Guild Wars 2

So skipping past general complaints on what I think is one of the better mini-games introduced to GW2 I’d like to ask. Why does this mini-game essentially use such a small portion of the map? Looking at the full map would imply that the several “Encampments” where you find supplies activate and deactivate randomly but that hardly seems to be the case as the same ones are always active. I’m still not quite sure what determines when they “deactivate”.

Personally I feel that the game would work better if the “Hunger” debuff, instead of stacking in intensity over time, would maintain a constant degenerative rate. The reduced health degeneration would lessen the impact of torment upon those with high health yet retain it’s damage capacity keeping it’s lethality to previously injured or starving players. Additionally by allowing matches to last longer and players to survive without rations for prolonged periods of time more of the map can be utilized. Assuming that the outer portions of the map contain supplies as well (I have never seen anyone head past the Driftglass Springs, however I noticed the northwest portion of Southsun Shoals seems to lack supplies of any kind) the overall focus of the game would shift from the hoarding of rations (currently the only way I see to consistently win) to the active pursuit of supplies, and the players that carry them, across the island (of course with supplies being more spread out, as things are now the first person to the dappled shores has all the rations he will ever need). The overall dispersion of players would also help alleviate the clustering of ghosts allowing dead players to “Haunt” more effectively while simultaneously improving the effectiveness of the “grace period” by preventing close respawns and cramped quarters in general.

I like Southsun Survival a lot, I’m glad Anet did something a little different and stepped away from the pathetically small “Arena” combat that so often characterizes these events. Yet it still feels like there was heavy influence of arena elements in the development of Southsun Survival which, to me, is appealing because of it’s slower more thought provoking pace. I think that while it is good as is, there was more potential that could have been realized.

Make a map too big, and it would be impossible to find anyone. Make a map too small, and it’s too easy to find someone.

Sticking to just the east shore seems fair.

Another fun new mini-game, gg ANet. Survival needs some tweaking though.