Guild Wars 2

I’m noticing a pattern with Anets balance patches.

They tend to take a class/spec/playstyle that is under performing, and attempt to “fix” it in a patch. Almost invariably, the spec ends up horribly OP, and then must be toned down over the next month or two, maybe longer.

This leads to all sorts of discontent in the playerbase. Those who don’t play the FOTM Class/Spec/Play style all feel cheated. Some of those who do realize they’re just jumping on the bandwagon until the ride stops. Still others beg and plead for “no new nerfs”, because they’re enjoying their facerolling roflstomping character, and they believe the game is fine with it staying the way it is.

This paints a pretty clear picture for me – Anet is not (or does not have the resources to) properly test their balance changes. This begs the question (one I’ve asked repeatedly in the past), how do we still not have a PTS?

Look, I get it, a PTS isn’t free. But what you’re doing now can’t possibly be cost effective – you work a month on balance changes, than another month or two toning those changes down when it becomes apparent how ill thought out they were! That costs your company time and money, and makes the playerbase unhappy. In addition, If you’re paying internal playtesters, you’re throwing your money away.

Most PvP players would be absolutely delighted to have a PTS where they can test your upcoming changes and give honest feedback. We won’t have to worry about how kittenty the servers will be after a patch while we wait for a hotfix (you’ll see this in PTS and fix it there!); We wont have to sit and fight broken OP FOTM builds for 1 or 2 months while you figure out how to tone them down. Heck, I’m willing to bet you could charge players 5 dollars for a “token” which gives access to the PTS for 1 month to cover the cost! (I’d pay it, tho I don’t know about others).

A PTS is clearly the best option for both your customers, AND your business. You’ll have a happier playerbase who doesn’t have to deal with all your post patch BS, fighting fairly balanced classes who’s changes were both well thought out and well tested. You’ll save money on playtesting/time wasted scrambling to fix things you just “fixed” in the last patch.

I’ve noticed the increased Dev presence on the boards, and that’s a good thing. I sincerely hope someone with the company notices this and comments.

Whats a PTS?
15char

Alissah.9281:

Whats a PTS?
15char

Public Test Server (or Prelaunch Test System, Product Test System, etc)
It’s basically a Test server that ANet would load their changes onto first to test before they went live. Players could log in and create new characters (since it’d be for PvP testing only, there’s no need to copy current characters over) just to test Anets balance changes and give them feedback.

I didn’t read but I assume I know what you are saying. I never understood why this game didn’t have a public test server, it really doesn’t make any sense. Every successful MMO I have ever played has a PTS or PTR or whatever.

Ashanor.5319:

I didn’t read but I assume I know what you are saying. I never understood why this game didn’t have a public test server, it really doesn’t make any sense. Every successful MMO I have ever played has a PTS or PTR or whatever.

There are games that do not have Esport aspirations that have a PTS for PvP. How does this game not have one? It would be more excusable if their system was working without one, but it clearly isn’t. Nearly every patch has introduced a FOTM build that was clearly OP, and the next patch was in part dedicated to fixing their lack of foresight.

It’s been a year. How long are they going to keep making the same mistakes over and over and over and over again? Especially when the solution is so simple, would likely save the company money, and best of all make the playerbase happy?

There is alpha testing already however I believe it is rather exclusive and isn’t spoken about very much. Chances are because they have to agree to an NDA before joining the “krewe”. Few players have the qualities required to be such a tester, however, many would like to be an alpha. I believe a large proportion of the pvp playerbase would like to be involved more within the balance of the game. The problem is that if you have too many alpha testers then you will have too many sources of information which would all have to be read by people at ArenaNet. (taking up resources slowing down productivity). I for one would love to be part of the exclusive circle but I doubt I’ll ever be part of the krewe.

that’s right
but i’m not sure Anet wants to know people’s opinion about the balance, i’m happy when any of bugs is fixed. not even dreaming about a pts, when there’s a lot of already KNOWN bugs\minibugs

thats not what happenes to warrior so you are wrong

Adam.6047:

There is alpha testing already however I believe it is rather exclusive and isn’t spoken about very much. Chances are because they have to agree to an NDA before joining the “krewe”. Few players have the qualities required to be such a tester, however, many would like to be an alpha. I believe a large proportion of the pvp playerbase would like to be involved more within the balance of the game. The problem is that if you have too many alpha testers then you will have too many sources of information which would all have to be read by people at ArenaNet. (taking up resources slowing down productivity). I for one would love to be part of the exclusive circle but I doubt I’ll ever be part of the krewe.

How do other companies pull it off? Other companies that aren’t trying to create an esport game somehow find the resources to run a PTS, monitor player input, and improve the game using that input (successfully, and to the delight of the playerbase) ,but this aspiring Esport company can’t?

Anets current setup obviously isn’t working. Every single patch, there is an issue with PvP maps – disconnects, long load times, latency issues, etc etc etc. Every, Single, Patch.

Every single patch, there are at least a few builds players discover rather quickly that are clearly some severity of overpowered. They then have to devote additional resources to fixing the issues they spent money to introduce into the game in the first place. That’s lunacy!

Free playtesters (or as I suggested, charging a small fee for access) via PTS will most likely Save Anet money. It will also lead to more balanced patches, and a more engaged and happy player base.