Guild Wars 2

So previously waypoints have been seen as more of a player convenience that an actual thing in the universe, almost the only ones with dialogue about it were scouts which are only there to guide new players to the game. In this patch we heard that the waypoints location is based on top of the laylines.

Do you think it’s good that Anet is trying to make waypoints a part of the universe or should they just have swooped it under the carpet as only a gameplay mechanic?

Personally I don’t understand how waypoints would work in the universe since if characters could use them why aren’t Inquest just waypointing to Rata Sum and attack from within, why aren’t traders waypointing from city to city, why didn’t the citizens of Lion’s Arch waypoint out whenever the city was attacked?

They already were part of the in game universe. Since launch there has been NPC dialogue that talks about how and why they were invented.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Technician_Penn

Yes I said so, scouts. But frankly they’re only there to teach us how the game works so even if the waypoints weren’t a part of the universe they would still have to teach us about it.

This topic has been raised before and other people (myself included) share similair concerns/complaints to yours. You can read the past discussions if you want.

Here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/lore/lore/Waypoints-2/first#post3461921

and

Here: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/lore/lore/If-waypoints-are-a-lore-thing

The earliest I remember waypoints being part of the world’s lore was when Rytlock was seen using them in Bloodtide Coast during the Marionette/Wurm update. There was a lore interview where Angel mentions it (it’s the same one where the calendar was changed – I wish that rule about non-game sources for lore had come out then) but it doesn’t matter, it’s in the game now. Appearently an asura somewhere mentioned it before then, but once Rytlock used one there was no going back.

It’s very messy lore but we have to accept it now.

Also cool, found this written by the guy you linked:

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/%22Erosion_and_Waypoint_Stability%22_by_Technician_Penn

Oh thanks Shiren, didn’t know they have been mentioned so much in the Living World, cheers:)

Logan: “Taimi, you’re coming with me to Rata Sum.”
Taimi: “Are you paying for the waypoints?”
Logan: “. . . well there goes my pay for the next year.”
So waypointing for 2 would be a years salary, that is probably a joke but obvisously it’s hinted that it is very expensive. If Anet ever did RP servers it would be very cool if waypoints would cost 1-5 gold to use.

I do agree that there seems to be a fault, in regards to using waypoint as a means of invasion. A gold fee is hardly a hurdle to get an army through…

To close the loophole it would only make sense if the organisation behind the waypoints had a biometric passport system linked to it, which in turn could be linked to criminal records. This way the more likely culprits ‘bandits, thugs’ and other scum could have their waypoint ‘licence’ revoked, and invasion through waypoint use averted. As these are the more likely people to form a group and invade/raid a location. In case of a declaration of war, the whole system may well be shut down…
Only risk, the Asura declare war :P … or, some Inquest goon ‘hacks’ the waypoint grid…

Seeing the waypoint breaks down a character’s energy, and this obviously has a specific signature so that it can be reassembled. These signatures could be the ‘passport’ system…

Seeing such a system isn’t in place yet, it may be a wise choice to use the LS to create a certain ‘incident’ with the waypoint system. To then incorporate ‘put in place’ a licence system as described… loop hole closed, all is well again ^^ (apart from the Azura thread)

Way points in lore date back to GW1 (EoTN if I’m not mistaken).