Guild Wars 2

We can clearly see that the new WvW maps seem designed around the high tier servers. After guilds finish upgrading guild halls, WvW may be back to normal.

But the low-population servers are feeling huge pain. Instead of forcing people to abandon their low population server and lose friends who inevitably won’t all move together, how about announce mergers for the lowest population servers? Then people could stay together and get the needed population boosts.

WvW is the only thing that doesn’t benefit from the megaserver changes, we need some serious thought put into helping people who have lost their preferred playstyle without forcing us to no longer play with the friends we have been playing with for the past 2-3 years.

Also, allow recently transferred players a refund of transfer cost and allow them to participate in the merge process if needed.

I support WvW merges to create the type of population atmosphere present in the early years of GW2.

Other data points:

1. Players can carry 10-15 supply now instead of 15-20 (+5 was readily available).
2. Guild cata cost increased to 50 from 25.
3. Side keeps in borderlands can no longer be capped with a single set of catas for both walls.
4. Auto-fortify when low amount of players are online result in fully-fortified walls/gates that take a lot of manpower to dig out of (skysplitter mitigates this a little bit).

Comparing previous to now, the low-population borderlands often relied on gcatas to take anything, especially bay/hills, which would 99% of the time not be upgraded in your own BL since attackers weren’t willing to spend time/money to upgrade.

As an example, 5 new players, all with +5, could carry a total of 75 supply. Veterans could hold 100 supply. The 5 new players could carry sufficient supply for 3 guild catas, and the veterans four. This is plenty of catas to take hills or bay, if the defense isn’t there. If enough guilds are able to achieve +5 status, part of this problem will be mitigated.

In the current world, 5 new players will carry 50 supply, veterans 75. The newbies can build a single gcata or sup ram, and the veterans also can only build a single. Enter fortified gates, and this ends up needing 4 loads of supply (3 resupply runs) to break a single base, unless the vets get lucky with supply mastery and get two regular rams.

Against fortified gates / walls, even two superior rams / catas take a LONG time. The only viable methods here are really to get 15-20 people (which almost never happens in low pop servers) or do golems. Golems are probably the only answer that makes much sense currently.

A lot of people find the combination of these challenges too much. Granted, 25 supply guild catas was pretty broken, and getting two walls for a single set of catas is pretty broken, but not thinking of the low population servers was short-sighted.

Possible suggestions:

1. Some sort of scaling “low population” buff in your home borderlands that scales supply capacity per person up to double normal, to offset the inability to accomplish much in the off-hours.
2. In all borderlands, require someone to push a button or at least interact in some way with the keep/tower/camp to start the next upgrade. We should add the myriad upgrade options are before to require more button presses (12 for keeps/towers, 4 for camps if I recall correctly).

I think we also need to compare the EB keeps / SM difficulty of capture to the new borderlands. Main gates of the keeps can both be hit with a single set of rams, and even SM can be attacked with proper catapult positioning to take out the gates with the same catas used to hit the walls (I think 2 for 1 is bad in these situations and should be fixed, but low-population servers need to be considered for side-effects).

I haven’t spent much earnest brain cycles on thinking about better solutions, so I’m sure there are much better solutions that can be thought of.

Anet, love all the work you have put into the new borderlands, they are very pretty and interesting and well-done. I’m just sad that the community we have built on my low-population server is self-destructing due to side-effects of these changes.

I agree for a server merge. These new maps are killing the low population servers. Honestly I think this is the only way to save it.

Potion Sella

Seriously. Just delete the bottom half of all the servers. It has ZERO effect on PvE and will help with the DEAD WvW maps.

Sadly, I’m pretty sure Anet will not do this because it will just be admitting that their game is “losing players.”

Draxx.8247:

1. Some sort of scaling “low population” buff in your home borderlands that scales supply capacity per person up to double normal, to offset the inability to accomplish much in the off-hours.

Something fun that could have been done:

- When you cap a camp, for a minor silver cost you can make it send out a war dolly which can dispense 50 supply when it arrive at the enemy tower/keep (like a tiny mobile supply camp).

They already have the mechanic in HoT with the downed helos in brink that poop out supply when you kick them. Just kick that dolly!).

But of course, if Anet did this it would be locked behind level 50 guilds, require a 1000g schematic and 10g activation cost.

Also, it would be bugged and only give you supplies if you where red.

And the dolly would spawn burning.

in the past many lower tier communities were against the idea of server mergers for the damage it would do their identities and because of a lot people played on the lower tiers for a reason. Even if a lot of those vocal posters no longer play the game I expect ANET would have to hear from a large percentage of low tiers players that their feelings on this issue have changed (with consensus on how it be handled which was even harder to come by previously) before they might even consider the idea.

Even then I have a feeling their upcoming WvW “fixes” might already be going to address this somehow so lets just hope it is in a way that will foster strong world identities rather than tearing communities apart. It certainly does feel like the new map was designed for larger numbers of players than even the middle tiers are fielding right now during weekday prime times so something is going to have to change and sooner might be for the best.

I remember a comment from ANet when they released Eotm that the map was not only to solve the queue problems but they were also testing some concepts. I do believe one of those concepts was to group servers on a match just as Eotm doeas based on the color the server is representing in the moment.

Megaserver worked pretty well for PvE, I belive they will do something similar in WvW, maybe creating random alliances high tiers and low tiers servers.

I think merging is a need right now, but I also understand that losing server identity is not cool, if we had a solution that kept this identity would be nice, thats why I would vote for creating alliances and keep people on their original servers.

No merges until you have a cool name for new server.

EvilSardine.9635:

Seriously. Just delete the bottom half of all the servers. It has ZERO effect on PvE and will help with the DEAD WvW maps.

Sadly, I’m pretty sure Anet will not do this because it will just be admitting that their game is “losing players.”

Why not just close all the severs? Start 3 new ones, rename them. When it hits their cap, close it. Open 3 more servers, same scenario. Rinse and repeat. Any mergers shouldn’t affect just the lower tiers. Flame on!!!

Jayden Ennok.3687:

No merges until you have a cool name for new server.

How about baddies land, frosty reachers and original gangstas?

Merging servers is pretty pointless unless they fix some of the underlying problems. WvW is bleeding players like never before, merging servers right now would be like jumping from a sinking ship into a sinking lifeboat.

Jim Hunter.6821:

Merging servers is pretty pointless unless they fix some of the underlying problems. WvW is bleeding players like never before, merging servers right now would be like jumping from a sinking ship into a sinking lifeboat.

But it’s a change and something we asked for, right? Lol.

Jim Hunter.6821:

Merging servers is pretty pointless unless they fix some of the underlying problems. WvW is bleeding players like never before, merging servers right now would be like jumping from a sinking ship into a sinking lifeboat.

They will do the eotm megaservers to fix all the problems

Swagger.1459:

Jim Hunter.6821:

Merging servers is pretty pointless unless they fix some of the underlying problems. WvW is bleeding players like never before, merging servers right now would be like jumping from a sinking ship into a sinking lifeboat.

They will do the eotm megaservers to fix all the problems

Gross

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Swagger.1459:

Jim Hunter.6821:

Merging servers is pretty pointless unless they fix some of the underlying problems. WvW is bleeding players like never before, merging servers right now would be like jumping from a sinking ship into a sinking lifeboat.

They will do the eotm megaservers to fix all the problems

Evidence is not overwhelming, but lack of action on ANet’s part seems to point this way. This would be beyond tragic imo, but they have done so much damage to the game mode that it feels the plug has already been pulled, and they’re just waiting for us to die.

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

This really needs to happen, I play in tier 3 and there’s really no queues in WvW other then EB.

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

I pick the later.

Personally, I would suggest to provide for free transfer off low activity servers, but do it so voluntarily. This gives almost the same effect. Oh, by the way, since 3 of the maps are desert BL, I’m afraid that’s not really going to help the situation.

The problem I see is where exactly do you draw the line on what to close, and who decides it? If someone thought everything below tier 2 should be closed, I’d tell them to kitten off. I mean, why would I change the nature of my WvW just to satisify someone else’s idea of balance? But if people see that WvW is not suitable here and the server is not worth staying on, then they will take the chance to leave and there you go, servers merged.

It only costs 500-1000 gems per person to “merge” tiers, honestly.

You know that low tier EU servers were merged with SFR long time ago, but all players didn’t get the memo.

ArchonWing.9480:

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

I pick the later.

Personally, I would suggest to provide for free transfer off low activity servers, but do it so voluntarily. This gives almost the same effect. Oh, by the way, since 3 of the maps are desert BL, I’m afraid that’s not really going to help the situation.

The problem I see is where exactly do you draw the line on what to close, and who decides it? If someone thought everything below tier 2 should be closed, I’d tell them to kitten off. I mean, why would I change the nature of my WvW just to satisify someone else’s idea of balance? But if people see that WvW is not suitable here and the server is not worth staying on, then they will take the chance to leave and there you go, servers merged.

It only costs 500-1000 gems per person to “merge” tiers, honestly.

Unfortunately, though, a healthy wvw population trumps server pride.

Think about this… Guilds cross server lines. Guild “initiative” with guild halls and guild arenas and guild must do “this and that” together… Guild wvw achievements… Eotm megaservers work and are always busy, fast paced and fun…

If you put it all of the above together what do you get? Guild Wars…

Servers don’t bring people together like guilds do so it only makes sense now.

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

I pick the later.

Personally, I would suggest to provide for free transfer off low activity servers, but do it so voluntarily. This gives almost the same effect. Oh, by the way, since 3 of the maps are desert BL, I’m afraid that’s not really going to help the situation.

The problem I see is where exactly do you draw the line on what to close, and who decides it? If someone thought everything below tier 2 should be closed, I’d tell them to kitten off. I mean, why would I change the nature of my WvW just to satisify someone else’s idea of balance? But if people see that WvW is not suitable here and the server is not worth staying on, then they will take the chance to leave and there you go, servers merged.

It only costs 500-1000 gems per person to “merge” tiers, honestly.

Unfortunately, though, a healthy wvw population trumps server pride.

Think about this… Guilds cross server lines. Guild “initiative” with guild halls and guild arenas and guild must do “this and that” together… Guild wvw achievements… Eotm megaservers work and are always busy, fast paced and fun…

If you put it all of the above together what do you get? Guild Wars…

Servers don’t bring people together like guilds do so it only makes sense now.

Server pride is what keeps people defending and fighting. Removing that is the last step to turning WvW completely into eotm. People will just k train.

If you don’t care about “server pride”, then transfer to a more populated server to get the play-style you want. No need to destroy environments and communities that people enjoy.

If I could afford it, I would pay the transfer costs for everyone on the low tier servers that whine for unhelpful server merges.

even in t1 the new maps are empty.

Had the HoT expansion been successful, Anet would have had to ADD servers for the influx of new players. But as we all know, that did not happen. HoT maps are largely empty – and people need to rely on LFG….

Anet cannot start closing servers — that would be the kiss of death. It’s would be an admission that they are not attracting new players, nor retaining existing ones.

The Megaserver was not a grand, strategic innovation. It was instituted because the PvE maps in the low tier servers were empty. You could roam for hours and see 5 people. But because WvW is tied to servers, they just cannot close them.

if they megaserved 2 servers and had different matchups each week like eotm, we’d have 4 tiers, i think this would fix a lot of the population issues. the issue is wvw is already super laggy, with the larger map capacity, more people would make it even more unplayable. it’s hard for anet to do anything because their servers can barely handle wvw right now as it is.

ArchonWing.9480:

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

I pick the later.

Personally, I would suggest to provide for free transfer off low activity servers, but do it so voluntarily. This gives almost the same effect. Oh, by the way, since 3 of the maps are desert BL, I’m afraid that’s not really going to help the situation.

The problem I see is where exactly do you draw the line on what to close, and who decides it? If someone thought everything below tier 2 should be closed, I’d tell them to kitten off. I mean, why would I change the nature of my WvW just to satisify someone else’s idea of balance? But if people see that WvW is not suitable here and the server is not worth staying on, then they will take the chance to leave and there you go, servers merged.

It only costs 500-1000 gems per person to “merge” tiers, honestly.

Inversely fold the bottom 12 servers into the top 12 servers. BAM, problem solved. No gem cost, no options given. It’s not like with megaservers that PvEers would be inconvenienced at all, and if those worlds are such wastelands anyway then you’d think a large percentage of the players left would be happy.

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Swagger.1459:

ArchonWing.9480:

Oh god, put it away before it gets taken seriously.

Just wondering, what’s more important, a healthy and thriving wvw environment where 4 maps are packed more regularly or server pride?

I pick the later.

Personally, I would suggest to provide for free transfer off low activity servers, but do it so voluntarily. This gives almost the same effect. Oh, by the way, since 3 of the maps are desert BL, I’m afraid that’s not really going to help the situation.

The problem I see is where exactly do you draw the line on what to close, and who decides it? If someone thought everything below tier 2 should be closed, I’d tell them to kitten off. I mean, why would I change the nature of my WvW just to satisify someone else’s idea of balance? But if people see that WvW is not suitable here and the server is not worth staying on, then they will take the chance to leave and there you go, servers merged.

It only costs 500-1000 gems per person to “merge” tiers, honestly.

Unfortunately, though, a healthy wvw population trumps server pride.

Think about this… Guilds cross server lines. Guild “initiative” with guild halls and guild arenas and guild must do “this and that” together… Guild wvw achievements… Eotm megaservers work and are always busy, fast paced and fun…

If you put it all of the above together what do you get? Guild Wars…

Servers don’t bring people together like guilds do so it only makes sense now.

I’m not sure why you’re bringing up this dichotomy between servers and guilds. Not everyone prioritizes guilds in every activity in this game either. This is literally apples and oranges, and the comparison is basically nonsenseical and myopic. Furthermore, I’m on a server that does do pve events as one, so yea, people who say that the megaserver means that only servers matter for WvW are a bit confusing their subjective opinion for objective fact— just because you may prioritize WvW in terms of guilds doesn’t mean everyone else does, and your definitions fall short out of that narrow context.

Not to mention you didn’t even respond to 95% of my post, so I’m just going to pretend this reply never happened.

Also, the semantics behind Guild Wars is pretty poor as well, since as I’ve been told many times by people, the name comes from the lore. In any case, it would seem pushing for “GvG” would suit those needs more

And finally if EOTM is working so well, why not work towards improving EOTM?

Because the devs are starting the process of prioritizing guilds and this will mean wvw will become guild tailored, not server tailored. We already see how badly server tailored wvw is working out.

I really didn’t need to respond to each part of your post. I gave a response that encompassed everything. Besides, none of what you said provides a real solution so I didn’t feel like picking it apart at the time, but I’ll give you more to chew on now.

Because… guild initiative.

If you pay attention, the devs test stuff all the time. Hence eotm and 3 megaserver sides.

Players in lower tiers have complained about populations for a long time, but the devs are not going to merge regular servers or push the unhealthy transfer agenda. They will do the eotm 3 faction megaserver instead and leave the rest as is because they are looking to fill up servers with customers, not condense.

“Day vs night” ppt stuff has been a problem, so the timed eotm match style solves that too.

There are other things I as going to mention in a predidiction post, but if you start paying more attention to systems they introduce it will give you some insight into what changes and additions they are going to make.

Also, think about something like this… The devs want players in all areas of the game right? Legendary weapons come from pve. Legendary armor comes from raids. Do you think they are not going to incentivize playing wvw by adding in stuff like ascended and legendary runes and sigils, and parts of their crafting material requirements? Ascended and Legendary rune and sigil mastery tracks would go along with it too.

Look at how they tested collections and look what we have now…

Look at map wide events, event rewards, keys and lock boxes and the dragon stand reward structure in HoT and raids… Those are all things they will put into wvw in one form or another, with a focus on guild building in the process.

Why all this you ask? Because wvw is one dimensional and hollow, no rewards, issues with ppt and capping, population imbalances and empty maps… These are all the things players have complained about for years so something similar to what I mentioned will happen.

Because eotm is working well… But they will add in all the future wvw mastery track, collections and currencies for rewards too.

Swagger.1459:

I really didn’t need to respond to each part of your post. I gave a response that encompassed everything. Besides, none of what you said provides a real solution so I didn’t feel like picking it apart at the time, but I’ll give you more to chew on now.

Still doesn’t answer the original point that players can already “merge” on their own via transfers.

Soon.5240:

Had the HoT expansion been successful, Anet would have had to ADD servers for the influx of new players. But as we all know, that did not happen. HoT maps are largely empty – and people need to rely on LFG….

This is rather irrelevant when talking about WvW, If HoT was successful and they made more servers, It would fragment the WvW population even more. Making their much larger map design an even more perplexing decision than it was already.

Soon.5240:

Anet cannot start closing servers — that would be the kiss of death. It’s would be an admission that they are not attracting new players, noretaining existing ones.

This couldn’t be further from the truth. It wasn’t that long ago SWTOR had to merge servers due to making the mistake of opening to many servers up from the beginning and it was improved greatly. The kiss of death is doing absolutely nothing to fix the problem while a game which is WvW focused is in production.

Having been in last tier server long time, I feel there are 2 separate problems that require 2 separate solutions.

1. HoT has reduced size of wvw population. This has affected every server, both top tier and bottom tier. It is possible some times later when PvE areas/raids have been done multiple times, and guilds have maxed up the guild halls, people will eventually return to wvw as it is only really fun gamemode. Server merge could be only solution if playerbase is permanently reduced.

2. Players tranfering from low population servers to high population servers. This has been going on since wvw existed. Anet has tried some fixes by reducing number of players per map (so creating both queus and eotm), changing transfer fees and marking some high population servers as full. Im afraid none of those works as they don’t fix the reason players gather up into bigger and bigger blobs. Only way to actually make sure all servers stay at roughly same population requires redesigning scoring, rewards and battles so having more players is not easiest way to victory anymore. Forcing servers merge is not solution, it would probably only increase number of players leaving the bigger merged server they don’t care about.

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

I really didn’t need to respond to each part of your post. I gave a response that encompassed everything. Besides, none of what you said provides a real solution so I didn’t feel like picking it apart at the time, but I’ll give you more to chew on now.

Still doesn’t answer the original point that players can already “merge” on their own via transfers.

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

I know different people have different play styles and want different things from WvW. I’ve stayed with the same NA server (IoJ) on the roller coast ride of the last three years. That’s my choice and is due to the feeling of belonging – server pride I guess. We’re currently in the lower tiers, and have been as far down as the bottom (T8). While I enjoy an occasional big fight (usually in EB) I personally find there is more fun to be had in small group battles and I enjoy being able to make a difference to the outcome of things.

I wish people would stop trying to tell me that my server must be merged with several others for my own good. I like the variety I have at the moment (or had pre-HoT) and forcing changes on me because it doesn’t match your own idea of what WvW should be is plain wrong.

I notice these solutions are always “merge the bottom tiers”. How come no one suggests forcibly moving half the top tier players down into the lower servers – that would even out WvW population wouldn’kitten Problem solved: but probably not in an acceptable way!

Edit: Lol – seriously? Even with a space? OK.
Last paragraph should ready without the kitten: “… that would even out WvW population would it not?”…

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Not once did I say server “merging”, I was talking about wvw being like megaserver. You stay on your home server but get zapped to mega red, mega blue or mega green.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists#Match_Up

Also…

“Edge of the Mists is a World versus World map. Its purpose is to act as an extra map for players who wish to play the World versus World format and continue earning rewards even when the official maps are full and has a separate achievement category. Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW, and already provides a new style of gameplay on the floating islands connected by destructible bridges.”

Things will change, megaservers for wvw are coming and the focus will be on winning rewards for your color and guild stuff…

Swagger.1459:

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Not once did I say server “merging”, I was talking about wvw being like megaserver. You stay on your home server but get zapped to mega red, mega blue or mega green.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists#Match_Up

Also…

“Edge of the Mists is a World versus World map. Its purpose is to act as an extra map for players who wish to play the World versus World format and continue earning rewards even when the official maps are full and has a separate achievement category. Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW, and already provides a new style of gameplay on the floating islands connected by destructible bridges.”

Things will change, megaservers for wvw are coming and the focus will be on winning rewards for your color and guild stuff…

The focus will be on personal rewards and karma trains just like it is in eotm right now.
Do you really think anyone is saying, “C’mon guys we are the red team! We are so much better than blue and green!”
Right now with the HoT changes we are listening to WvW’s death rattle, switching to a megaserver would be the final nail in the coffin.

Jim Hunter.6821:

Swagger.1459:

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Not once did I say server “merging”, I was talking about wvw being like megaserver. You stay on your home server but get zapped to mega red, mega blue or mega green.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists#Match_Up

Also…

“Edge of the Mists is a World versus World map. Its purpose is to act as an extra map for players who wish to play the World versus World format and continue earning rewards even when the official maps are full and has a separate achievement category. Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW, and already provides a new style of gameplay on the floating islands connected by destructible bridges.”

Things will change, megaservers for wvw are coming and the focus will be on winning rewards for your color and guild stuff…

The focus will be on personal rewards and karma trains just like it is in eotm right now.
Do you really think anyone is saying, “C’mon guys we are the red team! We are so much better than blue and green!”
Right now with the HoT changes we are listening to WvW’s death rattle, switching to a megaserver would be the final nail in the coffin.

Nah, it would condense people better and be more exciting to run around. I mean you peeps can be in denial all you want, but I know these changes will be coming.

eotm is packed for many reasons, of course the devs are going to model wvw after it in ways.

Also, the loot and karma isn’t great, there are much more “lucrative” activities for that stuff.

Swagger.1459:

Jim Hunter.6821:

Swagger.1459:

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Not once did I say server “merging”, I was talking about wvw being like megaserver. You stay on your home server but get zapped to mega red, mega blue or mega green.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists#Match_Up

Also…

“Edge of the Mists is a World versus World map. Its purpose is to act as an extra map for players who wish to play the World versus World format and continue earning rewards even when the official maps are full and has a separate achievement category. Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW, and already provides a new style of gameplay on the floating islands connected by destructible bridges.”

Things will change, megaservers for wvw are coming and the focus will be on winning rewards for your color and guild stuff…

The focus will be on personal rewards and karma trains just like it is in eotm right now.
Do you really think anyone is saying, “C’mon guys we are the red team! We are so much better than blue and green!”
Right now with the HoT changes we are listening to WvW’s death rattle, switching to a megaserver would be the final nail in the coffin.

Nah, it would condense people better and be more exciting to run around. I mean you peeps can be in denial all you want, but I know these changes will be coming.

eotm is packed for many reasons, of course the devs are going to model wvw after it in ways.

Also, the loot and karma isn’t great, there are much more “lucrative” activities for that stuff.

It would condense the k-train’ers…. you know… the people that already go to eotm. It would drive a crap ton of other people away because being paired up with a bunch of randoms makes the game mode even more casual and boring.

They very well may end up doing it, but not to try and save WvW. This is the step they will take when they 100% give up on WvW and decide it’s not worth the money it costs to maintain the servers.

I just hope one of the RvR’s that’s currently being alpha tested is ready to go by that point.

Swagger.1459:

eotm is packed for many reasons, of course the devs are going to model wvw after it in ways.

EotM is not WvW.

FogLeg.9354:

Swagger.1459:

eotm is packed for many reasons, of course the devs are going to model wvw after it in ways.

EotM is not WvW.

^This.
Queensdale was packed when the champ train was running (no idea if this still happens or not), that doesn’t mean adding a bunch of PvE to WvW will be successful (as evidenced by the new map).

Different people have different things that motivate them to play. Removing servers/ making WvW more casual, removes the motivation for a ton of people.

@Jim Hunter

If WvW is made for casual players as you state…then that means the WvW game mode will reflect that playstyle imho.

WvW as we used to know it…that was based on Server Communities fighting it out over several hours for glory…will be a thing of the past.

WvW will be something you drop by…play a few rounds…then leave. Meh…did my daily…time to do something else.

Diku

But guys and gals, think of all the bags from newbies you’ll get lol

Diku.2546:

@Jim Hunter

If WvW is made for casual players as you state…then that means the WvW game mode will reflect that playstyle imho.

WvW as we used to know it…that was based on Server Communities fighting it out over several hours for glory…will be a thing of the past.

WvW will be something you drop by…play a few rounds…then leave. Meh…did my daily…time to do something else.

Diku

Exactly why megaservers would kill what’s left of WvW.
There are serious problems with PPT and coverage but megaservers aren’t a fix. That is what anet will do when they want to shut WvW down completely.

And those things will change too…

I bet they will have 4, 6 or 8 hour matches to resolve the ppt and “capping” issues. Each match will be independent and rewarded accordingly.

Tournaments will run for longer time frames, say 24 hours to reset and go on for a week at a time. Rewards will be bigger and better during tournament session and they will be run much more frequently. Perhaps monthly or bimonthly to keep momentum and excitement up.

You peeps are stuck in the old wvw box mentality. Things are changing and I guarantee they will be closer to my predictions than you think.

If you think eotm is such a success why don’t you just go play that? Why does WvW need to be destroyed when what you want already exists?

Swagger.1459:

Because the devs are starting the process of prioritizing guilds and this will mean wvw will become guild tailored, not server tailored. We already see how badly server tailored wvw is working out.

What proof do you have of this? If anything, guilds has less to do with WvW thanks to the horrifically imbalanced costs, and now it’s restricted to HoT bigger guilds, plus guild halls will let people fight outside of WvW. Nothing suggests there was much well thought ways of making guilds have more role beyond 5 minutes of scribbling grinding costs.

I really didn’t need to respond to each part of your post. I gave a response that encompassed everything. Besides, none of what you said provides a real solution so I didn’t feel like picking it apart at the time, but I’ll give you more to chew on now.

You didn’t encompass anything beyond pushing your own snake oil.

Because… guild initiative.

If you pay attention, the devs test stuff all the time. Hence eotm and 3 megaserver sides.

lol. And pray tell, what have they tested in EOTM recently?

Players in lower tiers have complained about populations for a long time, but the devs are not going to merge regular servers or push the unhealthy transfer agenda. They will do the eotm 3 faction megaserver instead and leave the rest as is because they are looking to fill up servers with customers, not condense.

Why not? “The unhealthy transfer agenda” has been making them lots of $$$, and people regularly participate in it.

“Day vs night” ppt stuff has been a problem, so the timed eotm match style solves that too.

I know, that already exists in EOTM.

There are other things I as going to mention in a predidiction post, but if you start paying more attention to systems they introduce it will give you some insight into what changes and additions they are going to make.

More snake oil and predictions.

Also, think about something like this… The devs want players in all areas of the game right? Legendary weapons come from pve. Legendary armor comes from raids. Do you think they are not going to incentivize playing wvw by adding in stuff like ascended and legendary runes and sigils, and parts of their crafting material requirements? Ascended and Legendary rune and sigil mastery tracks would go along with it too.

Now this is correct. But is it going to be focused on just guilds? A lot of people I have met care more about individual rewards.

Look at map wide events, event rewards, keys and lock boxes and the dragon stand reward structure in HoT and raids… Those are all things they will put into wvw in one form or another, with a focus on guild building in the process.

The HoT map reward system works well… even for individuals. Again, guilds are not a necessary condition Raids might have something, but that’s for the hardcore crowd, and have you not heard the comments of Gw2 being a casual game being tossed around. Even if we get guild focused content everywhere, they’re not going to simply abandon casuals who don’t have serious guilds.

You’re confusing your subjective opinion with objective facts too much. And selling pie in the sky promises I must say. Nothing Arenanet has done recently could ever make me consider them even capable of having that on their minds to be implemented. It’s not that your idea is bad in any way, nor do I even feel that much particular loyalty to a server but correlation does not equate to causation. If anything, if I predict what would happen given the game’s direction if they took this route, WvW will be reduced to a 3 side race to who can cap a keep in the middle of the map faster, and with 0 player vs player interaction.

Oh by the way guys. I suggest you all invest in T5 mats; they’re going to rise soon because Anet will be trying to rebalance failing markets again, and the overflow will be clearing up soon post Halloween. If you’re not sure how to invest, feel free to send them as well as all your gold to me. We’ll split the profits! (If you get nothing back, I spent it all on BL keys. Sorry!)

WvW is about fights AND winning. If you create a megaserver with no identity then there is no point in having a score and no point in trying to win because there is no identity as to who won. If you just want to fight another guild, they have the OS and they made arenas in guild halls.

Swagger.1459:

Jim Hunter.6821:

Swagger.1459:

roxybudgy.8205:

Swagger.1459:

And transfers kill servers too… And transfers are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Yet a server merge is just another word for forced transfer.

The only difference between a server merge and transfer is that people currently get to choose whether or not they transfer, whereas the merge that some people are begging for takes away that choice.

Server merges are not long term solutions to bigger problems…

Not once did I say server “merging”, I was talking about wvw being like megaserver. You stay on your home server but get zapped to mega red, mega blue or mega green.

http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Edge_of_the_Mists#Match_Up

Also…

“Edge of the Mists is a World versus World map. Its purpose is to act as an extra map for players who wish to play the World versus World format and continue earning rewards even when the official maps are full and has a separate achievement category. Edge of the Mists serves as a testing ground for the new features that may be introduced to WvW, and already provides a new style of gameplay on the floating islands connected by destructible bridges.”

Things will change, megaservers for wvw are coming and the focus will be on winning rewards for your color and guild stuff…

The focus will be on personal rewards and karma trains just like it is in eotm right now.
Do you really think anyone is saying, “C’mon guys we are the red team! We are so much better than blue and green!”
Right now with the HoT changes we are listening to WvW’s death rattle, switching to a megaserver would be the final nail in the coffin.

Nah, it would condense people better and be more exciting to run around. I mean you peeps can be in denial all you want, but I know these changes will be coming.

eotm is packed for many reasons, of course the devs are going to model wvw after it in ways.

Also, the loot and karma isn’t great, there are much more “lucrative” activities for that stuff.

You’re missing the point he’s making about server pride(which to be fair is very rare these days) and not playing wvw just for farming and personal gain. WvW megaserver similar to EoTM would absolutely kill wvw for the people that like the gamemode as it is. Source for how you know these changes are coming?