Guild Wars 2

Quite an interesting discussion and comparison going on between GW2 and GW1 in terms of updates so far now that GW2 also has celebrated 1 year anniversary.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/1ldt8v/today_on_the_guild_wars_1_timeline_guild_wars/

To quote the comparison list for reiteration here;

By this time in Guild Wars 1 we had received:

Sorrow’s Furnace.
Rotscale.
The green weapons update.
An entire new continent with around 30 new explorable areas.
A new storyline with 13 story missions.
Over 200 new quests.
Two new professions, the Assassin and Ritualist.
At least 30 new skills per profession.
Several new PvP arenas.
Four new Guild Halls.
The introduction of alliance mechanics including a moving boundary of war and allegiance rank/faction.
Two competitive missions, Fort Aspenwood and Jade Quarry.
Three challenge missions.
Two elite missions, The Deep and Urgoz’s Warren.
Alliance battles.
New guild cape designs.
Plus more, including all associated quality of life and refinement changes.

In Guild Wars 2, we’ve had:

The Lost Shores.
Fractals of the Mists.
Flame and Frost.
The Secret of Southsun.
Last Stand at Southsun.
Super Adventure Box.
Dragon Bash.
Sky Pirates of Tyria.
Bazaar of the Four Winds.
Cutthroat Politics.
Queen’s Jubilee.
Clockwork Chaos.
Plus more, including all associated quality of life improvements and refinement changes, and all released gemstore items.

Dondarrion.2748:

Quite an interesting discussion and comparison going on between GW2 and GW1 in terms of updates so far now that GW2 also has celebrated 1 year anniversary.

http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/1ldt8v/today_on_the_guild_wars_1_timeline_guild_wars/

To quote the comparison list for reiteration here;

By this time in Guild Wars 1 we had received:

Sorrow’s Furnace. (Permanent)
Rotscale. (Permanent)
The green weapons update. (Permanent)
An entire new continent with around 30 new explorable areas. (Permanent)
A new storyline with 13 story missions. (Permanent)
Over 200 new quests. (Permanent)
Two new professions, the Assassin and Ritualist. (Permanent)
At least 30 new skills per profession. (Permanent)
Several new PvP arenas. (Permanent)
Four new Guild Halls. (Permanent)
The introduction of alliance mechanics including a moving boundary of war and allegiance rank/faction. (Permanent)
Two competitive missions, Fort Aspenwood and Jade Quarry. (Permanent)
Three challenge missions. (Permanent)
Two elite missions, The Deep and Urgoz’s Warren. (Permanent)
Alliance battles. (Permanent)
New guild cape designs. (Permanent)
Plus more, including all associated quality of life and refinement changes. (Permanent)

In Guild Wars 2, we’ve had:

The Lost Shores. (Added a permanent zone)
Fractals of the Mists. (Permanent)
Flame and Frost.
The Secret of Southsun.
Last Stand at Southsun.
Super Adventure Box. (recurring festival event)
Dragon Bash. (recurring festival event)
Sky Pirates of Tyria.
Bazaar of the Four Winds.
Cutthroat Politics.
Queen’s Jubilee.
Clockwork Chaos. (added permanent? portal invasion events)
Plus more, including all associated quality of life improvements and refinement changes, and all released gemstore items.

I edited your post a bit to differentiate between the temporary content and the permanent content for both games.

Yes, it makes sense to see what is permanently there and what comes and goes or is just simply not there anymore…

You included new PvP arenas for GW1 but didn’t bother listing them for GW2?

I’m so incredibly saddened about this comparison that I think I’ve lost the little faith I had left for GW2’s future. GW1 added content that had substance and lasted for a long time and felt fresh after years.

But as the devs have said: If you want GW1, go play GW1.

Traveller.7496:

I’m so incredibly saddened about this comparison that I think I’ve lost the little faith I had left for GW2’s future.

But as the devs have said: If you want GW1, go play GW1.

You should realize the OP didn’t even list most of the stuff we’ve got for GW2 within the last year.

Well, list them as well for an accurate comparison?

But as a player who played both GW1 and 2 from launch, the GW1 first year definately added more worthwhile content IMO.

GW1 did add more worthwhile content as Traveller says, even though OP left some GW2 changes out. :P

They’ve been listed several times on the forums in the last week. The fact that the OP didn’t bother to check those lists makes me believe he wants GW2 development look bad.

True, I’d also like to see less temporary content and more permanent stuff. Incidentally, I think that’s exactly what the devs have said they want too.

But as you said, we have to wait and see if they actually deliver. This is a comparison on what they have done so far. For me personally it’s not even an argument that GW1 content updates were more substantial, even if the OP is leaving some GW2 stuff out.

I’m often quite negative on the forums but it’s mostly because I wanted this game to be as good as GW1 and in my mind it hasn’t delivered and the direction it’s taking is not as it should. I guess the term I would use for GW2 so far is “underwhelming” … or “so much wasted potential” but I can’t put that in one word.

Traveller.7496:

But as you said, we have to wait and see if they actually deliver. This is a comparison on what they have done so far. For me personally it’s not even an argument that GW1 content updates were more substantial, even if the OP is leaving some GW2 stuff out.

I’m often quite negative on the forums but it’s mostly because I wanted this game to be as good as GW1 and in my mind it hasn’t delivered and the direction it’s taking is not as it should. I guess the term I would use for GW2 so far is “underwhelming” … or “so much wasted potential” but I can’t put that in one word.

This is so spot on it deserves to be pointed out over and over.

The devs wanting to have more permanent content is lip service. The devs MAKE the game, if they wanted to add more permanent content they would do so. I can claim I’ll stop beating this dead horse but until I actually stop doing it those claims mean nothing. Same for their claims about permanent content.

It’s been months since the complaints about temporary content started and what do we have to show on the permanent side? And even more importantly, what’s the ratio of permanent to temp content for say the last 3 months especially considering the effort that probably went into something like the Zephyr sanctum or Aetherblade retreat? I’m bad at keep track but I think the permanent additions are the changes to southsun and a selection of instances for minigames and pvp.

Traveller.7496:

But as you said, we have to wait and see if they actually deliver. This is a comparison on what they have done so far. For me personally it’s not even an argument that GW1 content updates were more substantial, even if the OP is leaving some GW2 stuff out.

I’m often quite negative on the forums but it’s mostly because I wanted this game to be as good as GW1 and in my mind it hasn’t delivered and the direction it’s taking is not as it should. I guess the term I would use for GW2 so far is “underwhelming” … or “so much wasted potential” but I can’t put that in one word.

Please, btw, I cited the comparison list from the Reddit thread, so this is not my list. Sorry if it missed out PvP content additions. That will of course balance out PvP map additions to GW1. As for other major things missed out; I’m curious which you have in mind that don’t fall into both GW1 & GW2’s footnote about “quality of life improvements and refinements”.

I agree whole-heartedly with your 2nd paragraph, I want GW2 to be as good as possible, this is the game I’m playing, I’m done with GW1, but GW2 is underwhelming in terms of substantial content that is still in the game at this point of writing. Apart from FotM, the other 3 dungeons are gone (Molten, Aetherblade, SAB) – story content breezed through in the first hour of every fortnightly content update and then we wait. I want more longevity and that all-encompassing experience in GW2 that I had while playing GW1. There’s so much story/lore they could have done, but instead of a campaign (Factions), it’s like we have a little short story (LS).

Re: your first paragraph though, this isn’t so much about if Anet can deliver, I’m prepared to wait and see what comes next, but so far their merits pale a bit compared to what they did in the first year of GW1, imho – and of course, in the opinion of the OP on Reddit – who I don’t speak for, I just wanted to share this on this forum.

The comparison could be interesting, but the first post is just too dumb to start any meaningful disscusion. On one hand he cites every single feature, on the other he cites the name of the updates. GW1 list would then look like :
- Sorrow’s Furnace
- Factions

most of the stuff from Gw1 was also with an extra 50 dollars comming out of our pockets. and, Op did forget about several new PvP maps, WvW upgrades, half finished Ascended gear, several minigames, and like 10 different sets of weapon skins (though half of that is already covered in his last item describing quality of life improvements). While I am not a fan of the living Story content, at all, that detail should be put out there.

You forgot Halloween and Christmas recurring festivals in your list.

Also i think that if you are looking at amount of content added as a measuring stick the different game play between Gw1 and Gw2 might be a strong factor.

Not to mention that Anet already said that first year was going to be all temporary where 2nd is more perm content.

Fafnir.5124:

Not to mention that Anet already said that first year was going to be all temporary where 2nd is more perm content.

Do you have an actual quote for that?

I havent seen any clear statements like that from the devs, just alot of “want and would like to” that is open to interpretation. Both regarding the second year as well as the first year before they created this Living Story concept in december.

Interesting to note Rotscale was, if I recall, in the Beta and not added later. He was, however, revamped quite a lot

(Sorrow’s Furnace. / The green weapons update.)

These were the same update.

(An entire new continent with around 30 new explorable areas. A new storyline with 13 story missions.
Over 200 new quests.
Two new professions, the Assassin and Ritualist.
At least 30 new skills per profession.
Several new PvP arenas.
Four new Guild Halls.
The introduction of alliance mechanics including a moving boundary of war and allegiance rank/faction.
Two competitive missions, Fort Aspenwood and Jade Quarry.
Three challenge missions.
Two elite missions, The Deep and Urgoz’s Warren.
Alliance battles.
New guild cape designs.
Plus more, including all associated quality of life and refinement changes.)

Also known as “Guild Wars: Factions”, differentiated to not be an expansion but an entirely different campaign and viable game. Which happened to be link-able to Prophecies.

You do not need to pad the list with everything Factions added to the game. It’s really enough to point out that AND how GW2 has yet to have anything on the same scale of an update. So far they’ve about managed to draw even with the “Sorrow’s Furnace” update

Mastruq.2463:

Fafnir.5124:

Not to mention that Anet already said that first year was going to be all temporary where 2nd is more perm content.

Do you have an actual quote for that?

I havent seen any clear statements like that from the devs, just alot of “want and would like to” that is open to interpretation. Both regarding the second year as well as the first year before they created this Living Story concept in december.

https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/livingworld/jubilee/So-EVERYTHING-in-this-patch-is-temporary/first#post2561414

And yeah those lists aren’t entirely fair, we have seen a lot of updates (most with temporary content ) that isn’t being listed. I believe the game will start to kickoff in 2014, this last months will be of preparation for that.

This truly saddens me, this is not the Arena Net I used to love.
What saddens me even more – developers don’t seem to care anymore.
GW1 seemed to be a game created by passionate developers, GW2 seems to be game designed for maximum profit with the least effort.

I have been waiting for a discussion of this caliber would come up after the first anniversary of GW2. I sort of feel indifferent to it. Has GW2 really progressed as GW1 did during it’s initial growth? Actually I think it has done better in quantity, but the quality has not been up too par. Nevertheless GW1 had glaring mistakes. Content like Sorrows Furnace was it turned out to be forgettable in the long run. A couple of months and it just turn into a farming area; which is less intuitive then fractals in GW2. Even Rotscale as a major feature is kind of laughable, since it was just farming for certain items.

Even in Prophecies I remember hearing nothing but people complaining there is nothing to do past level 20. So because it lacked depth they quit the game. Quite a few players were running people across the game and cutting the true content by half. Droks and Sanctum Cay runs were verily popular back then.

Everyone eventually just went back to FoW and UW. It was the best work they did; after everyone got tired of all the latter incarnation of “elite content” that was produced during GW1 lifespan. It was truly for the hardcore, and for those who just wanted to farm for ecto’s/shards. Tomb of the primeval kings was only second to UW/FoW, but was a bit less rewarding. Which honestly I have no idea why Arena Net has not built an open ended dungeon for GW2. Dungeons are way too linear here in GW2 even with the multiple path mechanic. I kind of wish they had a fully open dungeon with non-linear pacing in GW2.

Prophecies had sections of it never revamped until years latter via other campaign/expansions (which eventually resulted in EotN). Did the PvE sections of prophecies overarching story feel compelling? Yes, because I felt there was a little more time poured into it compared to GW2. However some of it did feel convoluted with the side stories cutting in/out. I even remember some people arguing that Prophecies should have just reflected pre-searing Ascalon the rest of the game through.

GW1 and GW2 do share a problem when it comes to closure of a certain plot holes. Which then turns to the “we will explain latter” mantra, that never truly occurs ever (Abaddon was one of the few exceptions). I wish there was more coherent stories in both games to the point I cared about the characters. You build off your original lore while establishing new lore. All the while not completely retconning everything from established lore.

I think GW2 was more over-hyped then GW1. There is a couple of glaring reason why. First of all people during that time were so intrigued with WoW and it’s so called “depth,” during GW1 initial release. Second GW2 had received way more press coverage then GW1 ever did. It was going to be a sequel that would change the MMO format forever. So GW2 amassed more criticism the it’s predecessor for not delivering on it’s promised content.

As for Factions. Let’s be honest Faction’s was a rushed (stand alone) campaign compared to Prophecies. Plus you did have to buy which did cost you an extra $50. Factions supposedly was the game to bridge the gap between PvP and PvE. It failed to do so. Nothing was really enhanced, or was ground breaking in both PvP or PvE. The introduction to Alliance Battles was decent, but PvPer’s looked down at AB as a cheap PvE hybrid knockoff. Ritualist and Assassin after beta were quickly nerfed into the ground, and the two professions was deemed useless for a couple of years. The story for Factions while it was interesting, but it was poorly delivered due to substandard voice acting. Then we have titles that were also added. Players complained about the cheap time sink because it was severely lacking a point.

Factions did get some things right though. It’s artwork was still fantastic and it’s distinct Asian themes was pretty amazing. I especially enjoyed the Jade Sea. The Elite Missions held for a bit (better then Sorrows Furnace), but people still held to UW and FoW. Some of it’s skills that were introduced were fantastic. Like bringing in the Flesh Golem for the Necro, and I personally loved Broad Head Arrow for the Ranger. Of course some skills were direct duplicate from Prophecies.

On the other hand GW2 core mechanics needed to be well defined at launch. Not tacked on a year or two latter. A-net now has bigger team then they did for GW1. I feel that those cheap in game cut-scenes for GW2 are still horrendous. Also the PvP section of the game needs more diversity. In game stories and the dynamic event system need a huge boost in quality. DE’s should be using the RNG system more then it going into the reward content. Guild halls, LFG system, home instance customization, and cities being fleshed out should take high priority over the “time sink gimmick.” Not to mention skill balancing for both PvE and PvP needs focus.

One final note; since it did not fit in the post above:

When A-net talks about something, I have always expected to get half of what they promised (since factions). So I am not overly disappointed anymore. I even thought back at the time, when they first announced Elder Dragons in GW2 and I thought “A-net not going to flesh (character wise) them out are you?” You just adding dragons because of their “cool factor.” Is that horrid to think that way? Sometimes. Nevertheless when they do get things right, I am really proud of what they have accomplished. I even hope it carries over to other aspects of the game. So as it stands, I am still indifferent when you compare GW1 to GW2 on how they stand then and now.

EDIT: for clarity on both posts (or at least I hope).

Here’s a comparison for you;

The size of GW1 Tyria is miniscule compare to GW2 Tyria.

In terms of value; not having to deal with the instancing in GW1 is a big, big plus in my book. I really, really hate starting over missions just because you wipe on the last boss. Anet realized this an added rez points in some dungeons, but still, I hated it.

The characters in GW1 is not as deep as GW2, once you set your attribute points it’s almost set in stone. In GW2, there’s a lot of options in gears, runes, sigils, etc.

My point is, you can compare the first year to what was delivered side-by-side, but GW2 is in no way standing on the same pedestal compare to GW1.

Sir Vincent III.1286:

Here’s a comparison for you;

The size of GW1 Tyria is miniscule compare to GW2 Tyria.

Are we talking with the GW:EN attached to the same map, are are we talking just Prophecies? And are we going to consider all the empty spots with no actual use except maybe kinda sorta for some quests maybe . . . important?

Prophecies was huge, with a lot of empty space and long walks to get places you didn’t really have to go anyway. I mean, things came later which gave you a reason to go there, but there really was no reason for eastern Ascalon, half of the Southern Shiverpeaks, and the Falls.

It was better later on but still, whew, lots of empty space in places. Don’t find many places truly “empty” in GW2, usually something in there.

My point is, you can compare the first year to what was delivered side-by-side, but GW2 is in no way standing on the same pedestal compare to GW1.

They’re not even really the same type of game, really . . .

And here’s the big difference between Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2.

You actually feel like the game is being updated, rather than waiting for an expansion and paying $60 for it. And to top it all off, Guild Wars 2 didn’t charge anything for it.

Chase.8415:

And here’s the big difference between Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2.

You actually feel like the game is being updated, rather than waiting for an expansion and paying $60 for it. And to top it all off, Guild Wars 2 didn’t charge anything for it.

This is not always a good thing, mind you. And they did constantly work on GW1 too, especially in regards to PvP skill balance. (heh . . .) It was most visible there how GW1 did have people keeping track of it somewhat constantly.

It also had the occasional “what are they thinking?” moment too. And by “occasional” I mean “obligatory at every skill balance patch”.

do you guys have any idea on the amount of work behind all these updates? i know i dont, but a gw1 dj isnt the same as a gw2 dj thats for sure, mabey one gw2 dj takes as much work as 2 gw1 djs, i have no clue about that, but just giving a list with the names of events doesnt compare anything, thats like saying fractals of the mists is bigger than southsun cove cause there are more letters in the name

The OP dishonestly adds factions to the comparison, which was actually the start of year 2. If we compare content in the first 356 days we get the following for GW1:
Sorrow’s Furnace.
Rotscale. was there since launch
The green weapons update. basically the SF update
An entire new continent with around 30 new explorable areas.
A new storyline with 13 story missions.
Over 200 20 new quests. Some in SF, titan quests and some more scattered around the game.
Two new professions, the Assassin and Ritualist.
At least 30 new skills per profession.
Several new PvP arenas.
Four new Guild Halls.
The introduction of alliance mechanics including a moving boundary of war and allegiance rank/faction.
Two competitive missions, Fort Aspenwood and Jade Quarry.
Three challenge Two endgame areas missions.
Two elite missions, The Deep and Urgoz’s Warren.
Alliance battles.
New guild cape designs.
Plus more, including all associated quality of life and refinement changes. (not a whole lot actually)

Me thinks the first year of GW2 is at least on par with that, even though a lot of it was temporary, I had a lot of fun with it. Wish it was permanent though but that’s not part of the discussion at hand.

Tobias Trueflight.8350:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

Here’s a comparison for you;

The size of GW1 Tyria is miniscule compare to GW2 Tyria.

Are we talking with the GW:EN attached to the same map, are are we talking just Prophecies? And are we going to consider all the empty spots with no actual use except maybe kinda sorta for some quests maybe . . . important?

Prophecies was huge, with a lot of empty space and long walks to get places you didn’t really have to go anyway. I mean, things came later which gave you a reason to go there, but there really was no reason for eastern Ascalon, half of the Southern Shiverpeaks, and the Falls.

It was better later on but still, whew, lots of empty space in places. Don’t find many places truly “empty” in GW2, usually something in there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov's_gun

Chekhov’s gun is smoking in that statement. Nothing is more frustrating than exploring a place for hours because “something has to be there” and not finding it because it isn’t.

While we play GUILD wars, we don’t have:

- Guild halls
- Guild vs Guild wars
- Guild managing mechanics (How to know who contributes and who is not playing for 5 months. God knows)

yeah…

^ this, im more concerned about the basic things gw1 got right that gw2 has not regardless of how much time has passed.

A lot of the stuff that was listed came in the form of an expansion which you had to pay for.

As far as GW2 goes we haven’t had to pay a cent to keep playing after the initial sale.

I think that should be included in the list. Although that doesn’t change the fact that the list still feels lopsided.

And what Marnick said.

I think the GW1’s content was more expansive vs GW2’s bi-weekly farming event & mini games.

I want deeper more expansive content, GW2’s content is headed in the wrong direction of lighter fare, tell me crafting isn’t going down the wrong path.

Rhaegus.8924:

While we play GUILD wars, we don’t have:

- Guild halls
- Guild vs Guild wars
- Guild managing mechanics (How to know who contributes and who is not playing for 5 months. God knows)

yeah…

Inb4 someone comes and “educates” us that the name Guild Wars has nothing to do with player guilds.

Which is true, of course, but so misleading we should sue ANet.

I think it’s become pretty apparent at this point that “the living story” is nothing more than a minimum work/maximum profit model for the game. Unfortunately since AN income comes from micro transactions they have no incentive to make any REAL content as long as community drones keep buying gems.

Tom Gore.4035:

Rhaegus.8924:

While we play GUILD wars, we don’t have:

- Guild halls
- Guild vs Guild wars
- Guild managing mechanics (How to know who contributes and who is not playing for 5 months. God knows)

yeah…

Inb4 someone comes and “educates” us that the name Guild Wars has nothing to do with player guilds.

Which is true, of course, but so misleading we should sue ANet.

No, it had everything to do with player guilds.

. . . it also has a lore reason for persisting.

I would have taken this more seriously had it been an objective look at all the things we have gotten for GW2. So many things intentionally omitted to make GW1’s list look more appealing. If you do a list kids, be objective.

Tobias Trueflight.8350:

Sir Vincent III.1286:

Here’s a comparison for you;

The size of GW1 Tyria is miniscule compare to GW2 Tyria.

Are we talking with the GW:EN attached to the same map, are are we talking just Prophecies?

First year. GW:EN didn’t happen in the first year.

Prophecies was huge, with a lot of empty space and long walks to get places you didn’t really have to go anyway. I mean, things came later which gave you a reason to go there, but there really was no reason for eastern Ascalon, half of the Southern Shiverpeaks, and the Falls.

I physically tested the size myself and map a map comparison and GW2 Tyria is bigger. I’m only comparing the size of each game from the point of release. GW2 released as an Elder Dragon, while GW1 released as a Chihuahua.

They’re not even really the same type of game, really . . .

Obviously. I want my henchmen and heroes. :/

i really wish the devs would take some people out of living story and into developement for more permanent content

Tom Gore.4035:

You included new PvP arenas for GW1 but didn’t bother listing them for GW2?

The new arenas in GW1 were new formats. They weren’t just new maps with the same objectives, they had entirely new dynamics and objectives.

wookiee.4631:

And I didn’t even include the upcoming stuff. As the guy in that Reddit post mentioned, GW 2’s stuff was all free. Some of the additions on the GW list required an expansion. Make of it what you will…

Agree… on a sidenote, some of us don’t actually mind paying $50 bucks for an actual expansion with new lands/skills and etc. I like what GW2 done so far but it feels more like a snack than an actual meal

You can never compare the value of content by listing out some hardfacts like above. Only the fun and value you got out for yourself when you played trough it. For that one it doesn’t matter if it ’s temporary or not. Also it ’s personal experience so it varies from person to person.

Aside from that you left out many hardfacts from GW2 like many new Skins and new Item Types like Ascended Trinkets, Ascended Weapons, new Crafting Materials, New Dailys, Laurel Vendors, Guild Missions, Dungeon Balancing, Champion Drops, Class Balancing (this is their Achilles’ heel if you want to criticise them), new Events (yes they added them).

Yes, not all of them have been great. Some decisions are so – so in my opinion and I also feel that there ‘s a lack of depth due to many side story events happening. But it ’s not like they didn’t do anything the whole time and some of those events were really fun even if they were temporary (while others were not).

Please stop the comparrision of GW1 and GW2. Stop living in the past. Both of them haven’t the least in common aside from the background story. The combat system in GW1 was plain boring like playing Chess (not saying Chess itself is boring). It was a pain in the kitten to play trough – it was not fun for new players to have none of those Meta-Build Skills and needing to purchase Tomes from other players or grinding for them. And so many of those “thousand of Skills” were simple copies that were upgraded / modified a bit and then resold as new. Not speaking about those Heroes or Instanced Content everywhere.

I played a lot during the first year of GW 1 (Prophecies) and to be honest, there was very little new content added. I wasn’t that interested in PVP so time was mostly spent leveling new characters or running people across the maps. That is one mini-game like feature I wish they DID have in this game as it was kinda fun.

From a PVE perspective, there has been a heck of a lot more content in GW 2 than there was in GW 1.

I admittedly, didn’t like the theme of Factions and stopped playing shortly after its release.

Dondarrion.2748:

-snip OP list comparison-

That GW2 list only uses the titles of updates, and not the updates themselves. Under such a listing, then you need to combine Sorrow’s Furnace, green update, and Titan Quests changes into one update. As well as everything from Factions into its own content update too with Tomb of the Primeval Kings.

So if you want the lists to be equal it should be:

Guild Wars 1

• First Halloween (3 redecorated towns; several collectors; Thorn’s intro)
• Sorrow’s Furnace update (green weapons, Sorrow’s Furnace/Grenth’s Footprint (2 zones; 16 quests), Titan Quests (five quests), and chests)
• First Wintersday (2 temp quests, 3 redecorated towns, several collectors, some new low-req/dmg weapons; 1 new temp PvP modes)
• Factions (~30 new explorable areas; 13 missions; 200+ quests with some temp quests (preview/Day of the Tengu); 2 new professions; 30+ new skills per profession; new PvP arenas and guild halls; Alliance mechanics; 2 competative missions; three challenge missions; two new elite missions; new PvP format (AB); new cap designs; miniatures!; Tomb of the Primeval Kings update

Guild Wars 2

• First Halloween (temp jp; temp zone; temp boss fight; 2 temp PvP modes; 3 new temp metas; temp scavenger hunt; new temp-available weapon and armor skins; 1 redecorated town)
• The Lost Shores (new zone with a handful of events; several temp events; temp scavenger hunt; new temp-available weapon and armor skins; new permanent dungeon with new permanent Ascended Rings and Backpacks; new minis)
• First Wintersday (temp jp; temp dungeon; new temp-available weapon skins; 1 redecorated town and 5 semi-redecorated towns)
• Flame and Frost (temp NPCs; temp story instances; temp events; temp dungeon; new temp-available weapon and armor skins (some available again later); new minis/tonics; new Ascended amulets)
• SAB (five temp levels that later returned again temp; new temp-available weapon and armor skins)
• Secret of Southsun (perm events; temp story instances; temp “dungeon”; temp PvP mode (later made permanent); temp scavenger hunt; return of old temp-available armor/weapon skins + 2 new temp-obtainable armor)
• Dragon Bash (1 town redecorated; temp story instances; new temp-available armor skins; 1 temp dungeon; 1 permanent jp; new Ascended earrings)
• Bazaar of the Four Winds (1 temp zone; temp story instances; new semi-temp crafting materials; new weapon skins; 2 new PvP modes and 1 temp PvP mode)
• Queen’s Jubilee (1 temp zone; new temp events; new perm meta; 1 temp “dungeon”; temp story instances; temp-available weapon skins; new runes and sigils)
• SAB Return (some of old temp content returns; ~3 new temp levels; new temp-available armor and weapon skins; temp story instance; Ascended weapons)

I’m sure I forget some things, but you should tell that most of what Guild Wars 2 gives… is temporary. While most of what GW1 gave… was permanent. Sure, there’s a lot more content updates in GW2, so for the constant players more things to do. But in the long run, players don’t give a kitten ation about the temporary stuff. It’s the things you can still enjoy years from now that truly matters. I mean, think how it would be if Sorrow’s Furnace was only around for a few months at best, and the Tombs of the Primeval Kings stopped becoming available? I’d saddened enough I missed the Day of the Tengu and other Factions preview stuff…

Traveller.7496:

But as you said, we have to wait and see if they actually deliver. This is a comparison on what they have done so far. For me personally it’s not even an argument that GW1 content updates were more substantial, even if the OP is leaving some GW2 stuff out.

I’m often quite negative on the forums but it’s mostly because I wanted this game to be as good as GW1 and in my mind it hasn’t delivered and the direction it’s taking is not as it should. I guess the term I would use for GW2 so far is “underwhelming” … or “so much wasted potential” but I can’t put that in one word.

QFT

Mastruq.2463:

Fafnir.5124:

Not to mention that Anet already said that first year was going to be all temporary where 2nd is more perm content.

Do you have an actual quote for that?

I do know that Bobby Stein (?) said that future LS is hoping to add more permanent content into the game. I’m guessing they realized they couldn’t keep with so little permanent content, even if they’ve been setting up for reoccuring content (Bazaar, Jubilee, Dragon Bash, SAB, Halloween, Wintersday).