Guild Wars 2

The level system for me starts to look like :

So if you level up now .. absolutely nothing happens, since that will only confuse you,
and to minimize confusion you only get some traits and stats and whatever only
all 10 levels.

Next step : now you play as level 1 character until you have collected enough exp
to directly level up to 80 .. that will give you less confusion and a much better feeling
of beeing rewarded if it happens.

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

I could not of said it better myself. I really feel like Anet is ignoring their customers. Players want more content not these “improvements” on aspects of the game that was already good.

Hopefully they are working on meaningful content and we are just overreacting.

Malkavian.4516:

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

They should re-name them “QoL” patches or “bug fix” patches then.

Features are things like:
new skills
Guild halls
The introductions of fractals
Guild missions
new trait lines

They initially said that feature patches would be like major patches in other MMO’s. But I just don’t see that.

You guys, downed state is overwhelming. It scares new players away. Also, people get lost, they need more directions. This feature pack is absolutely vital and the slow release of announcing these changes (even though all this stuff already came out in China) was totally necessary. Anet pls.

Yeah, I am struggling to understand the revamp of the levelling system, which there was nothing wrong with in the first place.

“It feels like they’re going from a smooth continuity during leveling to a disconcertingly staccato progression.” – true indeed!

I am levelling a thief at the moment, and have got him to lvl 50 out of 80. I have access to a whopping 4 trait points, which means I can customize my build…not really much at all. I want to start experimenting with the traits, but I simply can’t unlock enough of them to make it worth doing.

Yeah, this “feature” patch is extremely anemic & confusing. This change.. I can’t really agree with the “blocking them into chunks makes it more rewarding!”. Seems to me that the way they’ve been blocking things makes most levels actually have nothing happen. Rather than appear to have little happening. Just so that certain levels feel more rewarding. It’s odd & I have to wonder why they’re making any of these changes.

This change in particular is actually really bad for old players since we (most likely) can’t key farm now.

Malkavian.4516:

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

Made 4 legendaries, got all cult gear, 1500+ skins, 17k AP, r68 pvp, r400+ WvW, complete everyday more than 100x (CM and CoF over 600x) have 4 character story/map completed, deleted over 10 level 80’s. Done 50 fotm at least 100×.

And I feel and always felt there was enough endgame.

About those feature patches, NO ONE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT LEVELING, everyone want bug fixes and more content…. not pointless non-rewarded rewards.

Yah, I really don’t understand the way they’re breaking up the leveling. I didn’t understand it with trait points either.

I’ve never once heard someone in-game complain that they don’t like stats and traits trickling in but want a big buff all at once. And heck, if they DID want something like that, they could just ignore everything for a few levels, and then check back to a bunch of unspent trait points and skill points.

And given the way the game levels you, I don’t think a “big buff” will be all that noticeable either. The stat boosts from going from level 5 to level 10 are not noticeable at all, regardless of whether they “trickle in” or are given all at once, because the world levels up with you (or scales you down accordingly). But what will be noticeable is that you’re now going multiple levels getting nothing at all (besides a skill point I guess, but those are already handled in such a way that they’re only good in “chunks” past the first few utilities).

Its like they’re trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.

But I dunno, maybe I should just give them the benefit of the doubt. I can’t have possibly seen feedback from every player, so maybe there are players out there saying “Man, I really want to level up one time and just feel a huge boost all at once”.

This thread…my gosh I need to stay away from it. Too much fun to be had. I’ll simply say…I have not read the patch notes pertaining to leveling but I will agree that leveling in GW2 was the best leveling experience of any MMO. I would be very sad if they started to mess with it.

Sirjbenson.7298:

Define what “endgame” really is. Other mmo’s “endgame” is usually just grinding the same raids over and over for a chance at better gear. I do not find that fun at all.

No other MMO’s endgame is:

1. Hardmode dungeons
2. Raids with 12-14 unique bosses with special mechanics and a unique storyline with access to the best gear in the game.
3. Endgame zones that provide good rewards with repeatable content
4. Unique mounts and cosmetic items that are acquired through long quests, and achieving difficult objectives.
5. Crafting with special bonuses

GW2 endgame is:
1. Repeating the same dungeons every day that you have since launch
2. Grinding mobs for 10000’s of hours in the hopes you can make money faster than the price of precursors rise
3. buying stuff in the gem store
4. Living story

Right now the only thing GW2 has going for it is living story, which provides the story aspect of raids, but does not provide anything else. The complaints over the past two years have mostly focused on the other aspects of endgame that are missing. Challenging content, long quests to acquire unique items, new dungeons, new zones.

Here’s the TL;DR for today’s update: Still nothing substantial for experienced players.

Voonith.2561:

Here’s the TL;DR for today’s update: Still nothing substantial for experienced players.

You don’t know as was stated by an A.Net person in another thread, the blog post today was to specifically talk about what they are doing for new players. That is the point. They make money bringing new players in, (you buy the box or DL you know) as they did with GW1. I for one can’t wait to see how that will end up.

The GW2 endgame has actually ended already – endgame is no more!

They aren’t pointless. Pointless would be if they just didn’t make anything better. These changes actually make things worse, overall, so they do have a point, to make the game worse. Apparently it’s been too good so far and they needed to balance that out.

Dusty Moon.4382:

Voonith.2561:

Here’s the TL;DR for today’s update: Still nothing substantial for experienced players.

You don’t know as was stated by an A.Net person in another thread, the blog post today was to specifically talk about what they are doing for new players. That is the point. They make money bringing new players in, (you buy the box or DL you know) as they did with GW1. I for one can’t wait to see how that will end up.

My post is in reference to the entire upcoming Feature Pack; hense the adverb “still.”
Your defense is negligible and my statement remains accurate.

I am usually all in support of ArenaNet’s decisions, and refrain from negative speculation, but this “features” pack is lacklustre and uninspired.

I wouldn’t say they are all “pointless.” I don’t necessarily agree with all of the little things they are doing, but more tutorial like things were asked for. So i can at least give them credit for accommodating, even if I think they could have done in a better manner.

It does rather suck for people that aren’t new, or aren’t leveling alts. (We can’t say it will be worse for alts until somebody gives it a go. We can assume, but we can’t know.)

All those changes are important because they fix the several flaws that GW2 has early game: the lack of a sense of progression, poor tutorials, directionless, forgottable rewards and jumpy story instances that forced you to level up midway, interrupting the flow of the story.

So far, this feature patch is great for new players, but, what about the veteran players? It doesn’t seems to offer much to make us stick to the game.

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

DiogoSilva.7089:

All those changes are important because they fix the several flaws that GW2 has early game: the lack of a sense of progression, poor tutorials, directionless, forgottable rewards and jumpy story instances that forced you to level up midway, interrupting the flow of the story.

So far, this feature patch is great for new players, but, what about the veteran players? It doesn’t seems to offer much to make us stick to the game.

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

Looking forward to it!

I don’t suppose you want to release the titles of the blog posts tomorrow?

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

DiogoSilva.7089:

All those changes are important because they fix the several flaws that GW2 has early game: the lack of a sense of progression, poor tutorials, directionless, forgottable rewards and jumpy story instances that forced you to level up midway, interrupting the flow of the story.

So far, this feature patch is great for new players, but, what about the veteran players? It doesn’t seems to offer much to make us stick to the game.

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

I might suggest that in the future, the announcements not be strung out over such a long period of time. Particularly if some of the blog posts are relatively short or could otherwise be combined.

It also might help to lead with some stronger features?

Regina, could you provide us with any information regarding the first story step lever requirement? Does it start at level 2, once we finish the tutorial area, or level 10?

This is the point that most people have the biggest problem with.

Literally nothing. I hope next week is good, but I have my doubts (judging from anet’s past history with this games development).

This “feature patch” is stuff that should have been in since launch. It seems like they’re probably just transferring the Chinese launch improvements to the game and marketing them as New Features…

which may sound like a ridiculous notion to some of you, but I don’t think its that farfetched…

Anet has proven to me that they do not want to put in a serious effort in re-vamping WvW/sPvP/endgame PvE contents… Those are the things veteran players want to see, and it has not happened.

I will be truely shocked if they announce any sort of game changing re-vamp to the systems veteran players are playing..

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Looking forward to it!

I don’t suppose you want to release the titles of the blog posts tomorrow?

The titles would be cool, to make us speculate a bit.

Malkavian.4516:

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

As much as I agree about what “Feature patches” are, I really think WvW needs a much bigger FIX, than the levelling system with which nobody had an issue. And If you just browse the forums, or just look @ the situation with queues, it gets pretty obvious.

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

That’s great news, and thanks for the response, but I have a question:

Why today, a day that only holds significance for people who have been playing since launch, would you guys choose to make announcements that only affect the exact opposite type of player?

LostBalloon.6423:

Malkavian.4516:

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

As much as I agree about what “Feature patches” are, I really think WvW needs a much bigger FIX, than the levelling system with which nobody had an issue. And If you just browse the forums, or just look @ the situation with queues, it gets pretty obvious.

The thing is, I doubt anet put much of an effort into this leveling system revamp… this is a copy-paste over from what the china client launched with…..A lot of these systems are already implemented in china client haha, there can’t be much of an effort into developing a system that’s hardly been created

SkiTz.4590:

This “feature patch” is stuff that should never have been put in game. It seems like they’re probably just transferring the Chinese launch disimprovements to the game and marketing them as New Features…

Fixed it for you. ^^

Sousuke.7268:

Regina, could you provide us with any information regarding the first story step lever requirement? Does it start at level 2, once we finish the tutorial area, or level 10?

This is the point that most people have the biggest problem with.

Anyway, i think this will destroy keyfarming as we know them.
On top of that, the downed state change will confuse new players even more.

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

Well, that’s something I guess.

SkiTz.4590:

LostBalloon.6423:

Malkavian.4516:

Looking at it, endgame content is what you make of it after you did the story missions. My endgame is making my legendary. I wouldn’t consider it my complaint per se (I can’t say the same for others) as it’s more of a minor gripe for me. As for no new areas, we at least got Dry Top, right?

Feature patches like this are basically a bundle of fixes to what is existing in this game. I don’t know if there was a Feature Patch that literally added anything new, but from what I will get, I’m not too worried. Besides, I got the season 2 story chapters to look forward to once this is cleared out.

As much as I agree about what “Feature patches” are, I really think WvW needs a much bigger FIX, than the levelling system with which nobody had an issue. And If you just browse the forums, or just look @ the situation with queues, it gets pretty obvious.

The thing is, I doubt anet put much of an effort into this leveling system revamp… this is a copy-paste over from what the china client launched with…..A lot of these systems are already implemented in china client haha, there can’t be much of an effort into developing a system that’s hardly been created

What I’m saying is that they did put that effort in when they developed the China client for something that didn’t need fixing…

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

DiogoSilva.7089:

All those changes are important because they fix the several flaws that GW2 has early game: the lack of a sense of progression, poor tutorials, directionless, forgottable rewards and jumpy story instances that forced you to level up midway, interrupting the flow of the story.

So far, this feature patch is great for new players, but, what about the veteran players? It doesn’t seems to offer much to make us stick to the game.

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

Odd I don’t recall the exact wording but didn’t week two say something about enhancing the game for new players and veterans alike?

It’s not that these “enhancements” are not welcomed they are just 2 years to late for most of us and my honest point of view is I don’t really care about that portion of the game anymore because I will not make a new character until something is done about the trait system in its current form.

Out of all the blog posts only one item made me think wow that is a pretty good idea and that was the changes to the crafting system because that actually impacts all characters in a meaningful way.

Its not that I have all the answers for what I would like to see in these feature packs but for me this has shown me what I don’t want. I know I’m not speaking for everyone here because I’m sure some of these changes are welcomed by others. I would much rather see fixes that impacts the entire player base as a whole. Not just the Vets, New Players, PvX, WvW, or PvP portions of the game. I would like to see fixes that correct problems the community has in a whole.

For me right now what matters the most is something needs to be done about the trait system because its killing the game for me. I hate to say that because I really enjoy this game but thinking of what I have to do to enable one trait makes me want to sit at the bank and chat rather than go out there and get it done because the sure number of things needed to be done to enable all the traits is extremely overwhelming.

sigh

Hopefully this is the end of the new character changes.

I fully expect the next feature patch to be 100% endgame changes and additions. Enough of this new character experience stuff, the game is 2 years old.

the worst part is, till the update hits I have no incentive to play on my non-maxed out toons, ‘cos there’s no point in levelling right now.
that means what? two weeks of farming?
wow.
such game.
much kitten.
so content.

and…why in the seven hells was that blog post so hyped?
new players would never look at it, most of the doods with a pc today can’t even google, Anet really expect them to FIND and skim throu’ all that wall of text full of gw2-specific-babble and say “oh well, sounds interesting, let’s buy this game!”
And veteran players want gratification, not another “screw you alt-holic!”
update.

This is the perfect example of “we know what u want better then u know” we’ve gotten 2 years now.

I am predicting a shtstorm of biblical proportions by the end of next week…..and i have no popcorn left.

Rebound.3409:

I am predicting a shtstorm of biblical proportions by the end of next week…..and i have no popcorn left.

hahaha. There’s a part of me thats hopeful that anet saved the best announcement for last, but I’m not holding my breath on it..

I can’t wait to see this epic kittenstorm

Iosis.5423:

the worst part is, till the update hits I have no incentive to play on my non-maxed out toons, ‘cos there’s no point in levelling right now.
that means what? two weeks of farming?
wow.
such game.
much kitten.
so content.

and…why in the seven hells was that blog post so hyped?
new players would never look at it, most of the doods with a pc today can’t even google, Anet really expect them to FIND and skim throu’ all that wall of text full of gw2-specific-babble and say “oh well, sounds interesting, let’s buy this game!”
And veteran players want gratification, not another “screw you alt-holic!”
update.

And if they had implemented these changes in the game without announcing them beforehand? Can you imagine the uproar?

Poor Devs…condemned if they do, and condemned if they don’t.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Sirjbenson.7298:

Define what “endgame” really is. Other mmo’s “endgame” is usually just grinding the same raids over and over for a chance at better gear. I do not find that fun at all.

No other MMO’s endgame is:

1. Hardmode dungeons
2. Raids with 12-14 unique bosses with special mechanics and a unique storyline with access to the best gear in the game.
3. Endgame zones that provide good rewards with repeatable content
4. Unique mounts and cosmetic items that are acquired through long quests, and achieving difficult objectives.
5. Crafting with special bonuses

GW2 endgame is:
1. Repeating the same dungeons every day that you have since launch
2. Grinding mobs for 10000’s of hours in the hopes you can make money faster than the price of precursors rise
3. buying stuff in the gem store
4. Living story

Right now the only thing GW2 has going for it is living story, which provides the story aspect of raids, but does not provide anything else. The complaints over the past two years have mostly focused on the other aspects of endgame that are missing. Challenging content, long quests to acquire unique items, new dungeons, new zones.

You hit the nail right on the head. GW2 offers nothing that interests me at late game. I love the game and the way it looks and plays, but I feel so bored at max level.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

And if they had implemented these changes in the game without announcing them beforehand? Can you imagine the uproar?

Poor Devs…condemned if they do, and condemned if they don’t.

I feel bad for them. But in fairness, it does seem like there’s some kind of disconnect going on of late, especially considering their efforts to communicate better after all of the feedback that they aren’t communicating well.

Incidentally, they should really make a separate forum to discuss the feature pack. It’s impossible to keep a topic on page 1 in this forum right now, with all the different threads ending up in here. Lot of stuff is just getting buried in the flurry of feedback.

For example, the communicating with you and CDI topics threads have gotten bumped to page 3 and 4 already.

These are great changes especially for new players, On my first characters I had to google many of the stuff that should be explained upon level up, as it will be now.

Well done Anet, have a [Cookie].

After years of hearing the game will be released “when its ready” makes you wonder if the devs considered the game ready for release when it was.

Shalloe.4867:

After years of hearing the game will be released “when its ready” makes you wonder if the devs considered the game ready for release when it was.

It clearly wasn’t.

Regina Buenaobra.6193:

More information will be released next week about features that are more suited to veteran players.

I have 11 level 80s…

That translates to 869 levels (11 characters * 79 levels) worth of rewards that ANet says the FNGs can have if they buy the game after September 9, 2014 and make 11 characters.

There are players with vastly more characters and I believe we have a few that have 64 level 80s.

For those with all 64 character slots filled with level 80s, that is 5,056 levels (64 characters * 79 levels) worth of rewards that ANet just tells them “Thanks for your money. K thx buy!” (Yes, I spelled it “buy”)

They would have to either delete some characters to experience the new rewards or buy a new account.

And you wonder WHY we veterans are upset. You’re giving us the shaft like were yesterday’s trash.

The ONLY thing that my wife and I would want if we had to choose only one thing as a reward for being here for 2 years + 3 day head start is to do away with the transmutation charges for everyone and let us freely change our looks from our collected wardrobes whenever we want.

But no, today’s blog post clearly ranks us veterans as trash “cash pinatas” in your eyes.

I really wish they just get it done and over with and drop the level cap to 20. Then every level could matter and give you something interesting. Final stats and the total experience needed to get there can be the same as now.

They could even break the experience bar up a little so you get certain rewards (i.e. skill points) at multiple points in a level.

I guess it was my fault, when I interpreted “New Player”-Experience as New “Player Experience”, when I read the title.

I still think they made some good minor modifications for new players or alt-levelers, but they really need to focus on solving the “trait unlocking” issue, because it was pretty quick and general how I got my traits before, and now it’s just pain and really not in the mood to make new characters while this trait-hunting is still on. I already shared my opinion about it in the “Game Updates: Traits” thread, and won’t kitten about getting nothing heavy so far as an old player (still have my fingers crossed for next week announcements), I’m just rather surprised, that they haven’t fixed the trait issue, specialy because they seem like that they want to help new players and encourage old ones to make new alts.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

Iosis.5423:

the worst part is, till the update hits I have no incentive to play on my non-maxed out toons, ‘cos there’s no point in levelling right now.
that means what? two weeks of farming?
wow.
such game.
much kitten.
so content.

and…why in the seven hells was that blog post so hyped?
new players would never look at it, most of the doods with a pc today can’t even google, Anet really expect them to FIND and skim throu’ all that wall of text full of gw2-specific-babble and say “oh well, sounds interesting, let’s buy this game!”
And veteran players want gratification, not another “screw you alt-holic!”
update.

And if they had implemented these changes in the game without announcing them beforehand? Can you imagine the uproar?

Poor Devs…condemned if they do, and condemned if they don’t.

Yeah things like “changes galore” and “exciting things for new and Veteran characters!”

Followed by… 2 changes… and NO improvements for veteran characters… Had nothing to do with it i’m sure…

Anet should get their heads out of the clouds…

Guild Wars 1 had 2 additional campaigns and work was well underway on the eotn expansion by its seconds birthday. Not to mention Loads of new free content added such as Sorrows Furnace

I’ve seen numerous posts in PHP board where newcomers from other MMOs have no idea what to do because they aren’t pushed from one traditional quest giver to another. Also seen new players confused doing the personal story because it contains level gaps and they have no idea what to do to level.

That’s the downside of total freedom to play. Everyone is use to looking for the big blinking arrows/question marks instead of talking to scouts or simply wandering around. And leveling is a non-event other than your hero tab getting highlighted because you have skill points you can spend.

But I do believe there are alternate motivations however. Eliminating key farming by delaying the PS and altering their rewards.