I seem to come to these forums when I am disappointed in the game. Not to many times do I come to applaud the team and the support crew for all they do. From bug fixes, listening to complaints and going into action, and adding content that players are demanding (Guild Halls).
A few years back my account was hijacked. It was a back and forth ordeal to get it back. But the support crews worked with me on everything to get the account back. Yes many failed attempts and then it worked. So mad props.
A while back there were Champ Trains. And at first you would think it was great. But it killed any and all motivation to not only play the and explore. But in it’s creation it never taught players how to play the game. So again mad props.
I could keep going on about what great changes have come to this game. And where the game currently needs to improve. Changing not only some mechanics but the look of the entire zone of Kessex Hills is a great example of the changes I have loved. No more was this Queensdale 2.0 but an actual new zone. With some of the better boss fights this game has had. (Spiderqueen is awesome.).
And again while playing the new content of HoT I ran into some problems. Some are bugs (this will happen it is expected for big games.). Others have been content that seems like it was designed to be just content. (Tangled Thorns.). And even with these disappointments I am sure the team will correct the problems.
After recently posting on a thread that did not show to much praise for HoT. I was taking into consideration all that was said by videos and posts. And after years of reading making ofs and hearing the horror stories of making games. I realize that it is lot of money and a lot of energy that can become a grueling disheartening experience.
I try to keep my posts as constructive as possible when I have complaints or critique. (oh I know i fail miserably at times so sorry.)
I am not a programmer. But I know that adding one thing sounds so simple. But it can break so many more things that use to run stable. I am not a professional writer. But I know that story elements can and will be sacrificed to make the game playable at shipping time. (and well it should cause it is a video game.) And because I know there are many factors to take in when creating mob and boss encounters trial and error does become a tool just to create the content. (this is an mmo. So the biggest plans need to try and include how many are doing this, is it going to be fun when the server is all there for the event, is it going to be fun with only 4 people, and with so many lag and connection issues.) . And this is still being worked around after the the encounter has gone live.
This brings me to the main point. Please continue in this direction. The Shatterer is being revamped. I am sure other World Bosses will be as well. Keep making those encounters a challenge. Tequatl (even when I failed for the 10th time) was a great addition to the content of this game. I was lit up and had to tell people that stopped playing about it.
The rumor is that gliding will make it’s way to Central Tyria. And it should since it is so fun. With it and can carry over story elements that were dropped or changed while HoT was in development.
By the look alone of the game you have some great artists. I am sure you have an amazing story team as well. And after seeing the positive changes in WvW your game designers are doing a great job as well.
But I would really love to see the less is more concept being implemented. That is the content coming out being a great and fun experience. And even when it goes live. The team has the time and opportunity to work out any and all kinks. Or to even revamp encounters that have become cake walks. Instead of creating a whole new map for content. What was done in and still being done to Kessex Hills is a great example of how to use resources.
So to stop my rambling. I love the directions this game is going. It falls here and there but it gets back up in other ways. To launch a title in the mmo genre that says goodbye to the “Holy Trinity” and remains free to play is a massive achievement. So again thank you for listening to critiques and suggestions. And for the dedication as the entire Anet team continues to support this product.