Guild Wars 2

I think that the most exciting factor for many players at GW2’s release was the feeling of exploring a big unknown land, which resulted in us trying to find all of the little things, do all the DE’s, and simply having fun admiring the atmosphere. To top it off, the game rewards players for exploring the entire map.

But now, many players have already discovered (or satiated their want of) everything there is to know about each of the maps; it is here that I think that the initial boredom starts, and only leads to further dissatisfied attitudes so long as it continues.

I believe that exploration in itself is the greatest joy in an RPG. Though GW2 has a large map that I have since completed, I have found subsequent tries to be, well, less enjoyable since I already know what there is to know. Others in my guild agree that unless they want more than 2 Gifts of Exploration, they see little reason to complete the lower level maps more than once (and only complete higher level maps for the rewards).

Many people find joy in learning and knowledge. New content in old areas is acceptable, but it often causes players to focus solely on the New stuff and forgo revisiting the old environment that they once found so outstanding. Because of this, some tend to think “Oh, this place again” instead of looking forward to the new content. With this in mind, this “new” content has a consequence of feeling “old” because it takes place in a setting they are already familiar with. There is less to be learned, and things stagnate quickly.

So what am I getting at? I think that what we need are New Areas and maps to explore in PvE, as opposed to revisiting older areas. Introducing a new area, more often than not, rekindles that want for knowledge and results in more exploration since it gives the feeling of starting on a fresh slate. The addition of Southsun Cove, and the temporary SAB and Zephyr Sanctum were probably the better efforts to satisfy the need of exploration (for map completionists) because the time it took to explore them was worth well more knowledge-wise than Scarlet’s invasions or the Dragon Bash holograms . IMO, players actually enjoy not knowing where to go as it opens possibility rather than being streamlined.

While I would love more zones to explore, the masses have sung and ANet is marching to the tune.

They really don’t want to add new/more maps yet and I really don’t blame them. Why bother when we have 25 maps so far (not counting southsun or any of the cities) and yet only a few of them are ever populated buy probably more than a few people at a time?

No what they need to do is add more reasons to keep on playing in current maps, continue to make the core of the game stable and THEN they will look into new maps/adventures.

If you totally explore a map (and yes I mean explore it fully not just get 100% in it) you can see how much work was put into just 1 map. If I was one of the designers I would really be disappointed right now just knowing how few people ever play in them beyond that first exploration/map complete.

I would love new areas but, the one thing I really need right now is a reasonable way to earns gobs of karma. The wvw karma train isn’t cutting it.

What you don’t like your time fed grind gear? whats wrong with you…

that’s alright i don’t either..

New lands would take effort, shiny gear does not..