Guild Wars 2

I’ve noticed two common complaints on the forums lately:

*Is that it? I’m 80 and bored, where’s the new content?

*Why is there such a grind to get money/gear etc?

My thought is, where’s the middle ground? If there was no grind of any form, and everything was easy to get we’d all be 80 in full exotics and legendary weapons and be bored.If there is to much grind then elite items seem unobtainable and players burn out. A balanced game is going to fall between these two extremes.

The word ‘grind’ has negative connotations when applied to MMO games. When you hear it you think of something that is repetitious and/or boring. This feeling will trigger on different tasks depending on the player. This is a huge challenge game developers face when putting together such a large game. The rewards system has to genuinely reward players for effort but not to the extent it inflates the game economy or foreshortens time played significantly.

What I’d like to see in this thread are constructive observations of the current Risk/Reward system and how that affects playability and longevity of the title.

Personally I do not yet have a max level character. I can’t speak to the points directly only offer my point of view as a level 40. My view thus far is that the risk/reward system is viable as a leveling character. I have a different play experience each night I log in and I don’t feel restricted to one or two areas. I am enjoying leveling and look forward to obtaining level 80 and beginning the work for achievements.

My question to you all out there in Forum land is this: For you personally, where is the middle ground?

(Let’s please keep it civil and refrain from attacking each post’s view and/or ANet’s actions/inaction.)