(This seems like the best place to put this thread, considering the broken aspect of this feature.)
There are some serious flaws in the implementation of the “invisible” mode. These flaws have been pointed out in the forums before a few times, mainly in the archived suggestions forum, but they have yet to be addressed.
First off, your online status is broadcast to everyone who has you on their list the moment you hit “Log-in” on the splash screen. This is a huge mistake, essentially defeating the purpose of having the “invisible” option at all. By the time the option is available, it’s too late. Guild Wars 1 had the option to log in as offline, and this game needs that same feature for the exact same reasons it was introduced in the first game.
And then there is the constant location update. Anyone watching their friends list or guild tab can see your location change even if they didn’t see you log in and go invisible. Instant drama. Basically, if you are going to be invisible, people should not be able to see your current/last-known location.
I would also argue that for this same reason the guild tab should not show changes in representation status when appearing offline. If you rep another or no guild in order to avoid being spotted by your orange name in-game, other guildmates can see this. Again, this destroys the purpose of going “invisible.”
So in order for the “invisible” mode to actually serve its purpose, some serious modifications need to be made. Essentially my suggestions are 1) allow the user to log in as offline and 2) don’t update locations or rep status unless the user status is online. It would spare people a lot of drama and a lot of headaches.
It’s not that I don’t enjoy spending time with my friends – I love sharing this game with them. I’d just like to be able to play alone once in a while too, without having to explain to every single person on my friends list what I’m doing. No, I’m not sad; no, I don’t want to talk about something; no, please don’t join me; no, you didn’t do anything; no, I’m not upset; OK, now I’m getting upset; and by the Six just let me farm scales in peace!
Seriously, this needs a fix.