Guild Wars 2

The temporary content from the living world is fine. In fact, it’s probably the right direction for the game. Why? Because the permanent content we already have is more than just sufficient – it’s excessive. With an exception of a few areas (WvW, CoF, temples on high-pop servers, Queensdale farming, and map bosses), there is a extreme lack of players willing to play existing content. The world as a whole is a barren desert, devoid of intelligent life, despite its beauty and surplus of fun and interesting content. Most dungeons go unplayed, sPvP dies a little more with each passing week, and most of the open world is a ghost town.

The problem is not a lack of permanent content. There has never been and will never be a lack of things to do. The lacking factors are polish and rewards. The majority of under-played content is under-played solely because of its lack of rewards as compared to other content. Other areas, like Orr or Southsun, are unpopular because of poor mob design (excessive crowd control, reef drakes, the Dredge in general, etc.) or a lack of events as compared to other areas of a comparable level (Frostgorge Sound).

Temporary content from the living world is a godsend when done correctly, as it allows Arenanet to stimulate activity in otherwise inactive regions, while also providing story context for eventual permanent changes to zones or dungeons that need love.

TL;DR:
We have enough permanent content. In fact, we may have too much permanent content. Adding much more will only cause the player-base to spread even thinner.

I don’t think it’s nessecarily that much about temporary content or permanent content.

I think it’s more about people who only want to do things that make their character more powerful.
They see a lot of content being added, but because it won’t allow them to progress it makes them think the content is a waste.
People would do the content regardless of whether they liked it or not if it made their characters more powerful. Did they add a new dungeon? Perhaps I hate the mechanics of that particular dungeon but I “need” to do it otherwise I’ll fall behind.

But the game needs more permanent content. Some people experienced all of it very quickly.

As much as I have enjoyed the holiday events, of which there have been many now, I have to say I think it would have been better for the game’s health if they had focused on making stuff like new dungeons, large group events and explorable maps.