Guild Wars 2

(Not sure where to put this question.)

Can I log in to the game to unlock the Season 3 story without purchasing HoT? I don’t mean to actually play the Season 3 story as that will require purchasing HoT. I just want to unlock the story by logging in during the specified time period (and purchase HoT at a later date in order to play the Season 3 story).

Season 3 is basically HoT. HoT will feature its own personal/living story.

They might not even go back to the old system. Season 4 for example might simply be locked behind HoT rather than requiring you to login. I doubt ArenaNet even knows what they’ll end up doing – they keep experimenting.

HoT is not season 3 anymore than core game was season 1. We probably wont know until such a time season 3 is released

I dunno, I think there might be Season Three following the starting events of HoT, or other instanced content free if you log in during the window. So it’s a good question: will logging in during the window without yet having HoT unlock the instances once HoT is later purchased, or will you only be flagged for unlock if you have a HoT account?

CrimsonDX.4821:

HoT is not season 3 anymore than core game was season 1.

Each season takes place within the game’s actual timeline. The personal story is considered year 0 (1325 AD), thus in the living world format, it would be considered season 0.

HoT takes place directly after season 2. Either it will be the start of season 3, or it will be a gap between them. Either way, in the end, it doesn’t actually matter. They might simply time gate what would have been the personal story or they could release it all at once as several episodes or a single large one. Either way, it won’t be the whole story however (compared to killing Zhaitan), because that will likely be the rest of season 3, maybe even 4+.

This is their first time so it could go either way. Their choice will be made clear as soon as the story journal is revealed. “My Story” or “Season 3”

I believe that they did mention that HoT will be required to receive any Living Story updates. I don’t really remember the source, but I’ve heard it a few times. After all, all of the story is taking place in the HoT zones.

Healix.5819:

Season 3 is basically HoT. HoT will feature its own personal/living story.

They might not even go back to the old system. Season 4 for example might simply be locked behind HoT rather than requiring you to login. I doubt ArenaNet even knows what they’ll end up doing – they keep experimenting.

So, let me see if I understand what you’re saying. I’m just going to use Season 3 as an example to make things easier for me.

HoT contains Season 3. In order to unlock Season 3 by logging in during the time period for episodes, I must have HoT already purchased. Is that right?

iceknite.6507:

I believe that they did mention that HoT will be required to receive any Living Story updates. I don’t really remember the source, but I’ve heard it a few times. After all, all of the story is taking place in the HoT zones.

I’ve been away from GW2 for a while. So far, I haven’t found any reference to HoT being required for Living Story updates. If someone has a link to the reference, please post it. Thanks!

Let me put it like this:

The Living Story is a story driven patch delivery system that gives us content between expansions. Before it was a substitute for them.

Core Game Story.
Living world
Living Story Season 1 (not repeatable)
Living Story Season 2 (Prelude to Heart of Thorns, repeatable, buyable)
Heart of Thorns Expansion
Living Season 3
etc…

Jaken.6801:

Let me put it like this:

The Living Story is a story driven patch delivery system that gives us content between expansions. Before it was a substitute for them.

Core Game Story.
Living world
Living Story Season 1 (not repeatable)
Living Story Season 2 (Prelude to Heart of Thorns, repeatable, buyable)
Heart of Thorns Expansion
Living Season 3
etc…

But, can I log into GW2 w/o purchasing HoT and unlock the Living Story episodes during the log-in window? I’m not talking about playing the episodes.

Which are you talking about?

Season 3 does not exist yet and will be likely unlocked like season 2. Either by logging in while each episode is active, or later by purchasing them from the gemstore.

You might misunderstand Living Story and general updates.
You will get every update as soon as you start the game.
Every part of the core game and it`s mechanics will change as the game evolves.

however you have no access to the story elements.
Your story will not process unless you do the things required.
You only loose the story (and one backpiece) at the moment with season 2.
The rest is available to you.

You won`t get a lot of the new stuff from HoT though, like the whole maguma wastes or the continuation after season 2.

I posted above in this thread and will point to what I said because people still aren’t understanding the OP’s question. If you log in during the free window, but do not at that point have HoT, will you have the episode unlocked later when you do buy HoT, or will the unlock only register on your account if it is a HoT account?

CrimsonDX.4821:

We probably wont know until such a time season 3 is released

This.

Colin (iirc) stated that HoT will be required to play all future Living World content. However, it was not said if it would be required to unlock all future Living World content.

It is possible, but unable to prove or disprove, that simply logging in even without HoT as part of the account will unlock the future Season 3, but keep it locked from being actually accessible until you buy HoT.

I imagine season 3 will be free as usual but most if not all if it will be in the zones that happen to be for HoT unless we’re COMPLETELY done with that, which is unlikely even of Mordy dies in HoT

I would expect it to unlock if you log on during the right time(s) but be inaccessible unless you own the HoT. That would be the easiest way to set it up imo. Less likely to bug and require computer support to fix.