Guild Wars 2

Here’ something that everyone should take into consideration when they are trying to determine the size of HoT in terms of the maps. Remember that each map consists of 3 biomes, the canopy, floor and under the roots. In order to properly compare the size of the expansion vs existing content it is necessary to take those 3 biomes per map and lay them flat on the surface of Tyria next to each other. By stacking the 3 biomes you are effectively getting 3 times the amount of space in one HoT zone vs a core zone. So you really need to multiply the mass of the HoT map by 3 to determine the equivalent core map mass. Argue against this all you want, but it’s a simple fact that when you go vertical and have levels instead of one giant flat surface the actual field of passable terrain is triple a flat map…and if you want to have a current core zone that reflects this…go look at The Grove.

So it’s 3 biomes per zone, but how many zones?

Only if you assume that all three levels use the full space, it’s likely that there is a lot of empty space at the canopy level, otherwise there is nowhere to glide through. Plus the vertical elements need to be logically supported by ground based structures, like large trees and mountains that will carve chunks out of the lower regions, and based on the Beta footage I’ve seen be used to funnel the players into quite linear narrow paths. Your logic is flawed, but even with the triple dipping, there would have to be a LOT of maps to justify the $50 price tag.

The standard for MMO expansion size is set by WoW. Face it, all MMO standards are set by WoW. Blizzard adds somewhere between 8 and 11 zones. Generally, these are large zones with a lot to do. If the OP’s contention is true, it would take 3 very large zones with three biomes to get in the ballpark. Which leaves the question as to how large the HoT zone(s) is/are? Also, as Rat says, how much space in each biome is lost to open space or BKTT’s (big kitten tree trunks)?

The only bases for me to make an estimate are: comments by beta participants; and past performance. Both DT and SW were small to low-medium-sized at best. I’ve seen beta participant comments questioning how little content there was. I’ve seen no beta participant comments about how much there was to do.

Then, there’s the issue of how much is there to do? SW is one complicated repetitive event with a few random events thrown in. How much of that kind of play does HoT contain? How much diversity of content is there?

My take so far? ANet has not given me enough information to make an informed decision and I will not make other kind of decision. Their “close to the vest” information release policy is, at least in my case, hindering their marketing.