Guild Wars 2

I’ve hopped between a few worlds, and no matter what, low-level areas are almost always empty. It’s especially hard to level my elementalist up all on my own. It already levels up slowly as a caster (and a squishy one at that), but with no one to do Dynamic Events with, or help me with tasks, or whatever, it’s becoming ridiculous.

It’s not just during the Wintersday event. Even outside of it, most people just sit outside dungeon entrances, spamming “LFG” for the next few hours, or just farming Orr for karma. :/

Is this what GW2 has become? The very opposite of what it was supposed to be? “Oh, this game will be very social, with lots of dynamic events and many people working together without having to form parties!” Bullcrap. It’s all about LFG and Orr. :/

And with the Wintersday event, this has become even worse. I’ve even tried playing on an RP server, but it has turned out to be even emptier than most other servers. Granted, I do see some groups here and there, but they are just roleplaying together (all the same guild, too) instead of actually doing stuff.

What are your thoughts about this?

TL;DR:

TO ALL READING THIS THREAD: OP IS TALKING ABOUT OPEN WORLD BEING DEAD, NOT ABOUT THE ACTUAL POPULATION! Please… some people need to learn to read and comprehend before posting… makes sad pandas when people can’t read and then go home crying to their mama’s.

in sos, the low level areas are mostly teeming with people. unless you log on at like 4am or something. then you encounter only 2-3 people per zone.

I am on every day (until Jan. 7th) from 10am to 10pm (-5 GMT / EST). Or at least I try to.

The game is fine.
The population is healthy.
This issue is shard specific and can be solved with a transfer.
Guesting will eliminate the problem, once implemented.

Also, why are people lfg in the world zones instead of going to LA?

I’ve already transferred a bunch of times, and it sure didn’t help. :/

+1 post count!!!! One more thread about population counts!!!!

Sigh, even at weird times people are o my server…

Rethink what you want and how you gauge “population”. What I see says you are way off base.

AdelaisAer.4109:

It’s all about LFG and Orr. :/

Orr is empty as well…

maina.5389:

+1 post count!!!! One more thread about population counts!!!!

Sigh, even at weird times people are o my server…

Rethink what you want and how you gauge “population”. What I see says you are way off base.

What I want is to see more people in maps, especially low-level ones, instead of just seeing the majority sitting outside dungeons and spamming LFG. I think I made that quite clear.

Yes, there definitely needs to be more reason for players to circulate throughout the world and explore more. What’s the point of having an open world game, if 90% of the population just farms instances? Something needs to happen, not immediately, but we need to start being able to see changes that draw players back out into the world of Tyria.

Do we need a zerg on every map? By all means no, in fact that would put us in a similar situation on the opposite end of the spectrum from where we are now.

TO ALL READING THIS THREAD: OP IS TALKING ABOUT OPEN WORLD BEING DEAD, NOT ABOUT THE ACTUAL POPULATION! Please… some people need to learn to read and comprehend before posting… makes sad pandas when people can’t read and then go home crying to their mama’s.

Sollith.3502:

Yes, there definitely needs to be more reason for players to circulate throughout the world and explore more. What’s the point of having an open world game, if 90% of the population just farms instances? Something needs to happen, not immediately, but we need to start being able to see changes that draw players back out into the world of Tyria.

Do we need a zerg on every map? By all means no, in fact that would put us in a similar situation on the opposite end of the spectrum from where we are now.

TO ALL READING THIS THREAD: OP IS TALKING ABOUT OPEN WORLD BEING DEAD, NOT ABOUT THE ACTUAL POPULATION! Please… some people need to learn to read and comprehend before posting… makes sad pandas when people can’t read and then go home crying to their mama’s.

Thank you for understanding. In other words (for everyone else), the majority of players are either farming Orr or just doing dungeon runs. Open world is just dead now.

Could you tell me what you were exactly wanting in this game? What were you looking for? What were you expecting? What were you assuming would happen?

The game is huge for one thing, so this in itself is a problem, but players wanted a huge open world. As much as there are full or high populations, since everything is now spread out, there won’t be 20 people all doing one dynamic event. As for emptiness, my server always has someone people within the area of every map if you put yourself out there and actually chat on the map chat. You need to be talkative and open because you can’t expect people to come to you. I’m on Tarnished coast which is an RP server with great people on there So maybe you should try there instead! I would love to help out with your quests actually!

The problem truly is that the gaming community has changed drastically. Everyone just wants to get stuff so they feel that ‘high’ of self accomplishment. Not go out and try to connect with others. Seriously I’ve tried to talk to anyone that comes my way and it’s more along the lines of silence that I mostly get from every other MMO I’ve tried recently. I don’t know if it’s because gaming is so popular now, we just sorta ignore each other like we do in real life while walking along a path. But i’ve had no problem with GW 2 than with every other MMO out there when trying to socialize.

If you’re looking for a more social game, try Mabinogi. It’s all about connecting with others and having fun.

It is your server.
There are hordes of people on mine in all the maps mostly because people on my server play open world instead of wvwvw.
Even in day time you have people running around starter areas.
So just find a server that focuses on PvE and not a high pop wvwvw server.
Are you on a NA server?
I play on Gunnar’s Hold EU

I’m on Borliss Pass and was doing the human starting areas last night. There were people everywhere. When events popped there was a good group that came in and did them. I have to agree with the others that it might be your server or maybe the time you’re on.

I took this picture yesterday morning on Blackgate.

That’s 9 people on a random thursday morning killing a champion in Wayfarer Foothills. There’s people everywhere, I just don’t see a dwindling population.

Seafarer’s Rest EU here and I have to say the low lvl areas have been the busiest I’ve seen them since launch. Been lvling up alts recently and I’ve found groups in every zone.

Snipps.1532:

I’m on Borliss Pass and was doing the human starting areas last night. There were people everywhere. When events popped there was a good group that came in and did them. I have to agree with the others that it might be your server or maybe the time you’re on.

Snipps is right. I’m on Borliss Pass as well. The low level area are always filled with folks. The whole world is because it seems to be pve heavy on that server. Before I transferred I was on Dragon brand, and they were also pve heavy. You have to choose the right servers.

I don’t have this problem at all. I agree that a Level 1-15 zone will have a smaller population then a 75-80, but 1/there are probably more lelve 80 characters then new ones now 2/ There are more Level 1-15 then 80 zones.

I also Don’t see any way to fix what is basically a player issue. What reason does a high level character have to come back to Metrica Province, except exploring? What reason could Anet possibly give them? Seriously I’m sure they would love to hear ideas on how to do this (I can’t think of any).

Also keep in mind how many players only have 1 or Few characters. Altaholics will probably keep rolling new toons, but one-character-players will probably only go to each starting zone once- ever.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Thank you for understanding. In other words (for everyone else), the majority of players are either farming Orr or just doing dungeon runs. Open world is just dead now.

All I can say is that it hasn’t been my experience. I’m taking it slow as I go, bascially completing areas and then moving on. I regularly find people to “partner up with” as I’m completing hearts and doing events. Playing on Devona’s Rest some weekday evenings and on weekends.

Saxon.1908:

I also Don’t see any way to fix what is basically a player issue. What reason does a high level character have to come back to Metrica Province, except exploring? What reason could Anet possibly give them? Seriously I’m sure they would love to hear ideas on how to do this (I can’t think of any).

Truly, I think that they need to give more “domination” and “capture the flag” style benefits to participating in DEs throughout the open world. The question is how do they do that without hurting the economy… Possibly an additional currency that is traded in for bound town clothes and mini-pets.

On Devona’s Rest, I’m not finding the low level areas (1-40) empty at all. I’m finding it difficult to find anyone in the Orr zones however. It seems all the 75+ folks are running fractals or maybe lost shores or dungeons or WvW but Its rare that I find even two other people in any of the Orr zones anymore. Could just be the times of day I log on for though.

Maybe it’s my server, then – I am on Tarnished Coast.

EDIT: Also, I am talkative and social. I don’t expect people to magically come to me.

I agree, it can be difficult. I’ve been leveling a warrior alt and at low levels it was difficult to handle an entire DE by myself. Only now, at level 60, am I starting to come across another player or two while doing a DE. My advice would be to push through a 1-15 zone. Then go ahead and start another 1-15 zone and you should be able to handle the DEs by yourself, with the slight edge in your level vs mob level. Leveling is a little slower, but it’s a more rewarding solo experience. Plus it’s always fun to solo a 3 or 4 part DE and change the world all by yourself.

Facepunch.5710:

I agree, it can be difficult. I’ve been leveling a warrior alt and at low levels it was difficult to handle an entire DE by myself. Only now, at level 60, am I starting to come across another player or two while doing a DE. My advice would be to push through a 1-15 zone. Then go ahead and start another 1-15 zone and you should be able to handle the DEs by yourself, with the slight edge in your level vs mob level. Leveling is a little slower, but it’s a more rewarding solo experience. Plus it’s always fun to solo a 3 or 4 part DE and change the world all by yourself.

My ele is Lv. 16, actually, but I am finding it very difficult to push through. Even when running D/D, he is very squishy, so doing things alone takes a lot of time (for me, anyway). ; – ; I may have to switch servers again.

My main is ele, but I was fortunate to level her up during launch, so the DEs were packed. I feel for you, I could see this being very tough to do all alone. Unfortunately, I’m not sure switching servers will help. I’m on Jade Quarry, one of the most populated, and the low level areas are often desolate. Maybe you could level up with a guildie?

AdelaisAer.4109:

Maybe it’s my server, then – I am on Tarnished Coast.

EDIT: Also, I am talkative and social. I don’t expect people to magically come to me.

It’s you. My intention was to actually suggest Tarnished Coast as the low level zones are full of people! Either you’re playing at a ridiculous time, or have an inflated idea of what “full” is. Tarnished Coast is probably the fullest server on the US side, and has a massive PvE population. On a Sunday night I can’t go two feet without running into other players.

All of my guildies are in different servers, most of them being in Jade Quarry. ; – ;

bighaben.5890:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Maybe it’s my server, then – I am on Tarnished Coast.

EDIT: Also, I am talkative and social. I don’t expect people to magically come to me.

It’s you. My intention was to actually suggest Tarnished Coast as the low level zones are full of people! Either you’re playing at a ridiculous time, or have an inflated idea of what “full” is. Tarnished Coast is probably the fullest server on the US side, and has a massive PvE population. On a Sunday night I can’t go two feet without running into other players.

Well, I am on Tarnished Coast, but the low level ones don’t seem full of people. Again, I am not talking about population – I am talking about concentration of people in the low-level maps.

Crystal Desert has too many lowbies … we just sit in map and call events out to everyone, and everyone flocks there .. sometimes the things are dead before everyone gets there.

Its gotta be your time zone or your server man.
Might just have more higher levels and less alts.

Nitcheam.9407:

Crystal Desert has too many lowbies … we just sit in map and call events out to everyone, and everyone flocks there .. sometimes the things are dead before everyone gets there.

Its gotta be your time zone or your server man.
Might just have more higher levels and less alts.

I am on 10am to 10pm -5EST. o-O; That’s three hours ahead of the game’s time (PST). I highly doubt it.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Nitcheam.9407:

Crystal Desert has too many lowbies … we just sit in map and call events out to everyone, and everyone flocks there .. sometimes the things are dead before everyone gets there.

Its gotta be your time zone or your server man.
Might just have more higher levels and less alts.

I am on 10am to 10pm -5EST. o-O; That’s three hours ahead of the game’s time (PST). I highly doubt it.

The come on down to Crystal Desert – you’ll get your low level experience fulfilled.

Nitcheam.9407:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Nitcheam.9407:

Crystal Desert has too many lowbies … we just sit in map and call events out to everyone, and everyone flocks there .. sometimes the things are dead before everyone gets there.

Its gotta be your time zone or your server man.
Might just have more higher levels and less alts.

I am on 10am to 10pm -5EST. o-O; That’s three hours ahead of the game’s time (PST). I highly doubt it.

The come on down to Crystal Desert – you’ll get your low level experience fulfilled.

Maybe I will! Soon. >___> I had just switched to TC, so I have to wait.

Nonono… Come over to Devona’s Rest. We’ve got cookies! (Umm…. Somewhere here, if I can find them…. This pocket?…. Crumbs…. Did I eat the last one? Hmm….)

JaironKalach.4938:

Nonono… Come over to Devona’s Rest. We’ve got cookies! (Umm…. Somewhere here, if I can find them…. This pocket?…. Crumbs…. Did I eat the last one? Hmm….)

>___> Mah mama told meh not to take candy from strangers.

which newbie area are you talking about? I am on shiverpeaks and the human starting area (divinities reach) always has people in it all over the place. granted during the week I am only on during the prime playing times but on weekends it’s steady populated as well… even now that I have leveled my main toons out of that area I still farm mats for low level crafting in the area and always see people in the events and gathering for when boss mobs show up….

Aarioch.9650:

which newbie area are you talking about? I am on shiverpeaks and the human starting area (divinities reach) always has people in it all over the place. granted during the week I am only on during the prime playing times but on weekends it’s steady populated as well… even now that I have leveled my main toons out of that area I still farm mats for low level crafting in the area and always see people in the events and gathering for when boss mobs show up….

I am doing completion of Essex Hills right now, as well as the Sylvari lands. Barely anyone around. :x

I’m on Eredon Terrace, and I can attest to the fact that there are always people around the starting and other lower level areas.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Aarioch.9650:

which newbie area are you talking about? I am on shiverpeaks and the human starting area (divinities reach) always has people in it all over the place. granted during the week I am only on during the prime playing times but on weekends it’s steady populated as well… even now that I have leveled my main toons out of that area I still farm mats for low level crafting in the area and always see people in the events and gathering for when boss mobs show up….

I am doing completion of Essex Hills right now, as well as the Sylvari lands. Barely anyone around. :x

I see, yeah i did notice a drop in people running around in Kessex hills… I still see people just not the numbers I saw in the newbie area….

I did however notice that the people i do see in the kessex area are all being level reduced so I am guessing they are farming for achievements and mats? and jumping in events for kicks?

either way though… come to shiverpeaks and I will group with you… sounds like we are in similar level range

Cookies aren’t candy.

I was going to point that out, but I didn’t want to push the creepy factor too far.

JaironKalach.4938:

I was going to point that out, but I didn’t want to push the creepy factor too far.

:( Well, might as well stay in TC, where the concentration of people in areas is so low, the chance of getting kidnapped is practically 0%!

The silly thing was recently ANET nerfed low level DE rewards for level 80s, just discouraging anyone from visiting lower levels that much more.

It wasn’t as though going to queensdale as a lev 80 was particularly effective to get your whole 1s 20c and a few hundred karma for completing a low level event. Nonetheless they nerfed it pretty heavily. I used to like hanging out in low level zones for the chatter, and making a LITTLE money on the side. Believe me it wasn’t anything good. Now I haven’t been back since.

I have 5 Asura characters on Dragonbrand. My 2 lvl 80s live in LA, the other 3 live in Metrica province at Desider Atum. I have a lvl 61 ele, a lvl 2 thief, and a lvl 2 guardian. My ele has almost never been outside Metrica because I did the Vigil and Durmand Priory story lines on my first 2 characters and I am saving the Order of Whispers for my thief. I run the daily events with him because the bonus experience is more use to him than to a lvl 80. I can complete the daily in about 30 minutes and pick up about 1 level in the process. Without the bonus experience it might take twice as long but still not a long time per level. I do this routine as soon as possible on each new server day, about 5PM my time. I almost always see 5 to 10 Asura running around by Desider. I join parties if asked and the others Asura are typically level 10 to 25. Sometimes I see high level individuals or guild parties come through doing map completions. I have map completion and will WP to any events that show up on map chat. I use a staff and upgraded my equipment about every 5 levels with inexpensive green stuff. Most greens sell for little above vendor price on the TP and that is not expensive, mine some copper if you need to but it isn’t expensive. If you don’t upgrade your equipment you become less powerful as you level up. This is a consequence of the auto-leveling and not a real problem to deal with once you know it exists. I started playing about 4 weeks after launch and Metrica’s population density hasn’t changed enough to cause me a problem.

Minion of Vey.4398:

The silly thing was recently ANET nerfed low level DE rewards for level 80s, just discouraging anyone from visiting lower levels that much more.

It wasn’t as though going to queensdale as a lev 80 was particularly effective to get your whole 1s 20c and a few hundred karma for completing a low level event. Nonetheless they nerfed it pretty heavily. I used to like hanging out in low level zones for the chatter, and making a LITTLE money on the side. Believe me it wasn’t anything good. Now I haven’t been back since.

Yeah. This is one of the things that irked me. When GW2 first came out, completing areas gave me a LOT of stuff. Now, I get 3 transmutation stones and a little bit of exp, and that’s it. :l A huge letdown.

AdelaisAer.4109:

Maybe it’s my server, then – I am on Tarnished Coast.

EDIT: Also, I am talkative and social. I don’t expect people to magically come to me.

Nope not just your server. People here still can’t handle the fact that population in general has decreased significantly since launch. Yes some servers will be very active and some are dead. Just like all the other mmo’s including WoW. GW2 is no different but also has a lot less servers.

Telling people to transfer is a ridiculous solution. Why should people have keep doing this?

Made a new toon on another server to see and this was at 6pm prime time on a Wed. Starter zone saw maybe 4-5 people. Yep the servers sure are packed.

bojangles.6912:

AdelaisAer.4109:

Maybe it’s my server, then – I am on Tarnished Coast.

EDIT: Also, I am talkative and social. I don’t expect people to magically come to me.

Nope not just your server. People here still can’t handle the fact that population in general has decreased significantly since launch. Yes some servers will be very active and some are dead. Just like all the other mmo’s including WoW. GW2 is no different but also has a lot less servers.

Telling people to transfer is a ridiculous solution. Why should people have keep doing this?

Made a new toon on another server to see and this was at 6pm prime time on a Wed. Starter zone saw maybe 4-5 people. Yep the servers sure are packed.

Exactly. And many people from the three guilds I am in (all of whom are on different servers) all tell me the same thing: They see people either farming Orr (or similar locations) or just spamming LFG to do dungeons together. Barely anyone is seen in open world maps anymore.

I am surprised that over 1200 people have read this thread now. o.o;

make t6 mats drop on low level maps if you’re level 80 downscaled and adding unique armor skins that can be obtainable by farming certain tokens for that low level maps will make them populated again.

alcopaul.2156:

make t6 mats drop on low level maps if you’re level 80 downscaled and adding unique armor skins that can be obtainable by farming certain tokens for that low level maps will make them populated again.

Well, that’d be a bit absurd. Maybe make dynamic events that Lv. 80 characters can benefit from, and put them in low-level areas, so when they are done, they might be inclined to help low-level characters until the next DE.

AdelaisAer.4109:

alcopaul.2156:

make t6 mats drop on low level maps if you’re level 80 downscaled and adding unique armor skins that can be obtainable by farming certain tokens for that low level maps will make them populated again.

Well, that’d be a bit absurd. Maybe make dynamic events that Lv. 80 characters can benefit from, and put them in low-level areas, so when they are done, they might be inclined to help low-level characters until the next DE.

Why? It can’t be a 100% drop rate or I can’t farm lesser items but it could be a 1/3 chance of a T5/T6 claw instead of a T1 claw.

Lets take the farm next to the champion cave troll in Queensdale. Why would a L80 be there? If champions had a very good chance of dropping a rare/exotic of appropriate level they would loiter through the area hoping to catch him. If the harpies and bandits next door attacking the cattle had a 1in3 chance of dropping T5/T6 mats they’d stay and farm the wave events a bit while moving through to see if the champ was up. Etc etc etc.

As it is at the moment, 0.0000000000000001% chance of reward = time better spent elsewhere.

Mian.1945:

AdelaisAer.4109:

alcopaul.2156:

make t6 mats drop on low level maps if you’re level 80 downscaled and adding unique armor skins that can be obtainable by farming certain tokens for that low level maps will make them populated again.

Well, that’d be a bit absurd. Maybe make dynamic events that Lv. 80 characters can benefit from, and put them in low-level areas, so when they are done, they might be inclined to help low-level characters until the next DE.

Why? It can’t be a 100% drop rate or I can’t farm lesser items but it could be a 1/3 chance of a T5/T6 claw instead of a T1 claw.

Lets take the farm next to the champion cave troll in Queensdale. Why would a L80 be there? If champions had a very good chance of dropping a rare/exotic of appropriate level they would loiter through the area hoping to catch him. If the harpies and bandits next door attacking the cattle had a 1in3 chance of dropping T5/T6 mats they’d stay and farm the wave events a bit while moving through to see if the champ was up. Etc etc etc.

As it is at the moment, 0.0000000000000001% chance of reward = time better spent elsewhere.

Sure, why not. As long as people spend more time in open-world maps instead of spamming LFG, I am good.