Guild Wars 2

This might be kind of a weird idea, but I think it could be fun. A lot of times when I have a friend over, I want to show them a cool game we can play together. GW2 is what I spend the most time playing, but sadly there isn’t any easy way to share it with people!

That’s because they would need to buy a copy, get the client installed, make a character, and then they can play with me but they’ll still be horrifically under-leveled! So what do I do? I show them a different game instead.

But here’s my idea:
1) Let players install an essential-parts-only version of the client. It only downloads the neccesary stuff to run the game, and big files like map data are downloaded as-needed, like how it worked in GW1.
2) Without owning their own copy of the game, additional players on the same LAN may tag along with a copy-owning player, who acts as their ‘host’.
3) They get a pre-made character of the race/class they want, but their customization options are very limited. This is a ‘hireling’, like you’d see players use frequently in old-school D&D. They are locked to the same level as the host, cannot be played on without the host, and stop existing after a certain amount of time inactive.
4) Any cool stuff they find can be stashed in their bank, and accessed later if they choose to buy the full game.

I think this would be a great way to let us share GW2 with our friends (and convince more people to become paying customers for Anet ;D).

I think it would be easier to ask for a trial version like most MMO’s do. Make it so they can’t use the trading post, send mail, have a level cap and a restraint so they can’t leave the starter map. (Tho I think Lv.15 is A LOT of levels for a trial account) For Guild Wars 2 The sweet spot for a level cap would be 5 to 7 or even 8. But there has been posts before talking about a trial account.

Naps Elif.7438:

I think it would be easier to ask for a trial version like most MMO’s do. Make it so they can’t use the trading post, send mail, have a level cap and a restraint so they can’t leave the starter map. (Tho I think Lv.15 is A LOT of levels for a trial account) For Guild Wars 2 The sweet spot for a level cap would be 5 to 7 or even 8. But there has been posts before talking about a trial account.

They’d reach the level cap pretty quickly due to the NPE changes. So I don’t think having the max level be the upper limit of the starter maps would be an issue.

I’d say trial account as well.

Let them have the full customization. This game is all about the customization. It would hurt the game if they took that away from the trial accounts.

Rather than give them a level cap, give them time.

Let them play, restriction free, for a set time (~1 month? Maybe less.) then, if they want to continue playing, they can buy the full game.

This would work by allowing the player to accumulate in-game wealth, achievements and so forth. They’ll become committed to their account and the game and more likely to buy it.

The free trial program already exists, it just is only available when Anet decides to have it active, which usually lasts about 1-2 weeks.