Guild Wars 2

i’m not sure if anyone found this but, i saw a really grumpy cloud at the beginning area on top of a tree, it’s a bit hidden but, not really

it doesn’t seem to be working but does this mean they’ll eventually add a grumpy mode?

I think there was talk about such a thing at one point yes, but definitely not on official channels, check the reddit and you may find something.

Probably another one of those things they want to do, if there is player interest to warrant it. Judging from the clocktower they can make some fiendish jumping puzzles, so it is more than a possibility in my opinion.

Josh Foreman.8250:

Yeah, we had a hard mode in, but had to pull it because it was tanking the perf on the server. So we are building some new tech to accommodate it. If we have another release it will have a hard mode option for sure. We are literally working on it this week.

I just hope the day when you can stop sprinkling abundant if’s and maybes when talking about the future of the box is sooner rather than later.

Gwaiyn.4395:

I’m not sure if anyone found this

I did!

Josh Foreman.8250:

Crise.9401:

Josh Foreman.8250:

Yeah, we had a hard mode in, but had to pull it because it was tanking the perf on the server. So we are building some new tech to accommodate it. If we have another release it will have a hard mode option for sure. We are literally working on it this week.

I just hope the day when you can stop sprinkling abundant if’s and maybes when talking about the future of the box is sooner rather than later.

It’s possible that this day may come at some point in some cases for some people.

I refuse to absolutely believe nothing that you don’t say about nothing!

I pretty much combed the entire area when I first entered it so I found the cloud.
Was wondering what it was for, now I know. It probably got more grumpy when I was jumping on it’s head.

Rhysati.4932:

Josh Foreman.8250:

Crise.9401:

Josh Foreman.8250:

Yeah, we had a hard mode in, but had to pull it because it was tanking the perf on the server. So we are building some new tech to accommodate it. If we have another release it will have a hard mode option for sure. We are literally working on it this week.

I just hope the day when you can stop sprinkling abundant if’s and maybes when talking about the future of the box is sooner rather than later.

It’s possible that this day may come at some point in some cases for some people.

I refuse to absolutely believe nothing that you don’t say about nothing!

My head hurts.

Rhysati.4932:

Josh Foreman.8250:

Crise.9401:

Josh Foreman.8250:

Yeah, we had a hard mode in, but had to pull it because it was tanking the perf on the server. So we are building some new tech to accommodate it. If we have another release it will have a hard mode option for sure. We are literally working on it this week.

I just hope the day when you can stop sprinkling abundant if’s and maybes when talking about the future of the box is sooner rather than later.

It’s possible that this day may come at some point in some cases for some people.

I refuse to absolutely believe nothing that you don’t say about nothing!

Perhaps.

Josh Foreman.8250:

It’s possible that this day may come at some point in some cases for some people.

You could have made a great defense lawyer :P

I think it’s fine to add a Hard Mode for people that want such a thing, but I just hope that you don’t include additional rewards or higher drops rates that are only available in hard mode so that other p;layers are encouraged to play it whether they enjoy it or not. Normal mode is plenty tricky for most players (assuming you go for all the optional stuff).

Ohoni.6057:

I think it’s fine to add a Hard Mode for people that want such a thing, but I just hope that you don’t include additional rewards or higher drops rates that are only available in hard mode so that other p;layers are encouraged to play it whether they enjoy it or not. Normal mode is plenty tricky for most players (assuming you go for all the optional stuff).

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Because then people with less skill are less rewarded. There are always people who want more and more challenge and want everything to be crazy hard. I have no problem with that, let people play how they most enjoy playing. What I do have a problem with is when that playstyle receives greater rewards, because people playing on hard mode because they enjoy it are already being rewarded by the fun they are having playing it the way they like. If that is not reward enough then they shouldn’t play in that mode. People who would prefer to play on normal mode should not feel pressured by the loot tables to play on harder modes just to get the most efficient loot gain.

I just really hate the attitude of "the existing modes are too easy, there should be a harder one that I would enjoy more. . . and also it should give me extra cookies for playing it because who would want a harder mode if they don’t get paid extra for doing it? If they add a hard mode, play it or not, don’t expect them to give you extra cookies for it.

Make the reward for hard mode a title.

Sound good?

Ohoni.6057:

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Because then people with less skill are less rewarded. There are always people who want more and more challenge and want everything to be crazy hard. I have no problem with that, let people play how they most enjoy playing. What I do have a problem with is when that playstyle receives greater rewards, because people playing on hard mode because they enjoy it are already being rewarded by the fun they are having playing it the way they like. If that is not reward enough then they shouldn’t play in that mode. People who would prefer to play on normal mode should not feel pressured by the loot tables to play on harder modes just to get the most efficient loot gain.

I just really hate the attitude of "the existing modes are too easy, there should be a harder one that I would enjoy more. . . and also it should give me extra cookies for playing it because who would want a harder mode if they don’t get paid extra for doing it? If they add a hard mode, play it or not, don’t expect them to give you extra cookies for it.

1. Increase difficulty = increased rewards = motivation to improve.

2. Increase difficulty = equal rewards = motivation to not improve

That is a basic market economy concept. In combination with competition to have the best rewards is what the entire western society revolves around. One can argue that western society is not the best example to follow, but in my opinion it has proven itself to be the best option.

Ohoni.6057:

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Because then people with less skill are less rewarded. There are always people who want more and more challenge and want everything to be crazy hard. I have no problem with that, let people play how they most enjoy playing. What I do have a problem with is when that playstyle receives greater rewards, because people playing on hard mode because they enjoy it are already being rewarded by the fun they are having playing it the way they like. If that is not reward enough then they shouldn’t play in that mode. People who would prefer to play on normal mode should not feel pressured by the loot tables to play on harder modes just to get the most efficient loot gain.

I just really hate the attitude of "the existing modes are too easy, there should be a harder one that I would enjoy more. . . and also it should give me extra cookies for playing it because who would want a harder mode if they don’t get paid extra for doing it? If they add a hard mode, play it or not, don’t expect them to give you extra cookies for it.

The concept of the game was to reward skill. There is no reason why a hard mode version could not have slightly better rewards for it’s completion. If you are wanting to make sure that it stays “fair” then you should be arguing that the end rewards of what you can purchase with these are attainable regardless of which level of difficulty you choose to participate in instead. I.E. more baubles for harder versions but the purchasable items (skins, items, pets, ect..ect..) should be receivable by anyone that puts the time in to get them.

Ohoni.6057:

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Because then people with less skill are less rewarded. There are always people who want more and more challenge and want everything to be crazy hard. I have no problem with that, let people play how they most enjoy playing. What I do have a problem with is when that playstyle receives greater rewards, because people playing on hard mode because they enjoy it are already being rewarded by the fun they are having playing it the way they like. If that is not reward enough then they shouldn’t play in that mode. People who would prefer to play on normal mode should not feel pressured by the loot tables to play on harder modes just to get the most efficient loot gain.

I just really hate the attitude of "the existing modes are too easy, there should be a harder one that I would enjoy more. . . and also it should give me extra cookies for playing it because who would want a harder mode if they don’t get paid extra for doing it? If they add a hard mode, play it or not, don’t expect them to give you extra cookies for it.

Would you also like to get paid minimum wage for the rest of your life? [No matter how hard you work compared to your coworkers or how long you’ve been in the field]
Does that still sound like a good idea? [It doesn’t sound fair to me.]
Greater risk\effort should always equal greater reward. Always. [In every aspect of life; not just games.]

More skill should be rewarded as such. The “out” is that there are other avenues to achieve the same reward.

Think of a rope-and-pulley system:

• No pulleys you have to have more strength (skill) but you don’t have to pull as much rope.
• Lots of pulleys you don’t have to pull as hard, but you have to pull more rope before you’re finished.

So as long as all players have a “path” to the rewards it’s good. If it takes you 2x the time because you can’t run hard-mode, that’s irrelevant — you still get the reward with enough effort.

i found that cloud sunday as well.. definitely should have a title/achievement associated with it :-P

Brinson.7289:

Ohoni.6057:

Why shouldn’t somebody be rewarded for having more skill?

Because then people with less skill are less rewarded. There are always people who want more and more challenge and want everything to be crazy hard. I have no problem with that, let people play how they most enjoy playing. What I do have a problem with is when that playstyle receives greater rewards, because people playing on hard mode because they enjoy it are already being rewarded by the fun they are having playing it the way they like. If that is not reward enough then they shouldn’t play in that mode. People who would prefer to play on normal mode should not feel pressured by the loot tables to play on harder modes just to get the most efficient loot gain.

I just really hate the attitude of "the existing modes are too easy, there should be a harder one that I would enjoy more. . . and also it should give me extra cookies for playing it because who would want a harder mode if they don’t get paid extra for doing it? If they add a hard mode, play it or not, don’t expect them to give you extra cookies for it.

Would you also like to get paid minimum wage for the rest of your life? [No matter how hard you work compared to your coworkers or how long you’ve been in the field]
Does that still sound like a good idea? [It doesn’t sound fair to me.]
Greater risk\effort should always equal greater reward. Always. [In every aspect of life; not just games.]

Anytime someone tries to compare real life working with gaming I cannot help but laugh. There is no risk to playing the Super Adventure Box. The effort needed is subjective. Some players may think a lot of effort is needed to beat the frog boss. While others may think little effort is needed. And if they all beat the frog boss why should they be rewarded differently?

I for one, Can not wait for a ‘Hard Mode’ regardless of rewards ! I have been waiting for this ever since the first teaser released by Josh on the forums. Have been actively farming the box and trying to beat my best time.
Currently running it as a pair Zone 1 to Killing the King Toad – Best Time 13:40 ^.^
I can not wait to have a harder challenge and certainly can not wait for the next release >.< I just hope the love and demand for the SAB will convince the team (Or whoever controls release dates) To keep the box permanently and to provide smaller but regular updates!

I need my adventure box fix !

That is a basic market economy concept. In combination with competition to have the best rewards is what the entire western society revolves around. One can argue that western society is not the best example to follow, but in my opinion it has proven itself to be the best option.

I don’t want to need a motivation to improve, in this case. If I feel like improving, I’ll improve. If I don’t feel like improving, I don’t want to feel that I’m missing out on anything because of it.

SAB is based on the idea of a classic game. Give the classic “hard mode” bonus rewards, “You Win.”

Would you also like to get paid minimum wage for the rest of your life? [No matter how hard you work compared to your coworkers or how long you’ve been in the field]
Does that still sound like a good idea? [It doesn’t sound fair to me.]
Greater risk\effort should always equal greater reward. Always. [In every aspect of life; not just games.]

If you insist that a hard mode must come with an enhanced reward package, then I vote no hard mode at all.

If hard mode was something people genuinely wanted because they wanted additional challenge, then it would be worth implementing, but it’s becoming clear that people don’t want a higher challenge, they just want additional reward, and feel that they would be able to play better than their peers, so they should be getting better rewards than are available to those peons. I do not feel that encouraging that sort of attitude would help anyone.

Let me ask this, let’s say they did put in a hard mode, and let’s say that the chests in hard mode contained double the bauble bubbles, and had double the chance of a rare drop. But let’s say that however “leet” you may believe yourself to be, it turns out that Hard Mode is impossible to complete for you, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much effort you put in, you can’t even come close to beating 1-1 on Hard Mode. There are plenty of other people though that can beat it in their sleep, and speed-run it in no more time than it takes to speedrun the basic version.

Do you feel that these players, who are working no harder than you are, deserve to get double the rewards for their efforts?

Ohoni.6057:

Do you feel that these players, who are working no harder than you are, deserve to get double the rewards for their efforts?

Yes.

I also believe that I would not be able to complete the hard mode. I am definitely not the best gamer out there – I consider myself of average skill level. Perfect for Normal Mode.

Also, if all you get is double baubles, and theoretically hard mode will take longer to complete, then there will be no real added bonus for doing hard mode.

This game does not want gear progression where you do things to get better gear to do other things (something I do not agree with, but have accepted). It has advertised as skill progression. This means you start out with easier content and work up your own actual skill to be able to complete harder material. That is great, but without an incentive to try harder material, people will naturally choose the easiest possible path to get what they want.

PS: There already is a discrepancy between loot on Easy (infantile) Mode and Normal Mode. Do you disagree with this?

CalvinHobbes.3541:

Anytime someone tries to compare real life working with gaming I cannot help but laugh.

How do you reconcile that when someone’s real life work is gaming?

Maybe if you didn’t brush off gaming so dismissively, you’d be better at it. Or vice versa. Either way it sounds like sour grapes.

And if they all beat the frog boss why should they be rewarded differently?

For the same reason you tip waiters differently even though they all bring you your food. Oh but since that’s real life work I guess the principle can’t possibly be applicable to a game as well.

On that note, from now on, all football players will receive the same trophy for simply having been on the field at some point during the season because how well you play a game is laughably irrelevant.

Higher rewards for hard mode is completely logical. It’s harder, therefore it takes longer to complete, so they should be getting a reward properly scaled to the time spent on it.

Giving it the same reward as normal would be the same situation as giving CoF the same reward as the harder dungeons.

Leablo.2651:

CalvinHobbes.3541:

Anytime someone tries to compare real life working with gaming I cannot help but laugh.

How do you reconcile that when someone’s real life work is gaming?

My honest opinion is that playing games for the sake of playing games is not real life work. Especially in the context of this discussion regarding the addition of a hard mode option. There are of course a variety of occupations associated with the development of games and sports are considered games but that’s not what I’m referring to in my post. And I think you know that but felt like being obnoxious about it.

Leablo.2651:

Maybe if you didn’t brush off gaming so dismissively, you’d be better at it. Or vice versa. Either way it sounds like sour grapes.

Nice attempt at a personal jab. You’ve got no idea what my gaming abilities are. So to dismiss my opinion as sour grapes is unfounded.

Leablo.2651:

For the same reason you tip waiters differently even though they all bring you your food. Oh but since that’s real life work I guess the principle can’t possibly be applicable to a game as well.

Indeed. But I’ll suggest to the neighborhood restaurant owners to implement a hard mode in the future.

Leablo.2651:

On that note, from now on, all football players will receive the same trophy for simply having been on the field at some point during the season because how well you play a game is laughably irrelevant.

If I’m not mistaken the entire Ravens football team will receive the same championship ring.

Also, if all you get is double baubles, and theoretically hard mode will take longer to complete, then there will be no real added bonus for doing hard mode.

Only if it ends up taking twice as long to complete. If they make it so that it definitely, no exploit possible, does take that long, then fair enough, but we’ve all see their track records of accurately estimating players’ capabilities.

The other difficulty is that it’s already difficult to balance a “completionist” run on normal against a “speed run” where you only go after the low hanging fruit. If players could also do a “speed run” on hard mode, which might take longer than a normal speed run but would take less time than a normal completion run, then it would basically invalidate the vast majority of the content in the stages.

That is great, but without an incentive to try harder material, people will naturally choose the easiest possible path to get what they want.

And that’s fine by me. To each his own. It’s like in single player games, I just recently beat Bioshock on Normal mode. I could have played it on “easy,” but I felt Normal was a comfortable challenge level for myself. I have no particular interest in playing it on hard, much less 1999 mode, but plenty of people love the idea, and more power to them. The only thing I miss out on by not playing that mode is three potential achievements/trophies, and I can live without those.

Difficulty modes should be about the personal challenge. If you can beat something on hard mode, then you know that you did it, and that’s all that needs to happen. There’s no need for the game to give you extra cookies to do something that you claim to want to do already. If you want to do it, do it. If you don’t, don’t.

PS: There already is a discrepancy between loot on Easy (infantile) Mode and Normal Mode. Do you disagree with this?

No, because “easy” was deliberately designed to be without effort, it’s the sub-default state. Normal mode is difficult enough to be worthy of the reward, anything harder than that doesn’t need extra reward.

Giving it the same reward as normal would be the same situation as giving CoF the same reward as the harder dungeons.

. . .

If anything, I’d say the rewards for Hard Mode should be increased chances of getting a rare Super skin, more bauble drops, and faster unlocks. As far as unique rewards, I can live with just a title or something cosmetic.

Likewise, in GW1 had a Hard Mode and enabling it not only made it obviously harder, but the quality of loot was also increased. You also were rewarded more XP, gold, and (sometimes) points towards a title track; but it was more than you would have earned if you did that same content in Normal Mode. Basically put, Hard Mode awarded you more of the same kind of stuff that you would get in Normal Mode. It was well worth it if you knew how to fully utilize your abilities to a maximize your reward while spending little time to do it.

If anything, I’d say the rewards for Hard Mode should be increased chances of getting a rare Super skin, more bauble drops, and faster unlocks. As far as unique rewards, I can live with just a title or something cosmetic.

I’m glad you’re so magnanimous as to only ask for better drop rates, a unique title, and maybe something cosmetic for playing the game mode you’d be preferring to play anyways over the existing one. That’s so awfully generous of you towards those that would prefer to stick with normal mode that you didn’t also ask for 100% skin drop rates and that Normal Mode no longer award any Bubbles.