Guild Wars 2

Root of the problem:

This is the short of and simple of it. Too many “projects” are partially developed in Guildwars 2 and simply left undone or abandoned. I feel like the developers confuse ambition with this perpertual state of non-commitment that has left a game that had the potential to be the best mmo ever created into a desolate wasteland of half-dones.

Let’s look at the track record:

SAB:

An awesome and utterly amazing project that was completely destroyed by sommething so simple and silly: the infinite continue coin. This could have been remedied so easily by just refunding players for this. Instead the entire debacle was turned into a PR nightmare with devs openly apologizing on reddit and the entire SAB project being shut down. There’s so much that could have been done to save this and players developed a huge following (which there still is) for this content. Even now so many hopefuls stare at the update log longing for SAB to return.

Fractals:

We’ve been told over and over again that ANET has been “committed” to fractals. Over the course of their life the fractal content has been granted to major updates, both of which have been massive failures. The first rolling player progression backwards and increasing difficulty and accessibility with no rewards. This was the only time new fractals were added and they were just recycled content parcels from dead LS1 archives (Mai Trin, Molten Fractal).

The second update DIDN"T EVEN ADD ANY NEW FRACTALS. By committed does that mean not developing any new fractals, because we haven’t seen anything in a long time. Instead we get a crappy legendary backpack and recolors of already existing fractals weapons. Oh an things that cost pristine fracatl relics, a currency that ANET said was phasing out and gave us an option for breaking down into normal relics -only to find out later we need them for collections…

Dungeons:

Not even going here. Outright killed for no reason. Players enjoyed them and ran them regularly, then they were suddenly butchered outright for no good reason. Why because fears that the population wouldn’t be big enough to do HoT events that maps that people ended up hating? There was an entire speed run community that was just straight up kicked to the curb over this.

Living Story:

Temporary content that last for what? Two weeks? So new players come into the game confused on wtf is going on in the story and get to listen to slowly forgotten veteran buzz of how cool that scarlet boss fight was that they can no longer do?

SPVP:

I won’t lie an honest effort is being made here for esports. They went the complete opposite direction of what the players wanted with stronghold with increase AI dependency and automation. Leagues, MMR, and matchmaking are still a complete mess but at least they are trying… for 100 twitch views per tournament. If anything, this should have been focused on less with more effort going into core systems that retain players. Face it, this game will not become a multibillion dollar arena esports game.

WvW:

Ever since the failures of the DBL, it was like they just gave up. No updates, no news, just whispers that some huge multi-year revamp is in place with no details.

Raids:

Maybe the only good progressive thing to come out of updates. But the accessibility gate is insane. Maybe 2-3% of the playerbase actually plays these because they either don’t have the guild or the full ascended. Dominated by snobs and elites. Well its raids, that’s to be expected. Did Gw2 even need this?

Guild halls:

A total kick to the face to small guilds and solo players, both of which ANET said were not to be foresaken in HoT. I’ve never even seen in the inside of a guild hall, its sad. This was a monumental social system failure.

Legendaries:

The newest core system to get “dungeoned.” Completely abandoned for no good reason. Worst of all these were promised in HoT. Great, now the only new legendary we will get is a shortbow that no one used then its bye-bye to all future legendaries and forward progression.

So many different failures, all met with incompleteness and disappointment. Even core systems like legendaries are being abandoned because development keeps hopping to what they think is the next best thing instead of focusing or understanding what works.

I’m not sure if player wants are even being considered. So much of this could have been avoided by:

1.) Just talk to us, have some transparency. The communication and trust between ANET and devs is at an all time low. Players are on the brink of revolution, and by revolution I mean saying “eff this, I’m playing BDO.”

2.) Open a Public Test Server. The SAB failure shows the disconnect between testers and player satisfaction quite clearly. Let us test new content so we can tell you if it will actually work before you force it down our throats.

3.) Commit to your promises. Don’t tell us we are getting a new set of legendaries in HoT then turn around and pull that rug from under us later. Not enough development to make new legendaries? With the amount of gemstore weapons coming out every week that is total bull.

4.) Finish what you start work on. Right now the game is just a collection of half finished and abandoned systems. Players are hesitant to commit because the content they like could go into the neglect corner at any second.

Im sure they know this already. Problem is they are not competent enough to get it done.

I can only agree to this. I loved Gw2 but I don’t want to play a game just because I keep hoping it gets better.
Really sad it took the direction it took. Too much wasted potential. Perhaps next expansion I’ll take a look at it again.

Eh… On one hand, I miss some of the dungeon population. On the other, I’m really, really glad the toxic dungeon “Speed run community” is gone. The atmosphere of dungeon-running is so much better now that it’s more a case of “We’re glad you’re here! Finally, someone to dungeon-run with us!” more than “Stack and skip, or GTFO, scrub!”

I for one, am still waiting for all the armor on Charr to no longer clip.

This is the Early Access Era where developers no longer release fully developed/finished content and games, so I’m really not surprised anymore. Probably shouldn’t ever expect to get what you pay for with any game unless it’s stated to officially have such content at launch (and actually have it, like The Division?) instead of making future promises.

All we can do is just try our best to avoid being scammed by games like War Z who take it too far~ could always be worse. They need to clean up the mess though or the 2nd unfinished xpan will be treated that way and avoided.

I purchased Heart of Thorns because they told us it was going to fix this systemic issue with the game.

In terms of content, it was lacking (a few open world maps, no fractals, one new pvp map, no new guild missions, etc) – no on can debate that. However, where it seemed to shine was through the building of foundations. A new fractal system – a new guild mission system – a new player progression system – they told us these things were put in place to make it easier to build and deliver new content.

My hope – and the reason I bought HOT – was that they were putting in the systems they needed to provide regular updates to things like guild missions, fractals, world maps, etc. That is how this game was designed and how it needs to be moving forward.

I love this game, but they failed in this goal. Six months in and none of the systems they designed to speed delivery of new content have resulted in new game content. That is inexcusable for any reason.

Either these systems are broken and need to be fixed or they do not have the employees needed to sustain them. Either way, it’s time to forget about expansions for a while and get this train back on track.

While it might be in other games, even a couple of months without new content should be unacceptable in GW2. The model they built relies on sustainable and frequent content. If implementing an expansion pack into that model interferes with the sustainability and frequency of quality content, then the developers have failed to deliver the game they said they were going to deliver.

It’s time for drastic – and possibly painful (for the company, not the customers) – action to be taken or the future of this game is very much in peril.

lordhelmos.7623:

SAB:

An awesome and utterly amazing project that was completely destroyed by sommething so simple and silly: the infinite continue coin.

SAB originally began as a small experiment. It was different, so they released it under the disguise of a joke on April 1st. They saw an unexpected popularity in SAB which is why W2 was released within months of W1. W2 however was longer and more difficult which caused complaints. Josh was also suspended from the forums during this time for telling the players like it is. Unlike W1, W2 saw low participation, so the desire to create a W3 was dropped. A behind the scenes on SAB’s development could be read on his personal blog. Back then it was said that Mo loves numbers, so it’s safe to assume that anything that is doing poorly is going to either be dropped or have little resources, such as dungeons and now legendaries. Remember season 1 when they tried different types of content, like how they used to add dungeons? Those were surveys.

Completely agree with the OP. They don’t stick with a project and just seem to be bouncing around like a kid with ADD who can’t decide what he actually wants to do. They want to do everything without having the labor resources available to get everything done, which ends up making the companies efficiency in terms of development lower. If they just had everyone focus on the core of the game, profession balance, and end-game rewards, they would make a much more stable game that may not have as much cool new stuff but at least is a smooth enjoyable experience with goals to work towards. But instead we get to play kitten events that are constantly changing and lack any desirable reward.

I still play the game and I enjoy it, but it’s like being a cav’s fan and watching lebron and the team totally choke in the finals.

Also, the crafting for legendaries and stuff like that is confusing. With all the gifts that are required and items. Its just hard to keep track of and for gamers who are like me and aren’t the top elite, it can be a little overwhelming to know where to start when trying to craft them. Not saying to make legendaries easier to obtain, but try to make it more streamlined or whatever word it is I’m looking for.

Your not wrong OP, ANet has messed up alot lately.

Blaeys.3102:

Six months in and none of the systems they designed to speed delivery of new content have resulted in new game content.

Logged in specifically to +1 this. If new systems are developed and implemented to streamline content creation, but then not utilized to actually create content, what’s the point? HoT was sold as a prelude to the many new ways content would be developed in the future, with claims that it wasn’t selling content but systems (I’m paraphrasing here, I can’t be bothered to find the quote) because it was building the foundation for grander things in the future. I don’t think it’s too much to wonder, 6 months later, what these new things might be.

Agreed, seems GW2’s got a bit of identity crisis going on. It knew what it wanted to be when it launched. Halfway through things started changing a bit, a shift was made. Changes to how combat works messed with a whole game mode (WvW), one which they never addressed or fixed. WvW then got put on the backburner and ignored. We saw a shift to Anet dumping resources & money into pushing for e-sports despite the small viewership. We saw Anet allowed dungeons to die off and shift to work on raids instead.

Then with the expansion many more things changed. GW2 plays, feels, and looks different now. On some levels some changes were good and welcomed. On many aspects players weren’t too thrilled about, and many are not happy with where Anet’s priorities are or have been. Bottom line is upgrades now take longer to obtain and are more expensive, which directly affects the general masses.

Maybe it’s a bit of over reaching? Or miscalculation on their market research? A bad call from the management meetings? Who knows. All I know is everybody I’ve talked to who either have quit, or is taking an extended break from GW2, all say this game’s potentials are wasted. It’s such a great game, built on a great engine, with smooth animations & graphics. It should be better managed than this.

TBH, GW2 today is mostly unrecognizable from GW2 at launch. This is not a good thing. The game has serious problems, and thanks to decisions they made with HoT, the problems are only getting worse as the weeks and months go by.

Don’t forget the atlas.

Don’t forget the 64 bit client which is still in “beta”, which is the only solution they have for RAM crashes, and isn’t usable with people using 32-bit processors………..

I was just about to make a post about this

Wow …. no MMO is ever finished. They are all “filled with half-finished projects” They all change their minds about to add or not or change direction. It’s the nature of a game that is always being added to.

PyrateSilly.4710:

Wow …. no MMO is ever finished. They are all “filled with half-finished projects” They all change their minds about to add or not or change direction. It’s the nature of a game that is always being added to.

Cancelling content you already SOLD is not just stupid, it’s unethical, and there is no excuse for it.

Seriously…

PyrateSilly.4710:

Wow …. no MMO is ever finished. They are all “filled with half-finished projects” They all change their minds about to add or not or change direction. It’s the nature of a game that is always being added to.

not really, alot of MMO games do finish MAJOR CORE FEATURES. much of GW2’s primary features have been abandoned or left idle far too long with no development of essential changes.

You forgot a few other things:

1. Traits system – more condensed and limiting than it’s previous two version, it seems they just mainly took multiple traits in a line and condensed them or removed. The problem is, from their previous versions and moving traits around between lines, some classes are really screwed up and forced to take lines just for one trait only, the rest being worthless (look at Guardian and Warrior). Especially with the introduction of specializations, the base traitlines need a new pass on what is good, and what belongs where.

2. Skills – So far it seems the only new skills coming from now on are from specializations themselves, which quite frankly, sucks. I understand the need for balance, But in all honestly, the build diversity in the game just stinks.

3. Weapons – weapons themselves have become stale and boring, especially when you find out that only a few are actually good, because traits effect them well. This ties into what’s stated above. Not enough traits apply to all of a classes weapons, making them viable.

But then there are the weapons skills, which basically leads to really predicable game play. You know what attacks that other guy using the same weapon and profession as you is gonna do, there is no difference. I rather see us finally be able to customize are weapon skills to fight.

4. The mastery system – no idea when new masteries are going to be added, or how, etc. Not to mention some earlier talked about apparently were cut that sounded good (the one that lets you deal more damage to mordrem for example).

Yeah, they told us initially that there would be masteries that would make it easier to kill Mordrem, but apparently, that got scrapped, too…

Would have actually been a nice mastery to have unlike a lot of them.

Lankmaster.6507:

Don’t forget the 64 bit client which is still in “beta”, which is the only solution they have for RAM crashes, and isn’t usable with people using 32-bit processors………..

Let’s also not forget the absolute piece of garbage Mac client that has been in beta for the better part of 3 years. It runs horrendously, and is still lacking graphical options. I actually had to subject myself to running a bootcamp windows 10 installation to run the game properly.

That’s a rather self-serving assessment. Some of the things you list are ongoing and others are just done.

kitten there’s a lot of hate here.

I admit my only beef with Anet is weakening my characters with the trait and stat changes. I’m also sad they messed up my conditions and really sort of made them worthless though I understand why they did and that it was indeed necessary. But the nerf to bleed … So heavy.

They’d have a lot better time managing class balance changes if they’d get off this ridiculous e-sports kick…

Lankmaster.6507:

Don’t forget the 64 bit client which is still in “beta”, which is the only solution they have for RAM crashes, and isn’t usable with people using 32-bit processors………..

A 64 bit OS wouldn’t work with a 32 bit processor, what’s your point here? A program made to work with a 64 bit os so it can use all the ram that the OS can see is a garbage thing to have as it wont work on a 32 bit machine? If your running a 32 bit PC chances are its old as hell, and has 3.5GB or usable ram. The reason it’s there only fix is because they should have had a 64 bit client from the get go. The game has advanced alot. Even the system specs say it can Change over time and you might need to upgrade or buy new to keep playing.

Celtic Lady.3729:

TBH, GW2 today is mostly unrecognizable from GW2 at launch.

In terms of difficulty, GW2’s original launch was nearly unrecognizable from GW2’s original beta. The game was originally balanced for action gamers. When you were expected to dodge, you either did, or you were downed. I remember people at level 2 for example trying to tank Moa’s in Queensdale, only to die to their rapid peck. HoT in comparison is basically back to the way things were.

Celtic Lady.3729:

Yeah, they told us initially that there would be masteries that would make it easier to kill Mordrem, but apparently, that got scrapped, too…

It was basically the same thing as treasure mushrooms or the axemaster in VB. The lack of those masteries actually made the content easier. Husks for example were invulnerable until you either broke them or had the mastery to ignore their defense.

New fractals would be nice. As well as a returning emphasis on Dungeons. I haven’t done all of the dungeons yet but I’ve done all paths of Arah and it’s some of the most fun I’ve had in game. A shame that they decided these weren’t worth development time as opposed to raids which are a lot more restrictive, and swamptals that people just run for dailies in hopes of getting the ever elusive ascended chests. (Weren’t there supposed to be better rewards with this last patch? I’ve finally gone up to 77 fractal level now and still get nothing but (infused) rings clogging up my bank.)

As far as the other systems go, I’m not a fan of wvw in its current state though I have a very active guild that does it every reset. It’s just mind-numbingly boring running around with them hearing them talk about how awesome we are that we’re just going in circles taking camps and attacking forts to rarely ever actually come across other players.

I love Guild Halls, I just wish we had more decoration options and customization options. Would be AMAZING to have a placeable waypoint within the guild hall, so that I could finally place one at the top of my gilded hollow and allow people to skip the first half of my crazy jumping puzzle and go straight up the giant tree above the well jumping puzzle. :-P I fear they won’t implement much more for guild halls even though they have a great foundation in place should they choose to. Just give me more decorations to choose from that don’t require scribe gating or insane costs and I’ll be happy to spend hours decorating mine. (Given a more leanient décor cap of course.)
People don’t appreciate the amount of effort that went into creating these hall maps. They really are breathtaking and something I’d like to see expanded upon with a more convenient approach. (Even new guild halls and the ability to own more than one with shared unlocked features for each one.)

As far as SAB, it was a really neat idea. I sucked at it but I definitely don’t understand why they had to remove it. I’ll never understand why so many developers create content only to make it temporary outside of whatever balancing issues or maintenance time it may take up. If you put all of that effort into something, why not leave it in? It’s not like having more options or ways to play your game is a bad thing? Perhaps if it gets implemented again as I suspect it most likely will with this next update, I can try to get a little more enjoyment out of it and experience with it.

StAllerdyce.3941:

Blaeys.3102:

Six months in and none of the systems they designed to speed delivery of new content have resulted in new game content.

Logged in specifically to +1 this. If new systems are developed and implemented to streamline content creation, but then not utilized to actually create content, what’s the point?

They’re already working on the next expansion, with 70 people on the project it most likely means it’s already out of planning phase and full work has begun since the other departments seem to have a skeleton crew running them, maybe these systems are being a benefit to that right now. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they pushed to have the expansion out by Nov/Dec.

Frankly I wouldn’t have cared if they said they were developing legendary weapons 10 months out on the expansion and then 6 months later they canceled it cause it was time consuming. At that point I hadn’t paid for the expansion, but that point of no return has come and gone, 6 months into it you don’t turn around and put a hold on a feature you already sold.

I have no qualms over SAB, it was free content, if it never returns so be it.
Fractals, the leader board and legendary should already be in the game, put it in and move on.
Dungeons, major Anet mistake.
Living story, free updates that don’t keep me busy for more than a couple hours, but they need them to promote items for the store.
Spvp, fix your broken balance.
Wvw, another major Anet mistake for ignoring it and it’s core players for too long.
Raids, wasn’t really needed in the game, and obviously steering the game into a different direction from original concept.
Guild halls, major kitten up, the game would have been better off without this, seriously.

Don’t think the problem is the systems, it’s the man power assigned to them.

I take OFFENSE that you label anyone who does dungeons at speed is part of toxic kitten – same with raids. You can say that about any part of the community be it sPvP, Open World etc – how about get to know all of them before labelling them as such. A small % does not make all of them.

This content is probably the best ANET has produced – but I can guarantee that it will probably be cancelled after wing 3. This is going by ANETS history of messing things up.

ANET messes up anything they reworked:
fractals,- we all know why
Dungeons- we all know why

This is leading to reduced metrics and lower player logins – which in turn reduced income. It is much harder to get these players back.
We all know reduced income = reduced staff (eventually) leading to even less content than we have now (bad).

If the decisions by ANET were not so bad consistently over the last 3 yrs- I may have spent more real $. Right now I have seen so much disappointment and contempt toward the GW2 community in terms of what they have asked for and got.
IMO- the HoT expansion is ‘half finished/delivered’ – definitely a half expansion despite what MO says- he needs to stop drinking the cool aid. If this is what players believe they need to get real and understand why they keep kittenish up.

Players expectations paying almost full price for the product again compared to the original game were wanting and needing a lot more. HoT has been mapped out to death – and there is only so much you can do in 3-4 maps and LS.

The number of U turns ANET has made due to not listening to its player base has been insane tbh.

Agreed on all points. GW2 essentially went from MMO of infinite potential, to MMO purgatory, where people are just waiting for the next best thing to come out.

I don’t really know or care who exactly is to blame for the fall of gw2, I just know that it is on its death bed. If they don’t do something right soon and make up for their extremely poor planning and decision making I’m out.

I’m a “Ride till they die” type of gamer. Every MMO I get into I’m there from day one til the day they shut the servers down and drag me out kicking and screaming. This will be the first MMO to sour my enjoyment of the game so much that I willingly abandon ship.

Whats even more sad is they’ve ditched more than half of the things you’ve listed already. If that wasnt enough they hit the player base while its down by saying new xpac time B O I Z. At least complete the kitten kitten thats making a mess of the game before jumping on to the new cash grab.

New skins every two weeks but not much content for a long while(nice raid wing bro /facepalm).

Loved the game. Miss what it was and hate what it has become.

inb4 blindfolded/earplug white knights arrive