Guild Wars 2

If so, guess we better get ready for an influx of notorious zergers, team swappers (leavers in unranked/ranked) and people who careless about map objectives.

The server browser is still there. Practice mode not being there anymore I would hope is an oversight.

Just checked ingame, and wow the hotjoin (at least the practice button) is really gone…

I just hope that’s because of the stronhold pvp weekend, AFAIK last time they also changed the normal (un?)ranked queue into stronghold instead of conquest to test it.

I’d REALLY miss hotjoin. Not having to wait 5-10 minutes between every match is godsend when your playtime is limited.

SchmendrickTheMagician.8247:

Just checked ingame, and wow the hotjoin (at least the practice button) is really gone…

I just hope that’s because of the stronhold pvp weekend, AFAIK last time they also changed the normal (un?)ranked queue into stronghold instead of conquest to test it.

I’d REALLY miss hotjoin. Not having to wait 5-10 minutes between every match is godsend when your playtime is limited.

You can still view the server browser. Just pick a server and it’s the same thing; practice “queue” just throws you into one of them afaik. But I’m hoping they’ll add practice button back anywho.

Reicta.2178:

SchmendrickTheMagician.8247:

Just checked ingame, and wow the hotjoin (at least the practice button) is really gone…

I just hope that’s because of the stronhold pvp weekend, AFAIK last time they also changed the normal (un?)ranked queue into stronghold instead of conquest to test it.

I’d REALLY miss hotjoin. Not having to wait 5-10 minutes between every match is godsend when your playtime is limited.

You can still view the server browser. Just pick a server and it’s the same thing; practice “queue” just throws you into one of them afaik. But I’m hoping they’ll add practice button back anywho.

That made me nervous. I guess it was an oversight not including a practice option on the main pop-up.

I have nothing against hotjoin pvpers. It’s just that the mindset is completely different. I’ve met some of the best duelers in hotjoin.

The one thing I despise about hotjoin is the team swapping. I’m sure veteran hotjoiners are bothered by that too.

The button being gone is deliberate. When they accidentally showed off the new ui a month ago, it wasn’t there. They had enough time to fix it if it was a mistake.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/pvp/Patch-added-queue-preferences-update-gone/

Personally, I think new players should be given a much better tutorial than the existing one and then go into unranked rather than hotjoin. The latter is a terrible experience that could turn people away from pvp.

Hotjoin was horrible experience for new players and it definitely an improvement getting rid of its button.

I hope so, it would increase pool of players for matchmaking

mistsim.2748:

I hope so, it would increase pool of players for matchmaking

If hotjoin was ever completely removed removed [with the current queue systems] I would probably simply stop PVPing, and soon after stop playing the game. I’ve done enough tourneys in GW2 over the years but all but stopped doing them after the feature patch that removed the option to play hotjoin while waiting for your queue pop.

With queue times 5-8+ minutes that even force you to camp in the mists I simply don’t have the time or patience to game anymore. If I have an hour of playtime on an evening I don’t want to only play 2-3 matches because there’s long waits between matches for the queues, then waiting for the players to accept, then waiting for the pregame countdown to tick down (there’s always this one guy that doesn’t ready-up), only so I can finally play a ~10 minute match that might as well be over sooner if I’m up against a premade in soloqueue.

Sure hotjoin isn’t competitive and the player-switching sucks and should be looked at but still, it’s probably the mode I overall enjoy the most simply because it allows me to play 60 minutes (minus loading times) of un-interrupted pvp action in an hour, as opposed to queues that currently offer, like I said, especially in off-times, 3ish games per hour.

The practice was removed on purpose, as was discussed a while back: https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/pvp/Patch-added-queue-preferences-update-gone/

You can still get to hot-joins the old fashioned way though Personally, I hope they keep the practice button gone, hot-joins teach bad habits.

Arcadio.6875:

The button being gone is deliberate. When they accidentally showed off the new ui a month ago, it wasn’t there. They had enough time to fix it if it was a mistake.
https://forum-en.gw2archive.eu/forum/game/pvp/Patch-added-queue-preferences-update-gone/

Personally, I think new players should be given a much better tutorial than the existing one and then go into unranked rather than hotjoin. The latter is a terrible experience that could turn people away from pvp.

I can agree with that. A good tutorial would be great. The practice button can go but players need to be made aware that the server browser exists or people will forget hotjoin exists at all (e.g. this thread).

They just confirmed on twitch that they removed the practice button, but did not give an explanation why.

I think it’s obvious they want to de-emphasize hotjoin because of how bad it is and get more people going into unranked instead.

Arcadio.6875:

They just confirmed on twitch that they removed the practice button, but did not give an explanation why.

I think it’s obvious they want to de-emphasize hotjoin because of how bad it is and get more people going into unranked instead.

A great way to get more people into (un)ranked again would be to let us play hotjoin/practice (or even pve) again while waiting for the 5+ minute long queues.

As long as 50% of the time spent in the game is downtime waiting for a queue to happen I won’t queue for pvp, simply because I loathe nothing more than downtime these days.

I wish it was gone completely but they’ll never do that. Custom arenas still have their uses for tournaments, practice, etc.

Atleast its more hidden now.
Hotjoin has caused a lot of problems for the game. This is a good change.

i like to hop around hotjoin until i find a newly starting server. play there. it is significantly more fun than current un/ranked fights.

if autobalance pulls u to a side w/ huge loss incoming, just go to server list and find another server.

overall i have more time actually playing (hopping around for servers takes less time than waiting on queues), more even fights (less premades), and more fun (at least i have)

w/ the snowball effect from autobalance and leavers, there is some frustration, but in general i’m enjoying it much more

Jaxom.7310:

i like to hop around hotjoin until i find a newly starting server. play there. it is significantly more fun than current un/ranked fights.

if autobalance pulls u to a side w/ huge loss incoming, just go to server list and find another server.

But why? Simply ALWAYS volunteer, no matter what, and if you were on the winning team, you now get 100% win bonus + more bonuses on top, and if you were on the losing team, it now will end in a more even and therefore fun game probably.

SchmendrickTheMagician.8247:

Jaxom.7310:

i like to hop around hotjoin until i find a newly starting server. play there. it is significantly more fun than current un/ranked fights.

if autobalance pulls u to a side w/ huge loss incoming, just go to server list and find another server.

But why? Simply ALWAYS volunteer, no matter what, and if you were on the winning team, you now get 100% win bonus + more bonuses on top, and if you were on the losing team, it now will end in a more even and therefore fun game probably.

yeah thats an option too. just sayin, i like the ability to just jump in and start fighting. i can’t stand sitting in the queue, only to have a terribly mis matched fight when it finally pops. that is much more frustrating than any hotjoin match

Guys, if more players are in the queue (becouse there is pratice anymore), the queue time will be much shorter

People are forgetting that there would be a surplus of Beginners joining in on Ranked and Unranked play… that faster 30s wait time in queue isn’t going to remedy 3 newbie players on your team.

Saiyan.1704:

People are forgetting that there would be a surplus of Beginners joining in on Ranked and Unranked play… that faster 30s wait time in queue isn’t going to remedy 3 newbie players on your team.

Thats why (I guess) there have been limits datamined. They’ll probably limit acces to unranked/ranked based on w/e.

In general i think it’s a good idea cuz.

1. They didn’t remove hotjoin but only practice button.

2. More people in queue, it’s easier for matchmaking

I hope they keep it like this. How can people even play in that mess full of team-swappers and leavers that is called Hotjoin is beyond me.

So this is how the easiest and most fun part of pvp dies? No warning no nothing, typical i guess. I mean take player input meant for one thing apply it to another, and say you players asked for this, typical.

Hot join for me was the fun part of GW2, I never started story lines, “farm legendaries” or anything to do with PvE in general. This was my 50% of my daily gaming time in this one particular mode. In addition, I do not have patience to wait in queue. Warframe have my 100% gaming time now, sorry GW2 i’ll just come on for login rewards then.

I didn’t know people still played in Hot Join.

#MindWrack

Jaxom.7310:

i like to hop around hotjoin until i find a newly starting server. play there. it is significantly more fun than current un/ranked fights.

if autobalance pulls u to a side w/ huge loss incoming, just go to server list and find another server.

overall i have more time actually playing (hopping around for servers takes less time than waiting on queues), more even fights (less premades), and more fun (at least i have)

w/ the snowball effect from autobalance and leavers, there is some frustration, but in general i’m enjoying it much more

agree 100%.

The wait time in unranked /ranked is unbearable. If they remove hotjoin permanently, that will be the end of me doing ANY sPvP.

Saiyan.1704:

People are forgetting that there would be a surplus of Beginners joining in on Ranked and Unranked play… that faster 30s wait time in queue isn’t going to remedy 3 newbie players on your team.

+1 Yeah, that was my concern. It still exists but hidden. The few ranked games I’ve played definitely had hotjoin types (zerging, double, triple capping etc). Luckily it ended up well since we were also going against hotjoin types.

This is really stupid.

Many of us with real life commitments need to up and leave at a moment’s notice, hence you place hotjoin when you can’t commit to a proper match…

Expect 4v5s to go through the roof…

abc.5790:

Saiyan.1704:

People are forgetting that there would be a surplus of Beginners joining in on Ranked and Unranked play… that faster 30s wait time in queue isn’t going to remedy 3 newbie players on your team.

+1 Yeah, that was my concern. It still exists but hidden. The few ranked games I’ve played definitely had hotjoin types (zerging, double, triple capping etc). Luckily it ended up well since we were also going against hotjoin types.

unranked is a better environment for noobs than hotjoin in terms of long term learning. There’s literally nothing to gain from hotjoin outside of learning basic fighting mechanics for your profession. Hotjoin is actually one of the few things that almost turned me away from pvp…

Sube Dai.8496:

This is really stupid.

Many of us with real life commitments need to up and leave at a moment’s notice, hence you place hotjoin when you can’t commit to a proper match…

Expect 4v5s to go through the roof…

You do realise that you can still play in custom arenas which is the old ‘practice mode’………………..

FuzzyRamen.4902:

Hot join for me was the fun part of GW2, I never started story lines, “farm legendaries” or anything to do with PvE in general. This was my 50% of my daily gaming time in this one particular mode. In addition, I do not have patience to wait in queue. Warframe have my 100% gaming time now, sorry GW2 i’ll just come on for login rewards then.

Play in custom arenas? Which is the old ‘practice mode’?
But thats too hard right? Better QQ.

MailMail.6534:

abc.5790:

Saiyan.1704:

People are forgetting that there would be a surplus of Beginners joining in on Ranked and Unranked play… that faster 30s wait time in queue isn’t going to remedy 3 newbie players on your team.

+1 Yeah, that was my concern. It still exists but hidden. The few ranked games I’ve played definitely had hotjoin types (zerging, double, triple capping etc). Luckily it ended up well since we were also going against hotjoin types.

unranked is a better environment for noobs than hotjoin in terms of long term learning. There’s literally nothing to gain from hotjoin outside of learning basic fighting mechanics for your profession. Hotjoin is actually one of the few things that almost turned me away from pvp…

For real. The habits of the some of the players in hotjoin make pvp unenjoyable. It was okay when we could play there while queued up. I’d like the good hotjoiners to be part of the ranked pool tho.

Hotjoin should be reverted back to the way it was at release, which was similar to the old GW1 random arenas. The only good thing about it was the ability to observe games, but does anyone actually observe hotjoin matches?

Are hotjoin servers designed for just getting the daily PvP rewards ok with A-net?

I popped into a couple and it’s people not attacking unless it’s for the daily defender, just capping and causing outnumbered team swaps, etc. Seems like exploiting/match rigging to me, but idk what A-net thinks about them.

TheAngryDuckling.5481:

Hotjoin was horrible experience for new players and it definitely an improvement getting rid of its button.

Wrong. Given that matchmaking is broken, it is better to give them a place to practice before joining unranked or ranked teams.

style.6173:

TheAngryDuckling.5481:

Hotjoin was horrible experience for new players and it definitely an improvement getting rid of its button.

Wrong. Given that matchmaking is broken, it is better to give them a place to practice before joining unranked or ranked teams.

Practice what?
You won’t learn rotations there nor will your mechanical skill improve much. The skillevel in hotjoin differs greatly as there is no MMR there.

You learn a bit how the map looks and maybe a bit about your class. That’s it. You’ll learn a lot quicker in unranked matches.

butch.8136:

style.6173:

TheAngryDuckling.5481:

Hotjoin was horrible experience for new players and it definitely an improvement getting rid of its button.

Wrong. Given that matchmaking is broken, it is better to give them a place to practice before joining unranked or ranked teams.

Practice what?
You won’t learn rotations there nor will your mechanical skill improve much. The skillevel in hotjoin differs greatly as there is no MMR there.

You learn a bit how the map looks and maybe a bit about your class. That’s it. You’ll learn a lot quicker in unranked matches.

But what about having fun?

Well I hardly believe anyone was having fun in hotjoin except from farmers maybe.

I hope they “accidentally” delete hot-joins completely as well.

Slapinator.4196:

Well I hardly believe anyone was having fun in hotjoin except from farmers maybe.

I see this change as a real blow to sPVP actually. The folks that do HotJoin primarily are:

1. ones that just want to do their dailies quickly
2. ones that want to pop in, try new builds, pop out.
3. don’t take sPvP seriously
4. know they rage alot and can leave anytime they want…
5. Dont have much time and want to get some pvp in

Now you take the above folks and force them into unranked. One of two things will happen. These folks will join a match and either quit, afk, etc when things do not go well and they are stuck in there for awhile or they wont join at all.

Yeah, it may populate the unranked queue for a short time. But these folks played HJ for a reason, and when those reasons are not fulfilled in unranked, then they will stop queing (or become toxic)..

Personally, I liked to pop in HJ, pretty much ignore the win/loss and just kill people. I got burnt out of the unranked/ranked queues, with all the nonsensable jibber-jabber, elitism, unbalanced teams, premade crap, and time commitents. At least HJ allowed folks to leave these types of environment and still have fun in pvp..

SchmendrickTheMagician.8247:

butch.8136:

style.6173:

TheAngryDuckling.5481:

Hotjoin was horrible experience for new players and it definitely an improvement getting rid of its button.

Wrong. Given that matchmaking is broken, it is better to give them a place to practice before joining unranked or ranked teams.

Practice what?
You won’t learn rotations there nor will your mechanical skill improve much. The skillevel in hotjoin differs greatly as there is no MMR there.

You learn a bit how the map looks and maybe a bit about your class. That’s it. You’ll learn a lot quicker in unranked matches.

But what about having fun?

You can still have fun in hotjoin. Just have to click 2 buttons instead of 1 now.

SchmendrickTheMagician.8247:

Arcadio.6875:

They just confirmed on twitch that they removed the practice button, but did not give an explanation why.

I think it’s obvious they want to de-emphasize hotjoin because of how bad it is and get more people going into unranked instead.

A great way to get more people into (un)ranked again would be to let us play hotjoin/practice (or even pve) again while waiting for the 5+ minute long queues.

As long as 50% of the time spent in the game is downtime waiting for a queue to happen I won’t queue for pvp, simply because I loathe nothing more than downtime these days.

Being able to PvE would be great. Queuing during hotjoin again though I don’t know. It’s already volatile enough with leaving/join/autobalance, adding queue’ers in too would make it less fun for the hotjoiners I imagine.

mulzi.8273:

Slapinator.4196:

Well I hardly believe anyone was having fun in hotjoin except from farmers maybe.

I see this change as a real blow to sPVP actually. The folks that do HotJoin primarily are:

1. ones that just want to do their dailies quickly
2. ones that want to pop in, try new builds, pop out.
3. don’t take sPvP seriously
4. know they rage alot and can leave anytime they want…
5. Dont have much time and want to get some pvp in

Now you take the above folks and force them into unranked. One of two things will happen. These folks will join a match and either quit, afk, etc when things do not go well and they are stuck in there for awhile or they wont join at all.

Yeah, it may populate the unranked queue for a short time. But these folks played HJ for a reason, and when those reasons are not fulfilled in unranked, then they will stop queing (or become toxic)..

Personally, I liked to pop in HJ, pretty much ignore the win/loss and just kill people. I got burnt out of the unranked/ranked queues, with all the nonsensable jibber-jabber, elitism, unbalanced teams, premade crap, and time commitents. At least HJ allowed folks to leave these types of environment and still have fun in pvp..

No one is forced into unranked/ranked…NO ONE, all they have to do is open the server browser and pick one, it is exactly the same, just no instant-button

All of those things you listed are still easy enough to do.

The problem lies with the people who never took the time actually know the server browser exists, and is what hotjoin used the entire time anyways.

I sort of like this change, it does take some getting use to visually; however, everything is still there.

Ok its still there, but how are noobs ever going to find it?

Sube Dai.8496:

Ok its still there, but how are noobs ever going to find it?

Would need to modify the PvP tutorial area or add a new hint that basically points the players to the NPC.

To be fair though, the NPC has never really moved… just had a Quaggan added next to him as time moved on.

Probably should rename the mini map icon from “PvP Server Browser” to something like “Practice Arenas”.

There does need to be something added for newbies, but I don’t think adding the button back would be the way to go.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?

I don’t want HotJoin-mentality players doing hotjoin-attitude on my team goofing around in unranked or ranked matches.

Would you?

Laserbolt.6731:

I don’t want HotJoin-mentality players doing hotjoin-attitude on my team goofing around in unranked or ranked matches.

Would you?

There has to be a practical point of acceptance for players to merge into the next phase of game play. There was some data mining by that_shaman with some interesting tidbits of information. I won’t post the link, but i’m sure you can find it with ease on reddit.

Providing the data mining is 100% accurate, i’m sure one can put that information in conjunction with this change together to see what’s going on