Guild Wars 2

What Guild Wars 2 really needs is a major reworking of the friends and blocked list. At the moment if you happen for any reason to have a falling out with a ‘friend’ the only option you have is to block them as you can only ‘remove’ them as a friend.

Blocking them simply removes their name from the friends list and relocates it to the blocked list where it can be seen. In my experience this acts to remind you of them and you may be really upset by that. There are also instances of residents who for one reason or another (begging for money, items, using bad language or just being annoying) in local chat end up getting placed on that blocked list as well.

As with the former friends they too are shown there and remain a nasty reminder. It is my suggestion that ArenaNET move to radically rework the friends list so that it is possible to ‘mute’ ‘block’ or ‘defriend’ them.

The MUTE function will act to prevent anything that they type into chat being displayed in your window, and as an additional function will turn their character virtually transparent so that you do not have to look at them. Additionally it will block any sound that they are making (as bell ringing, setting off explosions, etc. can be very annoying).

The BLOCK function will move any name that you select (either in world or from the friends list) to the muted listing wherein you have the option of either SHOWING or CONCEALING their names on a case by case basis. There would also be a master default which blocks or shows all names listed so you do not have to look at them.

The final option, DEFRIENDING can be used only against those who are on your friends list who have in some way caused offence and you no longer wish to have anything to do with them. Make no mistake, defriending them will remove their name from your friends list (and yours from theirs automatically). It will no longer appear on the blocked list and provides the option for allowing them to contact you or muting all future communications from them depending on YOUR choices, not theirs.

However, should you wish to refriend them (as you have settled your differences) and they are standing close-up, a message shall appear on screen asking if you are sure that you are doing the right thing. There is no limit to the number of times you may defriend and then refriend a player – but if you make a habit of it, you might want to seek professional help.

I have a “remove friend” option when I right click a name on my contact list. Doesn’t that work?

Indeed that function does remove them as a friend SmudgerUK.4715 and that name does not appear on the blocked list (unless you choose to put it there) but I offered a suggestion that the system be improved, expanded upon to add options that allow more control over how it is handled. Muting especially would really be of use. I often play music while playing Guild Wars 2 and when at the bank have to put up with questionably maladjusted players ringing bells which can be very irritating.

Currently when you block a player they can still you online as well. I think this needs to be corrected more than anything. If I block someone, I should appear offline to them always.

Agreed, SnowWhite.9680 and that is an excellent point. If you block somebody you are obviously sending the message that you do not want to see them, talk to them or know what they are doing. I for one have no wish to let those who have offended me know where I am in world so they can come find me and bug me – nor do I believe that you should be informed as to where they are, because that basically sends the message that if they are in a region you’re best advised to avoid it. As I’ve suggested above, prevent them communicating with you, hiding their avatar and muting it from communicating or making noises which may alarm or irritate you. In as far as we cannot kick them out of a region we may be in, we can at least ‘ignore’ them in this manner with those options in place.