Guild Wars 2

Anet you already have a queue server technology in place (overflow) so why not use that to fix the “dead zones” issue.
Basically, for all zones that are usually dead, you prioritize overflows over the main server so all people are going to fill the overflow(s), and will still be able to /join with friends in their own server just like we do now in LA when we group for FoTM.

An upcoming major title is using megashard feature and will have full maps always, and the fact GW2 zones are dead might be a big downside for us when the two are compared, so you might want to look into this soon.

Plus it’s not something that can be left undone forever so at some point it will need to be done.

Which game is doing that?

eisberg.2379:

Which game is doing that?

TES Online is going to sport a system similar to our overflow/district one at launch.

I get it that Anet was pushed to release mid-beta but at this point I think it’s safe to say this thing needs to happen.
Especially since the system is already there it’s a minor work for them and major change for all people who play the game.

ah, that is cool.

I’m surprised people haven’t come in here stating “No, it ruins community” -.- Cause that seems to be the defacto answer to anything the helps people actually be able to play with other people.

It wouldnt ruin community though as you can currently do a majority of content with people on other servers, on top of that they were suppose to have a Guesting feature, that was similar to this but by choice not mandatory.

I think its a great idea, but what do you consider a dead zone?

eisberg.2379:

ah, that is cool.

I’m surprised people haven’t come in here stating “No, it ruins community” -.- Cause that seems to be the defacto answer to anything the helps people actually be able to play with other people.

I doubt anyone would say no to the ability to choose a common server with all players when they are in PvE zones.

As for Anet, obviously a single server is never going to fill the massive world we have so it’s kind of a mandatory step to switch to such a system.
Hopefully some devs will let us know their plans on this.

The problem is, most events are not worth to do anymore, even when leveling, except some really easy one that can be completed quickly, or to fill the heart while you do it. Even for a level 80 trying to get 100% map completion, you can simply skip all events unless they help contributing to fill the hearts nearby. The rewards are almost ignorable considering inflation and how much you can earn from a dungeon run. Event may take 20 minutes or so to complete, but you can get 100 times of reward by spending that 20 minutes in any dungeon.

My only reason to do event is now:
(1) It helps to fill the heart
(2) You need a few more for the dailies
(3) For pure fun if you have never done it before

They need to add something special in the reward or event will die when more people start to realize that they are not worth doing at all. Maybe 1 FotM token per event or 5 dungeon tokens (related to that zone) per event might help a lot to fill the map with casual players who dislike or have hard time in dungeons.

Red Falcon.8257:

I doubt anyone would say no to the ability to choose a common server with all players when they are in PvE zones.

Never underestimate a human’s ability to fight against its best interests.

Even WoW has cross realm zones now that fills dead zones with people.

GW2 gettin’ left behind in the dust lol

Hologramx.6402:

The problem is, most events are not worth to do anymore, even when leveling, except some really easy one that can be completed quickly, or to fill the heart while you do it. Even for a level 80 trying to get 100% map completion, you can simply skip all events unless they help contributing to fill the hearts nearby. The rewards are almost ignorable considering inflation and how much you can earn from a dungeon run. Event may take 20 minutes or so to complete, but you can get 100 times of reward by spending that 20 minutes in any dungeon.

My only reason to do event is now:
(1) It helps to fill the heart
(2) You need a few more for the dailies
(3) For pure fun if you have never done it before

They need to add something special in the reward or event will die when more people start to realize that they are not worth doing at all. Maybe 1 FotM token per event or 5 dungeon tokens (related to that zone) per event might help a lot to fill the map with casual players who dislike or have hard time in dungeons.

I am thinking about exactly the same thing. The issues is incentive, not population. Merging people in one server is like a brute force solution. Putting dungeon tokens in the end of events seems easier and addresses the issue more directly.

YPC.6349:

I am thinking about exactly the same thing. The issues is incentive, not population. Merging people in one server is like a brute force solution. Putting dungeon tokens in the end of events seems easier and addresses the issue more directly.

The problem is that it’s impossible to make players want to go through all zones every day, no game is capable of doing that.
Even if it was worth it I doubt people would actually refill all the maps of the game.

It’s much easier to make common servers just like other games.

If it’s optional, go for it. Otherwise I want nothing to do with it. I’m on Tarnished Coast(RP server) and it’s very, very full. There are people everywhere in the open world. And a lot of them are roleplaying while they quest. We don’t need a bunch of people from other servers harassing our community.

Rhysati.4932:

If it’s optional, go for it. Otherwise I want nothing to do with it. I’m on Tarnished Coast(RP server) and it’s very, very full. There are people everywhere in the open world. And a lot of them are roleplaying while they quest. We don’t need a bunch of people from other servers harassing our community.

The thing about Tarnished Coast is that it’s an unofficial RP server. It was designated as such by the community and not by ArenaNet. If this concept of a megashard would happen, then all servers would have to be considered in some way or another. If the RP community really wants to keep the harassment away from anti-RP players, then they would have to engage on some hardcore lobbying to convert and create RP servers.

In that case, I would say make four RP servers, Tarnished Coast being a converted one and three brand new ones (for the sake of WvW balancing). All the RP worlds would share the same “underflow” and “overflow” servers so that regardless if you end up in an overflow or not, you’re more likely going to end up with players who also RP. Optionally, you could also join a non-RP overflow by right-clicking a party member’s portrait and choose “Join In Lion’s Arch” or whatever zone.

Ari Kagura.9182:

The thing about Tarnished Coast is that it’s an unofficial RP server. It was designated as such by the community and not by ArenaNet. If this concept of a megashard would happen, then all servers would have to be considered in some way or another. If the RP community really wants to keep the harassment away from anti-RP players, then they would have to engage on some hardcore lobbying to convert and create RP servers.

In that case, I would say make four RP servers, Tarnished Coast being a converted one and three brand new ones (for the sake of WvW balancing). All the RP worlds would share the same “underflow” and “overflow” servers so that regardless if you end up in an overflow or not, you’re more likely going to end up with players who also RP. Optionally, you could also join a non-RP overflow by right-clicking a party member’s portrait and choose “Join In Lion’s Arch” or whatever zone.

No need for all this madness, just make a “common server” for each map so that players from all server can join it if they so want – else they stay in their server.
Pretty much like GW1 worked, you could stay in your district or visit others.

The thing is, this system is already in place except it’s used for the opposite issue, aka overpopulation of a zone.
Underpopulation is a major issue and should be fixed too.

eisberg.2379:

Which game is doing that?

WoW started doing it with the new expansion

forrae.6708:

WoW started doing it with the new expansion

Most games use this technology nowadays, that’s because finding all PvE maps empty is a great downside for a MMO game.

The fact this technology is there already and not used makes me think Anet has its eyes focused on endgame only and doesn’t care to resolve the most fundamental issue of the pre-endgame game.

I can’t see NOT having this in the near future…

It would make the game even more epic. I really hope this is something they are considering for the near future.

I just hope something like this goes into the game before its too late for people to care.