Guild Wars 2

Living World Season 3 will start around possibly maybe july given that it was confirmed it would start after the release of the 3rd raid wing in the AMA, it was also confirmed that we wont get bi-weekly releases since Anet wants to deliver quality story, and they want to put “bonus and optional stories as well as epic events as in season 1”.

With the quotations above I guess it is understandable to wait for season 3. HOWEVER, should we let our expectations be our downfall?

Season 1 was over 20 episodes, while season 2 was only 8. Should we expect season 3 to be 5 super high quality episodes?

Should we expect simultaneous arcs with Braham honoring his mother’s funeral accompanied with Rox and Taimi who will bicker lightly on how to help Braham move on while at the same time Kasmeer and Marjory are back into their detective business discussing their future relationship all of them unaware that a 3 headed-hydra is attacking LA and the Consortium using the chaos to lure panicked citizens to their “new and safe resort” asura gate only to get the citizens back to LA with the help of Ellen Kiel and Hero-Tron disguised as exotic dancers, return to LA with all the citizens and have the Hydra coming back as to repeat the cycle?

See expectations are dangerous because I expect all of that happen in an episode that has quality.I guess that we should all have low expectations and wait and see :P

But on a serious notes do people prefer Quality or quantity? Why cant we have both? I know the release date and cancelation of bi weekly releases are due becuase they are simultaneously working on the next expansion, but I am a bit worried how long will the story be and if it will be better than Season 1 and 2

This will come across cynical, but I think they are just using the “quality versus quantity” cliché to justify the new, much slower, approach to content delivery.

Seasons one and two brought us some of the best content Ive ever seen in an MMO – Molten Facility, Aetherblade Retreat, Guild Missions, Fractals, Southsun, Marionette, Tower of Nightmares, the burning and rebuilding of LA, Glint’s Lair, Drytop, Silverwastes, Triple Trouble, Aetherpath, the fight against the nightmare dragon, just to name a few examples.

So, when they claim that the delay is to improve quality, that is the content we need to measure that quality against (and quantity given the time they are taking, imo).

So expectations need to be astronomical in scale at this point, because they have set the bar really high with the quality of their past work.

I expect:

• multiple new maps (at least 2) that rival Silverwastes in terms of fun/replayability/scale,
• story steps at the level of Glint’s Lair, Fort Salma or the final fight against the nightmare,
• world events on the scale of the LA invasion/reacquisition,
• new PVE guild missions (12-24 of them) that make the old ones feel mediocre
• Multiple fractals (4-6 of them) based on obscure historic events with mechanics and foes we haven’t seen before (ala Thaumanova Reactor)
• World bosses (at least 2) that require the coordination of the Marionette or even Triple Trouble

I expect these things because ANET has delivered on these things – and MUCH MORE – using the old living story model. If they are taking this much more time (MONTHS with nothing new to do) to deliver new content, then that content needs to be a level above the amazing content they have delivered in the past (because of their quality takes more time claim).

I love this freaking game. Since day one, I have been what many would call (and many did call) a white knight on the forums – passing out praise and arguing against detractors. I do not like the direction they have chosen to go in 2016. It is destroying the living world and creating a boring stale world with nothing new to do.

This claim that we have to wait 11 months between the expansion and living story because they need to up the quality level (over some of the examples I list above) feels hollow and more like an excuse to reallocate developers toward the same tired business model every other AAA MMO uses. It will cost them players – not all at once, but this game was obviously designed to center around the concept of the living story – and they are leaving it behind.

ugh this is annoying, accidentally check Question and doesnt change even when I choose to edit topic >:(

Regarding Season 1 being ‘20 episodes’ – keep in mind that for the most part each release was half the size of Season 2 releases, with four of them (Flame and Frost) being a quarter or less. Season 1 had content closer to 9 or 10 releases of Season 2. It was just further spread out.

And what I think Mike O’Brien meant by ‘no more biweekly releases’ was Season 1’s styled biweekly where they just go a full year of biweekly releases no breaks – Season 2 was biweekly two, but separated in two sets with twice the amount of content and a shorter overall release period.

When Season 2 was released, they said Season 3 would be the same. I expect that to remain true. I think the ‘side stories’ will be more akin to how LA was slowly rebuilt over the course of S1’s finale to HoT’s release, without direct interaction with the main story. Though if he did compare such to S1 (I don’t recall that – got a link?) then it might be another situation of hoping all over the map like we did with The Dragon’s Reach Part 1/2, but instead of acting with the same goal we head around doing different things each story step… which would be rather tedious and potentially dull, unless they do it exceptionally well.

EDIT:

Though another thread just reminded me. During Season 1, we had dialogue added to Cragstead during the Secret of Southsun and Dragon Bash months (maybe Cutthroat Politics month too? not sure off the top of my head) which showed Braham dating then betting dumped by his love interest.

Which is very similar to the LA restoration ‘side story’ that I mentioned. So we’ll likely see stuff like that – little bits and pieces of new dialogue seeded here and there for players to find.

I don’t expect season 3 to start before late August / early September.

I doubt they will release it in the summer, which is generally a low season for player population.

And since S3 will most likely only be a teaser to try to sell the incoming expansion, (like S2 was in regard to HoT) they will certain release it when there are a lot of players around.

Is S3 really set to try and bridge the story from HoT to whatever the next expansion is? There are so many holes and unexplained points to the story with the scope and the way the story was told for HoT.

I would realy like to see S3 answer a lot of what was skimmed over in HoT and something like S3 part 2 or S4 to be the tie in to the next expansion.

It’s tricky because episodes have no defined length (but we do kind of have a feel), and there is no certain number. I guess anet will figure out a number but never tell us so they don’t have to meet anything

I always prefer quality over quantity. A wonderful experience you will never forget > a lot of crappy ones that were not detailed or ironed out enough that would completely ruin what could have been a great story.

… and this is why I am still waiting years for the next book of the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones)…

Blanche Neige.7241:

I don’t expect season 3 to start before late August / early September.

I doubt they will release it in the summer, which is generally a low season for player population.

And since S3 will most likely only be a teaser to try to sell the incoming expansion, (like S2 was in regard to HoT) they will certain release it when there are a lot of players around.

Season 2 began in July and was a lead in to HoT.

What we’ve been told of S3 makes is a conclusion to HoT, not a lead in to expac2 like S2 was for HoT. That role will likely fall to S4 or S5 depending on their set up.

rrusse.7058:

Is S3 really set to try and bridge the story from HoT to whatever the next expansion is? There are so many holes and unexplained points to the story with the scope and the way the story was told for HoT.

I would realy like to see S3 answer a lot of what was skimmed over in HoT and something like S3 part 2 or S4 to be the tie in to the next expansion.

S3 has not been stated or hinted to be a lead in for expac2. In fact, S3 is hinted to be closing up some lose HoT threads.

Konig Des Todes.2086:

What we’ve been told of S3 makes is a conclusion to HoT, not a lead in to expac2 like S2 was for HoT. That role will likely fall to S4 or S5 depending on their set up.

S3 will probably be a transitional phase leading into the next expansion, or maybe they simply won’t have a lead in since it only confuses those who don’t actively play. With seasons taking place over a year, there’s really not much time for any more, assuming an expansion every 2-3 years. With S3 starting nearly a year after, by the time it’s finished, it’ll already be 2 years after HoT. We also already know they’re currently working on the next expansion, and they only took 2 years with HoT, so I wouldn’t count on more than 3 years per.

I think that the quality is there, the quantity is missing. That’s what hit me while playing the new maps and story. They are on the right track. The maps are gorgeous.
The story is fine (yeah unpopular opinion) or would be even great if it would be just bigger and more.

If we could get more in depth approach like with the Zhaitan’s story, much more people would like it IMO.

What do I expect from the LS3? New maps, yeah, maps, not map. Broadening the story and answering the questions that were unanswered since season 1. The last one may be a stretch… (Who the hell is E?)

My expectations are high, I admit it. And I’ve been forgiving a lot about many things. To be honest, I didn’t expect LS3 to come that late. But OK, I’ll wait but I will expect more than I expected from the release in spring.

I personally would like a proper chunky story to work through. Something to keep me busy. Some stuff to collect to get me something in the end.

I would like a bit of quantity with quality, its not too much to ask for. Maybe something with multiple things for me to collect so I can re-run it with other chars. A bit like the HoT story and collections etc.

I would be happy with a story leading to the next expansion as long as it had a really interesting and jam packed plot. Bit like the GW1 campaigns.

I’m hoping that the quality is there, as well as the quantity. I’m still wondering where all the money I paid when I got HoT went, because it wasn’t in the released product. season 3 had better be mind blowing. I paid good money for it. Anyone who tries to tell me ANet are doing it for free, are crazy. HoT is a DLC season pass. End of story.

Blaeys.3102:

This will come across cynical, but I think they are just using the “quality versus quantity” cliché to justify the new, much slower, approach to content delivery.

Seasons one and two brought us some of the best content Ive ever seen in an MMO – Molten Facility, Aetherblade Retreat, Guild Missions, Fractals, Southsun, Marionette, Tower of Nightmares, the burning and rebuilding of LA, Glint’s Lair, Drytop, Silverwastes, Triple Trouble, Aetherpath, the fight against the nightmare dragon, just to name a few examples.

So, when they claim that the delay is to improve quality, that is the content we need to measure that quality against (and quantity given the time they are taking, imo).

So expectations need to be astronomical in scale at this point, because they have set the bar really high with the quality of their past work.

I expect:

• multiple new maps (at least 2) that rival Silverwastes in terms of fun/replayability/scale,
• story steps at the level of Glint’s Lair, Fort Salma or the final fight against the nightmare,
• world events on the scale of the LA invasion/reacquisition,
• new guild missions (12-24 of them) that make the old ones feel mediocre
• Multiple fractals (6-12 of them) based on obscure historic events with mechanics and foes we haven’t seen before (ala Thaumanova Reactor)
• World bosses (at least 2) that require the coordination of the Marionette or even Triple Trouble

I expect these things because ANET has delivered on these things – and MUCH MORE – using the old living story model. If they are taking this much more time (MONTHS with nothing new to do) to deliver new content, then that content needs to be a level above the amazing content they have delivered in the past (because of their quality takes more time claim).

I love this freaking game. Since day one, I have been what many would call (and many did call) a white knight on the forums – passing out praise and arguing against detractors. I do not like the direction they have chosen to go in 2016. It is destroying the living world and creating a boring stale world with nothing new to do.

This claim that we have to wait 11 months between the expansion and living story because they need to up the quality level (over some of the examples I list above) feels hollow and more like an excuse to reallocate developers toward the same tired business model every other AAA MMO uses. It will cost them players – not all at once, but this game was obviously designed to center around the concept of the living story – and they are leaving it behind.

OMG yes, this, I want this! oh and FYI you are not being cynical, you are just stating truth.

Blaeys.3102:

This will come across cynical, but I think they are just using the “quality versus quantity” cliché to justify the new, much slower, approach to content delivery.

Seasons one and two brought us some of the best content Ive ever seen in an MMO – Molten Facility, Aetherblade Retreat, Guild Missions, Fractals, Southsun, Marionette, Tower of Nightmares, the burning and rebuilding of LA, Glint’s Lair, Drytop, Silverwastes, Triple Trouble, Aetherpath, the fight against the nightmare dragon, just to name a few examples.

So, when they claim that the delay is to improve quality, that is the content we need to measure that quality against (and quantity given the time they are taking, imo).

So expectations need to be astronomical in scale at this point, because they have set the bar really high with the quality of their past work.

I expect:

• multiple new maps (at least 2) that rival Silverwastes in terms of fun/replayability/scale,
• story steps at the level of Glint’s Lair, Fort Salma or the final fight against the nightmare,
• world events on the scale of the LA invasion/reacquisition,
• new PVE guild missions (12-24 of them) that make the old ones feel mediocre
• Multiple fractals (4-6 of them) based on obscure historic events with mechanics and foes we haven’t seen before (ala Thaumanova Reactor)
• World bosses (at least 2) that require the coordination of the Marionette or even Triple Trouble

I expect these things because ANET has delivered on these things – and MUCH MORE – using the old living story model. If they are taking this much more time (MONTHS with nothing new to do) to deliver new content, then that content needs to be a level above the amazing content they have delivered in the past (because of their quality takes more time claim).

I love this freaking game. Since day one, I have been what many would call (and many did call) a white knight on the forums – passing out praise and arguing against detractors. I do not like the direction they have chosen to go in 2016. It is destroying the living world and creating a boring stale world with nothing new to do.

This claim that we have to wait 11 months between the expansion and living story because they need to up the quality level (over some of the examples I list above) feels hollow and more like an excuse to reallocate developers toward the same tired business model every other AAA MMO uses. It will cost them players – not all at once, but this game was obviously designed to center around the concept of the living story – and they are leaving it behind.

You desrve to be my answer!

The longer they make us wait, (and that clock started the moment HoT released), the higher the bar they need to meet to impress us, and the higher the minimum needed to keep us from rioting.
If they don’t release anything story-related until like August or September, it would take something twice the size of HoT to meet my minimum, other projects be puppied.
Not that I -actually expect- that, mind. But the sentiment stands.

When is ls3 going live? Im getting impatient…

sanctuary.1068:

When is ls3 going live? Im getting impatient…

In the summer.

Serale.9314:

I always prefer quality over quantity. A wonderful experience you will never forget > a lot of crappy ones that were not detailed or ironed out enough that would completely ruin what could have been a great story.

… and this is why I am still waiting years for the next book of the Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones)…

im waiting for the next kharkanas side story by steven erikson myself…
if they do deliver quality over quantity, then yeah its lightyears better.
anet has delivered this much so far, while some are disenfranchised i remain expectant.