Guild Wars 2

Let’s not get to crazy over this thing the pic looks faked and there are a few typos so don’t think it’s real but if it were real would be a cool thing to spend laurels on.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Could Martin’s response please be edited into the OP?

Thanks for the quick reply, Martin.

Devata, probably to proofread before localization, hence the misspelling. I heavily doubt Arenanet’s writers know Mandarin Chinese

The tier things look like they were done in paint or photoshop for starters, and the bit about ‘make like worth living’, I don’t think Anet would make a spelling mistake that bad on something that could be official.

I’m calling this VIP membership thing a fake. Move on peeps, nothing to see here.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

And checkmate. Thank you sir. Everyone that said “it’s for China” get’s +internets. You were right, everyone else was wrong.

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Uhh, like Chinese law making this sort of model necessary?

You may want to take that up with the Chinese government and whatever third party “company” they picked to distribute/nationalize/make proper for viewing the game in their country, not ANet.

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

I’d say it’s a good thing it’s only under consideration, and yet I don’t think it’ll actually reassure people to hear “we look at a lot of things which nobody hears about, since we determine it won’t work”.

Probably for Asia GW then. They still enjoy that sort of thing.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Well that is encouraging news. Hopefully this thread makes it known that this idea is NOT ok for the west, EVER.

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Oh? Are you aware of all the markets with different cultural ideals and economics? Did you know that Korean GW1 they had time card payments because that was what the customer expected?

Devata.6589:

Smooth Penguin.5294:

Devata.6589:

Impossible to say until we see it in practice. I just point to the fact that buying gems is also “Opt in” while the focus on gem-sales is also destroying the game so just the fact that something is “Opt in” does not mean it’s not a problem.

But how is Gem sales destroying the game? I’m very interested in how you come to this claim.

Will be the third time I will be linking this link here giving the feeling I try to promote my own thread. What is not the case. I just wrote it so I would not have to keep repeating myself. (wanted to have that said before linking it again) So have a read here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/A-focus-on-micro-transactions/first#post3324571 There I explain it completely.

I actually took the time to read your wall of text. What I gather from it is that you don’t like microtransactions. That’s fine. But a majority of your claims are completely based on the perception of just you and a small percentage of others in the game.

The biggest mistake you make is saying Gem store items are superior quality to in game rewards. I’m guessing your opinion is based on certain skins that have more animated effects than in game armor. While true to an extent, you forget that there’s in game skins that are just as flashy, and can be obtained without having to spend a single Gem (i.e. Legendary weapons, Zephyr backpieces, etc).

On the topic of expansions, the Living Story aims to provide an expansion’s worth of content for free. Microtransactions help to fund such ventures. Without people like me who spends money on Gems, people who just play the game without additional purchases wouldn’t benefit.

You can think how you want about Gem transactions. If you feel that a player like me having access to pretty armor skins, or a “large” mini golem is destroying the game, perhaps you should take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself “Why does that bother me?” In the end, we both play the same game, and have access to the same content. I just might stand out more.

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

I mean that whoever mined this was in the new WvW map beta, not pulling it from live files. Or did I get the wrong impression there?

On an additional note, I’m a bit sad that I might not be able to purchase this assumed VIP membership. Perhaps sending bribes goodies to Anet might entice them to consider this idea.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

On an additional note, I’m a bit sad that I might not be able to purchase this assumed VIP membership. Perhaps sending bribes goodies to Anet might entice them to consider this idea.

Just play on the Chinese client of any MMO ever, and you’ll get all the VIP you’d ever want.

Let’s be honest, guys. If this is introduced in “West”, as they call it, this game is going to lose the little remaining interest in the current playerbase that it still enjoys.

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

Well, ArenaNet is based in the US, so I’m sure they’d need their employees to understand what they’re reading.

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

I guess this confirms that it is an actual possibility and not a joke of some sort like a lot of us were speculating.

Keiel.7489:

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

swtor alert

Smooth Penguin.5294:

Devata.6589:

Smooth Penguin.5294:

Devata.6589:

Impossible to say until we see it in practice. I just point to the fact that buying gems is also “Opt in” while the focus on gem-sales is also destroying the game so just the fact that something is “Opt in” does not mean it’s not a problem.

But how is Gem sales destroying the game? I’m very interested in how you come to this claim.

Will be the third time I will be linking this link here giving the feeling I try to promote my own thread. What is not the case. I just wrote it so I would not have to keep repeating myself. (wanted to have that said before linking it again) So have a read here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/gw2/A-focus-on-micro-transactions/first#post3324571 There I explain it completely.

I actually took the time to read your wall of text. What I gather from it is that you don’t like microtransactions. That’s fine. But a majority of your claims are completely based on the perception of just you and a small percentage of others in the game.

The biggest mistake you make is saying Gem store items are superior quality to in game rewards. I’m guessing your opinion is based on certain skins that have more animated effects than in game armor. While true to an extent, you forget that there’s in game skins that are just as flashy, and can be obtained without having to spend a single Gem (i.e. Legendary weapons, Zephyr backpieces, etc).

On the topic of expansions, the Living Story aims to provide an expansion’s worth of content for free. Microtransactions help to fund such ventures. Without people like me who spends money on Gems, people who just play the game without additional purchases wouldn’t benefit.

You can think how you want about Gem transactions. If you feel that a player like me having access to pretty armor skins, or a “large” mini golem is destroying the game, perhaps you should take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself “Why does that bother me?” In the end, we both play the same game, and have access to the same content. I just might stand out more.

“The biggest mistake you make is saying Gem store items are superior quality to in game rewards.” Are you sure you read it? Because I never ever said that in general. I know that somewhere I said as a side-note that there where a few good items like the SAB coin and that fluff is in PvE what winning is in PvP but thats it. The whole wall of text has nothing to to with specific gem-store items at all but is about how a focus on gem-sales effects game mechanics.

“On the topic of expansions, the Living Story aims to provide an expansion’s worth of content for free. Microtransactions help to fund such ventures. Without people like me who spends money on Gems, people who just play the game without additional purchases wouldn’t benefit.”

Nothing is for free so no focus on income from expansions means a focus on something else. That is (in GW2) indeed gem-sales and so content gets added in the LS (sort of). But like I said, I don’t like the way how that focus on gem-sales effect the game. I say it effect the game in a bad way so what you say as ’people who buy gems help the game to make that content" I say “people who buy gems help to generate that focus on the cash-shop and so help to make the game of a lesser quality”. And whiteout people like you they would be more likely to focus on expansion meaning they would get money from people like me (people who buy the expansions).

Oow and with a equal focus on both I would be less likely to buy an expansion because of the way the focus on the cash-shop has effected the game in a negative way.

“If you feel that a player like me having access to pretty armor skins, or a “large” mini golem is destroying the game, perhaps you should take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself “Why does that bother me?” In the end, we both play the same game”

Again I want to empathize that it has nothing to do with “pretty armor skins, or a “large” mini golem” but how it effects the game in other elements. And why it would bother me if it destroys the game. Well because like you say we are playing the same game and I like to play a nice, fun game.

Keiel.7489:

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

They should be working on proper expansion packs and then retail those like they did back with Guild Wars. Not everybody is interested in the whole shelling out dosh for gaudy trinkets to separate oneself from the unwashed masses selling point they’ve got going on right now. Some of us are still holding out for fun content. A VIP status don’t really mean all that much in a dead game now does it?

Thankfully they quickly cleared matters up here and this is fairly understandable for the Asian market. Maybe 2014 won’t be so bad after all. We’ll see.

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

I mean that whoever mined this was in the new WvW map beta, not pulling it from live files. Or did I get the wrong impression there?

It was somebody with access to the WvW beta yes but I don’t even think data mining is not allowed so why would he lose his key over it.

Judge Banks.9018:

Zlociutki.9165:

NEXON s…t.

Well at least someone knows who actually calls the shots on everything these days.

Honestly I’ll keep posting this image until that ridiculous rumors like that are dead and buried.

I will quit this game if:
The VIP membership is purchasable with gems/money (and costs too much gold), subscription based, and gives priority to WvW queues.

If it’s sub-based… lol well one of your commercials or that pledge thing…. I guess it was for nothing.

Keiel.7489:

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

No they should sell expansion every year / year and a half to make money.

Fungalfoot.7213:

Keiel.7489:

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

Not everybody is interested in the whole shelling out dosh for gaudy trinkets to separate oneself from the unwashed masses selling point they’ve got going on right now. Some of us are still holding out for fun content. A VIP status don’t really mean all that much in a dead game now does it?

Yeah but its amazing and terrifying how many people do want to be the king of the world even if its just them being able to beat up on or show off to other people on the internet. Every forum and game is full of these people :/ and they do tend to spend money.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

So the host of the party pulls out a gun from under the table and announces he has no intention of using it, whereupon he leaves it on the table and proceeds as normal.

Oh thank you, I feel so much better now.

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

I mean that whoever mined this was in the new WvW map beta, not pulling it from live files. Or did I get the wrong impression there?

It was somebody with access to the WvW beta yes but I don’t even think data mining is not allowed so why would he lose his key over it.

Pretty sure this qualifies as breaking the NDA if one was required.

Behellagh.1468:

Judge Banks.9018:

Zlociutki.9165:

NEXON s…t.

Well at least someone knows who actually calls the shots on everything these days.

Honestly I’ll keep posting this image until that ridiculous rumors like that are dead and buried.

What rumors? That Nexon acquired a 15% interest in NCSoft?http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/Meleagar/112012/24237_NCSoft-Sold-Arenanet-and-GW2-Out-For-Nexon-Investment
According to that pretty reliable site thats a fact, not a rumor.

Requiem.8769:

Reference here.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/1utx8p/data_mining_vip_membership/

What are your thoughts on VIP Membership bonuses? Categorized into
-payment method (either subscription-based; time-based, or single-time purchase?)
-gameplay (how would this affect the gameplay?)
-sociality (how would this affect player v. player interactions?)

edit:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

don’t be surprised y’all, of course they are going to make optional payment models.

Substance E.4852:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

I mean that whoever mined this was in the new WvW map beta, not pulling it from live files. Or did I get the wrong impression there?

It was somebody with access to the WvW beta yes but I don’t even think data mining is not allowed so why would he lose his key over it.

Pretty sure this qualifies as breaking the NDA if one was required.

If I remember correctly (sorry for not reading all the small letters) there was no NDA. I did not pay much attention because I did not plan on making anything public anyway.

There was a lot of stuff about how to behave on the EotM beta forums and stuff. Did read that.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

I actually took the time to read your wall of text. What I gather from it is that you don’t like microtransactions. That’s fine. But a majority of your claims are completely based on the perception of just you and a small percentage of others in the game.

“Small percentage”? I’m going to have to ask you to post a link to your hard, statistical data showing one side or the other is a “small percentage”.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

The biggest mistake you make is saying Gem store items are superior quality to in game rewards. I’m guessing your opinion is based on certain skins that have more animated effects than in game armor. While true to an extent, you forget that there’s in game skins that are just as flashy, and can be obtained without having to spend a single Gem (i.e. Legendary weapons, Zephyr backpieces, etc).

Let’s play a game, shall we? You list all the weapon and armor skins that have been added as rewards for in-game content since launch and I’ll do the same for weapon and armor added to the gem shop. The player with larger list wins. Okay, go!

And by the way, remember that Colin Johanson himself said about end game, “the rare stuff becomes the really awesome looking armours. It’s all about collecting the unique looking stuff .” So by that standard, Guild Wars 2’s end game is tied directly to the cash shop. Ain’t it grand?

Smooth Penguin.5294:

On the topic of expansions, the Living Story aims to provide an expansion’s worth of content for free. Microtransactions help to fund such ventures. Without people like me who spends money on Gems, people who just play the game without additional purchases wouldn’t benefit.

First, the Living Story does NOT aim to provide an expansion’s worth of content for free. It aims to keep players logging in on a frequent basis. Second, the Living Story hasn’t provided anywhere near the amount or quality seen in traditional MMO expansions. Third, just what kind of benefit do you think you’re providing those who don’t purchase gems? I’ve no doubt ArenaNet appreciates your money, but you are NOT some hero providing the rest of us some service for which we should thank you.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

You can think how you want about Gem transactions. If you feel that a player like me having access to pretty armor skins, or a “large” mini golem is destroying the game, perhaps you should take a look in the mirror, and ask yourself “Why does that bother me?” In the end, we both play the same game, and have access to the same content. I just might stand out more.

If you think the game’s end game being tied directly to the cash shop isn’t a bad thing then perhaps you should take a look in the mirror and ask yourself “why doesn’t that bother me?”

And you’re still missing the point, by the way. Those of us who want things like new features (player housing, guild vs guild, new races, new classes, new regions to explore, etc) and quality of life improvements (bug fixes, class balance, etc) aren’t getting what we need because too many of the resources that could provide those are being used to create more and more gem shop items for you to buy.

And then there’s the whole “end game is about collecting cool looking weapons and armor” while most new weapons and armor have been added to the gem shop, not the game. Spending money in a cash shop should not be considered end game content for an MMO.

Pariah.8506:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

So the host of the party pulls out a gun from under the table and announces he has no intention of using it, whereupon he leaves it on the table and proceeds as normal.

Oh thank you, I feel so much better now.

Except Anet didn’t pull the gun. The Dat Diver did. If this wasn’t posted, I imagine they’d have just released it with their Eastern Market like normal.

Devata.6589:

Substance E.4852:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Melchior.2135:

Devata.6589:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks for this statement. But if it’s not for the west then why is it in English?

For internal testing, before they hand it over to localization people maybe?

Also, haha! Somebody’s losing their Beta access over this, I’ll bet!

Maybe. Well lets hope that after these comments here they will also never get the idea to put it in a version for the west.

Beta access? It’s programmers that put that in. They most likely did not do anything wrong.

I mean that whoever mined this was in the new WvW map beta, not pulling it from live files. Or did I get the wrong impression there?

It was somebody with access to the WvW beta yes but I don’t even think data mining is not allowed so why would he lose his key over it.

Pretty sure this qualifies as breaking the NDA if one was required.

If I remember correctly (sorry for not reading all the small letters) there was no NDA. I did not pay much attention because I did not plan on making anything public anyway.

Then at worst they just ruffled Anet’s feathers quite a bit since they actually bothered to address this rather promptly which is a rare thing indeed.

Fungalfoot.7213:

Keiel.7489:

Such audacity! How dare they try to make more money off of their players! They should be giving us free updates and let the people who buy gems get nothing in return! I paid my 50 bux, I should get everything forever!

They should be working on proper expansion packs and then retail those like they did back with Guild Wars. Not everybody is interested in the whole shelling out dosh for gaudy trinkets to separate oneself from the unwashed masses selling point they’ve got going on right now. Some of us are still holding out for fun content. A VIP status don’t really mean all that much in a dead game now does it?

Thankfully they quickly cleared matters up here and this is fairly understandable for the Asian market. Maybe 2014 won’t be so bad after all. We’ll see.

One of the things that was assumed of Anet is that they would not be making expansion packs. Perhaps they will perhaps they won’t. I don’t see a point in it, even if they did they could easily sell it on the gem shop as unlock features. I’m not sure why people are so kitten about it needs to be labeled an “expansion”.
As for seperating people from the unwashed mass, that might be how you look at it, but not everyone. If you looked at any of the VIP feature instead of fixating on the VIP, you might be able to see that people might want the quality of life changes instead.

Pariah.8506:

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

So the host of the party pulls out a gun from under the table and announces he has no intention of using it, whereupon he leaves it on the table and proceeds as normal.

Oh thank you, I feel so much better now.

That’s not a gun.

That’s the host of your Christmas party pulling out the most gut-rotting, breath-wrecking, foul-tasting whiskey you can find off a street corner store and going “let’s do shots and play Monopoly”.

It’s a potentially terrible idea. It’s a potentially very entertaining idea. It’s potential blackmail fodder for years.

It’s not as dire as a gun.

So help me, if there is even a thought of implementing this I will be going full nuclear on this forum getting myself banned and /uninstalling GW2. From there I will spend the rest of my PC game life trashing and bad mouthing GW2 anywhere there is a text box.

Notice the official response did not deny anything, it just said “there is no guarantee”.

#cmonson

MrDmajor.7084:

So help me, if there is even a thought of implementing this I will be going full nuclear on this forum getting myself banned and /uninstalling GW2. From there I will spend the rest of my PC game life trashing and bad mouthing GW2 anywhere there is a text box.

Notice the official response did not deny anything, it just said “there is no guarantee”.

#cmonson

I’m curious, if they deny something which was pulled from their own data files and could definitely be seen to exist in them by good data mining rather than just go “yes, that exists internally, it’s one of several things we try out and see if it works” . . .

Which would you respect more?

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

But this is the standard MMO model in Asia.

Cash shop with either various subscription levels (hourly, #hours per month (with and without stipend), unlimited monthly). That was one reason NCSOFT kept mentioning expansion plans on the horizon for GW2 when none were planned because Korean investors don’t understand the B2P income model without expansions. Cash shop is a given in MMOs today but they doubted the reliability of that as the sole income model for a AAA MMO.

Glad the level heads called it.

Um, I’m seeing a list of things you get in the gem store… that you’d get through the gem store. Including some achievement points, since that already happens with minis.

Only new thing I noticed is ‘port to friend’ and I’d expect that to be available as a gem store item too.

So they’re tinkering with a new scheme for bundling stuff they already sell. Not exactly cause for panic.

Devata.6589:

Behellagh.1468:

Judge Banks.9018:

Zlociutki.9165:

NEXON s…t.

Well at least someone knows who actually calls the shots on everything these days.

Honestly I’ll keep posting this image until that ridiculous rumors like that are dead and buried.

What rumors? That Nexon acquired a 15% interest in NCSoft?http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/Meleagar/112012/24237_NCSoft-Sold-Arenanet-and-GW2-Out-For-Nexon-Investment
According to that pretty reliable site thats a fact, not a rumor.

But saying Nexon is pulling NCSOFT’s strings is. And again, NCSOFT didn’t see any of that money. None of it. NCSOFT didn’t sell a slice of the company to Nexon, Nexon simply bought 15% of the outstanding, preexisting shares.

Blade and Soul has the same system also called VIP with levels so I already assumed this was for China

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thanks Martin, keep up the good work.

darkace.8925:

If you think the game’s end game being tied directly to the cash shop isn’t a bad thing then perhaps you should take a look in the mirror and ask yourself “why doesn’t that bother me?”

I hate to have to be the one to inform you, but the cosmetic endgame died a long time ago. ANet is now exploring alternative forms of progression, including shallow vertical progression (Ascended and infusions) and perhaps skill-based horizontal progression (a few heal skills so far). Cosmetic progression has proven to be too resource-intensive to be the sole form of progression offered. I suggest you focus your analysis more on what’s actually happening than on something that is passe.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

Thank you for the prompt response! I assumed it was an April Fools joke because it seemed a little out there, but I’m glad to hear it’s not being tested for over here.

Barsimoprimo.2759:

that fact that you have the audacity to consider it for any territory is disturbing, to say the least.

Not every gaming territory regards the same things as desirable, acceptable, or fair. It’s one of the reasons many games have different models overseas.

Martin Kerstein.3071:

We just wanted to respond to the image that has been data-mined from the Edge of the Mists testing branch.

This is a testing branch. We conduct internal experiments for various territories on our testing branches. This particular experiment is not being tested for the West.

As always, keep in mind that we test a lot more than we ship, so data-mining is no guarantee of anything. If we have announcements to make about future content, we’ll make them through the usual official channels.

So one can assume this is a test for the Asia region.

My fears have been relieved slightly, though a straight out statement like “No VIP or subscription plans” would make feel much better.

A lot of people have a very negative view of the engine ANET and NCSoft use to keep making money. Being a buy to play game is very appealing to the end user, but does not provide for long term profits. No profits means no game. No revenue means no development.

People complain about the gem store, but the money coming in keeps the game alive by paying for all the expenses that are involved in keeping a mmo online.

Aedelric.1287:

So one can assume this is a test for the Asia region.

My fears have been relieved slightly, though a straight out statement like “No VIP or subscription plans” would make feel much better.

So you don’t buy it if you don’t like it.

Why does it matter to you if someone else does?

I don’t get that thinking at all.

Devata.6589:

Elthurien.8356:

lol @ all the chicken littles in this thread.

I looked at the pictures on reddit and I just thought, “That really doesn’t seem worth it to me”

If this game was buy to play I would expect all content available at launch until the next expansion with the exception of transfers, storage, character slots, boosters, which would be available in the MTX store, then I would buy the next expansion for additional content.

If this game were Free to play, I would expect all base launch content available at launch with everything else to be purchased from the MTX store, including new skins, vanity items, transfers, boosters, character slots, storage etc etc.

If this game were subscription model It would include launch content and all future content available at subscription price, this would mean makeover kits, transmutation crystals, character slots, bag space, bank space, skins the whole darn lot would be available for your subscription price. If an expansion ensued, it would be at the cost of an expansion, not a full game. I would not pay a subscription for anything less personally.

This game seems to be trying to blend the top two models together in an attempt to get more out their business model, and then offer gimmicky VIP’s for additional money. Whoever is running the show is going down a very slippery slope if the OP is legit.

I totally agree on your 3 options.. Well maybe boosters should also not go into a B2P model but I can live with transfers / extra char slots and name changer but that’s really it.

I did go for and had much hope for GW2 thinking it would go the B2P way as you describe it and much like they did mainly in GW1.

Sadly it now indeed looks more like the second (F2P) one with the difference that you do need to buy the game first.

In comparison, I can play Neverwinter for free and still not feel forced into the MTX store as much as I do in GW2. I agree with the Nexon theories tbh