This is my first gw2 event and I was surprised on how … anti-gw2 it was. One of the things that I really liked about gw2 was how the system was designed to be co-operative and encourage users to play together, but this event was a 180 from that. The number of downed players left forgotten on the ground while multiple players ran past them to tag or whatnot was saddening, especially considering that there’s a higher probability that the downed player is a new player. Not a very nice welcome. It has a more fend for your self vibe rather than a we’re all it for the greater good vibe.
The introduction to the event wasn’t very well planned in terms of learning the initial mechanics. As gamers we know that tutorials stink, but they help ease into the main content. Personally I felt as though I was thrown into water and told to teach myself how to swim. The first few minutes of the event was very confusing since no one knew what to do, but once it was figured out the event was easy enough to complete. Perhaps an optional small tutorial would be a good idea in a format thats similar to the scouts that help with map completion? Since the event’s aren’t too difficult.
The reward system wasn’t well designed, as many people mentioned, since it basically rewarded players who took advantage of the situation rather than reward players who actually play the content. I agree with those who suggested a system closer to SW with the bronze/silver/gold rank affecting the drops of the event. It would have been so cool to have the mordrem invasion defeated number affect the final boss if it was designed like SW (A higher number of morderm defeat = some buffs or something).
The time gate and the stack requirements are … just no. Playing and finishing the actual events, it’s hard to move past 9 stacks to grab more than 5 blooms. To grab 10-19 stacks you would have to wp and tag and to get 20+ stacks, nearly impossible (Except for those lucky few with cat like reflexes and fast internet speeds). The distance between each tier is kind of far – I get 10 and DeezNuts over there gets 19 (almost double) but we get the same loot? Okay.
The way the events are timed creates stress, panic and frustration. The 30 min rush causes way to much stress for the event to be fun. It’s more along the lines of ‘look at map, wp here, run, tag, did I tag? yes, look at map, repeat’. I get that the break intervals are for breaks, but they’re being seen as a waste of time rather than a break, since players would have to be constantly on their computers or leave and come back continuously. Gw2 is known for their casual friendly design, but this event is more for the ’I’m going to stay on the computer for 48hours straight’ type players. It makes it hard for people with families, school, work, etc. to get a decent reward. If these events were to spawn continuously throughout the four days without the time requirement or timed breaks, players could actually experience the content rather than constantly think ‘where to next’.
There’s also a disparity between the new players and the older players in regards to the events. I have two accounts, one closer to a veteran player (although still far) with multiple 80s, ascended gear and map completion, and one closer to newer players – under lvl 40 toons, barely done map completion, green gear. The event is much easier for a player with more done. Map completion is a killer, or at least map completion for the three zones. More experienced players have more resources and know how to tag fast and have a higher damage output, while new players don’t have wps unlock, have their skills still locked and do less damage. Considering the zones, I’m guessing that the event was supposed to be new player friendly, but it’s hard for a newer toon to complete with a zerg of vets.
On a little more positive note, the actual rewards are great though! As a relatively new player I’m glad to get a chance at grabbing items that I missed, but because it’s so difficult to get the blooms and the event is so unfortunate, I don’t think I’ll be able to get the items I want. (I’ll see you again halo potion, whenever you decide to return
) Probably going to just store the blooms…
TLDR:
- More we’re all in this together for the greater good, less out of my way I want this explosive pod.
- A small intro to the mechanics of the event would be nice (like the map completion scouts).
- A reward system to reward playing content rather than tagging and leaving would be nice. (Closer to SW with bronze/silver/gold rank affecting loot)
- The time gate and stack requirement puts to much pressure on the event for any fun to be had and takes way too long. It makes it unfriendly for people who can’t stay on the computer all day.
- There’s a gap between new and old players with this event that disadvantages new players. I say equality for all!
- The rewards are good, but are too hard to obtain.
I apologize for the long post, but like I just wanted to have fun with my friends and instead got really stressed and ragequited. I hope this actually helps though.