Guild Wars 2

Why is the SAB supposed to be 8-bit? As someone who grew up on both 8-bit and 16-bit systems I have to say the screenshots I have seen for SAB look decidedly more 16-bit than 8-bit.

That said, I started playing at the end of SAB’s last run and missed it… so am excited to try it out this time!

Anyone have any tips or tricks for World 1?

World one should be easy enough to complete without needing any tips, at least on normal mode. Tribulation (hard) mode is new to everyone, so I can’t help with that (yet). We also don’t know if the maps or mechanics have changed.

The only suggestion I can give you is buy the bombs early and start looking for hidden secrets, there are plenty :p

Oh and on the topic, yes, the looks are way closer to 16bit games than 8bit, but I don’t think most people notice.

Thanks for the tip on the bombs, will keep that in mind. I have read so many good things about SAB that I am really looking forward to the 3rd now!

I guess only people like me who grew up on 8-bit and 16-bit systems would really appreciate the difference between the two architectures. I wish my 8-bit systems had looked as good as SAB… heck the 16-bit systems didn’t even look as good!

…and you think 16 bit would give you a hi-def 3d world? 8-bit refers to the style and homage.

If you’re going to go there, SAB looks most similar to early 32-bit console platformers, e.g. Crash Bandicoot.

But I think that’s missing the point. If they really wanted an authentic 8-bit experience they would have done up SAB as a camera-locked 2D side scroller. It’s a tribute, not a simulation. The graphics only need to be “bad enough” to stand out.

I did say “the 16-bit systems didn’t even look as good” didn’t I?

I just think that the SAB is closer to the 16-bit systems than the 8-bit systems… though since it is all just paying homage I do get the point.

I would like to see a the SAB in 24 bit.

Because, its an homage to the early era of gaming, not the stylization that they went with. You have to understand they went with their own style of a modern 8bit style without actually being 8bit.

Uhhhh.. It’s 8 bit stytle in 3D.

My first video game was a pong game, so I too went through the 8bit vs 16 bit era. And no, SAB is not an tribute to 16 bit. If you think otherwise, then I don’t think you really played in the 8 bit era.

Here’s a hint in case you missed it: take the 3D element of SAB and what have you got?

The first zone reminds me a lot of a 16-bit Sonic level turned into 3D.

Lonewolf Kai.3682:

Uhhhh.. It’s 8 bit stytle in 3D.

My first video game was a pong game, so I too went through the 8bit vs 16 bit era. And no, SAB is not an tribute to 16 bit. If you think otherwise, then I don’t think you really played in the 8 bit era.

Here’s a hint in case you missed it: take the 3D element of SAB and what have you got?

Why would I say I grew up with 8- and 16-bit systems if I didn’t. My first computer was a TRS-80, then Atari 8-bits (800, 800XL, 130XE), Atari 16/32-bits (520ST, 1040STE, MegaST), and finally moved into the PC-Clone market. I really wanted an Atari Falcon but never did get one of my own to play with.

As I have never actually been inside SAB I did say I was judging it via screenshots. I do look forward to getting some hands on experience though to see how it looks myself.

As for the 8-bit vs 16-bit… 8 bit graphics were pretty horrible back in the day, very limited resolutions and pallets were all that were available, which is why I thought SAB would be closer to 16-bit graphics than 8-bit ones.

Leablo.2651:

If you’re going to go there, SAB looks most similar to early 32-bit console platformers, e.g. Crash Bandicoot.

But I think that’s missing the point. If they really wanted an authentic 8-bit experience they would have done up SAB as a camera-locked 2D side scroller. It’s a tribute, not a simulation. The graphics only need to be “bad enough” to stand out.

You mean like this?

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/presenting-the-rytlocks-critter-rampage-game/

It’s just pixel aesthetics, I don’t see the point in arguing about 8 or 16 bits… but the theme song is definitely in 8-bit.
https://soundcloud.com/arenanet/sets/guild-wars-2-super-adventure

For french people like me, bits concern are very funny because of the meaning of its homonym “bite”… ^^

ps : Remember this ?
https://d3b4yo2b5lbfy.cloudfront.net/rampage/index.html

Oh yea, that soundtrack is very 8-bit sounding, nice FM synthesis going on there.

I can’t wait for the 3rd, while this last update did not excite me very much, I am very much looking forward to playing in the Super Adventure Box!

Technically it’s much closer to 32 bit.

Oh you kids and your 8-bit graphics. I’m holding out for GW2: Pong Tribute Edition in a glorious 2-bits of color depth.

Eidola.9148:

As for the 8-bit vs 16-bit… 8 bit graphics were pretty horrible back in the day, very limited resolutions and pallets were all that were available, which is why I thought SAB would be closer to 16-bit graphics than 8-bit ones.

HOW DARE YOU SAY 8-BIT IS HORRIBLE!!!!!! Pitfall may be one of the best games ever made. 8 bits of glory and fun.

We try to avoid calling it 8-bit, or any bit. It’s just an homage to what is currently called ‘retro’ or ‘old school’ by the majority of gamers these days. Those definitions change though. In 2 years they’ll be making retro games that look like GW2!

Eidola.9148:

Why is the SAB supposed to be 8-bit? As someone who grew up on both 8-bit and 16-bit systems I have to say the screenshots I have seen for SAB look decidedly more 16-bit than 8-bit.

It’s like a mashup of 8 bit pixels with 16 bit colors and 64 bit 3D environments, really.

It’s all just to evoke a feel of retro goodness.

It’s basically a throwback to the old pixel art styles found in both the 8 and 16 bit eras. If you’re looking for the closest approximation of how it actually looks and plays in action, however, it’s very in line with the Nintendo 64 and Sony Playstation era of systems.

Josh Foreman.6542:

We try to avoid calling it 8-bit, or any bit. It’s just an homage to what is currently called ‘retro’ or ‘old school’ by the majority of gamers these days. Those definitions change though. In 2 years they’ll be making retro games that look like GW2!

Oh come on Josh! You know it’s an 8-bit tribute. Admit it!

You lost your red Staff tag again btw.

Josh Foreman.6542:

We try to avoid calling it 8-bit, or any bit. It’s just an homage to what is currently called ‘retro’ or ‘old school’ by the majority of gamers these days. Those definitions change though. In 2 years they’ll be making retro games that look like GW2!

Good to know, thanks for the info Josh!

You are the first ANet poster to reply in any of my threads, and you didn’t have your colors enabled!

So, you have two accounts then? Your red posts have a different 4 numbers after your name than the post you made above!

Delvoire.8930:

Eidola.9148:

As for the 8-bit vs 16-bit… 8 bit graphics were pretty horrible back in the day, very limited resolutions and pallets were all that were available, which is why I thought SAB would be closer to 16-bit graphics than 8-bit ones.

HOW DARE YOU SAY 8-BIT IS HORRIBLE!!!!!! Pitfall may be one of the best games ever made. 8 bits of glory and fun.

For the time 8-bit was a LOT of fun, however, 320×240 resolutions with 16 colors were pretty horrible compared todays hi-def 1920×1080 and higher resolutions!

Eidola.9148:

Delvoire.8930:

Eidola.9148:

As for the 8-bit vs 16-bit… 8 bit graphics were pretty horrible back in the day, very limited resolutions and pallets were all that were available, which is why I thought SAB would be closer to 16-bit graphics than 8-bit ones.

HOW DARE YOU SAY 8-BIT IS HORRIBLE!!!!!! Pitfall may be one of the best games ever made. 8 bits of glory and fun.

For the time 8-bit was a LOT of fun, however, 320×240 resolutions with 16 colors were pretty horrible compared todays hi-def 1920×1080 and higher resolutions!

And again, comes the person that thinks graphics matter. I mean seriously, i play games cause they’re fun, not cause they look good.

So, the super technological asura who can build golems and holograms come to teach their pupils with such an outdated graphics mechanic. I bet many of their kids will rather have a “street fight” lesson then a eye scratching and ear grinding one.
oh, and people complain about asuras being to advanced for the medieval fantasy world of GW2 Ha,