I’m sorry about a lengthy post, but i feel i should put my experience in the game into some perspective.
OK, so i’ve been playing Guildwars fairly regularly since beta, minus a 6 month break on account of being tired of running to the tune of “new releases” rushing for achievements, but little to no lasting content, and actually not enjoying the game as much. Many of my friends left precisely for lack of permanent content and feeling that many of the original promises (such as more hearts and permanent dynamic events) were unfulfilled.
I came back after hearing about the wardrobe (which was one of my personal gripes, having to unlock dyes in all characters), and decided to stay after hearing about the new story journal, which was basically addressing my main problem with the LS (which was lack of permanent content, and having to rush to finish the content in the 2 weeks that it was present, giving me less time to enjoy doing all else). And i really kept playing because i wanted to finish the Spinal blades (even without having played the siege of Lions Arch – i’m at the tempered stage now – only the infused and coloring needed
), and i was having a ton of fun with the new Meta Events and the living story.
When we got to the end of Season 2, i was of course, like everyone here overhyped about that last cut-scene with the HoT logo. I am still really hyped about the expansion and can’t wait to get my hands on that hammer engineer.
But there’s something that’s been nagging me:
After hearing the name, and the theme, and seeing it would apparently continue the Story from where we left it at season two, i always argued i didn’t think it would be a payed expansion, because it would be a bit out of character for Anet to force people to PAY to see the cliffhanger resolved. I mean that’s what we’re talking about. The LS is totally unfinished, and now they’re seemingly telling us “buy the DLC to finish the story”.
Now don’t get me wrong, i pre-bought 2 copies of Digital Deluxe and a third normal one for a friend, i have no issue with a buy-once expansion. But i assumed that paid expansion (like GW1’s) would follow a parallel story not continue the current unfinished one, which seems to be the case.
TLDR/Conclusion:
So basically my question (which would be awesome if it answered before release) is:
What happens to those that can’t afford the expansion, or don’t want to buy it? Do they get totally stuck? Is the story still progressing for them? Will the map be barred off for people without the expansion? How will the content be handled? Who gets what as far as the new content between those that buy and those that don’t buy the expansion?
(Obviously i don’t expect this to be answered any time soon, but its the one thing that’s been nagging me since learning about the expansion).