Guild Wars 2: Pre-Release Discussion

[notorious bum]

This dude is a repeat offender, all I saw was baiting in his initial post. If he was genuinely interested and not just a bored troll, he would have been able to easily find numerous posts of information off of just skimming a few pages from the history of this thread.

[Viq]

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.

Just to play Devil's Advocate for a minute, but no one has found flaws because no one has played it yet. Dudes were sucking mad SWTOR cock before the beta. Just sayin'

[Katlan]

This dude is a repeat offender, all I saw was baiting in his initial post. If he was genuinely interested and not just a bored troll, he would have been able to easily find numerous posts of information off of just skimming a few pages from the history of this thread.

Dont think he has ever posted anything genuine that wasn't troll-baiting ppl

[Zerocool]

I think there's actually a few people here that have played the game at trade shows and from my understanding it has only got them even more hyped for the game. SWTOR is a different story as most of the negativity towards the game comes from the fact that it doesn't really try to do anything new within the genre.

While GW2 is pretty much changing up every aspect of what we've come to consider the "MMO standard" and from the looks and sounds (from people that have actually played the game), so far it's all for the better. All it really takes is a quick look at the list of features the game will offer at launch to get hyped for it. That is, if you go in with an open mind.

They key differences in the "hype train" for both of these games, is that SWTOR was incredibly hyped simply because it's Bioware making another Star Wars game. With GW2 the hype comes from the actual gameplay mechanics the game is using. Things like Dynamic events, WvWvW PvP, no holy trinity, diverse action based twitch style combat, and all of the other things the game is bringing to the table.

[CasualPlayer]

This dude is a repeat offender, all I saw was baiting in his initial post. If he was genuinely interested and not just a bored troll, he would have been able to easily find numerous posts of information off of just skimming a few pages from the history of this thread.

So you decided to take the "bait".....two days after I had posted.....and after I had already stated twice that I could be wrong about my initial impression of the game? Who's the bored fucking troll again?

People like you are the problem on these boards. No I'm not going to read through 60 pages of a thread to find out something about a game. No I'm not going to spend hours on YouTube looking at every GW2 video under the sun before I form an opinion about the game. You know who does do those things? People who are especially excited about the game which I said right off the bat I'm not.

What I will do is watch a few videos and read a GI article, then come here and try to get my questions cleared up. Why? Because this is supposed to be a fucking discussion board. You calling me arrogant? What the fuck are you even thinking? You want this game and this community to be a succes you don't ridicule the people asking questions about it.

Sad when you can't debate without being called a troll on a discussion board. Funny how you expect me to read through "the last 4 or 5" pages of this thread but you didn't even read the last 4 or 5 posts. As I already stated twice thank you all who posted constructive and relative counter points to my initial post. Dragir your post was especially good pretty much cleared up every question I had.


Edit:

Dont think he has ever posted anything genuine that wasn't troll-baiting ppl

Couldn't forget about you Katlan, my nefarious little bitch nugget. Way to actually say something intelligent only to follow it up by instantly jumping on the first idiot troll bandwagon to come through. Don't worry bro you might still lead instead of follow someday.

[Elrina]

Dont think he has ever posted anything genuine that wasn't troll-baiting ppl

Don't get me wrong, I had a few pretty direct conflicts with him myself after the XIV release, but I'm with Dantrag on this. I thought he sounded kinda genuine, and mostly constructive (although I agree he could/should have done some more research before coming in and asking what the hype was about the way he did). And after a few of us put up posts explaining some of what he missed in the video he watched he may not have agreed (although he did acknowledge it's potential attraction), but he was pretty gracious about it.

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.

There were a couple reasonable posts after this, but it was after this that Dragir went all infomercial again (which, no offense Dragir, seemed kinda overboard at that point, imo) and Notorious dug into him. In my experience, trolls don't follow up questions that sound genuine with a post like this.


Edit: ope, he posted while I was writing. Guess he appreciated your post Dragir, my apologies! :3

[vrumpt]

I think there's actually a few people here that have played the game at trade shows and from my understanding it has only got them even more hyped for the game. SWTOR is a different story as most of the negativity towards the game comes from the fact that it doesn't really try to do anything new within the genre.

Wrong, it was the same deal with SWTOR before the beta started. There isn't anything different between GW2 pre-beta hype and SWTOR pre-beta hype. SWTOR did the same thing when people got hands on at shows. 20 mins of game time for something you've been uber hyped for for months/years is only gonna leave you wanting more, no matter what it is. SWTOR's flaws only really started to show after people got extensive beta time and dozens of hours logged into it.

Same thing is gonna happen with GW2. Theres a number of things that GW2 could still suffer from to weaken it that won't be able to be changed in a beta phase. (inb4 somebody goes fanboy on this sentence with counterarguments) Could have a lack of diverse dynamic events, not enough dynamic events, the community not being able to handle lack of trinity, classes playing too similarly thus removing any unique feel to them. The fact that 1/3 of the game is underwater content is a HUGE gamble. I don't care what you do to it, being underwater sucks. Nobody enjoys going underwater for anything, and every gameplay video i've seen of underwater combat just has players (even devs who are playing) aggroing mobs in all directions and dying. So thats a big one right there.

Don't put all ur hopes and dreams into one basket until beta starts, otherwise your just setting yourself up to be let down (hello ffxiv). I just hope Arenanet doesn't mess it up.

[Dantrag]

My self pre-beta hype has fallen off quite a bit since this shit is taking forever. To me GW2 is now the Toyota FT-86. It's pretty much meh to me until it comes out or I get to test it myself. That being said I still really want to play it and drive the damn FT-86.

[Elrina]

Wrong, it was the same deal with SWTOR before the beta started. There isn't anything different between GW2 pre-beta hype and SWTOR pre-beta hype. SWTOR did the same thing when people got hands on at shows. 20 mins of game time for something you've been uber hyped for for months/years is only gonna leave you wanting more, no matter what it is. SWTOR's flaws only really started to show after people got extensive beta time and dozens of hours logged into it.

Question! Not that I disagree with you on the second part, it's entirely possible (which is one of the reasons I myself am kinda just crossing my fingers and hoping they live up to what they've promised). But iirc SW:tOR always gave really short hands on time, to date they still only give small bits. But GW2 generally has more machines set up and more time available (I remember that article that got linked at the bottom of the page before last was talking about people getting 40 minute turns, and able to go back for more, guy said he got 2 hours and 10 minutes over the weekend). And that's one example, pretty sure a couple people actually in the thread have had hands on time as well.

Not that it's really that much more time, don't get me wrong, but there's also no NDA. It seems like in comparison, Bioware went the traditional route of trying to hold back how the game looks and plays pre-beta and even during beta to some extent, while ArenaNet is all but shoving video and every bit of information they possibly can in front of us.

While I agree there could still potentially be issues once GW2 hits beta/releases, I think it's definitely less likely that we'll discover it's just a crappy game under a bunch of pretty talk, considering the longer lengths people get to play the demos and how transparent they're being with the game. It seems they've genuinely wanted actual feedback to help adjust those things that might be problems later, rather than keeping it under wraps and just spoonfeeding us more of what they think will sell like Bioware.

[Zerocool]

Wrong, it was the same deal with SWTOR before the beta started. There isn't anything different between GW2 pre-beta hype and SWTOR pre-beta hype. SWTOR did the same thing when people got hands on at shows. 20 mins of game time for something you've been uber hyped for for months/years is only gonna leave you wanting more, no matter what it is. SWTOR's flaws only really started to show after people got extensive beta time and dozens of hours logged into it.

I actually saw a ton of negativity towards SWTOR, even before the beta started. Not saying that GW2 will be perfect by any means. But so far, it seems to be offering the types of things I want in an MMO. That's why I'm personally hyped for it. For all we know, it could very well flop, though I doubt it will.

But the fact is, Arenanet is trying something new and changing things that people have been complaining about for years with MMOs. I know that the game won't be for everyone, and I know that it will have its flaws just like every other game does. But as long as the good outweighs the bad I think it will do fine.

[vrumpt]

Question! Not that I disagree with you on the second part, it's entirely possible (which is one of the reasons I myself am kinda just crossing my fingers and hoping they live up to what they've promised). But iirc SW:tOR always gave really short hands on time, to date they still only give small bits. But GW2 generally has more machines set up and more time available (I remember that article that got linked at the bottom of the page before last was talking about people getting 40 minute turns, and able to go back for more, guy said he got 2 hours and 10 minutes over the weekend). And that's one example, pretty sure a couple people actually in the thread have had hands on time as well.

Not that it's really that much more time, don't get me wrong, but there's also no NDA. It seems like in comparison, Bioware went the traditional route of trying to hold back how the game looks and plays pre-beta and even during beta to some extent, while ArenaNet is all but shoving video and every bit of information they possibly can in front of us.

While I agree there could still potentially be issues once GW2 hits beta/releases, I think it's definitely less likely that we'll discover it's just a crappy game under a bunch of pretty talk, considering the longer lengths people get to play the demos and how transparent they're being with the game. It seems they've genuinely wanted actual feedback to help adjust those things that might be problems later, rather than keeping it under wraps and just spoonfeeding us more of what they think will sell like Bioware.

yeah they aren't nearly as open as Arenanet is with their game. Who knows for certain; some would way its because SWTOR sucks ass, others because the SWTOR hype train is vastly larger than GW2 that its just logical safeties to control massive nerd rage. As for game time at shows, iirc SWTOR hands on times got much longer this year compared to last. I know back at PAX East in march they let players run through Taral V flashpoint in like 45 minute play sessions. Not sure on shows before then. They have a lot of players to go through though, and at every show they've been at the que time has been hours long.

As for the NDA, again you could argue that its because Bioware is hiding the fact that SWTOR sucks or that they are legitimately protecting against story spoilers, since its such a story driven game and GW2 is just more about game systems and mechanics.

[Dantrag]

As for the NDA, again you could argue that its because Bioware is hiding the fact that SWTOR sucks or that they are legitimately protecting against story spoilers, since its such a story driven game and GW2 is just more about game systems and mechanics.

If you watch some of the starting videos you'll see that GW2 will have plenty of story to go around.

I think at this point there are only two reasons that TOR still has the following that it does. 1) Bioware and 2) SW. People LOVE Star Wars. And people LOVE Bioware. But the problem still lies that people are tired of WoW. And TOR for all intents and purposes, is WoW reskinned with a new story that talks.

[Zerocool]

It's actually kind of funny if you watch some of the older trade show videos from both game's devs around the time they were first shown, Bioware devs were pretty cocky in the beginning. While Anet devs seemed a bit nervous about how the game would be received. But as development for both games has gone on and more and more info and footage has come out, you see Anet's devs confidence in their game sky rocket, while Bioware's confidence seems to have gone down. Not saying the two are directly related. Maybe they are, maybe they're not. And not trying to turn it into a SWTOR vs. GW2 debate. But since these are currently the two most hyped MMOs coming out, it seems to be the best two games to compare.

[vrumpt]

If you watch some of the starting videos you'll see that GW2 will have plenty of story to go around.

Yeah i know it does, I was mostly referring to the main selling points of both games. Like a SWTOR rep would tout it by advertising story, while as GW2 may advertise it with how different it is from everything else. It has story, but thats not the reason you're buying GW2. But again, thats just a legitimate excuse Bioware may use for still having an NDA at their stage in development. I don't think its valid at all, every other game thats had a beta phase didn't have an NDA 3 months before launch. Its pretty ridiculous.

Moral of the story is, we need a GW2 beta plz. Cannot wait.

[Dantrag]

I concur with that statement. But I would like to add an addendum.

We need GW2 beta.

With invites for once. I WANT AN INVITE Dx

[Elrina]

since its such a story driven game and GW2 is just more about game systems and mechanics.

I get what you're saying, could be a couple reasons. I wanted to single this out though. I haven't seen nearly as much hype regarding GW2 with this, but from what I understand they're going (at least) every bit as all out as SW:tOR is with their story. The only reason I think there has been more emphasis on it regarding SW:tOR is because it's the "one big feature" that's supposed to set them apart.

I linked the Personal Stories article on the last page for CasualPlayer, but it's a fairly extensive description of what they're doing. And I'm pretty sure I saw/read an interview somewhere that said they were going to be doing the full voice over treatment, on top of that. So GW2 is supposedly going to be extremely story driven too, it's just been one feature of many that they're doing such heavy work on, which is why it hasn't seen as much emphasis.

Hell, I just realized a few days ago that between the stories and DEs, I'm probably going to want to make alts on different servers instead of the same one just because of how different each server could end up being over time as a result of the DE branches. Need some cross-server guild chat imo. :3


Edit: I spend way too long paying attention to what I post before I do, bunch of posts in between x_X

[Dantrag]

It is for the most part if not all going to have VOs. The Charr guys voice is awesome D;

The introduction to the races videos are main characters to do with the story line and they're all VO.

[Katlan]

Couldn't forget about you Katlan, my nefarious little bitch nugget. Way to actually say something intelligent only to follow it up by instantly jumping on the first idiot troll bandwagon to come through. Don't worry bro you might still lead instead of follow someday.

lol..................

on topic: It's becoming standard for mmo's these days to have, at least, the main story events / elements VA'd. the only mmo's that don't seem to encorporate this are the older mmo's that started out w/o VA

[Takiwaki]

It is for the most part if not all going to have VOs. The Charr guys voice is awesome D;

The introduction to the races videos are main characters to do with the story line and they're all VO.

They are boasting 60 movie lengths worth of dialogue in game, including voice overs and ambient sound. you literally hear people talking in the background walking by, in the bit of play time I had, npcs would call you, run up to you even. You constantly hear them talking during events etc, even your character talks and says corny one liners at times. like during the undead dragon event, you would hear the frog people talking about something in the water and its coming just before it jumps out to attack. Note that none of this is a cut scene, and all scripted in game with you fully in control of your character.

I will honestly say I am one that got more hype after playing. Even my wife was like wow thats cool. swtor never gave us that impression. The thing is about this game is that unlike alot of other mmos, where you basically have to more often than not wait for the fun in later levels, or work your way to endgame, or grind your way till the fun part of the game appears. It was fun from the moment you were in control of your character, that is very hard find. I know it sounds silly but just running around exploring was awesome. skills do not need a target to be used, and oftentimes include some movement with it. the jumping swimming etc, very Immersive.

I have been trying to keep myself interested in 14 with each update to no avail either. The updates have been great but, i think i have been spoiled by gw2 lol. I logged into 14 last night and stood around amazed at how dead the area was, not talking about other players but the fact that there is nothing going on at all, unless you make it happen or take a leve etc. The first time I experienced logging into gw2 stepping outside and seeing a building burning in the distance I was like wow, i want to go over there, or running past a feild and having a farmer run up to me asking me to get rid of these pests, only realizing after clearing the area I was able to buy stuff from him. It totally changed my mind about how mmos should be.

[Dragir]

You know what's a half-decent holdover "MMO" (besides Guild Wars 1, of course :D)?

http://www.vindictus.com

The game itself is pretty 'meh' and none of it is voice-acted (and NPCs don't even technically exist)
but the (Source engine) graphics are pretty good, the gameplay is fun, and it's entirely free to play.

See? I can shill crappyish games, too.