/QUOTE] cosmetic features aren't necessary

[QUOTE=dual elites;36440015]cosmetic features aren't necessary[/QUOTE] Those mythic boxes definitely don't just contain cosmetic items. I know keys CAN drop and you CAN get them from quests, but in playing through the entire first area and part of the second I got about 5 boxes and a single key. Things like xp boosts and what not give huge advantages in WvWvW as well since you keep your items and skills from normal play.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36443034]Those mythic boxes definitely don't just contain cosmetic items. I know keys CAN drop and you CAN get them from quests, but in playing through the entire first area and part of the second I got about 5 boxes and a single key. Things like xp boosts and what not give huge advantages in WvWvW as well since you keep your items and skills from normal play.[/QUOTE] You can't use boosts in PvP.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36443034]Those mythic boxes definitely don't just contain cosmetic items. I know keys CAN drop and you CAN get them from quests, but in playing through the entire first area and part of the second I got about 5 boxes and a single key. Things like xp boosts and what not give huge advantages in WvWvW as well since you keep your items and skills from normal play.[/QUOTE] How does higher level = better in WvW? I've killed plenty of level 40-50-60's in the last BWE on a few level 10-20 chars. Only thing that -might- matter are equips and slot skills, but those are so minor.

[QUOTE=Miskav;36443351]How does higher level = better in WvW? I've killed plenty of level 40-50-60's in the last BWE on a few level 10-20 chars. Only thing that -might- matter are equips and slot skills, but those are so minor.[/QUOTE] Minor? Have you tried WvW at less than level 5 or 10? It's almost impossible to damage anything. It's a HUGE disadvantage and will only get bigger as more players get maxed out gear. Imagine a group of level 80s with max gear marauding around WvW... they would be unstoppable unless you have a way bigger group or another group of fully maxed players.

In WvW versatility is pretty important. There is a pretty big advantage, but you have to be able to take advantage of it, which not many people can do nor know how to do.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36443448]Minor? Have you tried WvW at less than level 5 or 10? It's almost impossible to damage anything. It's a HUGE disadvantage and will only get bigger as more players get maxed out gear. Imagine a group of level 80s with max gear marauding around WvW... they would be unstoppable unless you have a way bigger group or another group of fully maxed players.[/QUOTE] HUH you can just wvwvw at level 1, you do as much damage as a level 80 with the same skills would do.

[QUOTE=eternalflamez;36444037]HUH you can just wvwvw at level 1, you do as much damage as a level 80 with the same skills would do.[/QUOTE] except gear and utility skills

[QUOTE=sgman91;36420590]They are the one's with the business model and they are selling the game as a complete game. If hours upon hours of super boring grinding and farming is necessary to do what real money will buy me instantly than it's obvious that the average player is expected to spend money for store items.[/QUOTE] TF2 hats.

[del]Just because XP boosts exist doesn't mean that the game is going to be grind without them. Let me give an example of how it is different. Some MMOs, when going from P2P to F2P, decide that people who don't subscribe will level up slower than people who continue subscribing. The problem there is that they are taking the game they designed to be played at 500xp/hour (random number), and the F2P get a less fun game because they are playing at 250xp/hour. They are spending way more time than was intended to be spent in each area when they were designed. Unlike those MMOs, GW2-[/del] You know what, fuck this. If you want the game buy it, otherwise just leave. I'm tired of people who know nothing about the game coming in here and whining that it's going to suck. Do your own research. If you think it sucks, then wait until after release.

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;36449071][del]Just because XP boosts exist doesn't mean that the game is going to be grind without them. Let me give an example of how it is different. Some MMOs, when going from P2P to F2P, decide that people who don't subscribe will level up slower than people who continue subscribing. The problem there is that they are taking the game they designed to be played at 500xp/hour (random number), and the F2P get a less fun game because they are playing at 250xp/hour. They are spending way more time than was intended to be spent in each area when they were designed. Unlike those MMOs, GW2-[/del] You know what, fuck this. If you want the game buy it, otherwise just leave. I'm tired of people who know nothing about the game coming in here and whining that it's going to suck. Do your own research. If you think it sucks, then wait until after release.[/QUOTE] I haven't seen a more thoroughly hammered in nail in years. *tips hat*

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;36449071] You know what, fuck this. If you want the game buy it, otherwise just leave. I'm tired of people who know nothing about the game coming in here and whining that it's going to suck. Do your own research. If you think it sucks, then wait until after release.[/QUOTE] [IMG]http://www.facepunch.com/image.php?u=115416&dateline=1303523802[/IMG] [editline]22nd June 2012[/editline] You're right. Don't bother trying to convert these idiots. Our win their loss.

[QUOTE=Newbienice99;36449071]You know what, fuck this. If you want the game buy it, otherwise just leave. I'm tired of people who know nothing about the game coming in here and whining that it's going to suck. Do your own research. If you think it sucks, then wait until after release.[/QUOTE] ARG, you're stupid so go away! See, I can do it too! Just so you know, the entire point of a thread is to DISCUSS the game, not circle jerk around the game. You also need to practice reading. I never said the game is going to be a boring grind... I said, and let me quote, "and I'm not even saying there will be a problem, just that I'm worried." So at least know what you're raging at please. You also didn't even address my point. It isn't necessarily even about grinding, but about how the store will affect the game play and how necessary the store will be to maximize one's playing experience. So far we know that the store can directly increase the rate at which one gets experience, which in turn will make them more effective in WvW. That's just a single example (that in the end might not even matter) of how a seemingly unconnected buff can still change the way everything plays. As a side note: I've already preorded the game and am really excited about it. It's on the top of my list right now of up coming games, but any type of store makes me worried based on basically every other game with a store in it. I can only think of a select few games that successfully made a store that doesn't make the game at least slightly pay to win.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36449922]So far we know that the store can directly increase the rate at which one gets experience, which in turn will make them more effective in WvW.[/QUOTE] for like 2-3 days, then people without boosts will start getting 30 for elite skills and after that another 5-7 for people to start getting level 80 gear

[QUOTE=Anonymuzz;36450100]for like 2-3 days, then people without boosts will start getting 30 for elite skills and after that another 5-7 for people to start getting level 80 gear[/QUOTE] I'm fairly certain it will take quite a bit longer than that to hit 80 as an average player. Wasn't the highest level player after BWE2 around level 40-50? That's after at least 5-7 days.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36450133]I'm fairly certain it will take quite a bit longer than that to hit 80 as an average player. Wasn't the highest level player after BWE2 around level 40-50? That's after at least 5-7 days.[/QUOTE] there was only content up to level 35...........

Oh, facepunch guild wars 2 community seems so nice and welcoming! Oh wait, no. I've played guild wars for over 6 years now. I've talked with people who are into gw(1, for that sake), and they've said that gw2 is good, but its not "Guild Wars". It's supposed to feel like another mmorpg, maybe greatest mmorpg ever. But it still does not feel like "Guild Wars". Guild Wars wasn't (or isn't) a mmo. At best, you had 24 players actively playing in one map. It was more like magic the gathering than standard rpg with its skill system. You had to make your choices, build your own "deck" of skills. It was not about farming the best gear or anything like that. It was more about following the story, exploring and the challenge. The game had more in common with Neverwinter Nights than World of Warcraft. It [B]had[/B] nice and warm community, the Guild Wars felt social and alive, without the usual downsides of a mmo. Guild Wars had something special with the skill system. With so many variables, there was bound to be some ridiculously amazing, gimmicky niche builds. For example 55, 600, PermaForm, Ursanway, Touch Ranger and many others. Those were glorious, ingenious ways to play the game. Rather than being tied down to profession of you're choice, you had quite massive amount of different ways to play the game. I've played Assassin in 5 generally different roles (basic dagger spam/scythesin, condition-spread w/ bow, assacaster, SF/sliver in both solo and group, and interrupter/general shutdown). Rather than having the standard "trinity" of basic RPG games, GW had far more flexible system. You could at time run build consisting of 6 or so melee characters, buffer and healer, or alternatively 6 or so spike-necromancers with mm capabilities and healing, or party that focuses on shutdown rather than tanking mobs. The game didn't have "trinity", it had more like 5 or so distinctively different roles. I've yet to find game with such variety in viable play styles. Gw2 doesn't offer this possibility, from what I've gathered. Having only 3 or so slots that you can [B]really[/B] change as you please (healing slot doesn't count, 3 or so alternatives, nor does the elite, far too long cooldown to be viable part of build), there is not that much room for different choices. You are not going to play that much differently compared to another hammer warrior next to you, for example. I don't find this lack of freedom too pleasing design solution. Only potentially "special" build I've seen/found so far is the perma stealth thief, but that too smells like it's going to get nerffed. Hopefully not. Of all the multi-player games I've played, Guild Wars is most likely my all-time favorite. Off course I am going to be doubtful about the sequel of a game that is so dear for me, especially when the sequel lacks majority of the features I enjoyed the most in the first game. Hell, gw2 has only a few of the features of the original Guild Wars. My exitement towards the game has only waned during past couple years, as they have dropped original features to make room for new ones. I'm waiting for the game quite pessimistically. Most of the things I've heard from this thread is massive fanboy-ism. I've not found any real criticism regarding the game from this site, apart from "badly optimized, horrible frame-rate" or something similar. I'm not too impressed by what I've seen from the game so far. I doubt I will be disappointed with the game. I do not hold my expectations of the game sky high like most of you guys seem to, but I expect it to be great. The question is, will I be playing the game five years from now? Only time will tell, hopefully they manage to somehow pull it of. I'll be joining with you (well, not [B]you[/B] necessarily) when the pre-release comes, we shall see how [I]wrong[/I] I was then.

I think you're over-analyzing what this game really is. Have you ever seen a sequel to a game that was like its predecessor? I'm glad Guild Wars 2 isn't "Guild Wars" for whatever that means.

[QUOTE=sgman91;36449922]ARG, you're stupid so go away! See, I can do it too! Just so you know, the entire point of a thread is to DISCUSS the game, not circle jerk around the game. You also need to practice reading. I never said the game is going to be a boring grind... I said, and let me quote, "and I'm not even saying there will be a problem, just that I'm worried." So at least know what you're raging at please. You also didn't even address my point. It isn't necessarily even about grinding, but about how the store will affect the game play and how necessary the store will be to maximize one's playing experience. So far we know that the store can directly increase the rate at which one gets experience, which in turn will make them more effective in WvW. That's just a single example (that in the end might not even matter) of how a seemingly unconnected buff can still change the way everything plays. As a side note: I've already preorded the game and am really excited about it. It's on the top of my list right now of up coming games, but any type of store makes me worried based on basically every other game with a store in it. I can only think of a select few games that successfully made a store that doesn't make the game at least slightly pay to win.[/QUOTE] Every megathread will be a circle jerk, it's a fact, and I don't deny it here. IE, don't go into a thread for a game whose purpose is not to be grindy, and start talking about how you are worried about grind. Don't go into a COD thread and start talking about how it's not slow and tactical enough. Don't go into the dayz thread and start saying that pvp should be removed. I also admit I probably overreacted, nor read your posts enough. Even if experience boosts do 'unbalance' the WvW, it will matter for a month, maybe two at most. Then there will be a very varied number of levels, with many 80s on each side. By that time, anybody who wanted an 80 would probably have one. If there was a group of 80s fucking shit up, people would just switch to their 80s. In that time frame of theoretical imbalance, maybe the 80s will dominate the WvW. But they can't be on 24/7, and they can't be everywhere at once. And if the opposing server is bothered enough, you can expect that a mass of players at varying levels (including 40s-70s, I would guess) several times their size is going to come after them. I just don't think it will be a problem. [editline]23rd June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Bullet100;36450922]I think you're over-analyzing what this game really is. Have you ever seen a sequel to a game that was like its predecessor? I'm glad Guild Wars 2 isn't "Guild Wars" for whatever that means.[/QUOTE] Most sequels at least have the same play style, GW2 doesn't. @Laugh If it helps, just think of it as a completely separate series, because you are just going to feel disappointed if you go in wanting it to be like GW1. Also, for the sky high optimism, most people on the thread have played the game (sometimes more than 30 hours per beta weekend), so it's not [I]all[/I] just optimism and hoping. They've tried the game, and from what they played, they liked. Some are just happy to have an MMO styled game with no subscription fee. Hell, that was 90% of the reason I played GW1 - it was like an MMO, and I didn't have to pay for it. I could stop playing for a year, and then come back and go hardcore into the playing (which I did). In that sense, yes, I think that people will still be playing in 5 years, because why the hell not?

Guys, here's a tip. Don't ever, EVER, attempt to change anyone's opinion about something if they already have an opinion about it, especially on the internet, it's usually going to start a massive and fruitless argument which isn't going to do any good for anyone. Ever.

[QUOTE=Mastahamma;36451194]Guys, here's a tip. Don't ever, EVER, attempt to change anyone's opinion about something if they already have an opinion about it, especially on the internet, it's usually going to start a massive and fruitless argument which isn't going to do any good for anyone. Ever.[/QUOTE] Why I haven't been posting as much anymore. I'm going to be happy with the game, don't really need to discuss it anymore.

[QUOTE=LaughBann;36450764]Oh, facepunch guild wars 2 community seems so nice and welcoming! Oh wait, no. I've played guild wars for over 6 years now. I've talked with people who are into gw(1, for that sake), and they've said that gw2 is good, but its not "Guild Wars". It's supposed to feel like another mmorpg, maybe greatest mmorpg ever. But it still does not feel like "Guild Wars". Guild Wars wasn't (or isn't) a mmo. At best, you had 24 players actively playing in one map. It was more like magic the gathering than standard rpg with its skill system. You had to make your choices, build your own "deck" of skills. It was not about farming the best gear or anything like that. It was more about following the story, exploring and the challenge. The game had more in common with Neverwinter Nights than World of Warcraft. It [B]had[/B] nice and warm community, the Guild Wars felt social and alive, without the usual downsides of a mmo. Guild Wars had something special with the skill system. With so many variables, there was bound to be some ridiculously amazing, gimmicky niche builds. For example 55, 600, PermaForm, Ursanway, Touch Ranger and many others. Those were glorious, ingenious ways to play the game. Rather than being tied down to profession of you're choice, you had quite massive amount of different ways to play the game. I've played Assassin in 5 generally different roles (basic dagger spam/scythesin, condition-spread w/ bow, assacaster, SF/sliver in both solo and group, and interrupter/general shutdown). Rather than having the standard "trinity" of basic RPG games, GW had far more flexible system. You could at time run build consisting of 6 or so melee characters, buffer and healer, or alternatively 6 or so spike-necromancers with mm capabilities and healing, or party that focuses on shutdown rather than tanking mobs. The game didn't have "trinity", it had more like 5 or so distinctively different roles. I've yet to find game with such variety in viable play styles. Gw2 doesn't offer this possibility, from what I've gathered. Having only 3 or so slots that you can [B]really[/B] change as you please (healing slot doesn't count, 3 or so alternatives, nor does the elite, far too long cooldown to be viable part of build), there is not that much room for different choices. You are not going to play that much differently compared to another hammer warrior next to you, for example. I don't find this lack of freedom too pleasing design solution. Only potentially "special" build I've seen/found so far is the perma stealth thief, but that too smells like it's going to get nerffed. Hopefully not. Of all the multi-player games I've played, Guild Wars is most likely my all-time favorite. Off course I am going to be doubtful about the sequel of a game that is so dear for me, especially when the sequel lacks majority of the features I enjoyed the most in the first game. Hell, gw2 has only a few of the features of the original Guild Wars. My exitement towards the game has only waned during past couple years, as they have dropped original features to make room for new ones. I'm waiting for the game quite pessimistically. Most of the things I've heard from this thread is massive fanboy-ism. I've not found any real criticism regarding the game from this site, apart from "badly optimized, horrible frame-rate" or something similar. I'm not too impressed by what I've seen from the game so far. I doubt I will be disappointed with the game. I do not hold my expectations of the game sky high like most of you guys seem to, but I expect it to be great. The question is, will I be playing the game five years from now? Only time will tell, hopefully they manage to somehow pull it of. I'll be joining with you (well, not [B]you[/B] necessarily) when the pre-release comes, we shall see how [I]wrong[/I] I was then.[/QUOTE] A man of my own. I had the same thoughts as I started following GW2. I'm going to miss the versatility that GW1 had, and I knew it wasn't going to be there when they cut secondary professions and even more so when I saw the skill pool. But you have to think of it in a different light, GW1 was great, but it already went through a trilogy enjoying a good 3-4 years, about the typical life of a normal game. Do you really want to see the same thing again? I know I'd love to see GW1 over again but in reality I'd probably get tired of it pretty quick since I've seen it before. Another thing special that Arenanet is doing is that they're not treating sequels as 'sequels' as we know it. The traditional sequels were Factions, Nightfall, and Eye of the North and the preserved the core game in a new light and new features. With GW2, they're trying to evolve the game, throwing another curve ball in the gaming industry much like GW1 was at the time; its the same world but done entirely different. Oh and on builds, they took out the secondary professions for balancing purposes, and they do plan on adding more professions and skills to the game, much like they did in GW1. And there is some versatility with what we can actually build. The traits can really turn around a profession and put them into different roles The thing is we can't really see them until we play the endgame. If you look at the major trait skills closely, you can see a lot of potential builds. Another thing they're trying to curb is the standardized builds like from [url]http://pvx.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page[/url] they're trying to encourage experimentation and personalization of builds rather then have everyone flock to a select few made by other people. I don't much care for that direction, but I can see some good from it.