Showing Posts For Thangore.2935:
With the release of HOT, we now have nine core classes each with a specialization. Plenty of play there. But I’ll admit that a new race or two would have been nice. Now that things seem to be stabilizing a bit (except for WvW work I guess) thought I’d ask here.
Would half breeds be acceptable content for a future patch?
What I am thinking, is that the challenge of creating all new races looks a nightmare. Those personal stories are so racially dependent at the start, that just adding in a new race would require new zones, new quests, a bucket-load of voice acting, an expansion of its own.
But half breeds could just slot into one of their parents areas!
What I am thinking, is that two or three half breed races are created, that blend the look of two races, and uses one set of racial abilities, but the starting zone and story of the other race. Maybe add a few NPCs in the cities that say “hey its a half-breed” and some slight intro changes re the race itself. And presto – new races born using the existing content.
Charvari (Sylvari born by a newish Pale Tree inspired by a noble apple eating Charr). Uses the charr body, but sylvari skins. In play uses Sylvari abilities and the Charr story. Eats apples.
Half-Norn (Human and Norn parents). Born in the human cities (thus story) but blessed with norn abilities. Human appearance in all aspects.
Sylsura (Sylvari born by the Pale Tree inspired by a heroic asuran golemancer). These would be Sylvari molded on something the Pale Tree itself encountered in the dream. Uses the Asuran body, with sylvari skins. In play uses Asura abilities and the Sylvari story. Maybe racials take on a “plant” aspect too.
This way, give people an opportunity to try out a new race, without breaking the bank on implementation. Stuck on voices though, maybe story determines voice actor from parent races.
If you don’t like it, don’t play. It’s a kittening game after all. Maybe they’ll change it, but honestly I doubt it, and I think they’re totally justified if they don’t. It’s not the first time people have whined incessantly about something and ultimately got over it or quit. Game just hit 7 million players… they aren’t going to miss a few hundred who can’t be bothered to have a little patience.
What if it’s more than 100. What if its thousands. What if word spreads around the news sites that after a very smooth and professional launch, players dropped off like flies?
That is not a scenario I want to see play out. Far from it.
I would like Anet to look at what makes games fun, and implement. For a RANGE of tastes, not just the one group covered by this expansion (well two actually sPVP’s get it all at once).
I have played quite a few games Chrono. (Did you read my comments).
And yes there is grinding in HOT. Doing content over and over again is grinding. Doing the same events over and over again to get XP. Killing random mob number 600 is grinding.
Now there are other far worse games out there, but that is not what I was raising. Does anyone seriously believe that the majority of the player base is enjoying this?
The main point is – Is this Fun?
I find this un-fun, others may find it the best thing in their life. Which is fine, but vanilla GW2 allowed for both styles by providing multiple ways to enjoy the game. This only has a grind option, which in my view is a turkey.
Now if I am wrong so be it, but a lot of players are saying the same thing. That is concern for all. Simply because, if those people don’t spend cash on gems, friend presents, later expansions, then ANet is going to go backwards. And all knows what happens to companies that go backwards.
3.5 for me. Just not fun to be looking at the hoard of masteries and hero points needed to be effective in WvW
Could this be a case study on what not to do? For half this house it certainly is, the other half is not even playing anymore.
Now as a bit of background, I am time poor. Like most professionals in this world, I spend ludicrous time in the office, as well as stuck in traffic to and from the office. What should be an 8 hour work day often ends up 10 or so hours. Being a parent as well, well the kids are far more important than some computer pixels swirling about on screen. Then there is time for the other half. All in all, very time poor. That’s not to say I don’t have time to waste. Just that is very very precious. So what I do waste it on has to be the best entertainment option I can get.
Right now, Guild Wars 2 is approaching rock bottom.
I am no casual. Not hardcore either, something in between. You could say I love WvW. Well used to (will get to that). Used to raid a lot in WOW, and did a tonne load of 5 man content in that, that D&D online game, and some 5 mans in GW2. Why mention this, well the pursuit of fun is what drew me back to GW2 (I was in the beta a long time ago). I hated the grind of WOW, tired of KOTOR, but the dynamics of PvP and WvW ment that GW2 had the potential to be fresh. Warhammer Age of Reckoning had that too, but sadly is very dead.
Heat of Thorns has changed the game. Where there was fun, now it is just grind. Given the current review average on Metacritic of 4.3 (at time of writing) is terrible for what should be a top tier game. And I think this comment from mirta000 is telling, “The grindyest that Guild Wars 2 has ever been! Hey, ever wanted to buy a game, where instead of doing quests, or progressing the storyline, you’re stuck either killing enemies repeatedly, or doing the same 3 events over and over and over and over again? Well you’re in luck as this is Guild Wars 2 right now!”
What kind of Business Plan births a product that ticks so many people off? Did Anet copy and paste the old Star Wars Galaxies planning. Have I just witnesses reckless incompetence. Now I don’t consider myself casual, so if I find this expansion as not fun, imagine what many casuals think. They won’t post of forums to discuss this, they will just leave. (Maybe even not buy it after reading the reviews.) As a business you need constant revenue to remain a going concern, so appealing to a specific subset of players (beat me who this market is though), is a recipe for disaster. As soon as you hit the Jungle, masteries, mobs of uber death, the inability to glide, hell the inability to at least buy into your specialisation, just become hair yanking horrors.
I have kids; I don’t need more reasons to lose hair.
Now I see people defending this game, saying that it is not a grind, or that only those rushing will encounter a grind. Well sorry but you are incorrect. The game requires XP generation for unlocking core abilities to be able to play this game now (see Glider abilities). This is inescapable. You must generate that XP in the correct zone, to be able to progress. Now you may think that is not a grind, but the perception and lack of fun says otherwise to a lot of people (or customers for Anet’s Profit and Loss Statements). Lose enough of them, and the income loss spiral will hurt even the most avid fans of Heart of Thorns.
Right now, Heart of Thorns can get stuffed like a turkey on thanks giving. It is a turkey. I have much better things to do with my time. Like recreating that scene from Aliens where Bishop demonstrates his dexterity. Or I could have a go at learning the fundamentals of taxation law in all western democracies. Or I could boot up Lego Dimensions and actually have fun.
Markot said it well I think, “In what universe does having to take time to do something equals a challenge? Driving a formula 1 car around a track for one lap is a challenge. Driving a Toyota on a 10 hour car journey is a chore.”
TLDR: I am regretting the package I invested in right now too. Sure the 4000 gems are nice. But the game itself, I now hate. As business decision, this game defies any logic I can think off, unless Anet really wants to shrink their player base to a handful of dedicated fans buying all and sundry the gem store offers.
How to resolve: I think Anet needs to finally admit that this game is in need of three things. Many won’t like it, but it’s clear something needs to be done to address significant shortcomings.
The holy trinity recognition. Tank. DPS. Healer. Simply put these functions are needed. For tanks, make the dodge mechanic less important. DPS, I think is fine. Healing, some more love is needed. Still need to ensure classes are not pigeon holed into one of the trinity only. But from this point on realise that they are MMO staples for a reason. Create content that uses this dynamic, and make it fun.
How does this address HOT? – It provides a framework for raids and group dynamics so that hardcore players have a place for challenging content, leaving the open world to be a bit more realistic in terms of broad appeal, with appropriate XP reward.
Mounts. For the love of all that is holy, in whatever faith you choose, see that this mindset of “no mounts” is just creating additional mess. Just look at HOT for a minute, with people pulled in off the street. Then give them any MMO with mounts in it. Just watch what those people prefer to play (especially in the Jungle). Stop surrounding yourselves with yes men. And I can’t be the only one thinking a flyer of some kind is almost essential in HOT. This is why making the Glider not immediately available is in my view insanely stupid. You design an area that requires it, but then say to players, “go grind please”.
How does this address HOT? – I am sick of the new map. Can’t be the only one. Plus the constant running of the original GW2 zones wasn’t that appealing to begin with. Mounts will not break the game, just make exploring and getting about a little easier (basically getting you to the fun stuff). And with flying mounts, at least you can control where the kitten you are going. Maybe make them available like a mastery once you complete the HOT story.
FUN. This is the most critical of anything here. A game needs to be fun. Otherwise why play it. This is where WvWvW gives you a competitive edge, in that it can be used to create random on-going fun fights. This is where the story gives a competitive edge, now with the commander taking centre stage, he/she is the hero. And this is where Anet’s artwork really shines. But if it’s all wrapped up in a hamster wheel of on going grinding, even the most beautiful vista becomes a PITA. I was reading Beta feedback that suggested un-fun. Maybe think about addressing the negatives asap. Who in their right mind thinks that making elite specs hard to flesh out was a great idea?
How does this address HOT? – Well at this point the game is not fun. There are far better things to do than HOT for my entertainment needs. (For me at least and I dare say many others too). Why the heck the Elite Specs are so hard to get and flesh out is just unfathomable. Main selling point of the expac, only available after grindfest 2015. Making PvE essential for WvW, insane. And that mastery to jump on mushrooms, maybe there is a hidden message there…
Elite Specializations & Hero Point Feedback [Merged]
in Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns
Posted by: Thangore.2935
I have significant buyers remorse.