Guild Wars 2

Today’s news article had an interesting revelation.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/hidden-arcana-developer-spotlight-on-crystin-cox/

During Living World Season 2, Crystin took charge of a new team that was organized to improve in-game rewards in Guild Wars 2. Previously, no single dedicated team handled in-game rewards, and individual content teams were responsible for deciding how players would be rewarded. Crystin felt there should be a greater balance between Gem Store item offerings and in-game rewards, and she and the rewards and commerce teams have worked on creating a clear division so that items will fit their method of distribution. For example, armor sets are now exclusively designed as in-game rewards while outfits are primarily Gem Store offerings. Her teams also designed the new transmutation system and helped work on the new wardrobe.

Interesting. Comments?

Behellagh.1468:

Comments?

No polite ones that would survive un-modded.

Considering how many people hate outfits, I don’t think this will be viewed positively. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to all the new armor sets with HoT.

Unless I’m misunderstanding and there’s an additional change to the transmutation system, it’s still going to remain cumbersome. Armors being in-game only is great, so long as they are released in a timely manner, as is keeping outfits mostly to the gem store. They’re changes that will definitely appeal to most players and have been requested for some time.

That said, there’s been quite a lull as far as the release of said armors, so that needs to be ramped up for those who still play the game.

Ralanost.8913:

Considering how many people hate outfits, I don’t think this will be viewed positively. On the other hand, I’m looking forward to all the new armor sets with HoT.

But we’re getting both. The one people (supposedly) like less is the one you pay for. So they simply should not buy them. That’s kinda how the free market balances itself out.
I personally like this (more so because we get more in-game armour sets).

As long as they will be creating new armor sets at a similar rate as when they were in gemshop, it’s good news. I’m not so sure they will manage that, though.

I don’t mind outfits, and will buy the ones I really like, but I’d personally just want to see as many armors added in game as there are outfits added in the gem store. There have been way more outfits added than in-game armors since release. This is just sad. But hey, armors in game don’t generate cash for ANet so I’m sure we all know why we see hardly any new armors but tons of new outfits, right?

From a business point of view, it makes sense.

As long there is balance when HoT arrives and we have plenty of rewards to aim for, I don’t see a major issue. It’s unbalanced now because there is no content to aim for, but hopefully that will even out.

My only issue with the gem store has been some of the eyebrow raising prices.

Outfits be gem store and armor sets be in game rewards is alright, the problem is that they release 100 outfits for every new armor set …

Belzebu.3912:

Outfits be gem store and armor sets be in game rewards is alright, the problem is that they release 100 outfits for every new armor set …

Well outfits are easier to produce. So to keep them equal you’d have to slow down the rate of outfit production of release.

If this is true then for each new outfit released, they should move one armor skin off of the gemstore and into the game to be obtainable by some means.

Sounds like more Black Lion Chest RNG grind they are preparing for…

CureForLiving.5360:

Belzebu.3912:

Outfits be gem store and armor sets be in game rewards is alright, the problem is that they release 100 outfits for every new armor set …

Well outfits are easier to produce. So to keep them equal you’d have to slow down the rate of outfit production of release.

Have outfits more often than sets is also ok, but in the last year I can remember just 2 armor sets, the carapace and the glorious, while outfits we got 2~3 in the last month.

Armor is meant to be more prestigious and therefore, should only be earned through gameplay. It was the same in GW1, which only sold costumes.

The gem store will always get more outfits than the game gets new armor because they have a team dedicated to that. It’s their job to release new items and make a profit. As long as skins are profitable, they’ll continue to make more of them. Nothing’s stopping them however from sharing resources, allowing you to earn select pieces.

I am not a big fan of these changes to not being able to mix and match outfits and losing mix and matching transmuted items (i.e. stats, rune, skins combo). I am also not a fan of the Extractor Tool (whatever it is called) for extra gems.

So in other words, I do not like the changes made by this team — not even one bit.

The hero UI still doesn’t default to Equipment for whatever reason and god know when they will finally fix this.

Well, I’m hoping we will have a massive influx of armor in HoT.

I’ll hope for armor being rewards for “challenging group content”, as long as it isnt quite as rng crazy as the stuff from teq or wurm. Maybe it will incorperate a bit from what some people miss from older traditional MMOs, who knows.

I understand the goal to make a distinction.

But wait a second here. Armor, which by all accounts, is more time-consuming due to making the pieces interchangeable, carries no monetization because it is restricted to in game, while one-size fits all outfits are sold for gems.

So the system sets things up so that ArenaNet does the easier thing and gets paid, but doesn’t if they do the thing that takes more development resources. Does this seem like a good idea?

On a side note, since Ms. Cox moved from monetization manager to a game designer, does that mean there is a different person in charge of monetization? Or is that still part of her game designer portfolio? Kinda seems like it still is, with the talk of her game reward changes.

And if so, does that mean we’ll be seeing a rare chance at Elixirs of Mastery Points dropping from Black Lion Chests in the future?

So there’s basically zero incentive to put resources towards new armors. I understand the simplicity of creating outfits and throwing them on the gemstore every few weeks, but since GW2 is all about costumes and aesthetics, there are no new pieces to mix and match.

That being said, the carapace armor is very well made. The argument that “individual armor pieces take more effort to create and customize for each bodytype” is invalid. As a company, I bloody well expect them to put effort into the created content.

I just hope GW2 doesn’t slowly turn into a bought F2P game where most new cool stuff is behind a paywall or a long gold grind.

Gibson.4036:

I understand the goal to make a distinction.

But wait a second here. Armor, which by all accounts, is more time-consuming due to making the pieces interchangeable, carries no monetization because it is restricted to in game, while one-size fits all outfits are sold for gems.

So the system sets things up so that ArenaNet does the easier thing and gets paid, but doesn’t if they do the thing that takes more development resources. Does this seem like a good idea?

Take a look at the armors that came out with the Silverwastes, and you’ll get your answer.

It takes a lot of work, grinding, and even some luck to get the full Lumi version of all three sets. That reward keeps people playing and doing events they might otherwise have stopped doing. It stretches out the life of the zone and events.

That is, I expect, how future armor sets will be used.

Behellagh.1468:

Today’s news article had an interesting revelation.

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/hidden-arcana-developer-spotlight-on-crystin-cox/

During Living World Season 2, Crystin took charge of a new team that was organized to improve in-game rewards in Guild Wars 2. Previously, no single dedicated team handled in-game rewards, and individual content teams were responsible for deciding how players would be rewarded. Crystin felt there should be a greater balance between Gem Store item offerings and in-game rewards, and she and the rewards and commerce teams have worked on creating a clear division so that items will fit their method of distribution. For example, armor sets are now exclusively designed as in-game rewards while outfits are primarily Gem Store offerings. Her teams also designed the new transmutation system and helped work on the new wardrobe.

Interesting. Comments?

I’m really happy with this , I’d suspected they were doing it for a month or two now and it’s really nice to get confirmation. It should make armor skins from HoT more desirable and distinct

If they find a similar solution for the weapon skins I’d be nearly happy with the gem store.

People complaining about outfits is ridiculous. There are like 20 outfits and over 50 armor sets. That’s 50 for each armor class too. There’s way more armor than outfits and most of the outfits aren’t available all the time. AND they’re going to be giving us a ton of new armor sets with the xpac. They’ve already given you what you want and you still complain that they’re not giving you enough.

Palador.2170:

Behellagh.1468:

Comments?

No polite ones that would survive un-modded.

Amen.

At least this confirms that we’ll never get another armor set from the gem store, but from in-game. Whenever that might happen.

I think I’ll be linking this thread a lot in the near future.

Photonman.6241:

AND they’re going to be giving us a ton of new armor sets with the xpac.

Source for this claim?

This was a revelation?

Well Crystin is from Nexon a pay to win developer which owns part of NcSoft. Only like 15%. Believe it or not that 15% is the largest investment NcSoft has and Nexon wants some control. Sorry Crystin and arenanet but this is true and you know it.

I was looking forward to more armor sets in the gemstore, because I do like to mix and match armors. I will get armor just for one piece of it. That’s 800 gems usually for one piece of that armor. I may use the other parts but only the gloves and boots on other chars if I like them too. Outfits do not offer that ability which stinks in my opinion. One set of armor and the sister armor that glows does not make up for the low volume now of armors because of outfits being gemstore only now.

Gibson.4036:

I understand the goal to make a distinction.

But wait a second here. Armor, which by all accounts, is more time-consuming due to making the pieces interchangeable, carries no monetization because it is restricted to in game, while one-size fits all outfits are sold for gems.

So the system sets things up so that ArenaNet does the easier thing and gets paid, but doesn’t if they do the thing that takes more development resources. Does this seem like a good idea?

Just because it requires more resources doesn’t mean they get devoted at the same rate. Try this:

“Outfit Team can make 5 outfits for all races in x time, which will bring in $5d. How many sets of armor for all races with accompanying events can we make in x time to stave off the inevitable accusations that we never give anything away for free?”
“1? Get on that, Armor Team, see you in x time.”

Palador.2170:

Take a look at the armors that came out with the Silverwastes, and you’ll get your answer.

It takes a lot of work, grinding, and even some luck to get the full Lumi version of all three sets. That reward keeps people playing and doing events they might otherwise have stopped doing. It stretches out the life of the zone and events.

That is, I expect, how future armor sets will be used.

Couldn’t agree more. The lumi version was stretched over months with some parts boiling down to terrible RNG in order to continue milking the last bit out of otherwise abandoned content. Not exactly what I would like to see continued in the future.

What I did like however was how they handed out skins as achievement meta-rewards during LS episode one. More of that would be what I consider a good alternative to simply offering them through the gemstore.

Dont really understand the hate on outfits, they have their purpose and they’re pretty cool to get some looks on your chartacters you might not otherwise be able to get due to armor restrictions. Not to mention the free-of-transmutation swapping between outfits is great for leveling alts.

I love mix-matching armor, all my characters have a mixed set that i took time to find the right combo with, but that doesnt mean outfits shouldnt be ingame , just because you can’t use them to mix and match, i think armor being now ingame reward only will be a very nice change, no more need to save for gems to get that armor piece to perfect the right look

Obviously they’ll push out outfits more often than armors and i ahve zero problems with that at all. I do hope that as time goes by they do put out a bit more armors than they did during the last living world seasons, but they wont match the output of outfits. And i’m perfectly fine with that

So far this change is rly awesome for me.

Dubious.

I feel…

Dubious.

I hate outfits and I reckon I’m in the majority on that one. I like armor. The idea that I can earn all future armor without gems sounds great. Except that I can only recall 2 complete sets of armor being released (which didn’t cost gems) between release and present time. Also, the gem armors feature some of the most detailed armor sets in game. Whether or not you like the zodiac,aetherblade or flamewalker sets, they are of a higher design quality then most of the non-gem sets. Can we expect high quality or low quality sets if Anet will no longer be making a direct profit off of them – and most importantly, if armor sets are non-gem, will we ever actually get any?

Gerrand.3085:

Dubious.

I feel…

Dubious.

I hate outfits and I reckon I’m in the majority on that one. I like armor. The idea that I can earn all future armor without gems sounds great. Except that I can only recall 2 complete sets of armor being released (which didn’t cost gems) between release and present time. Also, the gem armors feature some of the most detailed armor sets in game. Whether or not you like the zodiac,aetherblade or flamewalker sets, they are of a higher design quality then most of the non-gem sets. Can we expect high quality or low quality sets if Anet will no longer be making a direct profit off of them – and most importantly, if armor sets are non-gem, will we ever actually get any?

im actually afraid of that….i play charrs.. means i get sub par quality even from the gem store…so yea seems ill be getting blurry glitch galores without personality at all in the future… yay… -_-

Sounds good to me. Outfits serve their purpose well- I can change them without using transmutation charges, and I like to use them on non-80’s. Im not bothered by the fact that I can’t use individual pieces. I like the way they added ambrite weapons, carapace and luminescent armors as rewards for specific areas, and was hoping to see more of that.

Considering that there were threads that came out with each gem store armor saying how lame that was and asking for armor in game as a reward, it sounds like they got what they asked for.

I think it’s a good way to do it myself. Outfits in the gem store and armor in game. They just need to make sure that enough armor is released frequently enough so it doesn’t feel unbalanced.

Chyanne Waters.8719:

Well Crystin is from Nexon a pay to win developer which owns part of NcSoft. Only like 15%. Believe it or not that 15% is the largest investment NcSoft has and Nexon wants some control. Sorry Crystin and arenanet but this is true and you know it.

whats the point of making armor in-game only and outfit gem store only?

i don’t see the point of it at all..

and yea, i never trust anyone who worked at nexon NA, ever

Honestly I thought players would be happy with the notion that new armor sets will be earnable in game. Every time they came out with an outfit in the Gem Shop the cry goes out for armor instead. So guess what, they heard of you and now are making it in game and there are still complaints? They can’t win for losing.

lighter.2708:

whats the point of making armor in-game only and outfit gem store only?

Just to be accurate, it’s armor in-game only, and outfits gem store MOSTLY. It was worded in such a way as to allow outfits to be in-game rewards as well, just that most of them will be in the gem store.

Behellagh.1468:

Honestly I thought players would be happy with the notion that new armor sets will be earnable in game. Every time they came out with an outfit in the Gem Shop the cry goes out for armor instead. So guess what, they heard of you and now are making it in game and there are still complaints? They can’t win for losing.

I know right? I know i am. Im glad i wont ever have to buy another armor set for real life money again. outfits i can buy if i like them, but i hate..hate…hate…having to buy an entire armor set for one piece..

Behellagh.1468:

Honestly I thought players would be happy with the notion that new armor sets will be earnable in game. Every time they came out with an outfit in the Gem Shop the cry goes out for armor instead. So guess what, they heard of you and now are making it in game and there are still complaints? They can’t win for losing.

I think most of them are just worried about the amount of armors being released, like will it be 20 outfits to 1 in game armor set or the like. From reading the comments here that seems to be the main worry.

lighter.2708:

whats the point of making armor in-game only and outfit gem store only?
i don’t see the point of it at all..
and yea, i never trust anyone who worked at nexon NA, ever

The key point is armor only in game that’s a big plus for seperation of gem and game. Customisation / being able to stand out should be something you earn in the game not something you just buy. Sure the outfits may be nice, but they can be easily recognised as a gemstore item and you’ll look identical to everyone else who bought it.

Don’t trust nexon full stop (Never forget/forgive Mabinogi EU )

Conski Deshan.2057:

Don’t trust nexon full stop (Never forget/forgive Mabinogi EU )

Okay. For those who don’t follow South Korea business news, especially in the gaming industry.

There was some falling out between NCSOFT and Nexon over their joint studio Nsquare. So Nexon tried to use it’s weight to force a coup among NCSOFT’s board during the shareholder’s meeting a month or two ago. The lost, badly with NCSOFT waging a giant middle finger in Nexon’s face. So I wouldn’t be surprised if Nexon is looking to sell off it’s stake in NCSOFT as soon as they can break even, which may be a while since it was bought at 250,000 KrW a share (stock is at 195,000 currently).

So Nexon isn’t pulling NCSOFT’s strings and never was, and neither is NCSOFT pulling ArenaNet’s.

If they release at least half as many armor skins as they do outfits recently, I’m fine with it. Currently we’re getting close to no new armor skins and I have no interests in outfits.

Cautiously optimistic… I like the idea of clear separation between the two. This will be a good plan as long as armor to outfit production ratio is reasonable.

I wouldn’t mind them slowly phasing in gemstore armors into gameplay over certain period of time, while they simultaneously produce new outfits in their stead.

Vincent.7452:

If they release at least half as many armor skins as they do outfits recently, I’m fine with it. Currently we’re getting close to no new armor skins and I have no interests in outfits.

Never happen. Not 2 to 1. Armor takes way longer to make than outfits.

In game armours would be a good way to keep people playing through the pre-expansion maps. Which I’d imagine most of us would do anyway. More regional armours, cultural armours, Boss armours; there’s all sorts of things they could do over time. Plus new PvP reward tracks.

The basic idea seems sensible.

It’s a great change, but there are still more Gem Store weapons and outfits being released, than in-game items. They’ve done a good job with Season 2 though, and they released insect weapons in Dry Top, and also the Carapace and Lumi sets in Silverwastes. There’s also been the crafting backpacks, Mawdreys, and the lucky ram lantern. Overall though, it’s a noticeable positive change when compared to Season 1. Here’s hoping HoT follows through with more.

Hannelore.8153:

If this is true then for each new outfit released, they should move one armor skin off of the gemstore and into the game to be obtainable by some means.

This sounds like a good idea, but then people would just wait it out and never buy them from the gem store. lol.

The only reason i can see them moving them out of the gem store, is if they aren’t selling well.

Behellagh.1468:

Honestly I thought players would be happy with the notion that new armor sets will be earnable in game. Every time they came out with an outfit in the Gem Shop the cry goes out for armor instead. So guess what, they heard of you and now are making it in game and there are still complaints? They can’t win for losing.

While we want this to be true, the fact remains that her resume includes Nexon which is well known to be all about the cash shop.

It is just like when you go to find work and there is that one company on your resume that no one wants to hire from. You’re not going to be trusted very easily.

That is pretty much what is happening here. It doesn’t matter whether or not Nexon has any say, she worked with them and that is enough to make the players leery of what she has to say. They will have to deliver enough for us to see past it.

Any armor sets that “magically” start appearing when a player uses something bought from the gem store WILL erode that trust even further.

Ravion Hawk.4736:

Behellagh.1468:

Honestly I thought players would be happy with the notion that new armor sets will be earnable in game. Every time they came out with an outfit in the Gem Shop the cry goes out for armor instead. So guess what, they heard of you and now are making it in game and there are still complaints? They can’t win for losing.

While we want this to be true, the fact remains that her resume includes Nexon which is well known to be all about the cash shop.

It is just like when you go to find work and there is that one company on your resume that no one wants to hire from. You’re not going to be trusted very easily.

That is pretty much what is happening here. It doesn’t matter whether or not Nexon has any say, she worked with them and that is enough to make the players leery of what she has to say. They will have to deliver enough for us to see past it.

Any armor sets that “magically” start appearing when a player uses something bought from the gem store WILL erode that trust even further.

You mean NCsoft? They are just the publisher. They have nothing to do with development.

This would be fine if they came out with new armor skins anywhere near the rate of outfits.

Ravion Hawk.4736:

While we want this to be true, the fact remains that her resume includes Nexon which is well known to be all about the cash shop.

And everyone ignores the fact she first worked for ArenaNet before she went to Nexon.

And what, you think she’s a mole or something. She was hired by ArenaNet, for the 2nd time months before Nexon bought the stock in NCSOFT.

Honestly. Third time in a single thread, that’s a record.