Guild Wars 2

Mind you I was half asleep listening to the webcast on my phone, but I could have sworn he said hang gliders. I was certain they wouldn’t announce mounts, but this is very cool indeed! Assuming they will only be available for pve.

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Yes there are gliders they are NOT MOUNTS they come from Mastery a new system that gives new abilities and stuff.

They are not really gliders as in mounts from what I can tell. It is more of an ability you earn through the new mastery skills. If you look at the trailer the characters have wings when they are flying around.

Hang gliders? So we’re talking Guild Wars 2: Aion?

I wonder if someone who has this ability can hang glide in present area. I assume that they will be able to.

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

I interpreted it as being only available in Heart of Maguma (otherwise I imagine it would invalidate a lot of jumping puzzles). But yes, Hang Glider mastery skills were mentioned as used to access various areas in the new map(s)

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

rapthorne.7345:

I interpreted it as being only available in Heart of Maguma (otherwise I imagine it would invalidate a lot of jumping puzzles). But yes, Hang Glider mastery skills were mentioned as used to access various areas in the new map(s)

Not sure. Would have to re-watch – but each time he mentioned “Mastery” Colin also said things like “Master abilities for use in Maguuma…” – which I inferred meant all these Mastery abilities were usable only in the new zone.

Well, if this hang-gliders are available in other maps, I think they will not be a “skill”. They would work kinda like the diving googles. I would like them to NOT work that way, but it seems to be the only reasonable approach, unless they are exclusive to the Heart of Maguuma area.

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Uhm those are wings, very different things. You can actually flap those there is a difference.

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Yeah and where’s Aion now?
ArcheAge is GW2’s current competitor.

It would only have to be in the new maps. Doing it in current maps or game modes would completely break the game.

Astral Projections.7320:

I wonder if someone who has this ability can hang glide in present area. I assume that they will be able to.

If not, all that particular branch of the Mastery system amounts to is a gated gimmick. Imagine having to unlock the ability to use the aspect crystals in Dry Top or the skritt tunnel systems in Silverwaste under the pretense of “character progression”.

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Maybe, but the mechanics of that game were so stiff and clunky. I’m glad to see hang gliders come to a game that can do them justice.

Zanshin.5379:

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Yeah and where’s Aion now?
ArcheAge is GW2’s current competitor.

I wouldn’t go that far honestly, AA has had a terrible year with all of the fiascos going on. They have a new guy who’s decided that none of that has happened so we’ll see where it goes from here.

I CALLED IT ….. I CALLED IT HOW DID I KNOW

Hang gliding certainly won’t be available in the PVP/WvW game modes either. It would make walls and gates obsolete. Since WvW is the only game mode in GW2 that I’m still interested in, you can scratch this particular mastery of my list.

I was blown away when I saw those gliders. That’s like one of the last things I would have expected. For the record, I love gliding. Gliding is awesome. I will be gliding my kitten off as soon as I can.

So because another MMO had a cool feature, means GW2 shouldnt have it too?

Personally I thought it looked cool.

PookieDaWombat.6209:

It would only have to be in the new maps. Doing it in current maps or game modes would completely break the game.

Hmm …

Capture Stonemist
→ build upgrade for hang gliding platforms
→ fly into enemy keeps :P

Maybe in the new borderland map.

Could you imagine seeing a zerg of hang gliders flying into your Keep in WvW. I would be in awe. Lets hope they are active in borderland.

Nyquest.1583:

Could you imagine seeing a zerg of hang gliders flying into your Keep in WvW. I would be in awe. Lets hope they are active in borderland.

Only if they introduce new anti-aircraft siege.

PookieDaWombat.6209:

Nyquest.1583:

Could you imagine seeing a zerg of hang gliders flying into your Keep in WvW. I would be in awe. Lets hope they are active in borderland.

Only if they introduce new anti-aircraft siege.

That would be freakin’ awesome.

It’s really smart how they introduce flying mounts but don’t name them mounts to keep the anti-mound people happy.

What is more interesting for me is that with the introduction of these flying mounts instanced maps would be a problem so that means we might see an end to that.

The only reservation I have is that I hope we will be able to unlock many different looks of these hang gliders all over the world. That’s the type of end-game I like. I don’t hope it’s going to be more cash-shop stuff again you buy or grind gold for. We will see.

They already said the ability to hang glide is a ability that will be unlocked through the new mastery system. They are not really mounts as I understand but an earned ability. If you watch the trailer the characters have wings as they glide. So no fear about your gem store hate Devata. I’m sure you will be safe.

JustTrogdor.7892:

They already said the ability to hang glide is a ability that will be unlocked through the new mastery system. They are not really mounts as I understand but an earned ability. If you watch the trailer the characters have wings as they glide. So no fear about your gem store hate Devata. I’m sure you will be safe.

Selling hang glider skins n the store would not be surprising.

It will be interesting to see what glider options (skins) they will have in the gem store, if they plan to add them to gem store. What a great way to introduce a new travel/mounts ability into the game.

JustTrogdor.7892:

They already said the ability to hang glide is a ability that will be unlocked through the new mastery system. They are not really mounts as I understand but an earned ability. If you watch the trailer the characters have wings as they glide. So no fear about your gem store hate Devata. I’m sure you will be safe.

Oow but I want to unlock new ones (thats where that hate comes from, that sort of things gets put in the cash-shop to much removing that end-game of collecting these items all over the game). Get them from drops or for completing a dungeon or unlocking them with the guild, craft them and so on. I also think it works as a skill, in fact mounts work like a skill in most mmo’s these days, but that obviously does not mean there would not be different visual looks for them. I think it’s silly to think there will always only be one skin for it. What I am saying is let me hunt down these skins all over the world in stead of putting many of them in the cash-shop again removing the end-game of collecting the skins (without buying or grinding gold).

So I am not sure yet if i’m safe, but it looks to be a paid expansion so I may expect them to be in the game, the question is of course how long for the expansion after that because if thats to long we for sure will start seeing these glider skins pop up in the cash-shop.

Who said they are going to be skins? The gliding issue was described as an ability.

Wetpaw.3487:

It will be interesting to see what glider options (skins) they will have in the gem store, if they plan to add them to gem store. What a great way to introduce a new travel/mounts ability into the game.

Yeah well lets hope they will not put them in the cash-shop but in the open world (and crafts) for us the hunt down. We are playing a B2P game after-all not a F2P game where putting them in the cash-shop would be completely acceptable. Let those skins be part of the end-game as it should be. We will have paid for them by buying the expansion.

I’m going to have to agree with Devata here. I hope that there will be cosmetic variations of the hang gliders that can be earned in game. I wouldn’t have a problem with some in the gemstore but specific skins earned through specific content would be fun IMO.

JustTrogdor.7892:

Who said they are going to be skins? The gliding issue was described as an ability.

Going to be skins? You mean like the wing skins we already have? No they are going to be like mounts (a skill / item you use to fly) but they are very likely going to have different skins for them. That just makes sense don’t you think?

The basic ability and skin can be unlocked in game yet still have the cosmetic skins thru the gem store (black lion chest RNG anyone?)

tigirius.9014:

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Uhm those are wings, very different things. You can actually flap those there is a difference.

You could only flap them in certain magical area. In most overworld maps you could only glide with your wings.

Ashen.2907:

I’m going to have to agree with Devata here. I hope that there will be cosmetic variations of the hang gliders that can be earned in game. I wouldn’t have a problem with some in the gemstore but specific skins earned through specific content would be fun IMO.

If there are a few in the cash-shop and as long as they not extremely outdo all the other from a visual perspective (giving you all type of effects or just looking way more special then all the other skins, like they now do with many weapon and armor skins.) I can be fine with that. As long as by far most, including the very special ones, are obtainable directly in the game.

The big problem there of course is that then there is not enough intensive for people to buy them, thats why it’s important there is no need for Anet having people buying them. And that comes to the point why I ask for more regular paid expansion.

Khisanth.2948:

Hmm …

Capture Stonemist
-> build upgrade for hang gliding platforms
-> fly into enemy keeps :P

Maybe in the new borderland map.

Wow. Now I want to see this… just once, because I know it’ll turn WvW into a joke, but just once.

Devata.6589:

JustTrogdor.7892:

Who said they are going to be skins? The gliding issue was described as an ability.

Going to be skins? You mean like the wing skins we already have? No they are going to be like mounts (a skill / item you use to fly) but they are very likely going to have different skins for them. That just makes scene don’t you think?

No. If you watched the PAX feed it was described a new ability that can be unlocked in the new region through the new mastery character progression system. It was mentioned that ability will allow a player glide between places in the new region without falling to their death. They never said a thing about it being a cosmetic item or a skin. The only thing that we saw was the trailer where people have wings when gliding. That doesn’t mean by any means it is a mount type system but more of a visual effect that happens when someone uses that ability. When my Mesmer uses skill 1 it creates a visual effect. That doesn’t make it a skin.

I think some of you are reading too much into the whole glider ability.

Devata.6589:

Ashen.2907:

I’m going to have to agree with Devata here. I hope that there will be cosmetic variations of the hang gliders that can be earned in game. I wouldn’t have a problem with some in the gemstore but specific skins earned through specific content would be fun IMO.

If there are a few in the cash-shop and as long as they not extremely outdo all the other from a visual perspective (giving you all type of effects or just looking way more special then all the other skins, like they now do with many weapon and armor skins.) I can be fine with that. As long as by far most, including the very special ones, are obtainable directly in the game.

The big problem there of course is that then there is not enough intensive for people to buy them, thats why it’s important there is no need for Anet having people buying them. And that comes to the point why I ask for more regular paid expansion.

I think that variations in the gemshop can work. For example a skin that can be earned in game that is only available in blue via the gemshop. Or oddball themed options (I have no interest in earning aviator glasses in game but people do seem to buy them from the shop).

JustTrogdor.7892:

Devata.6589:

JustTrogdor.7892:

Who said they are going to be skins? The gliding issue was described as an ability.

Going to be skins? You mean like the wing skins we already have? No they are going to be like mounts (a skill / item you use to fly) but they are very likely going to have different skins for them. That just makes scene don’t you think?

No. If you watched the PAX feed it was described a new ability that can be unlocked in the new region through the new mastery character progression system. It was mentioned that ability will allow a player glide between places in the new region without falling to their death. They never said a thing about it being a cosmetic item or a skin. The only thing that we saw was the trailer where people have wings when gliding. That doesn’t mean by any means it is a mount type system but more of a visual effect that happens when someone uses that ability. When my Mesmer uses skill 1 it creates a visual effect. That doesn’t make it a skin.

I think some of you are reading too much into the whole glider ability.

I did watch it and like I said a mount is also just a skill where the item you can get in the world is more like the skin. In many mmo’s you first have to learn reading a mount what is then the skill. Also that it does not work in older maps is not uncommon for mounts. Sure this version seems to be limited in multiple ways but I would still call it a mount. Also the visual in the game really looked like a glider.. an item and that glider can and I’m sure will have multiple skins.

I wonder if this is a passive trait (when falling it auto opens), or a triggered ability? and if a triggered ability where does the ability go? utility, elite, new slot bar. I like how he mentioned the ability can be upgraded for better control and speed, maybe the look will change too.

Good info to look forward to.

as long as they stay outa my WvW its all good nothing would suck more than being able to hanglide my way into a keep

Gliders are flying mounts. The fact that they may be skills, etc. is irrelevant. As Devata pointed out, mounts in most games these days ARE skills. Mechanics are not what makes something a mount. Visuals are. It also doesn’t mean they won’t sell cash shop skins for them. I’m not saying they WILL, but if they choose not to do so, it will have absolutely nothing to do with it being a skill. What makes you think they couldn’t sell you an item that would change the graphic used with that skill? They already sell items that change your finisher and mail animations. They’ve shown they can reskin whatever they want.

What the rabid anti-mount people don’t seem to understand is that the bones of a mount mechanic already exists in the game, and has since launch. Asura golem skill? Mount. Don’t think so? All right, what if they changed the graphic so that instead of disappearing inside the golem, you saw the character sitting on its shoulder? Transforming into an animal via an event? Mount. Temprary, sure, but still a mount. Don’t think so? Okay, change the graphic so that the player is now riding the animal instead. Ta-da! See what I mean?

NOTHING has changed, mechanically, in these scenarios. The only change has been visual. And yet, that single, simple way of altering how the mechanic is visually presented would make those who want mounts happy and (for some completely illogical reason) make the anti-mount crowd froth and scream and howl.

The anti-mount sentiment is so extreme and illogical that it’s borderline ridiculous. Okay, so mounts in other games are toggled speed buffs that put an animal graphics between your legs. An anytime toggled speed buff wouldn’t work/isn’t necessary. Fine. So how about some toggled abilities that change your weapon skills (you know, like the ones we have ALWAYS had) and instead of putting a flame thrower in your hand, or replacing your graphic with a golem, put an animal (or even a vehicle!) between your legs.

I don’t mean to sound snarky, I just get SO tired of seeing all the ridiculous anti-mount crap, and now all of the people immediately scrambling to carefully outline all the (incorrect) reasons that gliders aren’t the same thing as flying mounts, that it’s just… ugh. The reason the subject keeps coming up is because riding on things (animals, vehicles, whatever) is cool, and people want to be able to do it. Visually. Toggled speed buff doesn’t work in this game? Okay, so change the mechanic. Use the one that already exists. Since mounts are PURELY a cosmetic thing and do not in ANY WAY require a specific mechanic, then the only objection to mounts ends up being, “Well I just don’t want to see people sitting on things!” And if your dislike of people sitting on things is really that white-hot and rage inducing, then… um… I’m not even sure how to finish that sentence. All I can say is, I don’t much care for blue particle effects, but I don’t expect my weird, irrational dislike of them to mean they shouldn’t be in the game.

tigirius.9014:

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Uhm those are wings, very different things. You can actually flap those there is a difference.

Someone didn’t play Aion. :P
You could barely fly in most zones. (in the beginning of the game’s life). All leveling zones were 95% gliding 5% flying (in the main quest hub town)

Lunarhound.7324:

Gliders are flying mounts.

Gliders aren’t flying mounts because they have no way to maintain or gain altitude without relying on outside forces. :]

They’re more falling-with-style mounts.

Well… even then, the gliders are on your back.
You aren’t mounting them
They’re mounting you.

YOU’RE the falling mount!!

Yeah, when I saw that, I thought Aion too. Not a pleasant flashback.

Let’s get open world housing like Archeage as well… Lol

Roda.7468:

Gliders aren’t flying mounts because they have no way to maintain or gain altitude without relying on outside forces. :]

Okay, so they’re gliding mounts, then. Your statement actually illustrates my point. Mechanics have zero to do with whether something could be a mount or not.

Being unable to gain or maintain altitude is irrelevant. Instead of showing us with gliders on our backs, show us sitting on a big, gliding animal and what do we have? Gliding mount. The difference is purely visual.

That being the case, there are plenty of things that exist now, many of which have existed since launch, that would become mounts with nothing more than a visual tweak. Golem suits. Environmental weapons. And now, hang gliders. Adding “mounts” would be nothing more than a matter of creating some new skills and environmental weapons that worked exactly the same as they do now, but showed players riding an animal or piloting a vehicle instead of driving a mech suit or holding an object.

Now, I’m not saying you couldn’t do more to make them more unique and interesting. My point is that the typical arguments against mounts (they aren’t needed because of fast travel, etc.) are completely irrelevant. Mounts do not have to be toggleable speed buffs. Several of the current mechanics could function as mounts with nothing more than a visual change. And the visual is what people really want.

So, since the only difference is visual, the only reason to object to mounts would be that you don’t want to see characters sitting on something. They can HOLD something. They can BECOME something. They can sit INSIDE something. But actually put them ON something, and for some reason, it causes people to go into fits of sputtering rage.

If they get the physics right for the gliders, it will be epic.

Roda.7468:

tigirius.9014:

rapthorne.7345:

tigirius.9014:

Zanshin.5379:

Guild Wars 2: ArcheAge

Actually WoW MoP had them before AA.

and Aion had this mechanic for years, air currents and all.

Uhm those are wings, very different things. You can actually flap those there is a difference.

Someone didn’t play Aion. :P
You could barely fly in most zones. (in the beginning of the game’s life). All leveling zones were 95% gliding 5% flying (in the main quest hub town)

Lunarhound.7324:

Gliders are flying mounts.

Gliders aren’t flying mounts because they have no way to maintain or gain altitude without relying on outside forces. :]

They’re more falling-with-style mounts.

Well… even then, the gliders are on your back.
You aren’t mounting them
They’re mounting you.

YOU’RE the falling mount!!

Oh I played Aion my friend I was there for many a year from beta, I know the mechanics and they were wings. You can flap them you can hover, they are wings. Please stop trying to make them something they are not.