Guild Wars 2

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/guild-wars-2the-journey-ahead-at-pax-prime-2015/

When:
Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7).
Where:
This presentation will take place in the Hydra Theatre, located on Level 1 of the Grand Hyatt. Please note that you will need an official PAX badge to attend the presentation.

This PAX event will be “region locked” to people who have a PAX pass even though the event is outside of the Washington State Trade/Convention Center. For years ArenaNet has always had an “outside” event that allowed non-PAX “Humans of Earth” to attend their event… now for the first time they will be locking their local Seattle Area annual event to only PAX goers.

Which if you happened to live in Seattle Area… but could care less about the rest of PAX itself (you don’t want to spend $$$ on Penny Arcade; or since no more LoL NA Summer Finals now; or have the patience to buy a PAX Pass in the 10~Min they are available before being sold out)… well I guess GGWP.

If ArenaNet made this clear before PAX tickets were sold this year then I could blame myself for not planning correctly. However this last minute announcement leaves me with no other (legal)option. I was looking forward to learning more about Thorns because I myself is still on the fence about it alas.

Of course, there are “evil reasons” why this occurred (PAX demanded money; ArenaNet wants to limit participation to known quantity), however for the record I will not allow them to get away with this unnoticed. I guess I won’t be attending the GW Event this year after all…

Edit: For Peoples of Earth who are not Aware of Anet’s Former Events… I happened to come across this 2014 Event Announcement (also during PAX time)

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/arenanet-activities-around-pax-prime/

The Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington is coming up soon!

If you’re going to be at PAX, stop by “The Future of Online Games” panel on Friday, August 29, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sphinx Theatre, to hear Game Director Colin Johanson and other MMORPG industry veterans discuss where online games are headed and answer questions from fans.

2014_PAX_AN-MMORPG_2

We’re partnering with the folks at MMORPG.comto bring you a community meet and greet! We’ll have some Guild Wars 2 goodies on hand to raffle off, including charr plushies and Guild Wars 2 Collector’s Editions! We’re also giving away Guild Wars 2 Scarlet t-shirts to attendees, but sizes and supplies are limited. Join us on Saturday night to meet and hang out with our developers and the MMORPG.com team!

Here are the details:

Location: Gordon Biersch, Pacific Place, 600 Pine Street, Suite 401, Seattle, WA 98101

Date and Time: Saturday, August 30, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Entry: Entry is free and no tickets (or PAX passes) are required, but space is limited to the capacity of the venue. You are welcome to RSVP on our Facebook event page, but this just gives us an idea of how many people plan on coming and doesn’t guarantee entry.

Food/Drink: Light appetizers will be served and we will provide two drink tickets per person; food and drink tickets are limited.

We’ll see you there!

MORE EDIT: For “Humans of Earth” who are not aware of this event… the reason it’s timing “happens to line up with PAX” is because the end of August is the Launch Day Anniversary of Guild Wars 2. The events they have each year were “celebratory” and casual in nature and not business affairs: They were open to the public for a reason. Now there has been a observable shift in Public Relations policy from “fun” to “business” which is disconcerting nonetheless.

Perhaps ArenaNet’s “Korean Overlords” (NCSOFT) finally got to them alas…

Indeed it is so…

“Livestream:

If you’re unable to attend in person, never fear! We’ll be streaming the presentation on the official Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel. Tune in at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7) for a preshow featuring community members"

I’ve never gone to these events, however, I know many companies do not do this part at all.

Passes are on ebay for $50, if that ends up being a route you want to take.

moonstarmac.4603:

“Livestream:

If you’re unable to attend in person, never fear! We’ll be streaming the presentation on the official Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel. Tune in at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7) for a preshow featuring community members"

I’ve never gone to these events, however, I know many companies do not do this part at all.

You cannot “LiveStream the Beer”.

If you been to Anet events in the past you would know that it is “more then a press conference”: It is a party as well. Not only do you get a period of time (and can be a long period as well) to talk directly to developers, but…

FREE BEER! Well you get 2 tickets worth either 2 16oz Draft or 2 wine or whatever. Plus food. When they held the event in Tap House Grill (a beer place in Seattle) was preety good actually… and I got to learn of a new Seattle restaurant that is preety good for beer at least.

So yes… can I “watch the event?” Do I even care about that part?…

……well maybe a little. BESIDES THE POINT!

Perhaps their Korean overlords finally realized what they were up to alas…

Fernling.1729:

Passes are on ebay for $50, if that ends up being a route you want to take.

True but buying Ebay passes technically violates the Terms of Service of the PAX membership (that is if you get caught GGWP). And I still have to buy a PAX pass which defeats the honor part of it.

Not all of us agree with “Penny Arcade” but that is a long standing battle of ages past no matter. Short story short they used to be “ego-filled elitist jerks” (like many in the eastside of Seattle area are; however for “nerds” was preety hard core) who caused problems. They did “mature” over time though.

Could be PAX event make them require pass. May not have been arnea nets choice. Oh and you can drink beers in front of computer probably cheaper than cost to travel to event and parking.

You could get beer and food from the comfort of your own home…..

Or you could have purchased a ticket, either way. This thread is silly.

Maybe, if you’re nice and shoot gaile grey a message they can do another pax event like they did for pax south. Assuming they have extra tickets.

TexZero.7910:

You could get beer and food from the comfort of your own home…..

You cannot talk to developers first hand. I believe you are missing that point. I assure you, within 10 min of particpaiton you will learn more about GW2 then the 1+Hour of the press conference. The PvP Lead is a good guy too worth talking.

Or you could have purchased a ticket, either way. This thread is silly.

Again please read above again. Ever Since GW2 has been out (2012) they have had live events with outside access. For last few even so they were during the PAX weekend (usually Saturday) and they also had panels inside PAX, but the core event (usually paired with PvP finals) was open to public (it is in a hotel outside of PAX).

Now not so much…

Qugi.2653:

Could be PAX event make them require pass. May not have been arnea nets choice. Oh and you can drink beers in front of computer probably cheaper than cost to travel to event and parking.

Yea but you cannot beat Draft Beer (eewwh bottled beer). Or the Developers.

Well you made a big deal about the free beer so that is probably why people talk about it. You know what they say, sometimes life is not fair. I think you will probably survive this.

Qugi.2653:

Well you made a big deal about the free beer so that is probably why people talk about it. You know what they say, sometimes life is not fair. I think you will probably survive this.

Yea true but the beer thing “was a speech device”. If I didn’t mention the “secret” then people just blow this thread over without second thought alas no matter…

Also I will miss that thing called “human interaction”. Being locked away in my house or whatever talking to people via “Internet” (GW2) vs IRL of course.

O yea and I almost forgot about the giveaways… I still got me free GW2 themed shirt and other stuff (in game pet for one).

I will miss my beer though…

Well maybe you can see real people have some beer and see presentation. Invite real life people to your house. Have some beers with them and watch the stream. You could even have the friends bring presents for give away. See I am a problem solver.

Qugi.2653:

Well maybe you can see real people have some beer and see presentation. Invite real life people to your house. Have some beers with them and watch the stream. You could even have the friends bring presents for give away. See I am a problem solver.

Yea but your missing the…

1. No conversation with Anet developers; or people who are GW2 players but otherwise “not your friends”
2. Free Giveaways (-beer that is) including GW2 Merch, INgame pets, and even opportunity one year to test new content (the dragon fight of 2013) first

Alas the point of this thread is that this event is a marked shift of policy by ArenaNet… one that could suggest a “more closed approach” in other aspects going forward… which is not good of course…

Like I said maybe arena net didn’t make rule but maybe PAX made them have the passes. Or they don’t want to many people ask them all the time about SAB and rabbit ears at PAX.

I also almost forgot. You should stream your party for arena net to watch. They can see who has better party and give away.

The Master.2893:

You cannot “LiveStream the beer”.

Best forum post ever.

Qugi.2653:

Like I said maybe arena net didn’t make rule but maybe PAX made them have the passes.

Yea this is possible this year especially since they lost RIOT GAMES/League of Legends which used to be their “hallmark” event. This is yet another reason why I think the PAX organization “is evil”… that is more concered about $$$ then what was originally intended to be a “festival for gamers” that was for non E3 peoples. PAX was simply to “draw people to Seattle” however others had events outside of PAX. It isn’t like PAX has unlimted tickets to sell (rather quite hard to get PAX ticket otherwise) so there is no economic excuse here.

I also almost forgot. You should stream your party for arena net to watch. They can see who has better party.

Yea but I am a loser with “no IRL friends” LoL so that isn’t happening. And I play on EU servers for most of my games so most of me “in-game” friends are Eurozone in either case… But yes point is taken nonetheless.

There could also be liability issues surrounding it, legal issues, risk of drunk devs saying stuff they shouldn’t, etc. In the end be glad you have the opportunity to actually go to PAX or most these events which are mostly on the west coast, without flying across the country to do so. Being bitter because Anet doesn’t do “after hours” events is silly.

Mojo Gris Gris.5941:

The Master.2893:

You cannot “LiveStream the beer”.

Best forum post ever.

/bow

Thank you… thank you… thank you very much…

Indeed it is so…

BrooksP.4318:

There could also be liability issues surrounding it, legal issues, risk of drunk devs saying stuff they shouldn’t, etc. In the end be glad you have the opportunity to actually go to PAX or most these events which are mostly on the west coast, without flying across the country to do so. Being bitter because Anet doesn’t do “after hours” events is silly.

Well my problem is that there is a marketed shift in “public relations” by ArenaNet. Every year since Guild Wars 2 was released (and yes the “noob” I am I think there may have been events during GW1 too) they have had “this event”. 2012, 2013, 2014. Sometimes more then one. This the first time it isn’t like this.

So… as you can see this is a shift in policy. You can imagine why I am upset.

And lastly… don’t even cry about being East Coast… you have NYC: You get everything not gamer related handed to you in a silver platter every day of the week. You even took the 2 North America League of Legends Events this year (Florida, NYC). At least please show some respect and allow us "west coast peoples to have something every once in awhile.

NOTE: BTW it is still likely they are going to have their event this year as well. However the “free beer” and the like will be “BlueShielded” to PAX goers only. So it isn’t like the event is going away entirely… simply “disabled” for the 7+billion Humans of Earth of course…

Mojo Gris Gris.5941:

The Master.2893:

You cannot “LiveStream the beer”.

Best forum post ever.

I live stream beer straight from glass into stomach right now. I am on stream 3 and later I live stream the beer the other way. haha.

Qugi.2653:

Mojo Gris Gris.5941:

The Master.2893:

You cannot “LiveStream the beer”.

Best forum post ever.

I live stream beer straight from glass into stomach right now. I am on download 3 of 6 haha. ;)

3/6 of what? Windows 10 Updates ?:)

The Master.2893:

moonstarmac.4603:

“Livestream:

If you’re unable to attend in person, never fear! We’ll be streaming the presentation on the official Guild Wars 2 Twitch channel. Tune in at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time (UTC-7) for a preshow featuring community members"

I’ve never gone to these events, however, I know many companies do not do this part at all.

You cannot “LiveStream the beer”.

Watch the stream while drinking beer?

The Master.2893:

Well my problem is that there is a marketed shift in “public relations” by ArenaNet. Every year since Guild Wars 2 was released (and yes the “noob” I am I think there may have been events during GW1 too) they have had “this event”. 2012, 2013, 2014. Sometimes more then one. This the first time it isn’t like this.

So… as you can see this is a shift in policy. You can imagine why I am upset.

And lastly… don’t even cry about being East Coast… you have NYC: You get everything not gamer related handed to you in a silver platter every day of the week. You even took the 2 North America League of Legends Events this year (Florida, NYC). At least please show some respect and allow us "west coast peoples to have something every once in awhile.

NOTE: BTW it is still likely they are going to have their event this year as well. However the “free beer” and the like will be “BlueShielded” to PAX goers only. So it isn’t like the event is going away entirely… simply “disabled” for the 7+billion Humans of Earth of course…

Midwest here so screwed either way, regardless this sounds like a change to shift control and liabilities on PAX. Giving away alcohol at a non sanctioned area without licensing is just asking for issues, potential lawsuits, or minors getting it.

Or they just don’t like you anymore.

I don’t disagree with the PR issues with Anet, however not really seeing it with this.

BrooksP.4318:

Midwest here so screwed either way, regardless this sounds like a change to shift control and liabilities on PAX. Giving away alcohol at a non sanctioned area without licensing is just asking for issues, potential lawsuits, or minors getting it.

Or they just don’t like you anymore.

I don’t disagree with the PR issues with Anet, however not really seeing it with this.

Well they could just not give away beer LoL… there is more to life of course…

BTW Midwesterner GGWP if you play League of Legends… next week the servers are moving to Chicago (from Portland currently) so your gonna get epic speeds (at cost of West Coast of course). That’s at least a + there for you:)

The point is that for year after year after year the ANet events have “been casual”. Now they “are not casual”. Thus when combined with all the other PR “problems” that exist (pricing for Thorns for one) one can make a case that “ArenaNet’s soul is being sucked out by evil forces”.

This time it is Penny Arcade. Next time will be someone else. A “drip, drip, drip” of stuff that as with all others, lead to game companies destruction (case in Point ZeniMax/ElderScrollsOnline) no matter…

Umm … maybe they will be doing outside events too? All that announcement says is that to get into the theater for a panel presented at PAX, you have to have a pass to attend events at PAX. Which is completely reasonable.

Donari.5237:

Umm … maybe they will be doing outside events too? All that announcement says is that to get into the theater for a panel presented at PAX, you have to have a pass to attend events at PAX. Which is completely reasonable.

“Reasonable” by non-Anet standards perhaps. If your Microsoft… GGWP. However if you have been going to ANet events for years (like a one I listed on top) and now for the first time ever “you need a PAX pass” well GGWP. There isn’t time to get one (legally).

IT is a break in the trust if you will. Now I have to consider getting a PAX pass in the future if I want to go to GW events… a new “precedent” has been set.

I’m surprised this make some people angry and disappointing. My question to you: would you rather see things happening or hear only words? People pay huge money to hear big speech and fail to see the results.

I am a person of action: what person are you?

DarkSyze.8627:

I’m surprised this make some people angry and disappointing. My question to you: would you rather see things happening or hear only words? People pay huge money to hear big speech and fail to see the results.

I am a person of action: what person are you?

I apologize for my lack of intellectual understanding today and is not following your post entirely… however my point, if you read everything I said, was that most of the stuff that “was useful information” (that is the info you could get from the even) presentation occurred “after the presentation”. I learned more about GW2 directly from developers in the afterparty more so then all the press conferences ever done combined. Now this is being locked to PAX goers if even that.

Also there is a casual element to this event that is “action based” if you will. Before, being open to everyone, you used to see many people/guilds show up and do things as well. Lots of potential at least for interaction among “people”. It simply wasn’t just “listen to a 1 hour Power Point Presentation and Leave”. Now it appears to not be this case nonetheless.

So yes… if you are a “man of action” then having some action being taken out of the even should concern you nonetheless…

No idea what that ‘pax’ is, don’t really care…the beer however…naah, don’t really care either since i live in a country with some (most) of the best beers in the world.
Compared to that, you can keep that pax while i sip from my Westvleteren 12.

Sthenith.5196:

No idea what that ‘pax’ is, don’t really care…the beer however…naah, don’t really care either since i live in a country with some (most) of the best beers in the world.
Compared to that, you can keep that pax while i sip from my Westvleteren 12.

Yea true that. PAX is a video game convention (organization) that has events several times a year… not unlike Gamescom in EU. Before this year the Guild Wars event were always purposely set apart from the PAX (although occurring same weekend) as a result of when GW2 was launched… but now they have been merged nonetheless.