I’m adding my voice to the symphony of unhappy players about the no standalone purchase for the expansion and regardless of whatever excuses and defences for the pricing of the expansion + core game, the fact remains that:
1. Anet has confirmed that the core game was needed to be purchased in order to play the expansion so by giving the core game free to new buyers is a slap in the face for those who bought the core game prior to pre-order release. This is blatant deception on their part.
2. Also, if you already have the base game versus someone buying it new entirely, you are essentially paying the same price but getting less. I’m not looking at the price tag, just the value added.
So to cut things short, will I buy the expansion? As it stands, not likely, but I am hoping Anet would give some regards to their current players come up with a solution and not leave things as they are. Fingers crossed.