Guild Wars 2

Im usually silent on these forums but I noticed quite a stirr the last mount where some claimed misfortune due to lack of “veteran content” in this feature pack, that most catered to new players.
While many of the changes benefits the veteran players as well, I saw to or three threads where devs actually responded stating that this “veteran content” would be highlighted in later blog posts (that it would “appease the masses”), possibly last or this week? Have these blogs been posted, is this type of content/additions revealed?

nacario.9417:

Im usually silent on these forums but I noticed quite a stirr the last mount where some claimed misfortune due to lack of “veteran content” in this feature pack, that most catered to new players.
While many of the changes benefits the veteran players as well, I saw to or three threads where devs actually responded stating that this “veteran content” would be highlighted in later blog posts (that it would “appease the masses”), possibly last or this week? Have these blogs been posted, is this type of content/additions revealed?

Well if this feature pack was mostly for the new players and probably because a lot of people were working on China releases.
The changes for the vets were in week 3 and they weren’t strong. No one can argue with that.

I think that next feature back will be more for Veterans since they need to balance need and stuff they work on.

They were referring to the blog posts about wardrobe updates (including the upgraded features for mini pets), collections and reworked trading post. While all of these features are controvesial, they cover a wide range of features often requested on these forums.

I am personally looking forward to the wardrobe/mini/collections stuff because it all fits well with what I enjoy about this game.

Septemptus.7164:

Well if this feature pack was mostly for the new players

Do you honestly think so? The feature pack includes a lot of things asked for on the forums countless times, amongst them global guilds (which to me, being a member of two cross-server guilds, is a huge thing), golem mastery and account-bound commander for WvW, crafting updates, as well as all of the week 3 announcements. Plus the general balance-changes will likely change up pvp at least for a bit. That’s quite a lot of changes for veteran players, that many have been waiting for for a long time.

Okay this is quite easy to determine. Let’s look at each item in the feature patch that’s coming and say whether it’s for new players, veteran players or both. I’ll lead with the new combat log, since it’s coming in the patch but didn’t appear in the article.

Completely Redone Combat Patch – Favors Veterans
PvP Tournament – Favors Veterans
PvP Visual Model Update For Tournaments -Favors Veterans
PvP new armor sets – everyone
Balance changes – everyone
Siege Golem Mastery Line – favors veterans
Anti-siege trap – favors veterans
Commander tag changes – favors veterans
WvW tournament including reward changes – favors veterans
Guild changes to unlocking servers – favors veterans
Changes to the way meta server sorts – everyone
Dungeon instance owner – everyone
crafting UI improvements – everyone
performance updates for large scale fights – everyone
New leveling items – newbies and altoholics
Crafter backpacks – newbies and people who like crafting
Profession loot – newbies and altoholics
A New Start (leveling experience) – newbies and altoholics
Personal story reward revamp – newbies and altoholics
Leveling rewards – newbies and altoholics
Drops by class – newbies
miniatures and finishers changes – everyone
collections – everyone
new trading post – everyone

I think there are a couple of changes that focus on newbies, but that also helps people like me, who are altoholics. Some focus on crafting and help crafters.

I think that people don’t realize that’s quite a lot of stuff since it’s been five months since the last feature pack. And if it is, as some people say, fixing the foundation to get ready for a large influx of players, say a new expansion, it would probably change what a lot of people are saying.

PS.
Don’t forget that there were some nice tweaks for veterans:
- crafting fixes and backpacks
- Wardrobe minis fixes (requested a lot)
- global guilds (very nice for those who want to switch servers)
- BTA commandeer with colors
- WvW short seasons
- PvP new rewards (at least that)
- new achievements

As far as I know a all of those were things that people wished for and not people who were new to the game.

And most people forget the new combat log, which is awesome for harder core players, though it wasn’t mentioned in the articles.

Rasimir.6239:

Septemptus.7164:

Well if this feature pack was mostly for the new players

Do you honestly think so? The feature pack includes a lot of things asked for on the forums countless times, amongst them global guilds (which to me, being a member of two cross-server guilds, is a huge thing), golem mastery and account-bound commander for WvW, crafting updates, as well as all of the week 3 announcements. Plus the general balance-changes will likely change up pvp at least for a bit. That’s quite a lot of changes for veteran players, that many have been waiting for for a long time.

OK I put that in bad way.
I think that most things were very general and made based for new players.
I wont threat tournaments or WvW seasons in that cause it’s nothing new just a reboot.

Vayne.8563:

And most people forget the new combat log, which is awesome for harder core players, though it wasn’t mentioned in the articles.

Very true, I forgot about that.

Septemptus.7164:

nacario.9417:

Im usually silent on these forums but I noticed quite a stirr the last mount where some claimed misfortune due to lack of “veteran content” in this feature pack, that most catered to new players.
While many of the changes benefits the veteran players as well, I saw to or three threads where devs actually responded stating that this “veteran content” would be highlighted in later blog posts (that it would “appease the masses”), possibly last or this week? Have these blogs been posted, is this type of content/additions revealed?

Well if this feature pack was mostly for the new players and probably because a lot of people were working on China releases.
The changes for the vets were in week 3 and they weren’t strong. No one can argue with that.

I think that next feature back will be more for Veterans since they need to balance need and stuff they work on.

i disagree, the trading post 2.0 and the the new collection system seem like very strong positive veteran additions to me.

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

Just to mention:

Only because people wish for something, doesn’t make them automatically veterans.
And most veteran players expected something else from this feature pack.
Veteran players expected in this Feature Patch things like:

- Precursor Crafting finally getting added
- Precusors Scavenger Hunts getting finally added
- New Legendary Weapons gretting added/ Legendary Accessoires getting added like announced
- Ascended Runes/Sigils/Jewels/ Aqua Breather getting added to complete the Ascended Items
- Classes getting some new existing Weapons to increase their Weapon Skisl and giving all classes some new Builds
- In general adding new Utility/Elite Skills
- Making Equipment dyeable
- Giving us finally Jeweler and Cook Job Level 500 too
- Adding Fishing and Digging as new Gathering Tasks for alot of new Crafting Materials/Recipes for the existing Craftign Jobs, like Cook would benefin from Fishing as Gatherign Task and the game already has freaking angling rods and shovels!!
- Adding missing Features like Polymok, Bar Brawl and Shooting Range
- Fixing finally the WvW Achievements to make them doable in a persons lifetime
ect. pp

Thats sort of things, which many veterans were waiting for since a long time and why so many veteran players are disappointed over the Feature Pack 2.

Yes, FP2 will deliver tommorrow some nice stuff, that many people asked for, but most of these things are features, which should have been already in the game from begin on, like multi colored commander symbols.
Must have been real rocket science to come up with that, that it took anet 2 years to implement somethinglike that…

So its really understandable from one viewpoint, why many people are being so sarcastic towards Anet, because Anets priorities for this game were and are always up this point not understandable due to Anet communicating with us too less.

(Which is the reason, why the english community here made such a ruckus some time ago, when Mike O’Brien made his posting talking about communication, because this posting was more oil into the fire than anythign else, until Chris and Colin came and suddenly showed up more constant presence in that single thread, than the whole dev team together in the last year basically felt like so that you could start to believe again, we have here really a discussion with the devs and not just a playerbase monologue with ourselves.)

nacario.9417:

Im usually silent on these forums but I noticed quite a stirr the last mount

Freudian slip perhaps? :P

Rasimir.6239:

They were referring to the blog posts about wardrobe updates (including the upgraded features for mini pets), collections and reworked trading post. While all of these features are controvesial, they cover a wide range of features often requested on these forums.

I am personally looking forward to the wardrobe/mini/collections stuff because it all fits well with what I enjoy about this game.

Well at least the wardrobe achievements will give me something to do.

Orpheal.8263:

Veteran players expected in this Feature Patch things like:

- Precursor Crafting finally getting added
- Precusors Scavenger Hunts getting finally added
- New Legendary Weapons gretting added/ Legendary Accessoires getting added like announced
- Ascended Runes/Sigils/Jewels/ Aqua Breather getting added to complete the Ascended Items
- Classes getting some new existing Weapons to increase their Weapon Skisl and giving all classes some new Builds
- In general adding new Utility/Elite Skills
- Making Equipment dyeable
- Giving us finally Jeweler and Cook Job Level 500 too
- Adding Fishing and Digging as new Gathering Tasks for alot of new Crafting Materials/Recipes for the existing Craftign Jobs, like Cook would benefin from Fishing as Gatherign Task and the game already has freaking angling rods and shovels!!
- Adding missing Features like Polymok, Bar Brawl and Shooting Range
- Fixing finally the WvW Achievements to make them doable in a persons lifetime
ect. pp

‘Veteran’ players should not have expected most of the stuff in that list. The vast majority of things that you listed would be considered content rather than features (based on the way ANet use those two descriptors). I don’t really see any point in expecting content from a feature patch, and then being disappointed when a feature pack doesn’t contain much content. It was never going to.

Although I have seen fishing mentioned a few times, I can’t say I’ve ever seen digging requested before. Where are all these Veterans congregating that are clamoring for digging??

Honestly it’s the wardrobe and achievements. Who has a lot of minis and finishers, newbies or vets? Who are running out of achievements to earn, newbies or vets? Sure newbies become vets eventually but when the patch drops, those favor the vets.

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

I know, they also said players want it that way because of spoilers. Many people don’t follow Anets’ blog, forum, etc. And afterwards it’s easy for Anet to say “but we explained…”. To me that is a lame excuse / miscommunication.

VitaminK.2517:

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

I know, they also said players want it that way because of spoilers. Many people don’t follow Anets’ blog, forum, etc. And afterwards it’s easy for Anet to say “but we explained…”. To me that is a lame excuse / miscommunication.

To say it’s miscommunication to say what something is seems very strange to me. Anet communicated it. It’s up to the players then who get that communication to spread the word. That’s what community is for.

Maybe Anet should have reiterated what they said back then, but honestly, for a fan base that latches on to every single word the company says and brings it up four years later, its’ a shame they only do it to prove the company wrong, rather than to understand what the company is trying to do/say.

This feature pack is pretty much what I understood feature packs to be, because I listened. So Anet did in fact communicate.

And I continue to tell people that’s what it is, because that’s helpful.

Saying someone hasn’t communicated after they specifically tell you something just can’t be right.

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

There are miscommunications though Vayne throughout this announcement phase. While not directly related to the feature pack, the first person/Third person camera interview stuff is a terrible miscommunication. Do you really think they believed that people wanted a 1st person camera for combat? Really?

The original Commander Tag implementation was handled terribly. They fixed it. That is great, but they still have turned it into a gold sink instead of a QoL thing for the players. The tags don’t even have the functionality that they deserve or many of the amazing functions that players were asking for with it. It took that long to implement color coding for it?

These changes are all really good for the most part. Players still have the right to be ticked that certain things like waiting two years for armor sorting weren’t implemented a long time ago. That’s basic functionality in 2007’s market. Are there people being unreasonable? Sure, *but there are reasonable people responding to some of the unreasonable changes and misscommunications on ArenaNet’s end as well.

Iason Evan.3806:

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

There are miscommunications though Vayne throughout this announcement phase. While not directly related to the feature pack, the first person/Third person camera interview stuff is a terrible miscommunication. Do you really think they believed that people wanted a 1st person camera for combat? Really?

The original Commander Tag implementation was handled terribly. They fixed it. That is great, but they still have turned it into a gold sink instead of a QoL thing for the players. The tags don’t even have the functionality that they deserve or many of the amazing functions that players were asking for with it. It took that long to implement color coding for it?

These changes are all really good for the most part. Players still have the right to be ticked that certain things like waiting two years for armor sorting weren’t implemented a long time ago. That’s basic functionality in 2007’s market. Are there people being unreasonable? Sure, *but there are reasonable people responding to some of the unreasonable changes and misscommunications on ArenaNet’s end as well.

Well yes, I’ve said Anet’s communication has been bad in the past and that they do make a lot of their own problems. But with the feature pack, because they did define what it was, this shouldn’t be one of them.

I don’t think it’s right to punish the company for what they did right.

I’ve not only said before communication needs to improve, I’ve even made a thread about it. But on the point of what a feature patch is, I feel I need to speak out on their behalf, because I feel that was adequately communicated.

But improvement is surely needed. And I appreciate that they’re trying to improve it.

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

Vayne.8563:

VitaminK.2517:

HHR LostProphet.4801:

People tend to forget that the Feature Patches only improve already existing mechanics. They neither aim for changing the entire gameplay, nor do they aim for implementing new content.

In my opinion that’s the biggest problem in communication for Anet. They improve or fix existing features. Still they call it Feature Packs instead of, let’s say, Improvement Packs. Paired with their “one news per day policy”, it’s easy to be hyped as a player and therefore being disappointed. And that is really sad because some points are really nice and don’t get the right attention because of said miscommunication.

Except that before all this started, Anet explained what feature packs were, and people simply decided to make their own definition instead of using the one provided.

The separated the content packs from the feature packs so they wouldn’t take away from each other. Essentially all the other fixes and new stuff that wasn’t new content would go into feature packs. This was in one of the blog posts on Anet’s site.

I know, they also said players want it that way because of spoilers. Many people don’t follow Anets’ blog, forum, etc. And afterwards it’s easy for Anet to say “but we explained…”. To me that is a lame excuse / miscommunication.

To say it’s miscommunication to say what something is seems very strange to me. Anet communicated it. It’s up to the players then who get that communication to spread the word. That’s what community is for.

Maybe Anet should have reiterated what they said back then, but honestly, for a fan base that latches on to every single word the company says and brings it up four years later, its’ a shame they only do it to prove the company wrong, rather than to understand what the company is trying to do/say.

This feature pack is pretty much what I understood feature packs to be, because I listened. So Anet did in fact communicate.

And I continue to tell people that’s what it is, because that’s helpful.

Saying someone hasn’t communicated after they specifically tell you something just can’t be right.

I’m absolutely with you but one point: You might understand what these feature packs are meant to be. That doesn’t mean other customers agree. The same for the definition of community.

And miscommunication isn’t just the four-side-model, it is part of Anets’ CRM. They have a problem with communicating their philosophy, roadmap, milestones (call it as you wish) to the customers as long as a bigger part complains (not necessary the majority). Customers aren’t satisfied by what you said? Customers expected something different to what you announced? -> Miscommunication. And that doesn’t have to mean the customers are right. They just explained their needs and opinions. Just like me: This is just my opinion :-)

Nevertheless some points of tomorrow’s feature pack are very nice, even for player who expected more.

While I agree they weren’t strong I do see a positive direction awayyyyy from the toxic dungeoneer/raider types and towards the larger population of the PVE open world playerbase. This to me is the sign they are on the right track again. I’m hopeful now that this game will get back to it’s roots and their direction will be focused first on what plagues this game and then on features people have been asking for in the suggestions folder (and since it was archived because really most of these new suggestions have been repeats).

tigirius.9014:

While I agree they weren’t strong I do see a positive direction awayyyyy from the toxic dungeoneer/raider types

Ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.