Q:
Returning after a break
A:
The very stagnant nature of the game lends itself to taking breaks and coming back when there is new content. But if the game then provides no guidance or any indication at all of new content, how is someone ever meant to find out?
From the perspective of someone who has been playing consistently since launch, it really has not felt stagnant to me! I think the thing is that since December, ArenaNet has been focusing on refining and improving existing aspects of the game rather than adding new ‘content’ in the sense you seem to mean. There is new stuff, but there aren’t new zones or quests, which seems to be what you’re looking for (the refugee stuff is an event, but it’s a long-term, slow developing event). Instead, things in existing areas work slightly differently, generally better.
Orr, for instance, got a big overhaul to make it more pleasant and fun to play. The dailies have just had a second change to make them better for giving us little goals in the course of everyday play. Dungeons have had work done to improve them, and Fractals has continued to progress and be supported. World events are now more likely to give better loot.
My advice to you would be to just play normally – maybe make a new character? – and see if it feels different to you. Things you might have written off a few months ago may be more fun or more worthwhile now after adjustments.
Patch notes are the best place to start. You can find them here:
I am fine with the way it is. Want to find out about things happening in the game world? Go out and explore. If you just want to sit and read about a story there are plenty of great books.
Going out and exploring does not tell you about new content or story. Doing homework by delving through mountains is not my idea of playing a game.