Thank you everyone for your feedback! I’ve been taking notes based on everyone’s perspectives on this particular subject, and will be releasing a revised version of the report.
I know this has been mentioned a few times in this thread, but how would you feel about a “trail run” of said changes? Such as removing the white swords in WvW. Which change would you like see implemented first? Why?I think trail runs would be great! I like that they also give a small bonus in return since we are also benefiting Arenanet by giving feedback on the changes. I think even a permanent WvW test map would be great, something that wouldnt affect the scores but still be a place for people to go and test new changes and tweaks.
I think the first change that would be nice, would be a kind of reward track like the PvP reward tracks. I think it would help somewhat with the population issue if people felt more rewarded doing WvW and felt like they had a goal. It might get more people engaged and in WvW, but at the same time also reward people for actively participating in their servers WvW. Maybe some of the reward track bonuses could be like an Omega Siege Golem blueprint in the champion boxes or something like that, and/or maybe like some of the WvW weapons could be earned through those reward tracks.
They have already been doing trial runs for what they plan on implementing in wvw, that is what EoTM is for. The forced server merge they were planning on implementing for wvw is what has been tested in EoTM, but it is the way they chose to do it is what needs to be redone. They would have to instead allow people to permanently merge by choice, and not randomly create temporary teams as it is currently done, since temporary teams do not strategically work together as permanent teams do .
EoTM IS where they currently do the trial runs, it is the testing ground.
The problem is if they made EoTM our wvw, many wvw players would leave the game all together since 1) most hate EoTM map landscape, and prefer a battlefield type map such as EBG 2)linear maps and chokepoints make roaming impossible, and 3)uncoordinated blob team mergers do not allow for strategy and cooperation. People randomly thrown onto a field with a random team just blob and do not really play effectively together. It dumbs down gameplay instead of enhances it.The server merging they want for wvw was not implemented well in EoTM, randomly forcing teams to be together is not good for team building. What they planned on implementing and have tested thus far in their " trial runs" will cause more blob, less strategic gameplay.
Trials are not a new thing here, EoTM was created for this purpose as it is the testing grounds for wvw:
“Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW”
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists
That may be what EotM was originally intended for but it quickly devolved into the PvE map that it is today. It has nothing to do with WvW now.
What we’re talking about here is specific changes made in live WvW on a temporary basis like the PPK and No White Swords.
And I think griffyman’s point above is great. There’s got to be something for people to do when they’re getting pasted. Oftentimes its not even mid week, its Sunday.
I don’t know about NPC’s coming in but certain objectives like the following. And the objectives could pop up in the big yellow letters that they use for other type messages.
- Take Jerrifers Tower for XXX bonus points and XXX bonus reward.
- Take a T3 tower on the north half of Green BL.
- Take Bay on Green BL.
- etc.
These objectives could be for both the weaker servers in the case of one dominant server (which is usually the case).
And if one server is beating both by 75K points or more:
- Teq and Jormag spawn in the leading server BL and both of the other servers are invited to come assist in the total takeover of the BL. (Lol kind of kidding with this one but now that I think about it would be hilarious. Could even announce it in PvE.)
(edited by Johje Holan.4607)