Guild Wars 2

You are still assuming the problem is with the game.

Programming error=nope.
Virtual NPC changing=not actively while talking to it.
Virtual NPC changing=new look from time to time.

Running around the new zones, I can safely assume you have seen a glowing man appear and disappear.

Also, I can safely assume you have done the story line and collected bloodstone, or else you wouldn’t be this far.

You DO realize that the exposure to bloodstone causes insanity in most of it’s victims.

Maybe the guy ISN’T changing. You just think he is because you are going INSANE.

You are more interested in saying Anet is at fault for breaking immersion. I have taken to the idea that everything you describe actually improves immersion and makes the game more interesting.

There could be any number of reasons the NPC changes appearance:

1. Could be LS3 related. NPC really looks unique, but uses magic tricks to appear like varying common NPC’s to fool others.

2. Someone messed up the code. There may be references to NPC’s with random appearances. And someone accidentally put in a reference to a randomly changing NPC.

3. Could be intentional for the reason of the character can’t decide on what they want to appear like. Total makeover kits are canon.

You’re assuming it’s #2. That’s why people are saying you’re reacting without information. And for most of us, your reaction is more than should be for the appearance of a random NPC that most of us likely don’t register looks one way vs another. It doesn’t impact the game’s playability. It’s not a bug that halts the process of getting a legendary’s precursor that has been reported well before the precursor collections were made and yet something relies on that bug not happening.

I’m baffled by someone demanding hat kind of emmersion from an MMO. If that annoys you to the extent of starting a forum thread with multiple replies I’m afraid to ask what you feel about those ever respawning bosses and mets events.

“Why are the NPCs still talking about Zhaitan like he’s alive?! I killed him!”

You have two options: suck it up and deal with it, or stick to single player RPGs.

I’m with the Bloodstone craziness option. Never heard players lament about changing NPCs before all the Bloodstone content.

Either way, I, like many others, am rather apathetic about this particular ‘issue’.

Good luck.

Oh, p.s. If you really consider it a bug, why wasn’t the thread posted in the Bugs sub-forum?

I’m honestly more surprised people have encountered a single memorable NPC at all, let alone one whose appearance they can recall.

Seera.5916:

Total makeover kits are canon.

Just want to comment on Anet’s decision here, the following isn’t connected to your comment in particular:

That’s the biggest joke ever. Another player already mentioned it on the first page but I really didn’t know that. It’s honestly the most ridiculous explanation I’ve ever heard of Anet.

Just imagine what that means with regards to the story. Caudecus escaped, we’re searching everywhere, can’t find him because he used a total makeover kit?

Just think of it. Then laugh, laugh a lot.
Where do they even get a makeover kit? How can NPC’s get gems? How much does it cost? How can they rewind time in order to change your age (face)? Your size? Your skin color?

Makeover kits are cash shop items to give the players the opportunity to customize their looks. They’re even providing exclusive faces, hairstyles etc. to sell it to us. They are certainly not part of the GW lore. If they claim otherwise, everything that ever happened in the story is a joke.

Edit: Does anyone have a source to that? I still hope that it’s not true.

Caudecus could never blend in just by using a total makeover kit.

He’d also need a name change contract.

Skittish.4539:

Caudecus could never blend in just by using a total makeover kit.

He’d also need a name change contract.

Just like Sya..

Also I didn’t find anything about total makeover kits in the lore yet, Sya is supposed to use Mesmer abilities.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Aid_Worker_Sya

Seera.5916:

There could be any number of reasons the NPC changes appearance:

1. Could be LS3 related. NPC really looks unique, but uses magic tricks to appear like varying common NPC’s to fool others.

2. Someone messed up the code. There may be references to NPC’s with random appearances. And someone accidentally put in a reference to a randomly changing NPC.

3. Could be intentional for the reason of the character can’t decide on what they want to appear like. Total makeover kits are canon.

You’re assuming it’s #2. That’s why people are saying you’re reacting without information. And for most of us, your reaction is more than should be for the appearance of a random NPC that most of us likely don’t register looks one way vs another. It doesn’t impact the game’s playability. It’s not a bug that halts the process of getting a legendary’s precursor that has been reported well before the precursor collections were made and yet something relies on that bug not happening.

1. It also happens to the asuran researchers. I think they’ve got enough to do, why should they fool others?

2. Yes, that’s what I’m saying.

3. I need a source on the makeover kits. Sya uses mesmer magic to change her appearance.

Plus they’re changing with every change to the map instances. That’s why I’m completely sure that it’s a technical thing or lazyness (or time).

And it doesn’t have to be a ‘progress’ bug to be worked on? It’s part of the story, the lore and the map doesn’t work as it’s supposed to be. It’s their job to fix it, no matter what kind of bug it is.

Tekey.7946:

Skittish.4539:

Caudecus could never blend in just by using a total makeover kit.

He’d also need a name change contract.

Just like Sya..

Also I didn’t find anything about total makeover kits in the lore yet, Sya is supposed to use Mesmer abilities.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Aid_Worker_Sya

Seera.5916:

There could be any number of reasons the NPC changes appearance:

1. Could be LS3 related. NPC really looks unique, but uses magic tricks to appear like varying common NPC’s to fool others.

2. Someone messed up the code. There may be references to NPC’s with random appearances. And someone accidentally put in a reference to a randomly changing NPC.

3. Could be intentional for the reason of the character can’t decide on what they want to appear like. Total makeover kits are canon.

You’re assuming it’s #2. That’s why people are saying you’re reacting without information. And for most of us, your reaction is more than should be for the appearance of a random NPC that most of us likely don’t register looks one way vs another. It doesn’t impact the game’s playability. It’s not a bug that halts the process of getting a legendary’s precursor that has been reported well before the precursor collections were made and yet something relies on that bug not happening.

1. It also happens to the asuran researchers. I think they’ve got enough to do, why should they fool others?

2. Yes, that’s what I’m saying.

3. I need a source on the makeover kits. Sya uses mesmer magic to change her appearance.

Plus they’re changing with every change to the map instances. That’s why I’m completely sure that it’s a technical thing or lazyness (or time).

And it doesn’t have to be a ‘progress’ bug to be worked on? It’s part of the story, the lore and the map doesn’t work as it’s supposed to be. It’s their job to fix it, no matter what kind of bug it is.

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-bugs-glitches-video-games-became-features/

Wow, it only took 60 posts to convince people that it’s obviously not intended.
I also added a comparison of Hal to the original post: Hal the Heremit

Anet said they changed the schedule from 2 weeks between each Living Story episode to 2-3 months in order to ensure the quality. And actually they should have gotten more experienced over the years. But we’ve got longer breaks and the quality is even worse now. Great!

Tekey.7946:

Wow, it only took 60 posts to convince people that it’s obviously not intended.
I also added a comparison of Hal to the original post: Hal the Heremit

Anet said they changed the schedule from 2 weeks between each Living Story episode to 2-3 months in order to ensure the quality. And actually they should get more experienced over the years. But we’ve got longer breaks and the quality is even worse now. Great!

You haven’t convinced me that it’s not intended so please don’t speak for me. Thank you.

You haven’t proven that it’s not LS3 related. Until you do so, you will not convince anyone that it’s not intended.

Tekey.7946:

Wow, it only took 60 posts to convince people that it’s obviously not intended.
I also added a comparison of Hal to the original post: Hal the Heremit

Anet said they changed the schedule from 2 weeks between each Living Story episode to 2-3 months in order to ensure the quality. And actually they should have gotten more experienced over the years. But we’ve got longer breaks and the quality is even worse now. Great!

You’ve managed to convince yourself. Don’t speak for others unless they’re actually agreeing with you and so far others aren’t.

Tekey.7946:

Wow, it only took 60 posts to convince people that it’s obviously not intended.
I also added a comparison of Hal to the original post: Hal the Heremit

Anet said they changed the schedule from 2 weeks between each Living Story episode to 2-3 months in order to ensure the quality. And actually they should have gotten more experienced over the years. But we’ve got longer breaks and the quality is even worse now. Great!

Where did anyone here say you convinced them of anything?

Seera.5916:

You haven’t convinced me that it’s not intended so please don’t speak for me. Thank you.

You haven’t proven that it’s not LS3 related. Until you do so, you will not convince anyone that it’s not intended.

And when can we be sure that it’s definitely not related to the story? When GW2 is shut down? Because they could always go back in 5 years and create a story about the mysterious transforming people on Ember Bay. I could also say you didn’t prove how this should be connected to the story.
You said:

Seera.5916:

1. Could be LS3 related. NPC really looks unique, but uses magic tricks to appear like varying common NPC’s to fool others.

Why should anyone do that? Do we have any evidence of something going on with the population of Ember Bay? Is there any connection to the story?

The asuran researchers went from Rata Sum to Ember Bay in order to gather information on the seismic activities. And now they’ve got nothing better to do than fooling other people?

The circus people (+ Hungry Hal) and the asuran researchers are being replaced in new every map instance → technical. There’s not a single point why this should be part of the story. Therefore you can be sure that it’s not intended.

Had this thread, and its title, merely commented on what seems likely to be a bug, noting its existence, I would agree that fixing it would be desirable. But the focus on hyperbole, derision directed at developers and players alike, and a generally hostile tone taken over a seemingly minor, certainly low priority, mistake makes it really difficult to take the OP seriously here.

Ashen.2907:

Had this thread, and its title, merely commented on what seems likely to be a bug, noting its existence, I would agree that fixing it would be desirable. But the focus on hyperbole, derision directed at developers and players alike, and a generally hostile tone taken over a seemingly minor, certainly low priority, mistake makes it really difficult to take the OP seriously here.

I’ve been blamed for using hyperboles by saying they changed their appearance every day. I checked it again and it can even happen every minute, because it’s related to the map instances. Some people were constantly distracting from the actual topic, blaming me for a wrong use of the word immersion. Others said that it was just my problem of having a strong sort of OCD. People said it’s not worth to be fixed, because it’s not as bad as a bug with legendary weapons – being ignorant to players who enjoy playing the story. Who decides which bug is worth to be fixed? I think it’s human to rage at some point.

The second thing (related to the developers) is: It’s not the first time something has been discussed endlessly with tons of players justifying Anet’s mistakes with intentions and the like. Endless discussions end up with changing nothing at all – because some will always claim it’s a feature, no matter how bad it is. I’m just done with that. And Anet really took the time to ensure the quality, giving us a promise. I’ve been following the third season of the Living Story and there have been several cases of disappointment.

Tekey.7946:

Seera.5916:

You haven’t convinced me that it’s not intended so please don’t speak for me. Thank you.

You haven’t proven that it’s not LS3 related. Until you do so, you will not convince anyone that it’s not intended.

And when can we be sure that it’s definitely not related to the story? When GW2 is shut down? Because they could always go back in 5 years and create a story about the mysterious transforming people on Ember Bay. I could also say you didn’t prove how this should be connected to the story.
You said:

Seera.5916:

1. Could be LS3 related. NPC really looks unique, but uses magic tricks to appear like varying common NPC’s to fool others.

Why should anyone do that? Do we have any evidence of something going on with the population of Ember Bay? Is there any connection to the story?

The asuran researchers went from Rata Sum to Ember Bay in order to gather information on the seismic activities. And now they’ve got nothing better to do than fooling other people?

The circus people (+ Hungry Hal) and the asuran researchers are being replaced in new every map instance -> technical. There’s not a single point why this should be part of the story. Therefore you can be sure that it’s not intended.

Bloodstone has made others insane. Insanity can show itself in different ways. The commander has been gathering bloodstone. Insanity may be displaying itself by making us see things that aren’t really happening. So we think the NPC is changing appearances when he’s really not.

There’s nothing said yet that proves one way or the other. It could be a bug. It could be LS3 related. You haven’t proven that it’s a bug. Once LS3 is over or a dev posts it’s a bug, then there will be proof either way.

NPC’s have been assigned alternating appearances for quite some time. In fact, we have a whole project on the wiki which has to be aware of this (read the second bullet point).

Edit:For those of you like the OP with such a keen eye for detail, I hope you would consider helping out with the project.

Seera.5916:

Bloodstone has made others insane. Insanity can show itself in different ways. The commander has been gathering bloodstone. Insanity may be displaying itself by making us see things that aren’t really happening. So we think the NPC is changing appearances when he’s really not.

There’s nothing said yet that proves one way or the other. It could be a bug. It could be LS3 related. You haven’t proven that it’s a bug. Once LS3 is over or a dev posts it’s a bug, then there will be proof either way.

The whole Bloodstone insanity magic thingy lead to seeing those sad anomalies everywhere. The current events dealt with that afterwards (Burden of choice achievement). For my part, I don’t see any of those anomalies anymore. We surely don’t know how it continues yet, but there’s been no connection to seeing different people every minute in Ember Bay. Otherwise it would have been mentioned in the story of Rising Flames, at least a little hint.

Tekey.7946:

Seera.5916:

Bloodstone has made others insane. Insanity can show itself in different ways. The commander has been gathering bloodstone. Insanity may be displaying itself by making us see things that aren’t really happening. So we think the NPC is changing appearances when he’s really not.

There’s nothing said yet that proves one way or the other. It could be a bug. It could be LS3 related. You haven’t proven that it’s a bug. Once LS3 is over or a dev posts it’s a bug, then there will be proof either way.

The whole Bloodstone insanity magic thingy lead to seeing those sad anomalies everywhere. The current events dealt with that afterwards (Burden of choice achievement). For my part, I don’t see any of those anomalies anymore. We surely don’t know how it continues yet, but there’s been no connection to seeing different people every minute in Ember Bay. Otherwise it would have been mentioned in the story of Rising Flames, at least a little hint.

That assumes the story writers were aware of that little feature the map makers were making. That assumes there hasn’t been any bad writing as MMO’s aren’t known for having great stories.

Or it could be an effect that no one’s mentioned or is only just now starting to happen so it couldn’t have been mentioned previously.

You still haven’t proven that it’s not LS3 related.

Greener.6204:

NPC’s have been assigned alternating appearances for quite some time. In fact, we have a whole project on the wiki which has to be aware of this (read the second bullet point).

Cool, didn’t know about that, I also heard of another player that it already existed for years. And that’s why I’m concerned about it, being still present in new maps like Ember Bay.

Seera.5916:

That assumes the story writers were aware of that little feature the map makers were making. That assumes there hasn’t been any bad writing as MMO’s aren’t known for having great stories.

There’s communication going on in a company. No map designer will implement things like that without having the order to do so because the story needs it.

Also I don’t agree with that generalization of stories in MMO’s, that’s certainly not true.

Seera.5916:

You still haven’t proven that it’s not LS3 related.

Greener provided a link to another NPC changing it’s appearance that is not related to the current Living Story. And there’s been the black Phil Thackeray.

Tekey.7946:

Just a flesh wound.3589:

I personally have problems with your immersion complaint as its so selective. This breaks immersion but that doesn’t.

An NPC standing in one spot without moving for years-doesn’t break immersion.
A character suddenly disappearing from a spot that’s not a waypoint and reappearing miles away- doesn’t break immersion.
A character disappearing from a spot then reappearing at the same spot days, weeks, months later – doesn’t break immersion.
A character suddenly changing from male <—> female/hairstyle/armor/name while you stand there talking to him/her. No problem reported with immersion.
Characters turning into other species or objects such as furniture or other people in front of you then switching back- doesn’t break immersion
An NPC changing how they look when switching maps-breaks immersion

It’s a very specific immersion breaking that ignores all other immersion breaking going all around you. Since its been shown to be a design of some NPCs, even though it bugs you I’m counting this as not worth ANet’s time to change.

I never said it’s the only problem with immersion in GW2. We never talked about waypoints, yet you’re claiming I don’t consider it to be immersion brekaing? How would you know?

The reason why it’s so important right now is that it shows the current direction of Anet. The problem with switching NPC’s didn’t occur as often in core Tyria maps. In Ember Bay however, it’s 100% sure that they’ll change as soon as you leave the instance. That’s a step backwards – they were already able to do it right but now their work is getting sloppy. We have the chance to stop it right now so the new maps won’t be affected by it anymore.

And no, it’s not shown to be part of the design of the NPC’s? The only example where it’s been explained was Sya.

And it seems it is part of the design of some NPCs. Probably because it’s easier to do it that way.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Guild_Wars_2_Wiki:Projects/Shared_Model_Project#More_information
“If an NPC’s model is randomly generated (for example Klunn’s appearance changes) DON’T constantly switch the picture. Just pick whichever model it uses that has the best picture and notate it on that NPC’s page and next to it’s name here as well.”

So it’s not a bug then and it’s not going to change.

This thread can be closed. Thanks to Greener.6204 for the link.

Just a flesh wound.3589:

And it seems it is part of the design of some NPCs. Probably because it’s easier to do it that way.

https://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Guild_Wars_2_Wiki:Projects/Shared_Model_Project#More_information
“If an NPC’s model is randomly generated (for example Klunn’s appearance changes) DON’T constantly switch the picture. Just pick whichever model it uses that has the best picture and notate it on that NPC’s page and next to it’s name here as well.”

So it’s not a bug then and it’s not going to change.

This thread can be closed. Thanks to Greener.6204 for the link.

Why does that mean that it’s not going to be changed? Who are you to decide that the thread should be closed? And why do you think it’s not a bug? Maybe those NPC’s weren’t meant to be randomly generated → Hungry Hal?
There are plenty of NPC’s which will always look the same – your post is completely illogical?

Tekey.7946:

Ashen.2907:

Had this thread, and its title, merely commented on what seems likely to be a bug, noting its existence, I would agree that fixing it would be desirable. But the focus on hyperbole, derision directed at developers and players alike, and a generally hostile tone taken over a seemingly minor, certainly low priority, mistake makes it really difficult to take the OP seriously here.

I’ve been blamed for using hyperboles by saying they changed their appearance every day. I checked it again and it can even happen every minute, because it’s related to the map instances. Some people were constantly distracting from the actual topic, blaming me for a wrong use of the word immersion. Others said that it was just my problem of having a strong sort of OCD. People said it’s not worth to be fixed, because it’s not as bad as a bug with legendary weapons – being ignorant to players who enjoy playing the story. Who decides which bug is worth to be fixed? I think it’s human to rage at some point.

The second thing (related to the developers) is: It’s not the first time something has been discussed endlessly with tons of players justifying Anet’s mistakes with intentions and the like. Endless discussions end up with changing nothing at all – because some will always claim it’s a feature, no matter how bad it is. I’m just done with that. And Anet really took the time to ensure the quality, giving us a promise. I’ve been following the third season of the Living Story and there have been several cases of disappointment.

Saying that the change happens is not hyperbole. Placing so much emphasis on the importance, impact, relevance, of something rather minor in the grand scheme of things is.

Ashen.2907:

Saying that the change happens is not hyperbole. Placing so much emphasis on the importance, impact, relevance, of something rather minor in the grand scheme of things is.

You know that different people find different things important? Sure, maybe there are players who do PvP or WvW only and don’t care about the open world.
But there are also players who enjoy the story and the lore of Guild Wars – and for those people things like NPC’s are important. It’s not a minor thing, having the complete population of a map being replaced in every map instance!

Tekey.7946:

Ashen.2907:

Saying that the change happens is not hyperbole. Placing so much emphasis on the importance, impact, relevance, of something rather minor in the grand scheme of things is.

You know that different people find different things important? Sure, maybe there are players who do PvP or WvW only and don’t care about the open world.
But there are also players who enjoy the story and the lore of Guild Wars – and for those people things like NPC’s are important. It’s not a minor thing, having the complete population of a map being replaced in every map instance!

Of course different people find importance in different things. Not at all relevant to what I said.

Is it really the entire population of the map, every time? 100%? Not a single consistent character? Or is this more hyperbole?

Ashen.2907:

Is it really the entire population of the map, every time? 100%? Not a single consistent character? Or is this more hyperbole?

Every time you change the map instance, it’s the asuran researchers, the circus people (+ sloth feeder – event) and Hungry Hal. Maybe the circus director will stay the same, but that’s nowhere near a hyperbole.

You called it

something rather minor in the grand scheme of things

Now compare the case of a normal core Tyria map with Ember Bay. Which one of those descriptions is more appropriate?

Look son, you are drowning in a very shallow kiddy pool.
I say you focus all that mental effort into something actually important. Go do stuff with your family or something, be happy, live life.

I dunno man if it bothers you so much that you have to keep dragging this on, just use your imagination dude. Imagine they all stay the same at all times. There, solved.

Cascabel.5806:

Look son, you are drowning in a very shallow kiddy pool.
I say you focus all that mental effort into something actually important. Go do stuff with your family or something, be happy, live life.

I dunno man if it bothers you so much that you have to keep dragging this on, just use your imagination dude. Imagine they all stay the same at all times. There, solved.

You shouldn’t see this as a personal thing.
Anet is a company, they want to earn money. Therefore they need to provide a decent product. While they managed to implement some unique features in GW2, there have been many, many problems in the past. Plot holes, half finished expansions, really long content breaks and constant bugs with every single patch didn’t give me a good impression of the game.

You could assume that a company would learn over the years get some experience in what they’re doing. I know that there have been massive changes within the team but they really have to get their stuff together now.

It’s their chance to make up for the mistakes of the past with the new season of the Living Story. But all I can see is again half finished work. Nothing changed. Maybe the next expansion will be like Hot all over again.