There are a few main reasons why Abaddon is such an intriguing character and creates such a propelling story in GW1 compared to Scarlet – and also the elder dragons – in GW2.
One main reason is because he is not all-seeing and all-powerful. He has limits as a villain. He is confined in his Realm of Torrent by the other five gods. But prior to that, he has already been established as a clever and deceptive figure (well, he is the God of Secrets). Through his followers, he influences and thwarts the events around the world.
Scarlet, on the other hand, is a commander of entire factions and when the player encounters her she goes “Oh, I already expected you. It was for fun, bye!”, clearly shows she has nothing better to do. Abaddon has plans. He has schemes. He seeks revenge. He seeks to restore his former glory.
Up till now, we still don’t have the slightest bit at what Scarlet is after. She has almost everything! So right now, she is just lunatic wrecking havoc across the lands.
But look at The Joker from The Dark Knight (2008). He’s sorta invincible. He likes the world to burn. Yet he is such a mesmerising character. Why? Because he affects us deeply through other characters that we have grown to taking a liking for through the movie. However, in the case of Scarlet, she hasn’t really done much except attacking anywhere and everywhere with no clear goal. So despite doing much destruction in the world, to the player, she hasn’t done anything at all.
Scarlet may not be ‘perfect’ or ‘invincible’ in the sense that he’s probably an injured child at heart. But as a player, we don’t care. Because who is she to us? Why am I exploring her emotional side now? To me, she is just a damaged lunatic throwing kitten everywhere.
Even the elder dragon story in GW1 is more propelling than in GW2 with the rise of the Great Destroyer and the appearance of Primordus.
The key to good characters is depth and their interests and their conflict of interests as they progress in a story.
Give less details of each release.
In the release page, there is always some ‘backstory’. “ELLEN AND EVON ARE GOING FOR ELECTIONS. CAST YOUR VOTE NOW” Don’t overhype the releases. Just leave subtle hints that something is added to the game. You could just add in patch notes with a short introduction: “Word from Lion’s Arch is that a campaign strategist is needed on deck. Speak to the Elections Official in the Commodore’s office in Lion’s Arch.” Then use the NPC to direct the player to Ellen Kiel and Evon Gnashblade. Living Story categories should also be locked until discovered.
That is to say, instead of seeing the name ‘Cutthroat Politics’. It should say ‘Locked’. And when hovered over, it gives the short introduction above to guide the player on how to unlock the category. Hence, while the patch notes make it look like something small, the locked category in achievement UI suggests that it leads to something more!
The key to a good story is about leaving some and holding back some, like how the key to a good orgy is about yearning. Don’t just lump everything to the player :P
(edited by Apollo.6573)