Guild Wars 2

I created a new account on the 29th. I have now purchased Heart of Thorns and wish to access features like the Trading Post. However, nearly every item I wish to purchase is locked out and says that I need to “validate” my account. The option to purchase gems for gold is also greyed out and continues to say “This feature is unavailable until you have secured your account”.
I have secured my account with my phone and it says so in my account security. I have also received the mini dragon pet in game. I have logged in and out multiple times, but the features are still unavailable.

I mainly bought the game to access features like this and because I was enjoying it but trying to get this to work is a headache.

You have to make a support ticket then. The support link at top of page. Also did you try remove authenticator and then try set it up again?

Did you purchase HoT through the in-game Gem Store? Or did you purchase it from the website, or a different retailer?

If the latter (purchased anywhere outside the game), you will need to upgrade your account by registering the HoT Serial Key before any access is granted. https://account.arena.net/register

Good luck.

Okay, I made one thanks. Yeah, I tried removing the SMS and reapplying. I suppose I can try to apply the app version instead and see if that one works.
How long do Anet take to respond to tickets? I usually play SWTOR and Bioware are VERY slow to respond, which is why I tend to post on the forums before opening tickets.

Yes, I purchased through a different retailer but I already did all of that. That’s not the issue (I don’t think anyway). The “Purchase the game” label in game has disappeared and I received a thank you message. When I click on trading post items, it shows a green tick next to “you need to upgrade your account to HoT”. Underneath, it has a red cross next to validating your account.

Well, your client may not have updated yet (did you receive your HoT pre-purchase bonuses?). Have you logged out completely and logged back in?

If you continue to have issue, contact the CS Team via the ‘Support’ link above/below and ‘Submit a Request’ for assistance.

Good luck.

Yeah, I guess I got the pre-purchase bonuses because it has “beta” written over some of my character slots. I tried the App authenticator and the SMS one and they both don’t work. I’ve quit the game several times and I still have the same issue. Yeah, I’ve already submitted a ticket. I hope they don’t take too long to answer

Didn’t they say people who had a trial account and upgraded, that it took a few days to remove restrictions, or am I thinking of another game?

Right okay, I get that.

I don’t want to sound rude but why would you punish new players with restrictions like that? I mean, I’m a legit player and I’ve spent quite a lot of money on this game since I started playing it and I’m rather unhappy that I cannot access features that I’ve paid for. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind it. I completely understand locking out trial accounts but what about new customers that have paid for the game? The only thing it does is punish and alienate new players. Sure, it’s just a few days that I need to wait but to me it feels very silly and I don’t understand the purpose of this restriction on FULL accounts (free I understand 100%). I thought that by becoming a full account I would lift this restriction?

Again, I’m not trying to be rude I’m just unhappy with this and feel a bit ripped off tbh. I understand 100% that you, Jon Olson weren’t involved in creating these restrictions, but I was wondering if you could maybe shed some light on WHY these restrictions are in place for FULL accounts.

To me, it seems like a poor move and for those first few days, discourages people from unlocking a full account if they cannot access features anyway! (Eg. my boyfriend was prepared to also purchase the game but now after seeing that there is absolutely no reason to, he’s just going to wait).

I don’t know any other game that punishes new players that have spent money buying their game :/ I just don’t understand it.

There have always been time/use restrictions on new accounts. This is not anything new. The restrictions (of any kind) are all for the same reason. To protect players and keep the game healthy. Otherwise, those of an unscrupulous nature would take advantage, and a lot more money would be spent on repairing the ill they had done, rather than investing in great content and QoL.

Welcome to Tyria, and good luck.