Guild Wars 2

Will living world season 3 be something like season 2 where a player would need to simply log in in order to permanently unlock it or something different?

My upcoming job will allow me to log in about once per week for a few hours and i wouldn’t want to miss on anything

Vukorep.3081:

Will living world season 3 be something like season 2 where a player would need to simply log in in order to permanently unlock it or something different?

My upcoming job will allow me to log in about once per week for a few hours and i wouldn’t want to miss on anything

If you have HoT and can log in, my guess would be yes, you’ll be fine. I can’t see why they would move away from instanced content when that’s what people want.

i didn’t say anything about them moving away from instanced contend.

I just wondered if i will be able to “unlock” the season 3 by just logging in,since i most likely wont have enough time to go trough all the content once they start rolling by playing a 0-2 hours per week.

Then again, considering they mentioned they wont be releasing new episodes every 2 weeks, i just might have enough time to finish the episode before a new one shows up

Bluntly, we don’t know. They haven’t announced that kind of detail yet.

I think LS2 was largely considered to be a success, so that’s probably the case, although I believe they’ve already said that you need HoT to get LS3. It’s unclear whether you’ll still need to log in for it, or if you’ll just receive it all automatically if you have HoT.

Edit: It seems I stand corrected. See Healix’s post below.

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

Gaile Gray.6029:

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

Thank you. I was just going to post that when I saw that you had.

At any time after it got released or while it is “active”?

This ^

The expansion was really short. I think we should get LW Season 3 for free, period.

I’d rather see items like Marjory’s X be monetized than pay for the continuation.

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

I wouldn’t be surprised if they went back on that and tied it behind a BLTP outfit/glider skin, and ofc this would be at least 3000 gems because you’re getting more than just a glider/outfit

Akachi.1352:

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

I wouldn’t be surprised if they went back on that and tied it behind a BLTP outfit/glider skin, and ofc this would be at least 3000 gems because you’re getting more than just a glider/outfit

If Mike is calling the shots again, I am going to be really, really surprised if that happens. He has a lot of good will from me as a customer and his reappearance is what makes me hopeful.

Kaiyanwan.8521:

At any time after it got released or while it is “active”?

They probably won’t be clarifying anything until it’s almost ready, meaning maybe a month prior. At this time, you should assume it’ll be the same as season 2, meaning you have 2 weeks to login. I doubt they’ll stick to 2 week cycles however, and instead switch to releasing on a monthly cycle or every other.

Thank you all for the replies.

I knew i had to have HoT to play s3 (I already have it)… i just wanted to ask if i will be able to permanently unlock the episodes in my situation (being able to log in once per week for only a hour or two).

I never mentioned (or wanted) them to give us s3 with a price to buy, or remove them from instanced gameplay.

Healix.5819:

Kaiyanwan.8521:

At any time after it got released or while it is “active”?

They probably won’t be clarifying anything until it’s almost ready, meaning maybe a month prior. At this time, you should assume it’ll be the same as season 2, meaning you have 2 weeks to login. I doubt they’ll stick to 2 week cycles however, and instead switch to releasing on a monthly cycle or every other.

My assumption at the moment is that I’ll just be excluded from this, due to having a job that won’t give me the opportunity to log in for a few months. It goes without saying that I’d prefer Anet to simply give the content freely to anyone who purchased the paid expansion (especially so as many people feel that the content we have so far for HoT has yet to reach the full price paid).

At the very least, any new maps should be available to those of us who couldn’t log in at designated times.

That’s not free, you’ve paid an expansion for it…

MadRabbit.3179:

If Mike is calling the shots again, I am going to be really, really surprised if that happens. He has a lot of good will from me as a customer and his reappearance is what makes me hopeful.

Mike O’Brien is now (temporarily) filling the role of game director but he was calling the shots all along; he’s the president of ArenaNet and executive producer of GW2, after all. Everything that has been done in GW2 so far was on his watch.

Yunielesca.2850:

That’s not free, you’ve paid an expansion for it…

The concern some of us have is that, indeed it won’t be included in the paid expansion, but if you don’t log in at the right time you’ll either be excluded or as with LS2, you’ll have to pay even more to access parts of it.

my question has been answered… can we close this thread before it turns into a pointless “discussion” /rant about whos fault is what and how season 3 isnt free cause people had to pay the expansion to play it and whatever else people from the bandwagon come up with?

PS: i wanted to also post a reply to those topics that showed up here with comparison and logic and examples…but i dont think i can reason with them so…just close the thread…

Again:

Q:“Will living world season 3 be something like season 2 where a player would need to simply log in in order to permanently unlock it or something different?”

A:"If you have HoT then you will be able to play season 3.They might take more time between episode releases than the usual 2 weeks as seen before, and they didnt specify if they will be “unlocking the episodes permanently” as seen in season 2, but most likely will.

Surbrus.6942:

Yunielesca.2850:

That’s not free, you’ve paid an expansion for it…

The concern some of us have is that, indeed it won’t be included in the paid expansion, but if you don’t log in at the right time you’ll either be excluded or as with LS2, you’ll have to pay even more to access parts of it.

That’s exactly how it is going to be.
The story included to the expansion is already there.
It’s the HoT story.
LS s3 will still be free like season 2.I’m guessing the period that players will have to log in once and unlock the free content will be at least a couple of weeks after the release of each episode.

Healix.5819:

Kaiyanwan.8521:

At any time after it got released or while it is “active”?

They probably won’t be clarifying anything until it’s almost ready, meaning maybe a month prior. At this time, you should assume it’ll be the same as season 2, meaning you have 2 weeks to login. I doubt they’ll stick to 2 week cycles however, and instead switch to releasing on a monthly cycle or every other.

That would mean someone at ANet is trying their hardest to kitten off as many of their customers as possible since LS3 was supposed to be part of the cost for HoT. Having to pay for it if you miss it would not go over well no matter how little time it requires.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

Thank you. I was just going to post that when I saw that you had.

This is only true for now. If they think they can make more money by double locking it behind the gemstore then they will do that. NEVER trust anything Anet tells you. If they can milk more money out of it they will.

I hope I won’t be forced to purchase the living world releases like I was in season 2 just because I didn’t adhere to your schedule. I already paid for HoT and expect to get living story season 3 unlocks for free whether I log in at the time they are released or not.

I dont understand the logic behind “i paid for hot, and i want season 3 for free”

ofc its gonna be free… i paid for the original game 3 years ago and i got s1 and s2 for free..among many other features patches and content… i got drytops silverwaste and southsun for free as well, why wouldnt i?

You buy the game and you get updates for free, you buy the expansion and get the updates for free…

I know s2 got locked behind a gemstore after its finished, but i still got it for free just by logging in…

I know some people might not be able to log in within a month period (tops with s3 for each episode i hope..unless its quite a long episode) but still…

IMO, this game rewards you by playing the game. Its almost free, with no obligations..so unless its (as with my situation) a job thing i dont see how people find excuses and whine about them making a “limited free eddition” for a very small part of content and not simply log in and play the game

I’ve a question.

Say I have an account that predates the Free-to-Play change. I figure it won’t get the chance to play any of LS3, since the story happens in areas those characters cannot reach, but do they get the free unlocks, for future use?

Sariel V.7024:

I’ve a question.

Say I have an account that predates the Free-to-Play change. I figure it won’t get the chance to play any of LS3, since the story happens in areas those characters cannot reach, but do they get the free unlocks, for future use?

I believe you must own Heart of Thorns to be able to ‘unlock’ Living Story Season 3.

For those that may not be able to log in during the designated times, it is not just the story instances that you would be excluded from, but the rewards as well. Obviously no one wants to be excluded from new skins, in a game such as this where acquiring weapon and armour skins are the main end game goals, however if good stat distributions are also locked behind the LS than it almost gets into a P2W situation for those that missed it.

Sure Sinister stats have now almost been rendered obsolete due to Viper stats existing, however back when Sinister stats were introduced, you could only acquire some pieces from LS rewards. If you missed the “free” period than you had to buy those LS episodes on the gemshop, in order to access those (then) top tier of condition damage stats.

Another thing to keep in mind is that LS2 was released when GW2 existed under a completely different payment scheme. Back then we were informed that Anet would refuse to use paid expansions, and would make their revenue entirely from the gemshop. People with good attendance are exposed to the gemshop far more frequently than those that did not show up as regularly, thus it is less of a “reward” for logging into GW2 often, and on Anet’s schedule, but more so that you’re already in the game and being exposed to the gemshop, thus you’re already contributing to Anet’s gemshop revenue (even if you don’t actually use the gemshop, you’re a statistic and on average that means that you contribute a certain expected amount of gemshop revenue). With LS3, we are now in the era of GW2 expansions. In addition to paid expansions now existing, we can easily see that there are very common opinions of HoT being a bit anemic and underproforming on the “delivering content” point, and that we’ve already paid for this future LS-related content.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

I believe you must own Heart of Thorns to be able to ‘unlock’ Living Story Season 3.

I would completely understand this, but I also think it should be clarified. Now. Before the thing arrives.

How else to interpret the statement? “If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

If you don’t own the expansion, you won’t be able to access the LW releases at no cost.

Edit: Oh, you are asking if they will unlock without logging in (during the live release)? Doubtful…the same question was asked about Season 2, and we know how Season 2 worked.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

How else to interpret the statement? “If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

If you don’t own the expansion, you won’t be able to access the LW releases at no cost.

Edit: Oh, you are asking if they will unlock without logging in (during the live release)? Doubtful…the same question was asked about Season 2, and we know how Season 2 worked.

People are seeing access and the story being unlocked as two separate things.

Well, if the releases aren’t story (instances) and are in Core Tyria, I suppose (if they are permanent) they will be available to everyone. If the releases are functional (features), I’m guessing they won’t be unlocked without HoT purchase.

I suppose it depends on what the ‘release’ encompasses. I guess we will find out…either when the release happens, or more information becomes available.

It’s really difficult to speculate on what a release might entail at this point.

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

How else to interpret the statement? “If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

If you don’t own the expansion, you won’t be able to access the LW releases at no cost.

Edit: Oh, you are asking if they will unlock without logging in (during the live release)? Doubtful…the same question was asked about Season 2, and we know how Season 2 worked.

No, I mean it how you first said it. And because the other half of that answer is unstated, I’m certain you’re going to be seeing the question again. “If I’m around for the release date, do I get the unlock if I buy HoT later?”

Sariel V.7024:

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

I believe you must own Heart of Thorns to be able to ‘unlock’ Living Story Season 3.

I would completely understand this, but I also think it should be clarified. Now. Before the thing arrives.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

Thank you. I was just going to post that when I saw that you had.

All LW content should be made available to anyone that has paid for the game no matter what expansion.

OtterPaws.2036:

Sariel V.7024:

Inculpatus cedo.9234:

I believe you must own Heart of Thorns to be able to ‘unlock’ Living Story Season 3.

I would completely understand this, but I also think it should be clarified. Now. Before the thing arrives.

Gaile Gray.6029:

Healix.5819:

“If you own the expansion, you’ll be able to simply log in to the game to gain free access to upcoming Living World releases!”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/game/maguuma

Thank you. I was just going to post that when I saw that you had.

Way to reiterate without actually adding information. My question is very specific. Answer IT, not dance round it by answering the question I DIDN’T ask.

There’s a reason I added the truth table to my post.

GreyWolf.8670:

All LW content should be made available to anyone that has paid for the game no matter what expansion.

That was one of the selling points of HoT though, like a new legendary weapon set and raids.

By logging in after July 26, whether you own the expansion or not, you can ‘bank’ the episode, letting you access it if you decide to spring for the expansion at a later date.

It’s not necessarily official, but it is an answer.

It is official: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guild-wars-2s-living-world-returns-on-july-26/

“How do I unlock the episodes?

Just as in Season 2, you can unlock each episode for free by logging in to Guild Wars 2 any time between the episode’s initial release and the release of the next episode. If you don’t own Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns, you can still log in to unlock the episode for free—it’ll be there waiting for you once you purchase the expansion!"

Sariel V.7024:

By logging in after July 26, whether you own the expansion or not, you can ‘bank’ the episode, letting you access it if you decide to spring for the expansion at a later date.

It’s not necessarily official, but it is an answer.

So, we still have to keep track of, and log in during the episodes, even if we already own the expansion, to “unlock” them for later play? If we don’t, do we lose access to them or are we forced to pay to play them?

From now until the release of the first episode, you can pick up Living World Season 2 as a bundle for 40% off through the gem store!

200*8*(1-0.4) = 960 gems?

A really easy and great way to do it is that if you own HoT, you get it for free at any point. Even if you buy HoT 3 years from now, you get it. That would definitely be a nice bit of good will. This is one of the first things that has made me want to purchase HoT. I went from not wanting it to wanting it less after the Legendary Weapon debacle. I really want to play this season though. I am really busy at the moment and can’t play anything for another few months. There’s no way I’d buy HoT then and also have to pay for the LS on top of that though. I’m also not going ot buy something now that I can’t play right now, especially if it requires me logging in in a 2 week period like previous LS. I am on the road too much atm.

It says the wait between releases is going to be 2 – 3 months, and if you log in at any point during that time you’ll have that story chapter unlocked for free forever.

I completely understand not being able to play every day, but even I could manage to log in once every 2 weeks (even though on one occasion I literally just logged in, made sure the green star pop-up had appeared and then shut the game down again, and that was while packing).

I would think the vast majority of people could manage to log in once every 2 months.

Siobhan.5273:

Sariel V.7024:

By logging in after July 26, whether you own the expansion or not, you can ‘bank’ the episode, letting you access it if you decide to spring for the expansion at a later date.

It’s not necessarily official, but it is an answer.

So, we still have to keep track of, and log in during the episodes, even if we already own the expansion, to “unlock” them for later play? If we don’t, do we lose access to them or are we forced to pay to play them?

Yes. It is absolutely no different to how it was for LS2. Didnt log in during those two weeks? You’re forking out money for that episode.

Iason Evan.3806:

A really easy and great way to do it is that if you own HoT, you get it for free at any point. Even if you buy HoT 3 years from now, you get it. That would definitely be a nice bit of good will. This is one of the first things that has made me want to purchase HoT. I went from not wanting it to wanting it less after the Legendary Weapon debacle. I really want to play this season though. I am really busy at the moment and can’t play anything for another few months. There’s no way I’d buy HoT then and also have to pay for the LS on top of that though. I’m also not going ot buy something now that I can’t play right now, especially if it requires me logging in in a 2 week period like previous LS. I am on the road too much atm.

This. Me and my whole family purchased HoT. The communication issues, content drought, unfinished expansion content.. we have now moved on to a subscribe to play game where we have a ton of catching up to do before their next expansion drops (we said forget it, if we’re gonna be gated into raids again no matter which game we go to, might as well do it in the game that’s known for it and we’re familiar with!)

However, we paid for this content and if we ever chose to come back, it should be available. I don’t want to have to keep up on what’s going on with a game I won’t be playing currently so I don’t get ripped out of stuff I paid for, because I’m busy with something else.

Siobhan.5273:

This. Me and my whole family purchased HoT. The communication issues, content drought, unfinished expansion content.. we have now moved on to a subscribe to play game where we have a ton of catching up to do before their next expansion drops (we said forget it, if we’re gonna be gated into raids again no matter which game we go to, might as well do it in the game that’s known for it and we’re familiar with!)

However, we paid for this content and if we ever chose to come back, it should be available. I don’t want to have to keep up on what’s going on with a game I won’t be playing currently so I don’t get ripped out of stuff I paid for, because I’m busy with something else.

New info was released today:

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guild-wars-2s-living-world-returns-on-july-26/

All you have to do is log in once every 2-3 months to unlock it, even if you don’t currently have HoT.

There’s nothing to keep up with. If you want it, you simply have to log into the game. That’s it. Outside of downloading updates, it takes maybe 30 seconds to do, 45 if your logging into LA. Also, you didnt pay for much besides access to content. The fact they added a window of opportunity to get that content for free…. well, no one’s fault but your own if you cant take even 5 minutes out of 2 weeks, 3 weeks, however long it is, to log in and get it. But I get it, you dont want to have to keep up with a game you no longer play despite seemingly being a consistent visitor to it’s forums. You know, where a lot of information is being given?

Aidan Savage.2078:

Siobhan.5273:

Sariel V.7024:

By logging in after July 26, whether you own the expansion or not, you can ‘bank’ the episode, letting you access it if you decide to spring for the expansion at a later date.

It’s not necessarily official, but it is an answer.

So, we still have to keep track of, and log in during the episodes, even if we already own the expansion, to “unlock” them for later play? If we don’t, do we lose access to them or are we forced to pay to play them?

Yes. It is absolutely no different to how it was for LS2. Didnt log in during those two weeks? You’re forking out money for that episode.

Thanks for the response, Aidan.

If that’s the policy on this, that’s silly, but not surprising.

That being said, I’m pretty sure you have until the next episode actually releases to earn that “credit.” But it’s been a while since LS2, so I cant remember if that’s how it was then as well.

Aidan Savage.2078:

There’s nothing to keep up with. If you want it, you simply have to log into the game. That’s it. Outside of downloading updates, it takes maybe 30 seconds to do, 45 if your logging into LA. Also, you didnt pay for much besides access to content. The fact they added a window of opportunity to get that content for free…. well, no one’s fault but your own if you cant take even 5 minutes out of 2 weeks, 3 weeks, however long it is, to log in and get it. But I get it, you dont want to have to keep up with a game you no longer play despite seemingly being a consistent visitor to it’s forums. You know, where a lot of information is being given?

Yup, we re-subbed on Sunday. I don’t want to be here, but given I did purchase both versions of the game, I can be here all I want, if I chose to be, thanks.

I simply asked for some info. You didn’t even have to give it. However, I understand you just couldn’t wait to be snide, it is, after all, how you roll. Got any other remarks, perhaps about cranial density or ignorance you wanna toss at people?

Point is, if I’m not actively playing, I don’t want to download or log into the game. Was a valid question. No need to be rude. Again. Thanks for the response. The non-rude one, that is.

RoseofGilead.8907:

Siobhan.5273:

This. Me and my whole family purchased HoT. The communication issues, content drought, unfinished expansion content.. we have now moved on to a subscribe to play game where we have a ton of catching up to do before their next expansion drops (we said forget it, if we’re gonna be gated into raids again no matter which game we go to, might as well do it in the game that’s known for it and we’re familiar with!)

However, we paid for this content and if we ever chose to come back, it should be available. I don’t want to have to keep up on what’s going on with a game I won’t be playing currently so I don’t get ripped out of stuff I paid for, because I’m busy with something else.

New info was released today:

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guild-wars-2s-living-world-returns-on-july-26/

All you have to do is log in once every 2-3 months to unlock it, even if you don’t currently have HoT.

Thanks, Rose. We will likely be uninstalling on all the main systems though. That’s the issue. I’ll have to see if I can load it on the laptop, otherwise, it’s not really feasible.

As long as you have room on the laptop it should be doable given that your only purpose is to log into game (assuming you don’t get horrible crashes just from doing that, I don’t know how old your device is). You don’t even have to move a step or turn your camera to get the unlock, just fully load one alt into game.

Donari.5237:

As long as you have room on the laptop it should be doable given that your only purpose is to log into game (assuming you don’t get horrible crashes just from doing that, I don’t know how old your device is). You don’t even have to move a step or turn your camera to get the unlock, just fully load one alt into game.

It’s about 4 years old.. but it’s definitely no gaming laptop. Even loading the camera software from my home security system on it gets it running hot. I use it mainly to browse online/email from, but at one point, waaaay back when, I did have the game on it, and it loaded, but in herky-jerky movements that would be unworkable if I’d actually tried to play seriously on it. Room isn’t an issue though… crashing might be at this point, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility!