Guild Wars 2: Pre-Release Discussion

[Tonka]

A lot of rage in those comments! Lol

[Zerocool]

When GW2 is released, I wonder how many SWTOR devs will be playing it over their own game....

[Takiwaki]

When GW2 is released, I wonder how many SWTOR devs will be playing it over their own game....

What? dev's don't play games . .

[CasualPlayer]

Just watched a YouTube video of their "new dynamic leveling" system. "ComicCon 2011 - Alienware - Guild Wars 2 Gameplay" if anyone wants to see it.

Honestly this game was pretty low on my radar to begin with because the first was so unimpressive to me, but I checked some vids of it regardless because of all the hype its getting lately. Is there something I'm missing? I honestly would rather get the quest that tells me to go kill ten things and level up then to spend time leveling up that way. Do people really see that as the future of grinding? Random besieged events?

The vid was also shown on an alienware pc but the graphics still seemed......lacking. FFXIV, SWTOR, TERA, D3 all seem superior to name a few. That whole final stand thing they ripped from CoD that let's you come back to life with no penalty or "swim to the surface" before you drown. Seriously? Seems like a cheap ass gameplay mechanic to put in am rpg imo.

The pvp was weird too. Everyone running around in the same ugly red or blue armor I don't get it. Assuming the armor is actually unique to each player and not just some default pvp shit I guess its fine. It's still pretty ugly though. Reminded me of the TV show American Gladiators (that's not a good thing)

The only thing I liked in any vid I saw was the fact you could go underwater and do relevant shit. Although that's in several other games already so meh. In every mmo gaming thread I'm starting to see people randomly singing this games praises. Hype is building for it, the page count is spiraling up, people saying they're quitting their job when it comes out etc.

Is there really something to this game that I somehow missed or it just a small vocal minority of fanboys and girls circle jerking to mediocrity because they liked the last one so much?

Edit: Reread this and realized it looked like an Elrina post.

tl;dr, Fanboyism aside what is special about this game that is making people get off to it compared to other next gen mmos coming out?

[Katlan]

First of all, the comic con footage was pre-alpha/early-alpha. Can't judge a game my graphics at that stage.. but they looked really good for that stage of development. Most mmo's don't add the big graphical update until after server stability, ect... as all it does is put a bigger load on the servers. if you follow most mmo's developments, this is generally how it works.

And dynamic events are more engaging. Again, your looking at pre-alpha footage of a few dynamic events. But what makes this different from Campaign/Beseige/Rift (at least we all hope based on what we have heard) is that every event is unique scripted so it won't feel like doing the same thing over and over and over again. I mean, yeah, there will always be the kill XYZ stuff or rescue X person and take em to Y location, but the overall feel of each should be different and should diff drastically based on the area/zone.

There are still quests in the game, but its less of going to a quest hub and talking to ppl and more of exploring to find them. You get agro by a spider, for example, and kill that spider. The spider's death then prompts you for a quest to go do something related to them. that type of stuff.

All alpha footage is meant to do is to show you the design of the game and where they are headed. A lot of your complaints are taking it as the game is in near-release beta. Of course low level/restricted character's will all be in the same gear since it's early footage. I am not blantantly defending the game. I am just going by what I have been told and their intended direction of the game... it just seems like a lot of your complaints are not meant for alpha footage

[Arelian]

I daresay you're in the minority when you think doing the typical MMO questing system compared to a more dynamic system that can potentially change every time you do it.

GW2 isn't about the graphics, though you're also in the minority when you say you find it lacking, especially when compared to SWTOR. I don't know much about their engine, but Anet is emphasizing pretty, painting-esque areas compared to BLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM everywhere.

PVP armor looks the way it does right now to help people differentiate between each team. When you don't have factions, it's a little difficult to tell who's on who's team when you've never played the game before.

Why does there need to be a penalty for death? Also, you heard it here folks Cawaa Doody did final stand first!

Also, go read some articles comparing GW2 to some of the next gen stuff coming out. I believe a nice article was posted maybe... 4-5 posts ago?

[blindSharingan]

Is there really something to this game that I somehow missed?

Not really. I think you pretty much got it. It just sounds like the old style of MMOs is what appeals to you.

The Red v Blue PvP gear is not unique it is an arena system that emphasizes skill over gear by putting everyone on the same level gear wise; forcing you to be better at actually playing the job.

Just touching on a few things: most people are excited about the dynamic events and leveling system and the promised lack of the "holy trinity" is appealing to some as well. People want to play something new but of course this isn't going to appeal to everyone.

[Celeras]

Dude said that D3 had better graphics lol, couldn't be a more obvious troll. Don't bother responding.

[CasualPlayer]

Not really. I think you pretty much got it. It just sounds like the old style of MMOs is what appeals to you.

The Red v Blue PvP gear is not unique it is an arena system that emphasizes skill over gear by putting everyone on the same level gear wise; forcing you to be better at actually playing the job.

Just touching on a few things: most people are excited about the dynamic events and leveling system and the promised lack of the "holy trinity" is appealing to some as well. People want to play something new but of course this isn't going to appeal to everyone.

Fair enough, I don't necessarily prefer old style mmos though I just think of RIFT when I think "dynamic event", hopefully these will be better. After giving it some thought I can even respect the pvp being 100% skill based assuming they can pull off class balance.

Overall the game still doesn't appeal to me yet but you brought up some good points from a different perspective.

[Takiwaki]

Fair enough, I don't necessarily prefer old style mmos though I just think of RIFT when I think "dynamic event", hopefully these will be better. After giving it some thought I can even respect the pvp being 100% skill based assuming they can pull off class balance.

Overall the game still doesn't appeal to me yet but you brought up some good points from a different perspective.

Only advice I can give is this. If you really want to see why everyone is so crazy about this game, is to first leave behind what we already know. If you keep comparing GW2 to what you are used to in other mmos, and not really researching whats going on or what the devs are actually doing, you will honestly miss alot. You really just cannot get it from watching people in a demo play, even more-so 1 video.

I can honestly say so far everything Anet has done has made sense.

If you are really interested and not a troll, just look back at the thread there are tons of videos and interviews. I mean really watching one video and posting on that is kinda dumb, if you think about it.

[Elrina]

Edit: Reread this and realized it looked like an Elrina post.

tl;dr, Fanboyism aside what is special about this game that is making people get off to it compared to other next gen mmos coming out?

I was thinking you had a pretty constructive post. :3 Although to be honest, I generally spend way too much time going over my posts before I get the nerve to post them, and probably end up just scrapping most.

But yeah, you got it. Like Katlan mentioned, the DE system is supposed to be much more advanced and extensive than what Rift has going on, allowing for a kind of free flowing world of constant events. They're supposed to be fluid, stuff that is just going on constantly.

I remember them bashing the type of quest you might get that sends you to go kill 10 orcs/goblins/whatever that are about to attack a town, but they never actually do, and even when you kill them they just respawn and have their own "area" that they dwell so that they can provide quest fodder. In GW2, you might actually hear NPCs yelling for help when you approach the area, and they are/will actually attack and take over the town if they aren't pushed back (which will lead to a successive event where they've taken over the town), and they actually can be pushed back instead of just respawning in their own area next to town. World is supposed to be filled with idfk how many constantly flowing events like that, so there's always something to take part in and do.

Coupled with that, it's also going to have the same emphasis on story SW:tOR is touting, branching story paths and full VA. There's a full write up on the way the DEs and "Personal stories" are supposed to work on the GW2 site, if you haven't read them. Dynamic events and Personal stories.

Far as graphically, only defense I could have for that is what Katlan mentioned there too, with it being in closed alpha. They're also going for a different style, and while I agree that it definitely isn't super amazing, the detail is pretty solid so when it does reach beta/release I'm sure even if it isn't necessarily the "best" looking of the current MMO releases, it won't be the worst.

You also have to remember the lack of a sub requirement, that's a pretty good enticement also. $15/month isn't really all that much, but when you flat out don't have to pay it, ever, after buying the box ~ It makes it hard to justify, in my opinion, not at least buying a copy and giving the game a chance. I never played the first GW, although I've considered it (and might yet for a couple months), but I'm definitely keen to find out if this will live up to the hype that's surrounding it. If it all just works as fluidly and fun as the devs are talking, it's going to make a pretty splash.


Edit: I just realized I ended it with "pretty splash" instead of "pretty big splash". Then I considered it, and decided I like how it reads with "pretty splash" better anyway, so I'm not changing it. :3

[CasualPlayer]

I think its been summed up pretty well in the last few posts (with the exception of Celeras useless +1) what could potentially make this game stand out. Thanks for the constructive opinions.

[Zerocool]

Like others have said, it doesn't seem like you've done too much research on the game and if you really want to know what people see in the game you might want to do that. I suggest starting with some of the following videos and maybe checking out some Q&As if you're truly interested in seeing why people are hyped for the game.

To get you started.....

GW2 Information page
GW2 PvP Info

[Kuya]

A bit late, but as far as dynamic events go:

Think of the DE in Rift: In a single zone, there are maybe 3 to 5, and when they are done, that's it. But now think of fusing quests in Rift with DEs. In a zone you can have more than 30 quests, and some quests have continuations. From what i've heard, GW2 fuses the DE system into a quest system. In a single "zone", then, you get 10-30 dynamic events, and they aren't simply atomized, meaning they aren't standalones. After you finish a DE it continues as if it were a quest chain. As i understand it as well, the DEs branch and aren't simply linear.

Personally what has me interested is the possiblity of doing way with the holy trinity thing and the Borderlands style rezing. It has the potential of being a whole lot of fun when you get less uptight about having specific jobs or about success depending on how well a specific job does.

[Siya]

Getting back into GW1 to earn rewards for GW2 but things seem a lot harder than I remember, I dunno what I'm doing but it seems 2 level 10 guys can kill me pretty easy (I'm level 13) as a Necro/Ele D: took a group of 5 henchmen to do this quest and ended up dying even more than I did when I was soloing other stuff. Also the henchmen seem to be much lower than I am

[Tonka]

Just thought I'd also throw in that the red/blue pvp gear is a placeholder mechanic. I remember them clearing that up because it also bothered me. I can look for the source later, if anyone demands it.

[Eanae]

Getting back into GW1 to earn rewards for GW2 but things seem a lot harder than I remember, I dunno what I'm doing but it seems 2 level 10 guys can kill me pretty easy (I'm level 13) as a Necro/Ele D: took a group of 5 henchmen to do this quest and ended up dying even more than I did when I was soloing other stuff. Also the henchmen seem to be much lower than I am

A few of us are playing gw1 ATM. We have a thread up somewhere.

[Dragir]

Just watched a YouTube video of their "new dynamic leveling" system. "ComicCon 2011 - Alienware - Guild Wars 2 Gameplay" if anyone wants to see it.

First of all, and to echo what everyone else has already said (or will say): one video? You've watched one video? I'm sure, by now, you've checked out some others, but the "hype train" has been on a steady course at full speed for almost 2 years now. There is a TON of content to examine and there are video interviews to answer every one of your concerns, which I'll link to below.

Honestly this game was pretty low on my radar to begin with because the first was so unimpressive to me, but I checked some vids of it regardless because of all the hype its getting lately.

Now I see that you've watched more than one video, at least. I have no idea which, but obviously those you've watched have left you with several concerns and questions. Hopefully this can be cleared up whether positively or negatively.

Is there something I'm missing? I honestly would rather get the quest that tells me to go kill ten things and level up then to spend time leveling up that way. Do people really see that as the future of grinding? Random besieged events?

There's definitely something you're missing; you'll still get quests that have you achieve a goal, likely including killing a number of mobs or collecting a number of items. What's changed about Guild Wars 2 is the basic player/NPC interaction model which leads to these goals. Instead of always moving the player-character to an NPC with a (!) or icon over its head, dynamic event NPCs will come to the player-character and give you a (voiced) spoken prompt, or, in some events, all it takes is to wander into an event in which the goals are apparent or obvious. It's not so much like besieged where you wait for the event to come to you. You have to get out there and explore the world.

If how you'll gain levels is a concern, Guild Wars 2 is said to have a 'flat levelling curve' and it's been said that a character should be able to reach level 80, playing casually, in less than a few months. ArenaNet is known to be fairly generous with experience points. In Guild Wars 1, one could easily reach the maximum level (20) in less than a week -- their games are not about what level you are. Level progression is little more than your own perception of advancement.

The vid was also shown on an AlienWare PC, but the graphics still seemed... lacking. FFXIV, SWTOR, TERA, D3 all seem superior to name a few.

This is intended. Guild Wars 2's engine is designed to perform reasonably well (at least 30 FPS) on older, mid-range PCs. The game will use either DirectX 9 or DirectX 10 if I recall correctly and thereby should perform rather well on hardware as old as a Pentium 4 with a decent graphics adapter. Being a buy-to-play game, this is understandable. Making the game available to as many players as possible means a better chance of recouping the money they've spent on development and furthermore, a good-size profit margin.

The good news about this however, for me at least, is that what they do with this graphics engine is absolutely stunning. I love the "painterly" art direction (as they call it). While it isn't "hand-painted" in terms of brush and canvas, all of the textures in the game are "hand-painted" using a stylus and tablet and beautifully so. Take a look at the Lion's Arch and Divinity's Reach videos for a few quick examples.

That whole final stand thing that lets you come back to life with no penalty they ripped from CoD.

They actually blatantly said this out loud... "gameplay elements that make many other games so much fun". Never was a big secret... and if you were a game developer hoping to have fun playing your own game, wouldn't you do as much of that as you could get away with?

"Swim to the surface" before you drown. Seriously? Seems like a cheap ass gameplay mechanic to put in am rpg imo.

Kind of agree with you here, but I wouldn't call it "a cheap ass game mechanic". I wish they'd been more imaginative about the underwater "fight to survive" mechanic, too... but I honestly can't think of anything that makes more sense.

The pvp was weird too. Everyone running around in the same ugly red or blue armor I don't get it. Assuming the armor is actually unique to each player and not just some default PVP shit, I guess its fine. It's still pretty ugly though. Reminded me of the TV show American Gladiators (that's not a good thing).

Others have addressed this already. The player-characters that people were using at the demo stations at various "expos" or "conferences" were obviously not characters that they'd spent an hour customizing. They were just placeholder race/class combinations so that players could experience PVP gameplay quickly.

Not sure if this interview addresses the armor concern, but maybe it'll answer some other questions you have.

The only thing I liked in any vid I saw was the fact you could go underwater and do relevant shit. Although that's in several other games already so meh. In every MMO gaming thread, I'm starting to see people randomly singing this games praises. Hype is building for it, the page count is spiraling up, people saying they're quitting their job when it comes out etc.

Is there really something to this game that I somehow missed or is it just a small vocal minority of fan-boys and girls circle jerking to mediocrity because they liked the last one so much?

If it were just "fanboyism" (such as what I've seen for SWTOR -- just because you love the Star Wars universe/IP doesn't mean SWTOR is awesome) then those same glowing impressions wouldn't be seen all over the web at every gaming site, blog, podcast, etc. Noone's saying the game won't be without it's flaws, it's just that noone has found any yet.

Some of the features of the game, like you, I find to be kind of gimicky or silly (such as, in the very first trailer, Centaurs are seen running by water towers or whatever those are and the structures simply fall down without being struck), but it's hard to give it an honest critique until I've played it myself. So for now, I'm just echoing what I hear, and what I hear is nothing but "it's awesome".

[notorious bum]

I hate arrogant, close-minded gamers like this dude. All of you wasted your energy trying to convince someone who's already made up his mind. His points are all made off of either little material or just completely contrived to make it appear like he has this laundry list of shit that we all somehow missed while following this game over its development.

The fact he felt it necessary to list teh grafix as a major "flaw" in an MMO anyways, immediately raised the trollol-flag for me.

Even if he only watched 1 trailer, you would need to be new to this whole MMO-thing to draw the conclusion that this is anything BUT one of the best looking and successfully executed visual engines running for an MMO right now.

[Dantrag]

You guys are ripping too much into him. It seemed like a few post before you guys he already started to open up with the concepts and thoughts of this game. You guys just stopped at his post and made your own instead of reading everyone's posts and his responses.