Guild Wars 2

So, Last year we had 20 living story updates out of the 26 bi-weekly time slots, which is brilliant for getting content pretty much guaranteed every two weeks! This year however, we have had 7 updates and we already know that we wont be getting any until november, not to mention the overall content has fallen dramatically with this years updates aswell. All I would like to know is why? Why have they halved the amount of content by masking it behind “breaks”? Are they working on an expansion? What would the reasoning behind this decision be? It’s extremely aggravating and has pushed me away from the game in the past few weeks.

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

That means now they have 4 – 5 times less time to work on each release which they have to make up for by these breaks.

Reason for bundling more instances into 1 is I image to respond to player feedback that stated season 1 pacing was too slow.

as for less content, expansion is a possibility. It would indeed make sense that they hold back dungeons, fractals, mini games and such so they can be included in the expansion I guess. But thats just speculation, in truth we dont know.

Galen Grey.4709:

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

Hmm, I can see what you mean but when you compare the total amount of content, such as super adventure box which was MASSIVE and the twisted marionette AND the jungle wurm, each with their own story instances aswell, it just seems like half the effort. I agree that the story instances are much longer then they used to be but they’re drawn out with lots of combat and that doesnt take long to program since it’s already in the game.

SAB would have been a perfect drop right about now, even if maybe they didnt have time to add to it, not sure why they didnt release it to fill a bit the break. So Dont know what to tell you there.

Stuff like the marionette is tricky to implement in the new living story format unfortunately. because now stories are instanced its kinda hard I guess for them to do world even type of content for the living story anymore. I might be wrong, I hope I am wrong but I think thats the reason.
Stuff like Jungle wurm, dungeons, fractal, guild missions etc.. might be due to an expansion perhaps who knows. The teams that do that stuff arent the same ones that do LS so I dont see why they couldnt put out a new world boss and such between LS releases. It could also be that Anet arent considering the break as a break perse and in a certain sense it isnt. because 3 weeks after ls stopped we had feature pack and 1 week after that we have the WvW tournament then we got halloween and then LS continues. so if they decided they do not want to fill WvW tournament time slot perhaps as to not to upset participation they might not yet have had the chance to drop content thats outside the living story paradigm yet.

Yes and No, sure combat is always used to draw up content but in Gw2 its not that straight forward since you have npcs interacting with one another, fighting one another, pathfinding to different points, get back on track after deviating from the path due to combat, cut scenes in between fights etc… In Gw2 bet these things take a lot of work to do but I dont know to what point they have automated most of this stuff. However in anycase keep in mind that for season 2, it wasnt just the story and the action. Every single instance happened in a new area or an old area that has been remodeled so there was also that workflow they had to go through.

MAUS HOUS.8047:

Galen Grey.4709:

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

Hmm, I can see what you mean but when you compare the total amount of content, such as super adventure box which was MASSIVE and the twisted marionette AND the jungle wurm, each with their own story instances aswell, it just seems like half the effort. I agree that the story instances are much longer then they used to be but they’re drawn out with lots of combat and that doesnt take long to program since it’s already in the game.

You can’t really ignore Dry Top though. We’re not just getting five story chapters. We’re getting five story chapters with new rewards, new mobs with new mechanics, new events, a new area that’s growing before our eyes.

It’s easy to look at the old living story and say that it was bigger, but I’m not sure that was the case. Probably the biggest one would have been the Lion’s Arch changes.

Edit: The Nightmare Tower is a good example. It was six weeks, until we get into it. It wasn’t the Nightmare Tower every two weeks. First we learned about it. Then for two weeks we had to gather spores and do spore events, so we had three new bosses in Kessex and a new 10 minute scene for those two weeks. Then we get into the Nightmare Tower. Then we have a new instance afterwards, and a long break for that time. You may think the Nightmare Tower was a big update…and it was. It was huge. But it was still a couple of months where that was the only LS content.

I think the difference is in the number of features released.

In the first LS season we had NEW features. Fractals, ascended gear, guild missions, dungeons, WvW ranks, new PvP maps, etc.

This year we have had no new features, just backend changes. These changes still took a lot of work, but they really provide nothing to show for all the work in the end content wise.

I think this is where the perceived difference really comes in.

Galen Grey.4709:

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

That means now they have 4 – 5 times less time to work on each release which they have to make up for by these breaks.

Reason for bundling more instances into 1 is I image to respond to player feedback that stated season 1 pacing was too slow.

as for less content, expansion is a possibility. It would indeed make sense that they hold back dungeons, fractals, mini games and such so they can be included in the expansion I guess. But thats just speculation, in truth we dont know.

Have to agree, it didn’t feel like logging in and finishing after 20 minutes this year, LS2 is definitely longer, had more reward capabilities than the previous LS. I personally like that and the ability to unlock it.

Galen Grey.4709:

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

Instances were not the focus on LS1 .. most were different tasks somewhere in the
open world .. and those mostly gave me stuff to do for 2-5 days or more .. while now
i play the story one evening and i’m done .. and i’m absolutely not interested to
play any of them a second time since mostly they are like
-kill 50 waves of mobs that all give no loot
-kill 3 overpowered mobs and if you still live there are even more
-kill Boss that takes longer to kill than a dungeon run.

ZudetGambeous.9573:

I think the difference is in the number of features released.

In the first LS season we had NEW features. Fractals, ascended gear, guild missions, dungeons, WvW ranks, new PvP maps, etc.

This year we have had no new features, just backend changes. These changes still took a lot of work, but they really provide nothing to show for all the work in the end content wise.

I think this is where the perceived difference really comes in.

I dare say that a new map is a new feature. Collecting is a new feature. Looks like we’re going to have more zone in the next patch. This year so far is three months into the story.

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

Some of us prefer zones to dungeons.

Will there be other different changes coming? It’s too early to tell.

Vayne.8563:

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

My problem with that is, that they already said we had now one half of LS2, so all we
can expect for the next half year is maybe 4 more episodes .. and another loooong
break until feature pack next april / may .. and then break until LS3 in June / july 2014.

Beldin.5498:

Vayne.8563:

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

My problem with that is, that they already said we had now one half of LS2, so all we
can expect for the next half year is maybe 4 more episodes .. and another loooong
break until feature pack next april / may .. and then break until LS3 in June / july 2014.

Did they actually say we have one half of Season 2, though. Or are they just calling this a mid-season break?

Vayne.8563:

Did they actually say we have one half of Season 2, though. Or are they just calling this a mid-season break?

I think i read something like that .. however maybe i missunderstood it since english is not my first language .. maybe they said something like “midseason-break” and thats
just what we her call “Sommerpause” .. while i thougt its middle of the LS season.

Beldin.5498:

Galen Grey.4709:

because episodes this year are 4x-5x as long as last year.

Each living story update last year consisted of a single 30 min or so story instance. this year there are 4 – 5 such instance every single release.

Instances were not the focus on LS1 .. most were different tasks somewhere in the
open world .. and those mostly gave me stuff to do for 2-5 days or more .. while now
i play the story one evening and i’m done .. and i’m absolutely not interested to
play any of them a second time since mostly they are like
-kill 50 waves of mobs that all give no loot
-kill 3 overpowered mobs and if you still live there are even more
-kill Boss that takes longer to kill than a dungeon run.

story wise it was.
creagstead, the hatchery and the molten alliance lab dungeon
the canach instance and the elen kiel one closing up the secrets of south sun
the effigy lighting ceremony etc.. lots of open world content but a lot of story happened in instances.

Vayne.8563:

ZudetGambeous.9573:

I think the difference is in the number of features released.

In the first LS season we had NEW features. Fractals, ascended gear, guild missions, dungeons, WvW ranks, new PvP maps, etc.

This year we have had no new features, just backend changes. These changes still took a lot of work, but they really provide nothing to show for all the work in the end content wise.

I think this is where the perceived difference really comes in.

I dare say that a new map is a new feature. Collecting is a new feature. Looks like we’re going to have more zone in the next patch. This year so far is three months into the story.

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

Some of us prefer zones to dungeons.

Will there be other different changes coming? It’s too early to tell.

Well if we count dry top then we also have to count southsun which is much bigger, though has less content wise.

Collections are interesting, but I think they end up being too much like the already existing achievement system to really set them apart. I mean we’ve had achievements that require us to do things around the world and give us reward boxes in return since last year, they just added more achievements for mostly things that were already in the game with some new rewards. Nice addition, but as far as “new” goes I find it lacking.

If this next new zone is well done and an actual full zone then I think this year will be better off, and we should still have one more feature patch that supposedly is focused on veteran players which could be a huge boon to the game if they actually give us what we want.

Beldin.5498:

Vayne.8563:

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

My problem with that is, that they already said we had now one half of LS2, so all we
can expect for the next half year is maybe 4 more episodes .. and another loooong
break until feature pack next april / may .. and then break until LS3 in June / july 2014.

assuming they have absolutely nothing else planned which well we dont know yet.

Assuming also that Season 2 was split into 2 parts, maybe it will have more.
And assuming S3 would start in july and not before.

Lots of assumption there.

About the map
The map is great, it has great mechanics and rewards and is certainly one of the better maps in the game period.
I can`t really include it as part in the LS somehow, since it feels just as a reason to introduce us to the whole thing in little digestible chunks, to milk the whole thing and keep it relevant (which is not bad, i like it, however the LS feels weeker thanks to that)

Season 1 vs. Season 2
Season 1 was straight forward and was able to get a proper pacing over it`s existence (a shocking realisations, as the beginings were certainly hailed as too slow).
It managed to create a mystery, even though the payoff was debatable, though I am tending to disapointing, as there was too much hype and forced mystery involved.

Season 2 has a great start so far, however after the first episode the quality is quickly going down.
Each single segment is solid, however the overall picture so far is too fast paced, to the point that supposed mysteries or story steps feel ignored or just brushed over, just to get to the next epic moment and to tick of some thing on the checklist.

Overall Season 1 so far was better paced, as each update had enough content and was still feeling complete. A feeling i do not have with Season 2 after episode 1, as it more then often feels like they just make a cut somwhere, instead of finishing a story.
They also try to juggle too many things at once, while trying to keep all of them significant, even though most of them could run in the background.

Rewards
Season 1 had several unique rewards per double release. Be it a mini/backpack/skin/etc. or a combination of them.
There were also several AP and sometimes other goodies in combination.

Season 2 however, just in terms of the LS offers 1 new backpack, which we have to craft ourself via a scavanger hunt.

While the Season 2 reward is certainly engaging, it is still lacking in quantity in compairson to Season 1.
In that regard S1 is superior.

All other Rewards of S2 are part of the Dry Top Map rewards (new weapon skins, the consumeables, the kites and the two part headpiece) and are something that should be rated seperatly.

We cannot say that Episode 2 brought us the amberite weapons, while it`s patch just gave us access to it.
It is something to make the patch more meaningful, but is not part of the LS, since these rewards do not tie in with it.

Galen Grey.4709:

Beldin.5498:

Vayne.8563:

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

My problem with that is, that they already said we had now one half of LS2, so all we
can expect for the next half year is maybe 4 more episodes .. and another loooong
break until feature pack next april / may .. and then break until LS3 in June / july 2014.

assuming they have absolutely nothing else planned which well we dont know yet.

Assuming also that Season 2 was split into 2 parts, maybe it will have more.
And assuming S3 would start in july and not before.

Lots of assumption there.

I might be imagining this but I seem to remember someone saying they want shorter seasons, without as much break.

Not sure who said it though, or where.

Vayne.8563:

Galen Grey.4709:

Beldin.5498:

Vayne.8563:

I think you should look at where we were three months into the last living story and compare. We did have a dungeon, but now we have a zone.

My problem with that is, that they already said we had now one half of LS2, so all we
can expect for the next half year is maybe 4 more episodes .. and another loooong
break until feature pack next april / may .. and then break until LS3 in June / july 2014.

assuming they have absolutely nothing else planned which well we dont know yet.

Assuming also that Season 2 was split into 2 parts, maybe it will have more.
And assuming S3 would start in july and not before.

Lots of assumption there.

I might be imagining this but I seem to remember someone saying they want shorter seasons, without as much break.

Not sure who said it though, or where.

well its more condensed, with over 4x the pace of season 1 I am sure it will be shorter.

This living story doesn’t seem to have the same impact as last year. Probably because its only impacting on dry top which I don’t visit anymore. I loved toxic alliance. The whole thing was fantastic right up to the gas mask that I worked my balls off for.

Vayne.8563:

Did they actually say we have one half of Season 2, though. Or are they just calling this a mid-season break?

“mid” meaning middle, meaning between two halves =)

though halves are not always equal.

Living Story Season 2 has some incremental upgrades compared to SE1, however still up to this day I fail to see how Living Story alone can replace Expansion pack.
If SE1 and SE2 was bundled together and sold, I’d call it a 10$ DLC, it’s far from Expansion pack.

Tringsh.2380:

This living story doesn’t seem to have the same impact as last year. Probably because its only impacting on dry top which I don’t visit anymore. I loved toxic alliance. The whole thing was fantastic right up to the gas mask that I worked my balls off for.

Also a good point .. it simply doesn’t feel like living world anymore. These instances
for me are more or less like a parallel universe. But at least they destroyed the most
important waypoint in Timberline .. and that for at least 3 months ..so i don’t totally
forget that there is something ..