Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars has been an interesting experience between my friends and I. Take a game like Team Fortress — the appeal of cosmetics seem to be motivated more on a sense of collection or item stats. A social game like MapleStory uses cosmetics as reskins purchasable at all levels. In this game where social hierarchy and implicit status reigns, you are actually looked down upon for having a character with default skin models. The question these social gamers ask: why would someone take the time to get to know someone who has no self-respect for their character? The blame for this subconscious discrimination stems from the game design of its cosmetics.

The way Guild Wars 2 implements general weapon and armor modeling is something I have never seen before in an online multiplayer setting. My friends and I giggled with joy between drops while leveling as a group. Most new drops — even blue ones — appeared unique and fresh even at the low levels. What’s crazy is that even though I’m getting swords that looks like magically infused chainsaws at level 20, it does not dilute the macro cosmetic gear progression achieved through notable accomplishments / higher rarity tiers of drops. This is a problem I feel the Borderlands series falls victim to. The game has no real cosmetic progression on a macro level, and within a few hours of gameplay you’ve seen it all. A chronologically mistimed introduction of a new weapon can change its reception from being baller to forgettable.

Pat yourselves (read: AN modelers / animators) on the back for being the first game I can confidently say has mastered cosmetics. I am not talking about monetary success cosmetics bring to a money-bagging game like League of Legends. I am talking about the impact that skins have on the actual game and on actual player thinking. You can intuitively pick who is more accomplished between two players just by their armor. This seems to be a result of anywhere between particle effects and a higher level of detail. Don’t get me started with legendaries. The fact that the sheer beauty of a gear set conjures enough organic motivation to continue progressing is a massive accomplishment.

In summary, I could have reworded my title to say something like, “I hope you’re paying your modelers enough.” Though, we all know that would be a rhetorical statement. Give them a raise, because over half the people who enlighten me about their motivations for playing are cosmetically invested.

City of Heroes costume creator.

That is all.