Guild Wars 2 Forum

Ideas to improve GW2 development

Living World updates should not progress a primary storyline. They should be primarily focused around the lore of the world and subplot storylines of characters in Tyria. LS updates should expand upon systems and add depth, like how the patch “Bazaar of the Four Winds” added depth by introducing the Zephyr merchant’s magical crystals. This patch adds both lore and new concepts to be mastered. Expanding upon it you could start to introduce lore about high demand elements of the world such as the Tengu, Tyria’s Gods, or Guilds. Is it beyond the scope of reality that there would be Tengu that escape the confines of their walled society. Some more examples at the bottom of the post.

Expansions should be where the primary storyline progresses and you leave behind the old storyline. In the expansion, you could revitalize Orr and then introduce the new dragon. The new primary storyline would be weaved into the leveling process so that new players would have a plot-line relevant to the LW, and would not break immersion like the current situation in Lions Arch. Expansions are huge events that happen in Tyria and can also make the progression of time. The idea is to use LS patches to setup the expansion. Ideally, the destruction of Lion’s Arch should be the last LS patch right before the release of an expansion.

I just wish GW2 would play more to their strengths. Their storytelling has been mediocre at best, but their lore development and exploration is where they typically shine and why I love the game.

Examples:

Easy LS patch idea: Tengu escapees establish town outside of the wall. Introduce the concept of gliding between hills & mountains and you have a patch that encompasses lore and new systems to master. There are so many zones and lands which we could dive deeper within.

How about a small expansion of the Shiverpeak Mountains. Make a epic hike up one of the highest cliffs the range has to offer, and implement new systems around hiking a mountain, such as grappling hooks and spiked boots.

Quaggan hidden civilization deep within the sea. Improve the underwater mechanics in this LS update and introduce more lore around our beloved underwater pals. Introduce physics to the diving and underwater experience. When diving from different heights, you should naturally be pulled deeper within the water. Also there should be identifiable forces within the water that push and pull you in different directions. Also you could add something similar to the Zephyr merchant’s magical crystals which enhance your movement underwater.