Guild Wars 2

In the twitch interview today Colin made the statement that they are possibly considering different realities on different servers.

For example in the coming election if one server were to vote in Evon that server would acquire the Fall of Abaddon fractal. While on another server if they voted in Ellen they would get Thaumanova Reactor fractal.

I personally do not support this. I would rather all servers have the same history and future. Maybe in the future I may change my mind, but I just foresee too many issues like increased server migration as an example.

Your 2 cents?

Or you could just be like “host it in this world please”.

For something like fractals I don’t think they could do it simply because of how instances are set up (can grab people from different servers).

There are several reasons why I think split worlds would be a bad idea, the biggest one being that it can’t bring meaningful change past a certain point. For example, if Evon was the winner on some servers and Kiel was the winner on others Anet wouldn’t be able to make a future update on “How the separatists are outraged over Evon holding a seat in the council” or how “Kiel investigates internal corruption from the council” without cutting content in 1/2. Rather, Evon and Kiel would have a few lines of dialogue and would essentially be stuck in the story at that point in time. If they returned it wouldn’t be connected to past living stories.

Well… divergent server realities could work, save for the fact that major dungeons should be general. The difference is that dynamic events on one server could be different on another.

I hope no. What If I vote for someone that my server don’t support? We all should have the same rights of choice

A solid NO! from me. Apart from WvW matchup servers or shards or whatever is stupid, an outdated setup from the time when it actually meant you played on a specific server.

If it only affects which fractals spawn…even then I don’t know. It has to be done right. For example, if one of the new fractals are easier than the other, players will demand to start the fractal from servers that voted for that particular NPC. It seems divisive. It’s a cool idea though, definitely worth exploring.

We as players need to somehow devise a plan to ensure the vote is an absolute tie, then we could wonder/pontificate/complain if we should get both sets of rewards or none! Forum posters heaven.

That’s what the game is for right? Predictions about how the game is going to be great/destroyed by a change, arguments about how to split hairs, and endless complaining from every possible viewpoint seems to be what these forums are about. Everyone knows these forums are the real game.

Krosslite.1950:

In the twitch interview today Colin made the statement that they are possibly considering different realities on different servers.

For example in the coming election if one server were to vote in Evon that server would acquire the Fall of Abaddon fractal. While on another server if they voted in Ellen they would get Thaumanova Reactor fractal.

I personally do not support this. I would rather all servers have the same history and future. Maybe in the future I may change my mind, but I just foresee too many issues like increased server migration as an example.

Your 2 cents?

How about the direct quote?

Q: Changes in Tyria different depends on the server you play on?
A: In the short term no but it is something we may do in the future. There is a lot of pros and cons to that.

I bet if you asked Anet anything they would say “they would consider it” Flattly saying no keeps options closed while saying “considering” leaves it open, but by no means should people be up in arms.

I seriously doubt they’d do it with this update. It might work for which dungeon you get but what about things like reduced waypoint vs. black lion key costs? I’m pretty sure the gem store, like the TP, is universal so I’m not sure there would be any way for them to reduce the cost of keys on one and not the other.

More generally I think it would be a bad idea. For one thing it would confuse a lot of players if certain servers had certain dungeons and others had different ones, or if events were happening in different parts of the world. It would get even more confusing if servers diverged more than once, say for example 2 get Evons dungeon and 2 get Kiels, but then one of Evons and one of Kiels gets a minigame in Queensdale and the other two get one in Wayfarer, then one of those gets new events in Orr and the others get them in Frostgorge…and so on. Every server would be different and every time someone went looking for help or info they’d have to specify which server they’re on and only be able to get help from people on the same server, otherwise the info would be all wrong.

And honestly unless the changes are in WvW guesting makes it pointless anyway, because anyone could see any/every combination.

They had this in Matrix Online.

It worked well until the latter days of the game where they merged servers and forced transfers. This pushed people into servers where their faction had lost an event that on their own server they had won. This really sucked because those previous victories earned gameplay advantages….which were then lost.

Shows how little will change i guess, if they can afford the effort to maintain the two versions and it doesn’t impact their plans for the living story.

I think this was one of those thoughts that they are willing to consider. Kind of like, would I like to go to go on that mars mission and leave everything behind for good. You might be willing to consider it.

Vol.5241:

Krosslite.1950:

In the twitch interview today Colin made the statement that they are possibly considering different realities on different servers.

For example in the coming election if one server were to vote in Evon that server would acquire the Fall of Abaddon fractal. While on another server if they voted in Ellen they would get Thaumanova Reactor fractal.

I personally do not support this. I would rather all servers have the same history and future. Maybe in the future I may change my mind, but I just foresee too many issues like increased server migration as an example.

Your 2 cents?

How about the direct quote?

Q: Changes in Tyria different depends on the server you play on?
A: In the short term no but it is something we may do in the future. There is a lot of pros and cons to that.

I bet if you asked Anet anything they would say “they would consider it” Flattly saying no keeps options closed while saying “considering” leaves it open, but by no means should people be up in arms.

The question is asked @ 9:34 into the interview

http://www.twitch.tv/guildwars2/c/2585362

Ferguson.2157:

We as players need to somehow devise a plan to ensure the vote is an absolute tie, then we could wonder/pontificate/complain if we should get both sets of rewards or none! Forum posters heaven.

That’s what the game is for right? Predictions about how the game is going to be great/destroyed by a change, arguments about how to split hairs, and endless complaining from every possible viewpoint seems to be what these forums are about. Everyone knows these forums are the real game.

this statement is actually off topic. I just used the election as an example to get the point of Divergence across

This thread is to give your opinion on this idea that Colin put forth.
Basically this is the feedback to Anet on this statement.
Do you like it? Why?
Do you hate it? Why?

It doesn’t matter what I think, Anet will do as they see fit. I’m fine with that.

It’s their game, their vision. I’m fine with that.

If they seek ideas on how to do or not to do things based on player feedback I’d rather they polled each account holder and not rely on the forums.

No because that would only increase workloads.

Zacchary.6183:

No because that would only increase workloads.

This. I find the idea interesting, but unless ANet doubles the team I fear it would be too much work.

And why would you migrate when you can guest??

Zacchary.6183:

No because that would only increase workloads.

Exactly this. I’d rather have them work on stuff that is available on every server to all players. All that extra work for something potentionally only half the population would see? Meh.

I would absolutely love different server realities. It means that we could guest and see an alternate reality of Tyria.

Hedge.8760:

Zacchary.6183:

No because that would only increase workloads.

Exactly this. I’d rather have them work on stuff that is available on every server to all players. All that extra work for something potentionally only half the population would see? Meh.

I agree with these point of view as well. Also the comment made earlier that when the game does start to go down in overall population and they have to start merging servers it will cause a problem as well. In this something that will not happen soon, but either is this idea of divergent servers.

I see too many issues overall that are going to work against this. So I am hoping Anet decides against this idea 100% and drops it from their idea list all together.

Ferguson.2157:

It doesn’t matter what I think, Anet will do as they see fit. I’m fine with that.

It’s their game, their vision. I’m fine with that.

If they seek ideas on how to do or not to do things based on player feedback I’d rather they polled each account holder and not rely on the forums.

I wish they would do that as well, but again you are going off topic

Well, guesting exists, so I don’t see an issue.

Assuming that you could play on content hosted on a server regardless of where you came from.

Divergent servers poses way too many difficulties, especially with meaningful storytelling. A good story arc (and one we’d all like to see implemented) is based off previous events. Nothing ‘just happens’ in a vacuum.

With divergent servers, a few months down the road we suddenly see 20 different servers with 20 different recent histories. That means employing 20 different good stories (or 1 really crappy one). As time moves further out, the number of unique servers increases, and does the gulf between them. A logistical nightmare for writers.

Mirta.5029:

I would absolutely love different server realities. It means that we could guest and see an alternate reality of Tyria.

Except when everyone ends up hating Abaddon because it’s Dredge on steriods so you have to start every instance from Tarnishes Coast because they’re the only one that voted for Kiel.

Craptrain.7203:

Divergent servers poses way too many difficulties, especially with meaningful storytelling. A good story arc (and one we’d all like to see implemented) is based off previous events. Nothing ‘just happens’ in a vacuum.

With divergent servers, a few months down the road we suddenly see 20 different servers with 20 different recent histories. That means employing 20 different good stories (or 1 really crappy one). As time moves further out, the number of unique servers increases, and does the gulf between them. A logistical nightmare for writers.

Quantum Reality coming to MMOs… ::shudders::

Chopps.5047:

Mirta.5029:

I would absolutely love different server realities. It means that we could guest and see an alternate reality of Tyria.

Except when everyone ends up hating Abaddon because it’s Dredge on steriods so you have to start every instance from Tarnishes Coast because they’re the only one that voted for Kiel.

oh, so it’s better that we all get Abaddon and there’s no choice to start from the Tarnished coast? Is that what you’re saying?
I like the options to see what happens in both cases. What if Kiel goes evil? Or what if they both go evil, but do different things?
Every time there’s a choice I would like to see all outcomes. Servers making different decisions would let us do that.

Craptrain.7203:

Divergent servers poses way too many difficulties, especially with meaningful storytelling. A good story arc (and one we’d all like to see implemented) is based off previous events. Nothing ‘just happens’ in a vacuum.

With divergent servers, a few months down the road we suddenly see 20 different servers with 20 different recent histories. That means employing 20 different good stories (or 1 really crappy one). As time moves further out, the number of unique servers increases, and does the gulf between them. A logistical nightmare for writers.

except that if you know how multiple outcomes are written you know that you don’t allow the amount of choice get out of hand and weave some of the realities or all of them back to one spot from time to time. That means that we would have periods of being slightly different, really different and the same. The story would just continue to weave to and from 1 storyline.

Mirta.5029:

Chopps.5047:

Mirta.5029:

I would absolutely love different server realities. It means that we could guest and see an alternate reality of Tyria.

Except when everyone ends up hating Abaddon because it’s Dredge on steriods so you have to start every instance from Tarnishes Coast because they’re the only one that voted for Kiel.

oh, so it’s better that we all get Abaddon and there’s no choice to start from the Tarnished coast? Is that what you’re saying?
I like the options to see what happens in both cases. What if Kiel goes evil? Or what if they both go evil, but do different things?
Every time there’s a choice I would like to see all outcomes. Servers making different decisions would let us do that.

I repeat:

Quantum Reality coming to MMOs… ::shudders::

Krosslite.1950:

I repeat:

Quantum Reality coming to MMOs… ::shudders::

and tell me what is so bad about it?
After all it’s not every single choice that we would see a difference on. Only as much as the developers will allow us to influence the world. Not every single living story will have separate choices and the choices that a player does every single day will not influence the server, meaning that we’re going to see a very small percentage of the quantum reality in an MMO. It’s more like different choices in an RPG with a single ending as the story progresses.

Mirta.5029:

Krosslite.1950:

I repeat:

Quantum Reality coming to MMOs… ::shudders::

and tell me what is so bad about it?
After all it’s not every single choice that we would see a difference on. Only as much as the developers will allow us to influence the world. Not every single living story will have separate choices and the choices that a player does every single day will not influence the server, meaning that we’re going to see a very small percentage of the quantum reality in an MMO. It’s more like different choices in an RPG with a single ending as the story progresses.

I do understand where you are coming from with your statement. to me at this time the behind the scenes logistics just don’t seem to support it. you would have to hire more and more as each divergence takes place on different servers.
It would be nice but I just don’t see it as doable

EDIT: As I stated above what is going to happen when the game starts to reach the end of it’s life?
Get the rights to “Crisis on Infinite Earths” from DC so the can have a dramatic Living Story of how all the Tyiras become aware of each other just in time for most of them to be blown up?

lol yall unawares of what they wanna do and you neggin? solid wtf

Mirta.5029:

Chopps.5047:

Mirta.5029:

I would absolutely love different server realities. It means that we could guest and see an alternate reality of Tyria.

Except when everyone ends up hating Abaddon because it’s Dredge on steriods so you have to start every instance from Tarnishes Coast because they’re the only one that voted for Kiel.

oh, so it’s better that we all get Abaddon and there’s no choice to start from the Tarnished coast? Is that what you’re saying?
I like the options to see what happens in both cases. What if Kiel goes evil? Or what if they both go evil, but do different things?
Every time there’s a choice I would like to see all outcomes. Servers making different decisions would let us do that.

Craptrain.7203:

Divergent servers poses way too many difficulties, especially with meaningful storytelling. A good story arc (and one we’d all like to see implemented) is based off previous events. Nothing ‘just happens’ in a vacuum.

With divergent servers, a few months down the road we suddenly see 20 different servers with 20 different recent histories. That means employing 20 different good stories (or 1 really crappy one). As time moves further out, the number of unique servers increases, and does the gulf between them. A logistical nightmare for writers.

except that if you know how multiple outcomes are written you know that you don’t allow the amount of choice get out of hand and weave some of the realities or all of them back to one spot from time to time. That means that we would have periods of being slightly different, really different and the same. The story would just continue to weave to and from 1 storyline.

And then we fall into Saturday Morning Cartoon type writing. Stories that are fun for 30 minutes, but have nothing deep or captivating about them. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather experience one very compelling story over 20 cheap throwaways.

Id be in favor of this actually…cause then you can play both, just guest on the other. Long as its not WvW (and PvP Im guessing) you can do it on a different server. This way, everyone is happy, since if you wanted fractal A, but your server gets fractal B, you can guest/switch, instead of feeling like you got the short stick.

Krosslite.1950:

I do understand where you are coming from with your statement. to me at this time the behind the scenes logistics just don’t seem to support it. you would have to hire more and more as each divergence takes place on different servers.
It would be nice but I just don’t see it as doable

EDIT: As I stated above what is going to happen when the game starts to reach the end of it’s life?
Get the rights to “Crisis on Infinite Earths” from DC so the can have a dramatic Living Story of how all the Tyiras become aware of each other just in time for most of them to be blown up?

Then they will get some of the differences into a dead end, tying up the story parts the were different, either that or they’ll weave it back into a common point. Not to mention they’re hiring more people.

Craptrain.7203:

And then we fall into Saturday Morning Cartoon type writing. Stories that are fun for 30 minutes, but have nothing deep or captivating about them. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather experience one very compelling story over 20 cheap throwaways.

because Fallout 1 had a Saturday morning cartoon type writing. Or was it the Witcher that had it? Because all of these games had choices that influenced the world, however by the end of the game all was weaved back into the same point.

^
A good video to watch to understand how a good writer can weave in and weave out instead of branching out indefinitely.

I was mislead by the title, because we allready have divergent server realities.
Play on a lowpopulated server and then on a highpop one – it’s two different server realities.

Back to the topic: I don’t think branching out the living story is a good idea, while it seems interesting from an rpg point of view, with the current state of the LS i doubt it would be more than some differing lines of npc text.

Continuing diverging personal stories would be cool though.

Making the home instances and npc reactions to ones character differing would be great too, anet had some promissing ideas about that before launch.