Guild Wars 2

When can we expect a new race? In a standalone expansion, or are you being sneaksies? I hope you are being sneaksies and plan on a new race! cough Tengu.

They did not say this is a stand alone game, they said it is an expansion that the current toons can access if they are level 80.
Sorry.

I know, but if not a sneaky put in in this expansion, when will we see that new race?

Wilwynd.5798:

I know, but if not a sneaky put in in this expansion, when will we see that new race?

There is NO new race for this expansion.

Naus the Gobbo.5172:

Wilwynd.5798:

I know, but if not a sneaky put in in this expansion, when will we see that new race?

There is NO new race for this expansion.

Just going to point this out. But we actually don’t know if there will or will not be a new race added in this expansion. Where as the trailer pointed at “New Civilizations” and “New Group Content”. But neither were touched upon within the information Colin handed us. So it is best to keep an open mind rather than to just write no explanation off as “it’s not happening”. In fact the “New Civilization” the trailer referred to could very well be a new playable race. Or maybe just a minor race. Just a little food for thought.

If we could expect a race, they would have been mentioned. ArenaNet would not be hiding such a desirable feature when trying to stir up interest.

In other words: No.

Vyriis.6258:

Naus the Gobbo.5172:

Wilwynd.5798:

I know, but if not a sneaky put in in this expansion, when will we see that new race?

There is NO new race for this expansion.

Just going to point this out. But we actually don’t know if there will or will not be a new race added in this expansion. Where as the trailer pointed at “New Civilizations” and “New Group Content”. But neither were touched upon within the information Colin handed us. So it is best to keep an open mind rather than to just write no explanation off as “it’s not happening”. In fact the “New Civilization” the trailer referred to could very well be a new playable race. Or maybe just a minor race. Just a little food for thought.

They’ve also said that they’ve put all the major features that they plan to put in HoT on the page on this website, that page mentions the new class, new maps and so on but does not mention a new race.

I think that we can agree that a new race would be a major feature so it’s safe to say that there won’t be a new race.

Pifil.5193:

Vyriis.6258:

Naus the Gobbo.5172:

Wilwynd.5798:

I know, but if not a sneaky put in in this expansion, when will we see that new race?

There is NO new race for this expansion.

Just going to point this out. But we actually don’t know if there will or will not be a new race added in this expansion. Where as the trailer pointed at “New Civilizations” and “New Group Content”. But neither were touched upon within the information Colin handed us. So it is best to keep an open mind rather than to just write no explanation off as “it’s not happening”. In fact the “New Civilization” the trailer referred to could very well be a new playable race. Or maybe just a minor race. Just a little food for thought.

They’ve also said that they’ve put all the major features that they plan to put in HoT on the page on this website, that page mentions the new class, new maps and so on but does not mention a new race.

I think that we can agree that a new race would be a major feature so it’s safe to say that there won’t be a new race.

Guess what else isn’t mentioned on the site that we clearly see in the trailer. New allies, the Mursaat. They may say they are going to divulge all the major information on their site. But not everything they think is major is the same that we think is major. Also. This is Anet we are talking about. It’s a well known fact that they like to tease the information. So, again, to write anything off as of right now isn’t the best idea.

Vyriis.6258:

Guess what else isn’t mentioned on the site that we clearly see in the trailer. New allies, the Mursaat. They may say they are going to divulge all the major information on their site. But not everything they think is major is the same that we think is major. Also. This is Anet we are talking about. It’s a well known fact that they like to tease the information. So, again, to write anything off as of right now isn’t the best idea.

Umm… it is mentioned on the page, under The Heart of Maguuma “discover allies from ancient civilizations, and battle new enemies.”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/en/

Edit: Also look at this

https://help.guildwars2.com/home

Q: When is the next big feature reveal for what’s coming in this expansion?

A: We wanted to reveal Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns when we were ready to talk about every major feature we’re planning. That’s why right now, every major feature planned for Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns is there for you to check out at http://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com. That said, there are so many details left to uncover and share with you, to show you, and to eventually let you play as we take you on the journey from now through launch.

Pifil.5193:

Vyriis.6258:

Guess what else isn’t mentioned on the site that we clearly see in the trailer. New allies, the Mursaat. They may say they are going to divulge all the major information on their site. But not everything they think is major is the same that we think is major. Also. This is Anet we are talking about. It’s a well known fact that they like to tease the information. So, again, to write anything off as of right now isn’t the best idea.

Umm… it is mentioned on the page, under The Heart of Maguuma “discover allies from ancient civilizations, and battle new enemies.”

https://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com/en/

My bad. I overlooked that. But my statement still stands. Writing off anything at this point is not something that should be done. Just because they haven’t said anything about releasing a new race does not mean it’s not going to happen. In regards to the Tengu specifically. Considering Mordremoth is attacking everywhere in Tyria, almost everywhere, we can assume it is also attacking within the Dominion of Winds. So to say that the Tengu will not join us is more so just saying “I don’t want them so they shouldn’t join us.”

Pifil.5193:

Q: When is the next big feature reveal for what’s coming in this expansion?
A: We wanted to reveal Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns when we were ready to talk about every major feature we’re planning. That’s why right now, every major feature planned for Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns is there for you to check out at http://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com. That said, there are so many details left to uncover and share with you, to show you, and to eventually let you play as we take you on the journey from now through launch.

“So many details left to uncover….” Indeed. Again. Who’s to say they did give us everything. They say they do but Anet does like to tease. A new playable race could very well be one of those “details to uncover” they are referring to. Just saying. I am remaining hopeful for another playable race, as Sylvari are the only ones I care about right now and I really don’t feel like making my Revenant a Sylvari as well. They are sort of shimmying Revenant in here as a new class. Why not try to Jimmy Rig a new race in here as well. Even though making Tengu playable right now would make WAY more sense than Revenant being a playable class. Just saying.

You go right on fantasizing. But no one paying attention to what ArenaNet is actually saying thinks its coming as part of HoT.

OP allow me to ruin your day. NO new race.

http://www.shacknews.com/article/87848/guild-wars-2-director-discusses-heart-of-thorns-revenants-guild-halls-and-more

Shacknews: You’ve added a new profession, however you did hold off on adding a new race. What led to this decision?
Johanson: For this one, we looked at what we would get out of adding a new race and what benefit it actually brings to the players from a gameplay standpoint. It’s very limited in Guild Wars 2. A new race adds a racial skill or two and a little bit of story, but it doesn’t give that much meaningful gameplay in the grand scheme of things. The race is more context for the early story that you experience. So we wanted to focus things that would provide a lot more gameplay and address parts of Guild Wars 2 that we felt like we really wanted to be able to make a better experience and grow. So right now, we didn’t feel that a new race was a key need for the game, whereas the other things that we’re adding really provide fundamental building blocks for the future.

This must hurt.

The baseless race hype is so tremendously painful to watch.

There is no new race. Stop asking for one when everyone already realizes Anet will not add one unless the story direction within the game leads to it.

I also explained this in another thread already.

None of the other races that are currently in GW2 actually have enough lore-friendly basis to even become a new playable race.

Kodan, Quaggan, Hylek, Skritt, Centaur, and other tribal style races do not have a completely unified society. They are all spread out across multiple clans or tribes or settlements all with their own leadership that does not answer to one single monarch or governing body.

Tengu -are- unified but they keep to themselves. They are described as being isolationists and are said to have unknown knowledge of the Elder Dragons yet -still- they do not come out and give the support of their race to the others of Tyria. They even shot hails of arrows at any, -any-, who approached their gates while Lion’s Arch was being obliterated by Scarlet.

TLDR; Tengu don’t give a kitten. I don’t see us getting to play them any time soon. If ever.

And yes, while Anet sometimes likes to keep details close to the chest they would have definitely announced it, really loudly, if there was going to be a new race. They like their hype trains, don’t ever discount that fact about them.

Vyriis.6258:

Pifil.5193:

Q: When is the next big feature reveal for what’s coming in this expansion?
A: We wanted to reveal Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns when we were ready to talk about every major feature we’re planning. That’s why right now, every major feature planned for Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns is there for you to check out at http://heartofthorns.guildwars2.com. That said, there are so many details left to uncover and share with you, to show you, and to eventually let you play as we take you on the journey from now through launch.

“So many details left to uncover….” Indeed. Again. Who’s to say they did give us everything. They say they do but Anet does like to tease. A new playable race could very well be one of those “details to uncover” they are referring to. Just saying. I am remaining hopeful for another playable race, as Sylvari are the only ones I care about right now and I really don’t feel like making my Revenant a Sylvari as well. They are sort of shimmying Revenant in here as a new class. Why not try to Jimmy Rig a new race in here as well. Even though making Tengu playable right now would make WAY more sense than Revenant being a playable class. Just saying.

http://www.shacknews.com/article/87848/guild-wars-2-director-discusses-heart-of-thorns-revenants-guild-halls-and-more

An excerpt from the interview on Shacknews.

Shacknews: You’ve added a new profession, however you did hold off on adding a new race. What led to this decision?

Johanson: … “So right now, we didn’t feel that a new race was a key need for the game, whereas the other things that we’re adding really provide fundamental building blocks for the future.”

Sorry, Vyriis, I’m not trying to be a spoil-sport. I’d love a new race too but I think that they’re being very clear here in order to manage expectations and avoid confusion and I think that’s a great idea. It’ll mean fewer angry posts later on.

Kinda good he said that! I’d never accept Mursaat as one of my own friends, allies, or equals.

Yeah, based on the Shacknews interview, we can expect no new races with HoT. Still doesn’t rule them out down the line though. Now that we’ve got our “3 professions of each armor class” ratio, further development will most likely be with new Specialisations and new races.

Pifil.5193:

http://www.shacknews.com/article/87848/guild-wars-2-director-discusses-heart-of-thorns-revenants-guild-halls-and-more

An excerpt from the interview on Shacknews.

Shacknews: You’ve added a new profession, however you did hold off on adding a new race. What led to this decision?

Johanson: … “So right now, we didn’t feel that a new race was a key need for the game, whereas the other things that we’re adding really provide fundamental building blocks for the future.”

Sorry, Vyriis, I’m not trying to be a spoil-sport. I’d love a new race too but I think that they’re being very clear here in order to manage expectations and avoid confusion and I think that’s a great idea. It’ll mean fewer angry posts later on.

Well that’s a bummer. At least Anet put it out there, though. Thanks for the link, hadn’t seen that article.

From Colin’s own mouth…

“For this one, we looked at what we would get out of adding a new race and what benefit it actually brings to the players from a gameplay standpoint. It’s very limited in Guild Wars 2. A new race adds a racial skill or two and a little bit of story, but it doesn’t give that much meaningful gameplay in the grand scheme of things. The race is more context for the early story that you experience. So we wanted to focus things that would provide a lot more gameplay and address parts of Guild Wars 2 that we felt like we really wanted to be able to make a better experience and grow. So right now, we didn’t feel that a new race was a key need for the game, whereas the other things that we’re adding really provide fundamental building blocks for the future.”

Honestly, after reading that, I’m rather certain we’ll never get a new race. It’s a costly endeavor to add a new race. From writing them into the personal story to paying to have them voiced to ensuring every existing weapon and armor fits their frame during attack animations, that’s a lot of money and man hours for something that ultimately has relatively little impact on the game. As a guy who’s had an empty character slot reserved for a tengu thief since shortly after launch, I now have zero expectations I’ll ever get to make one.

I actually can’t agree that it’s not possible. Yes, one of the best choices for a new playable race would be the Tengu. They have knowledge of the Elder Dragons, and they are a unified race which happen to be secretive. What I see though is that there is an area on the map that between Caledon Forest and Lions Arch that is blocked off where it seems the Tengu may reside. To me it seems very possible that Anet may add this race as playable in the future but for right now and HoT coming out, it’s not going to be now. And yes, there is quite a bit of work to introduce a new race but it’s doable.

A new race would of been nice but it would be an enormous amount of work. This isn’t like WoW where the armour skins are horrible and are basically low polygon pieces. Even to make the new race fit all the current armour pieces would be such a massive undertaking.

I don’t think people really understand how much work goes into creating new content like a playable race. New zone, New voice acting, New character customisation, refitting armour (and New cultural armour), New living story, New lore, New animations for each class and all their abilities…

From a lore perspective I don’t see the Tengu giving up their isolationist ideals very easily. Yes they are unified and yes they have knowledge of the Elder Dragons but it isn’t that they are just ‘secretive’ they also just don’t give a kitten about anyone else other than themselves.

Their society as a whole is not going to suddenly change it’s ways when they have essentially been hostile or ‘removed’ from the rest of the factions for hundreds of years.

darkace.8925:

From Colin’s own mouth…

“For this one, we looked at what we would get out of adding a new race and what benefit it actually brings to the players from a gameplay standpoint. It’s very limited in Guild Wars 2. A new race adds a racial skill or two and a little bit of story, but it doesn’t give that much meaningful gameplay in the grand scheme of things. The race is more context for the early story that you experience. So we wanted to focus things that would provide a lot more gameplay and address parts of Guild Wars 2 that we felt like we really wanted to be able to make a better experience and grow. So right now, we didn’t feel that a new race was a key need for the game, whereas the other things that we’re adding really provide fundamental building blocks for the future.”

Honestly, after reading that, I’m rather certain we’ll never get a new race. It’s a costly endeavor to add a new race. From writing them into the personal story to paying to have them voiced to ensuring every existing weapon and armor fits their frame during attack animations, that’s a lot of money and man hours for something that ultimately has relatively little impact on the game. As a guy who’s had an empty character slot reserved for a tengu thief since shortly after launch, I now have zero expectations I’ll ever get to make one.

I am iffy on it all, it actually seems a little odd for them to say that considering how much they work different skins into the game. Anet has always seemed to understand the visual appeal of new features, a race though not adding much in terms of “gameplay” does add much in the terms of enjoying the content, and it would keep a lot of players coming back.

Personally I think we will have one eventually, but it wont be till they feel like they need to add it.

KryTiKaL.3125:

From a lore perspective I don’t see the Tengu giving up their isolationist ideals very easily. Yes they are unified and yes they have knowledge of the Elder Dragons but it isn’t that they are just ‘secretive’ they also just don’t give a kitten about anyone else other than themselves.

Their society as a whole is not going to suddenly change it’s ways when they have essentially been hostile or ‘removed’ from the rest of the factions for hundreds of years.

Sure, they’re isolationists. They’re walled up behind their great wall, letting the world around them deal with what they consider external problems. But Mordremoth’s vines don’t care about walls. Writing the tengu into the current story is as easy as some vines bursting from the ground to wreck some tengu buildings behind that wall.

Considering the Tengu originally hail (primarily) from Cantha, I expect if and when they become a playable race, it will be with a Cantha-related expansion. Not that I wouldn’t love to see another playable race, but this is how I view it.

I hate centaurs, having killed probably hundreds of them in game. Please give us Tengu before we go to centaurs!

Eilis.6089:

Considering the Tengu originally hail (primarily) from Cantha, I expect if and when they become a playable race, it will be with a Cantha-related expansion. Not that I wouldn’t love to see another playable race, but this is how I view it.

I hate centaurs, having killed probably hundreds of them in game. Please give us Tengu before we go to centaurs!

You must not know the lore well. They didn’t “primarily” come from Cantha. Two tribes came from Cantha, the Angchu and Sensali. However there were three tribes already residing on Tyria, the Avicara, Caromi, and Quetzal. And on top of that the Elder Dragons are a pressing matter for everyone in Tyria. The Tengu have already mentioned being attacked by Primordus within their walls. Who’s to say Mordrem aren’t sprouting up within the wall as well.

This is not to say I’m completely disagreeing with you. But Anet has already stated, due to an issue with NCSoft, that we most likely wont be going back to Cantha. And I’m sure they want the Tengu as much as we do, maybe. So they will find a way to put them in. Just a matter of time and threat. Heck. They may even decide to open up after Mordremoth is dead. We have then killed two Elder Dragons and now the Tengu want us to help in killing Primordus as they can’t go it alone. Something like that, maybe.

It is that easy, sure, but that’s a kitten poor execution for it just cuz a bunch of people want to play a feathered kitten and are groaning about the fact that they built up these expectations for a new race themselves, Anet had -nothing- to do with it aside from one little offhand mention of races over two years ago.

Vyriis.6258:

Eilis.6089:

Considering the Tengu originally hail (primarily) from Cantha, I expect if and when they become a playable race, it will be with a Cantha-related expansion. Not that I wouldn’t love to see another playable race, but this is how I view it.

I hate centaurs, having killed probably hundreds of them in game. Please give us Tengu before we go to centaurs!

You must not know the lore well. They didn’t “primarily” come from Cantha. Two tribes came from Cantha, the Angchu and Sensali. However there were three tribes already residing on Tyria, the Avicara, Caromi, and Quetzal. And on top of that the Elder Dragons are a pressing matter for everyone in Tyria. The Tengu have already mentioned being attacked by Primordus within their walls. Who’s to say Mordrem aren’t sprouting up within the wall as well.

This is not to say I’m completely disagreeing with you. But Anet has already stated, due to an issue with NCSoft, that we most likely wont be going back to Cantha. And I’m sure they want the Tengu as much as we do, maybe. So they will find a way to put them in. Just a matter of time and threat. Heck. They may even decide to open up after Mordremoth is dead. We have then killed two Elder Dragons and now the Tengu want us to help in killing Primordus as they can’t go it alone. Something like that, maybe.

Well I’ll admit in terms of GW 1 and 2 I’m more of a casual gamer, I don’t know all the lore perfectly. So I stand corrected. Sad to hear we may never have Cantha again, I particularly enjoyed the Luxon/Kurzick fight. Though if we get the Tengu at some point and never have Cantha again I might be able to console myself.

Thobek.1730:

A new race would of been nice but it would be an enormous amount of work. This isn’t like WoW where the armour skins are horrible and are basically low polygon pieces. Even to make the new race fit all the current armour pieces would be such a massive undertaking.

I don’t think people really understand how much work goes into creating new content like a playable race. New zone, New voice acting, New character customisation, refitting armour (and New cultural armour), New living story, New lore, New animations for each class and all their abilities…

Yeah, that’s why we’d pay them to do it…

UnrepentantProcrastinator.7420:

Thobek.1730:

A new race would of been nice but it would be an enormous amount of work. This isn’t like WoW where the armour skins are horrible and are basically low polygon pieces. Even to make the new race fit all the current armour pieces would be such a massive undertaking.

I don’t think people really understand how much work goes into creating new content like a playable race. New zone, New voice acting, New character customisation, refitting armour (and New cultural armour), New living story, New lore, New animations for each class and all their abilities…

Yeah, that’s why we’d pay them to do it…

I have to agree. They wouldn’t be putting all that effort out for nothing. We would be paying them to do it.

UnrepentantProcrastinator.7420:

Thobek.1730:

A new race would of been nice but it would be an enormous amount of work. This isn’t like WoW where the armour skins are horrible and are basically low polygon pieces. Even to make the new race fit all the current armour pieces would be such a massive undertaking.

I don’t think people really understand how much work goes into creating new content like a playable race. New zone, New voice acting, New character customisation, refitting armour (and New cultural armour), New living story, New lore, New animations for each class and all their abilities…

Yeah, that’s why we’d pay them to do it…

Yeah, but they chose to listen and to put work on better content. Races add very little replay value even though people equate them to expansions they’re really not that beneficial to a game’s long term success.
Gw1 had one playable race
Lotro: no new races since launch
Two very prominent examples.

Probably already said but its been already confirmed that no new race will be coming in an interview. They may in the future but as stated, something to the effect of, ‘the addition of a new race would not fit with the changes we are making during this expansion’. Maybe in the future but definitely not now, but perhaps never in the future, honestly what does a new race even bring? Nothing but some personal story that would have to be shoe-horned in.

Tengu make the most sense cosmetically and in the Lore. They are bi-pedal and have the most potential in customization (e.g feather color and feather plumage). I agree with many other posts, we might see them with the Primordus. Also, it might need to be a standalone campaign to have a new personal story written. Who knows though, they may be already working on it. Just like this expansion pack, they may have some ground work done for another. This thread as developed into a speculation thread and less of an upset rant. Questions and theories are being shared, not hurtful words and game thrashing. No need for hostility, people!

New races make sense for new personal stories, which would have to be a major focus of an expansion. That will not happen (and doens’t need to happen) for this expansion.

I will, however, cast my vote that it should and may happen in the following expansion (Cantha!?).

I honestly don’t feel the need for a new RACE. What do u expect me to play? KFC race that hides behind walls all the time like the chickens they are and not help anyone? Or those butterfly assasins u see in the personal story? Sry but i can’t they look to lame.

At this very moment i see no use for a race…there aren’t even cool ones out there that i would enjoy playing and feel awesome playing them.

New Races would be cool. I personally don’t care for tengu but I know plenty of people who are. I’d rather Anet just added them now so that the next expansion I could hope for a more interesting race.