Guild Wars 2

DeceiverX.8361:

darkace.8925:

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

To a lot of people, price and delivery mode of new content aren’t nearly as important as quality and quantity.

It has to be free, though, otherwise ANet runs a risk of losing substantial profits.

Of course there is a group of players that would like to see more quality content at a faster rate and is willing to pay for it. But i think that is still the minority and if Anet would follow their suggestions, they might alienate a big part of the player base and more importantly, new players. I dont think it will do the game any good in the long term to split the player base by gating content behind a pay wall.

Wanze.8410:

DeceiverX.8361:

darkace.8925:

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

To a lot of people, price and delivery mode of new content aren’t nearly as important as quality and quantity.

It has to be free, though, otherwise ANet runs a risk of losing substantial profits.

Of course there is a group of players that would like to see more quality content at a faster rate and is willing to pay for it. But i think that is still the minority and if Anet would follow their suggestions, they might alienate a big part of the player base and more importantly, new players. I dont think it will do the game any good in the long term to split the player base by gating content behind a pay wall.

IF (and that’s a big if) they go this route, I more expect the “expansion” to be free, but some aspects of it (new race/class, for example) to be locked behind a pay wall. That way you have everyone still playing together, but there’s stuff that brings in cash as well.

Whatever it is, I feel pretty sure that it will not be an announcement of an expansion pack that we are used to, as in, the usual box you pay for to install loads of content.

The problem is that they will split their community in 2 segments, those who have the expansion and those who don’t. Not sure how that can work in competitive settings. They can certainly lock explorable zones, new classes, but can they lock new pvp maps and new items?

Xillllix.3485:

can they lock new pvp maps and new items?

The PvP maps might be hard at a glance, but what if they’re options for custom arenas? THOSE they can lock, or make custom-only. Then people have to pay to use them.

As for new items? They can easily lock the ability to equip them behind a pay wall. This would work best with weapons, especially ones that are already used by other classes. Imagine rangers being able to use a staff, but only if you’ve paid for the weapons selection expansion. Sure, you can loot a staff as a ranger without it, and select the new ranger staff traits if you want to for some reason, but you can’t equip it until you pay. That would make it VERY tempting for some people, being that close to having something new to play with but not being able to quite yet.

Xillllix.3485:

The problem is that they will split their community in 2 segments, those who have the expansion and those who don’t. Not sure how that can work in competitive settings. They can certainly lock explorable zones, new classes, but can they lock new pvp maps and new items?

Traditionally in other MMO’s if you don’t purchase the expansion you are level locked and can’t access the new zones (and thus can’t get the new gear), however all other aspects are usually available to existing players, including new classes and races in some cases (not not always). I’ve never heard of not being able to access PvP due to an expansion.

well…till we see whats actually coming on pax… all abord the table train cause nothing is off and all are on

I asked a while back but I think people didn’t see it as the thread moves so fast: How does one see this panel on live stream? Is there a PAX payment to make, or will this be on ANet’s Twitch?

Sometimes a feed has been offered on Twitch, sometimes one of the internet Gaming Magazines records it (live or not), sometimes someone with a YouTube channel records it…..

No word yet on if and/or how we might see it, nor whether the possibility of seeing it live will exist.

I’ve never seen ArenaNet monetize such discussions/announcements. I don’t know what PAX does, but one can usually see what has transpired at these sort of things rather quickly.

Donari.5237:

I asked a while back but I think people didn’t see it as the thread moves so fast: How does one see this panel on live stream? Is there a PAX payment to make, or will this be on ANet’s Twitch?

They’ll probably announce the stream as we get closer to PAX. Still got some time.

Xillllix.3485:

The problem is that they will split their community in 2 segments, those who have the expansion and those who don’t. Not sure how that can work in competitive settings. They can certainly lock explorable zones, new classes, but can they lock new pvp maps and new items?

There’s an idea floating around that would eliminate that problem.
Make the maps, the stories, the quests, free and put the other stuff like new races, new classes, etc… in the gemstore.

Classes would have to be free, per the PvP problems, as that could effectively allow for people to pay for the new class and thus have an advantage over all non-paying players as they would not have the experience to learn the class and counter it properly.

In which case all you’re really left with is races, which if you’re gonna put everything else out there for free, you may as well avoid the PR nightmare and just release it all for free.

Im not sure that it would be a PR nightmare to charge for at least some of a product that is as expensive to produce as is an expansion.

DeceiverX.8361:

Classes would have to be free, per the PvP problems, as that could effectively allow for people to pay for the new class and thus have an advantage over all non-paying players as they would not have the experience to learn the class and counter it properly.

In which case all you’re really left with is races, which if you’re gonna put everything else out there for free, you may as well avoid the PR nightmare and just release it all for free.

There’s no such thing as YouTube? We both know there’s going to be a ton of videos here, there, and everywhere if a new profession is introduced. I’m half-way confident one of them will detail their skills and such. People also have the forums, Reddit, their friends, Google, guildies, and duels to learn their ( expansion based class ) counters.

I largely have 0 issues with locking content like a new profession or race behind a pay wall due to GW1. I couldn’t play a Ritualist if I only had Prophecies. Assuming the rest of the content is free, that’s like getting all of Factions minus Ritualist and Assassin. That’s a pretty good deal.

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

That would truly shock me.
It probably places last on the list of stuff I expect.

1. A Traditional paid Expansion
2. Something Different then an expansion but with more or less the same content
3. No expansion / Content at all .. IE LS all we get people were right
4. Then a free expansion

not that its impossible but nearly everyone states they are more then willing to pay for an expansion why would anet throw away all that money?

lordkrall.7241:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

They reserved the largest room for the longest amount of time of anyone at the conference… if that isn’t hype then what is?

Oh, I am fully aware about what they have done. But they have not SAID anything at all about it. Without people checking PAX we would not even know about it at this time. And that is a rather large difference.

The community is hyping it up. ArenaNet have done nothing other than scheduling an event.

Haha, agreed. There’s going to be so many disappointed people, if it’s anything less than an expansion, or expansion-type content.

The fans can’t be blamed though. It’s all up to Anet to kill the hype or not, but they won’t.

Wierd how this didnt make it over here yet.. but the plot thickens

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2s9jp8/ncsoft_registers_trademarks_for_guild_wars_2/

Well, that is something more substantial – not only a name, but a new logo as well. Still doesn’t tell us much, but at least suggests that something is going on.

Could be the hype train choo choo-ing in my head, but that dragon kinda looks like Canthan to me

Palador.2170:

Wanze.8410:

DeceiverX.8361:

darkace.8925:

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

To a lot of people, price and delivery mode of new content aren’t nearly as important as quality and quantity.

It has to be free, though, otherwise ANet runs a risk of losing substantial profits.

Of course there is a group of players that would like to see more quality content at a faster rate and is willing to pay for it. But i think that is still the minority and if Anet would follow their suggestions, they might alienate a big part of the player base and more importantly, new players. I dont think it will do the game any good in the long term to split the player base by gating content behind a pay wall.

IF (and that’s a big if) they go this route, I more expect the “expansion” to be free, but some aspects of it (new race/class, for example) to be locked behind a pay wall. That way you have everyone still playing together, but there’s stuff that brings in cash as well.

Actually they wouldn’t even need to put any new paywalls. Introduce a new race and/or class and the profits from additional character slots would be rolling in like mad.

Galen Grey.4709:

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

That would truly shock me.
It probably places last on the list of stuff I expect.

1. A Traditional paid Expansion
2. Something Different then an expansion but with more or less the same content
3. No expansion / Content at all .. IE LS all we get people were right
4. Then a free expansion

not that its impossible but nearly everyone states they are more then willing to pay for an expansion why would anet throw away all that money?

You have any sources for that? I wouldnt 100% rule out to pay for an expansion (depends on the content) but i would rather see the game develop in a way that doesnt require me to spend any more money on it.
I think its just a minority of hardcore veterans that asks for a paid expansion all the time because they consume content at a fast pace. For most players, especially new or future players, a paid expansion might not be an ideal solution or stop them from picking up the game entirely.

Galen Grey.4709:

Wierd how this didnt make it over here yet.. but the plot thickens

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2s9jp8/ncsoft_registers_trademarks_for_guild_wars_2/

Wow, that could be pretty cool.

Wanze.8410:

Galen Grey.4709:

Wanze.8410:

Its probably a free expansion.

And those people that asked for a paid expansion for the last year and a half will be disappointed anyways because they didnt get what they wanted.

That would truly shock me.
It probably places last on the list of stuff I expect.

1. A Traditional paid Expansion
2. Something Different then an expansion but with more or less the same content
3. No expansion / Content at all .. IE LS all we get people were right
4. Then a free expansion

not that its impossible but nearly everyone states they are more then willing to pay for an expansion why would anet throw away all that money?

You have any sources for that? I wouldnt 100% rule out to pay for an expansion (depends on the content) but i would rather see the game develop in a way that doesnt require me to spend any more money on it.
I think its just a minority of hardcore veterans that asks for a paid expansion all the time because they consume content at a fast pace. For most players, especially new or future players, a paid expansion might not be an ideal solution or stop them from picking up the game entirely.

no source just what is being said on the forum and elsewhere.

as for new players I dont think that is any factor really.
Ultimately chances are people who didnt buy by now arent going to buy, in any case the numbers Anet could get will definitely be minuscule compared to the players who will buy an expansion, not to mention future expansions. It wouldnt make sense to sacrifice large profits in order to save the negligible one at the end of the day. I’d be really surprised if that would factor in any decision process really.

That being said there may be other arguments against a paid expansion such as fragmenting the community (people who buy and those who dont) as well how to develop future updates? do you cater just to those who have the expansion or everyone ? if you go with everyone are you risking players who bought the expansion get annoyed being constantly forced into the old zones?

so yeah like i said free is a possibility just dont think its very likely thats all.

Prophet.6257:

Galen Grey.4709:

Wierd how this didnt make it over here yet.. but the plot thickens

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2s9jp8/ncsoft_registers_trademarks_for_guild_wars_2/

Wow, that could be pretty cool.

I’m convinced, expansion it is! Looks like we will be getting all of magnum jungle.

So the first expansion of Guild Wars 2 will have us take down Mordremoth? I hope it will be at least as big and grand in scale as the campaign to take down Zhaitan.

Tom Gore.4035:

So the first expansion of Guild Wars 2 will have us take down Mordremoth? I hope it will be at least as big and grand in scale as the campaign to take down Zhaitan.

What expansion?

Wanze.8410:

For most players, especially new or future players, a paid expansion might not be an ideal solution or stop them from picking up the game entirely.

Simply make it like SOE did with EQ2 :
the newest expansion always included everythink that was released before.

It worked fine with GW1. Of course people would like to have things for free but Anet employees have to eat too. I think they eat… Drink, they drink for sure…

Wanze.8410:

Tom Gore.4035:

So the first expansion of Guild Wars 2 will have us take down Mordremoth? I hope it will be at least as big and grand in scale as the campaign to take down Zhaitan.

What expansion?

Why the “Guild Wars 2: The Heart of Thorns” expansion, of course. It’s 100% confirmed now by the HYPE TRAIN! Choo choo!

People simply want a free expansion and Anet to put down their gemstore. That way, the game can evolve… or so is the assumption.

Tom Gore.4035:

Wanze.8410:

Tom Gore.4035:

So the first expansion of Guild Wars 2 will have us take down Mordremoth? I hope it will be at least as big and grand in scale as the campaign to take down Zhaitan.

What expansion?

Why the “Guild Wars 2: The Heart of Thorns” expansion, of course. It’s 100% confirmed now by the HYPE TRAIN! Choo choo!

Maybe all those people on the hype train should apply for a job at that korean investment firm.

Heart of Thorns? That can only mean…

Scarlet Briar’s secret and formerly silent partner, the brains behind the briar, the thought behind the thistle, the know behind the knot, as it were, revealed at last: Harlequin Thorn!

(Harlequin being a color between green and yellow on the color wheel, but closer to green).

Interesting, took a break for the last five or so months (apart from logging in to unlock the last 3 Living Story episodes so I can play them at some time) and I came back to the forums today to check for news so I’m eager to see what they announce here.

However, I think that unless it’s an announcement with actual details and at least a rough time-line then it’ll be a waste of everyone’s time; they can’t keep telling us how excited they are and how they wish they could tell us all about all the things that are in development forever.

Galen Grey.4709:

Wierd how this didnt make it over here yet.. but the plot thickens

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/2s9jp8/ncsoft_registers_trademarks_for_guild_wars_2/

My favourite post on that so far:

“darkly39r 7 points 2 hours ago
BY OGDENS HAMMER, WHAT HYPE”

The sheer profit they make from the gemstore should pay the way for any new content or expansions. You have people in LA/DR all the time saying how much $$ they’ve invested into the game for character slots, permanent gathering tools, black lion keys. There are so many people that pump money into the gemstore.

The one thing that will bother me, is if they don’t an expansion on the gemstore. While a lot of people are happy to pay the $20 for a new expansion – and most will happily. I think it’d be a nice sign to see the same expansion for X000 gems as well. This allows everyone to experience the new content- while raking in the $$$$$ from the people that can afford it too.

GW1 had no real “shop” other than character slots. Everything else seemed less important. Skill unlocks and skins sure, and eventually a make over ticket but this really came towards the end of the games life.

GW2 has a much bigger player base and just looking around at the player base I see people with endless logging tools, Job-o-tron back packs, costumes and Flutes all the time. They are making a lot of money from just the people buying the items – Not to mention all the people that exchange gems – gold on a monthly if not weekly basis.
I do not believe GW2 needs to release a paid expansion for this reason alone.

However! We shall see what PAX brings and the update today might hint at whats to come.

nexxe.7081:

lordkrall.7241:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

They reserved the largest room for the longest amount of time of anyone at the conference… if that isn’t hype then what is?

Oh, I am fully aware about what they have done. But they have not SAID anything at all about it. Without people checking PAX we would not even know about it at this time. And that is a rather large difference.

The community is hyping it up. ArenaNet have done nothing other than scheduling an event.

Haha, agreed. There’s going to be so many disappointed people, if it’s anything less than an expansion, or expansion-type content.

The fans can’t be blamed though. It’s all up to Anet to kill the hype or not, but they won’t.

but the fans are making the hype….

aspirine.6852:

It worked fine with GW1. Of course people would like to have things for free but Anet employees have to eat too. I think they eat… Drink, they drink for sure…

They feed off forum rage and drink player tears….

edit:
As well as did anyone see the full picture? There is also a Cat Messenger, and then B&S. Who doesn’t want some B&S?! And then….some BNS! BNS!

Well no one can say they didn’t hype up PAX now… they just hype train into HYPErdrive!

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Well no one can say they didn’t hype up PAX now… they just hype train into HYPErdrive!

Anet just built a hype plane to go along with their hype train. Hopefully they bring it in for a smooth landing in two weeks, or its going to be a spectacular fiery crash.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Well no one can say they didn’t hype up PAX now… they just hype train into HYPErdrive!

Pretty much. (laugh)

Arietta The Broken.1875:

The sheer profit they make from the gemstore should pay the way for any new content or expansions. You have people in LA/DR all the time saying how much $$ they’ve invested into the game for character slots, permanent gathering tools, black lion keys. There are so many people that pump money into the gemstore.

The one thing that will bother me, is if they don’t an expansion on the gemstore. While a lot of people are happy to pay the $20 for a new expansion – and most will happily. I think it’d be a nice sign to see the same expansion for X000 gems as well. This allows everyone to experience the new content- while raking in the $$$$$ from the people that can afford it too.

GW1 had no real “shop” other than character slots. Everything else seemed less important. Skill unlocks and skins sure, and eventually a make over ticket but this really came towards the end of the games life.

GW2 has a much bigger player base and just looking around at the player base I see people with endless logging tools, Job-o-tron back packs, costumes and Flutes all the time. They are making a lot of money from just the people buying the items – Not to mention all the people that exchange gems – gold on a monthly if not weekly basis.
I do not believe GW2 needs to release a paid expansion for this reason alone.

However! We shall see what PAX brings and the update today might hint at whats to come.

Just a comment. Guild Wars 1 did have mini stories/lore so it wasn’t all character slots, etc. If you wanted to see this lore, you had to buy.

http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Guild_Wars_Bonus_Mission_Pack
The battle of Jahai
The flight north
The rise of the White Mantle
The Tengu accords
(And their related weapons that you got by completing the missions.)

expansion….
hard to believe there will be expansion…

is more like a guild wars 2 v2.0

Since dungeon team has been apparently disbanded since the last year, and no FOTM up dates, I find it hard to believe that we’ll be getting decent chunk of new dungeons.

Here’s what EOTN gave to us back in GW1:

41 new armor sets, including rare, stand-alone pieces
100 new profession-specific skills (10 per profession, none of which are elite)
50 new PvE only skills including 3 elite skills
10 new heroes
18 Dungeons
15+(?) New maps.

Again, I’ll be happy to eat my word and be proven wrong, but I don’t see them adding as much content as EOTN did.

Donari.5237:

I asked a while back but I think people didn’t see it as the thread moves so fast: How does one see this panel on live stream? Is there a PAX payment to make, or will this be on ANet’s Twitch?

The trailer for ‘Beyond the Point of No Return’ states the announcement/panel will be shown on Twitch 8:30AM PST/10:30AM CST

So, definitively answered now. Yay! =)