Guild Wars 2

So there’s already a preview of the next Living Story on MMORPG.com (though I’m pretty sure they were supposed to wait until the official info release on the 16th).

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/view/news/read/28065/Guild-Wars-2-Cutthroat-Politics-Coming-July-23rd-Details-Inside.html

The future of Lion’s Arch is in your hands! The explosive events of the Effigy Ceremony at the Dragon Bash left an empty seat on the Captain’s Council of Lion’s Arch. Now, it’s up to the players to support a new Council candidate to victory! War hero Ellen Kiel and Black Lion Trader Evon Gnashblade are both determined to claim the empty seat – help one of them and the results will seriously impact the future events and the Living World we have come to love and cherish!

Earn support tokens as you play Guild Wars 2 during the two weeks of the Cutthroat Politics release, and then use those tokens to help your favorite candidate accrue influence. The winner will show their appreciation by reducing the cost of certain goods or services , hosting a permanent rotation of well-loved mini-games , and sponsoring Mists research into one of two historical events.

Along with a vibrant campaign, the Cutthroat Politics release brings with it three new activities and new, exclusive rewards. Participate in the Southsun Survival or Aspect Arena activities, or test your mettle in the new Candidate Trials PVE Challenge . When doing so, you can earn a beautiful Desert Rose. stylish Zephyr Rucksack, or a little miniature Ellen Kiel and Evon Gnashblade of your very own!

What to take of it:

1) Mini games will be returning in rotation (possibly holiday ones, but that’s doubtful).

2)Mists+Historical Events = New Fractals! (oh!)

3) New items related to once again back piece items.

4) The election implies serious player impact on both results, and the effects that trickle down the road (though whether this is going to be server based, or an average polling of all servers lumped together, still be determined)

5) Zephyr Sanctum still remains through the new content for another couple weeks (i.e. not ending on 23rd…from what’s implied).

The “historical events” can only be Molten Facility, and Aetherblade dungeon.

SAB or bust !

awesome,cant wait

ellen kiel i vote for you~~~! (want her as a minipet so badly)

We should try to go for a tie.

As I’ve heard, one Evon minigame will be Hunger Royale (I think that’s it) based from beta. I’ve also heard that special perks will be given for supporting a side.
Kiel: Reduced WP cost and Aetherblade fractal
Evon: Reduced BL Key costs and and Molten Facility Fractal

For the love of Sigmar can we just finish off the Elder dragons and salvage the horrible personal storyline already? Then focus on living world content? or better yet, don’t make things up(like Southsun) but rather have it evolve around the main story.

*I understand the need for a breath of fresh air but we need to get back on topic.

I don’t really see more dealings with the ED outside of an expansion …
Would have to be something the size of Eye of the North. The personal story bits will be shorter since we already have the whole ‘learning about the orders and forming the pact’ thing out of the way.

Khisanth.2948:

I don’t really see more dealings with the ED outside of an expansion …
Would have to be something the size of Eye of the North. The personal story bits will be shorter since we already have the whole ‘learning about the orders and forming the pact’ thing out of the way.

You mean those expansions that we are not going to get?

I swear to god if they make Hunger Royale temporary I’m going to go and cry and fall into a deep depression because that was absolutely amazing to play.

Siphaed.9235:

Living World we have come to love and cherish

Who?
Self delusion level: ANet.

Anyway, the fact that they start recycling minigames from the past events, right after the announcement of the every 2 weeks updates doesn’t sound much promising…

Nightarch.2943:

For the love of Sigmar can we just finish off the Elder dragons and salvage the horrible personal storyline already? Then focus on living world content? or better yet, don’t make things up(like Southsun) but rather have it evolve around the main story.

*I understand the need for a breath of fresh air but we need to get back on topic.

And why isn’t THIS (Living Story) part of the Personal Story extension? Yay…we defeated Zhiatan (which Trahern took credit for). But now we the players get to have stopped the Molten Alliance’s push against the Shiverpeaks/Ascalon; saved the removed refugee from corrupt business men and giant monsters; investigated a murder during a festival (dragon related); invaded a pirate liar to stop their corruption plot (but haven’t stopped them, or their mysterious boss “Scarlet”, in full yet); escorted members of Lion’s Arch to the Zyphrym Sanctum’s Bazaar to try to open a trade agreement for magical items (of which most of the Zypherite’s tech is derived from the crystal body of Glint, a dead Elder Dragon).

For those of you talking about south sun being pointless: it’s essential to the Bubbles story. The Sclerite are essentially the Bubbles Dragon’s minions (apparently it creates tentacled minions), and the end reward for the SoS is a sclerite Karka shell, which has tentacles moving on a non-living shell structure. It may be small, but it all plays into the big picture and we’ll eventually say, “Oohhhh okay, that’s why they did this seemingly pointless living world update.”

Viking Jorun.5413:

For those of you talking about south sun being pointless: it’s essential to the Bubbles story. The Sclerite are essentially the Bubbles Dragon’s minions (apparently it creates tentacled minions), and the end reward for the SoS is a sclerite Karka shell, which has tentacles moving on a non-living shell structure. It may be small, but it all plays into the big picture and we’ll eventually say, “Oohhhh okay, that’s why they did this seemingly pointless living world update.”

Eventually may be too late if people get bored by pointless living world updates before things gets really tasty.

Twenty-thirth…

Politics should be fun!

Evon does not look trustworthy. There’s a lesson to be learned about voting for a candidate with fangs and horns.

inazuma.7021:

Evon does not look trustworthy. There’s a lesson to be learned about voting for a candidate with fangs and horns.

Don’t be racist.

Celebratty.1632:

inazuma.7021:

Evon does not look trustworthy. There’s a lesson to be learned about voting for a candidate with fangs and horns.

Don’t be racist.

Speciest

Conncept.7638:

They put a pretty female human (most popular race) your character has been personally working alongside for months, against a shifty charr (least popular race) in charge of a marketinig company which for many symbolizes the gemstore and ANets recent greedy business practices.

Yeah… they might as well start getting the Elen Kiel version of the upcoming story ready…

pretty much this rofl.

Conncept.7638:

They put a pretty female human (most popular race) your character has been personally working alongside for months, against a shifty charr (least popular race) in charge of a marketinig company which for many symbolizes the gemstore and ANets recent greedy business practices.

Yeah… they might as well start getting the Elen Kiel version of the upcoming story ready…

Well… when you put it like that. Maybe the Charr can still win with a 90% off the Charr plushie promotion or maybe come up with a new Charr plushie wearing a Quaggan suit holding a sign that reads “Vote for me and I’ll add 321% MF for everyone!”

I’m gonna vote for Kiel. However, I’d totally change my vote to Evon if he gave out free Charr backpacks.

Apache.7231:

As I’ve heard, one Evon minigame will be Hunger Royale (I think that’s it) based from beta. I’ve also heard that special perks will be given for supporting a side.
Kiel: Reduced WP cost and Aetherblade fractal
Evon: Reduced BL Key costs and and Molten Facility Fractal

If aetherblade dungeon may end up as one of possible random fractals, then i’m afraid i’ll need to vote against Kiel. No matter how good reduced WP cost is.

Conncept.7638:

They put a pretty female human (most popular race) your character has been personally working alongside for months, against a shifty charr (least popular race) in charge of a marketinig company which for many symbolizes the gemstore and ANets recent greedy business practices.

Yeah… they might as well start getting the Elen Kiel version of the upcoming story ready…

It’s about the illusion of choice. Kind of like real politics.

@Siphaed.9235, definitely off topic.

That’s great. I am going to do nothing and not care about voting because neither parties never improve anything anyway.

Yay.

Politics.

Whoop-de-do.

But I do wonder what the RNG box will be!

Down with the two-party system!

Don’t vote for either Gnashkiel or Kielblade!

Vote for third-party!

Vote Braham Eirsson!

Nightarch.2943:

Then focus on living world content? or better yet, don’t make things up(like Southsun) but rather have it evolve around the main story.

Still wondering why they made a whole island appear into the middle of nowhere when there was the Ring of Fire Islands nearby begging to be revisited .

Lévis.5489:

Nightarch.2943:

Then focus on living world content? or better yet, don’t make things up(like Southsun) but rather have it evolve around the main story.

Still wondering why they made a whole island appear into the middle of nowhere when there was the Ring of Fire Islands nearby begging to be revisited .

I’m pretty sure they have other plans for those islands.

Vayne.8563:

Lévis.5489:

Nightarch.2943:

Then focus on living world content? or better yet, don’t make things up(like Southsun) but rather have it evolve around the main story.

Still wondering why they made a whole island appear into the middle of nowhere when there was the Ring of Fire Islands nearby begging to be revisited .

I’m pretty sure they have other plans for those islands.

Like putting them in an RNG box…

Well, it’s obvious they want Kiel to win (WP costs vs. BL key discount? Come on!) but that would make it even funnier if the playerbase would rally behind Evon and make ANet change their plans.

I did get a chuckle out of “loved and cherished” living story though.

Traveller.7496:

Well, it’s obvious they want Kiel to win (WP costs vs. BL key discount? Come on!) but that would make it even funnier if the playerbase would rally behind Evon and make ANet change their plans.

I did get a chuckle out of “loved and cherished” living story though.

And yet based on the datamined information Kiel might lose based on the Fractal that will be released (one of them have Aeatherblade Retreat (Kiel I believe) and the other have Molten Alliance Facility).

I actually think they want to leave it all up to the players and they actually have both outcomes planned.

Kain Francois.4328:

Down with the two-party system!

Don’t vote for either Gnashkiel or Kielblade!

Vote for third-party!

Vote Braham Eirsson!

You have to be a ship’s captain to run for the Council. Braham doesn’t even have a rowboat.

Wozmack! Wozmack! He’s our man!
If he can’t do it, no one can!
Ellen Kiel is out of whack!
To Gnashblade you’re a tasty snack!
They are both supremely dull!
Wozmack, though, is wonderful!

Wozmack! (Wozmack!)
Wozmack! (Wozmack!)
Wozmack Wozmack Wozmack!
WOZMACK!

I am genuinely conflicted.

My character (as well as I) would always vote for Ellen Kiel.
But I also kinda want the Molten Facility back 100 times more than the Aetherblade retreat.

What to do O_O

Pixelpumpkin.4608:

I am genuinely conflicted.

My character (as well as I) would always vote for Ellen Kiel.
But I also kinda want the Molten Facility back 100 times more than the Aetherblade retreat.

What to do O_O

For what reasoning?

For the Molten Facility, I’d felt that the ‘trash mobs’ leading up to the boss were too bland. The facility itself had two main fights (the Engineer and the end Bosses) and one mediocre fight against a randomized creature. The problem is that the Engineer fight was just a bit of a watered down version of the Boss fight at the end anyways. And, it wasn’t all that “fight”, as it was everyone standing in the upper Left corner between phases as some sort of exploit.

As for Aetherblade, it too had two main fights (Frizz and Mai/Horrik) and one mediocre fight (the gate gauntlet with cannons). The gate cannon fight was more or less a preview of the end boss fight, same-ish. But the Frizz fight, with it’s constantly moving electric beams/walls, was completely unique compared to the end boss. Mai/Horrik became a phased dance of positioning the boss for debuff, doing the DPS while avoiding condition stacks with teleport stabbing, and timed avoidance runs through crazy cannon fields.

In comparison between the two: Aetherblade is harder, has a larger learning curve, and is a more enjoyable “win” with the challenge presented.

As for the Election: My vote will be purely based on lore aspects and what each of the two can bring to the next Living Story. (Example: If either candidate promises to hunt down and kill Trahern for stealing credit related to Zhaitan’s death, I will vote them in a heart beat.)

Siphaed.9235:

Pixelpumpkin.4608:

I am genuinely conflicted.

My character (as well as I) would always vote for Ellen Kiel.
But I also kinda want the Molten Facility back 100 times more than the Aetherblade retreat.

What to do O_O

For what reasoning?

I enjoyed the MF a lot more, so did my entire circle of friends.

Politicians always lie. Don’t believe either one of them. When has any politician you’ve ever known done everything they promised in their campaign?

Never. That’s when.

Keep in mind, even if Aetherblade Retreat is a better overall dungeon, do you really want it to become the next "Dredge"Fractal?

Pick something short and easy! Molten Facility!

And BrOham for council!

Yes! Can’t wait! Another festival!? Hopefully all content is temporar!
Oh, and I just can’t wait to buy those new shinies from the gem store!
And dont forget to add another easy JP Arena Net!

Nick.6972:

Yes! Can’t wait! Another festival!? Hopefully all content is temporar!
Oh, and I just can’t wait to buy those new shinies from the gem store!
And dont forget to add another easy JP Arena Net!

Festival?
Where?

The only thing I hate worse than pirates ( the-go-to-bad-guy-when-you-can’t-think-up-anything-original )… are politics & religion.

Seriously, ArenaNet, who are writing these terrible plot/story lines? The constant ‘Threatwork News’ media bombardment is bad enough but now we have to deal with politics in a freakin’ video game?!?!

I want immersion but, more importantly, I need escapism.

I think this is a good idea, and an example of how living story might actually change the world.

Will hold final judgement until it is released though. Also, hopefully, the story elements won’t feel like an afterthought. My opinion is that story should drive gameplay in an rpg (mmo or otherwise) not vice versa.

Elbegast.6970:

The only thing I hate worse than pirates ( the-go-to-bad-guy-when-you-can’t-think-up-anything-original )… are politics & religion.

Seriously, ArenaNet, who are writing these terrible plot/story lines? The constant ‘Threatwork News’ media bombardment is bad enough but now we have to deal with politics in a freakin’ video game?!?!

I want immersion but, more importantly, I need escapism.

1) The “pirates” were more or less mercenaries-for-hire working for Mai who was also working for a very mysterious person by the name of Scarlet. They also were far less than traditional in that they used lightning weapons, wore steampunk armor, and had floating, flying ships.

2) I’m not sure if you’re aware of it, but the whole “good vs bad” ideal in every video game, book, and movie is about politics of one side vs politics of another. But, this is a long term story in relation to a murdered political figure from the last story line (where we got a Columbo style mystery to solve).

P.S. I find it so tiresome that people continually judge other people’s art (yes, the story writing is just as much art as the visual style of the game). More so when they claim that they can do it so much better, yet never step up to plate with their own.

I think this is an indication of how much ArenaNet listens to players. People complained about living story not having a palpable impact on the world – the election definitely does that. People complained about the removal of minigames – were getting a permanent rotation of “popular” minigames. People complained about no permanent content – were getting one of the two most popular dungeons back as a fractal.

I think people have been a little quick to dismiss the living story. I only see a bright future for this game as they perfect the LS and find new ways to continually update the world we game in.

^ Isn’t a permanent rotation of minigames still temporary? Because we’ve been getting festivals and minigames since a long time and people consider those temporary.

Unless I don’t get what they mean with a permanent rotation.

Keil will win for sure because human + kittens

why are we even having this mock election?