Guild Wars 2

That’s why it just seems pointless, when people refer to the server selection screen as an indication of anything. I’m not sure what labels like “full” or “high” really mean, but I don’t see anything like what it would mean to me, in most of the game.

Players are too spread out, on one hand, and too clumped together in the same area (e.g. Lions Arch) on the other. At the very least, they need to give players reasons to experience more of the gameworld.. but then you’d have players getting even more spread out. So they’d also need to raise server caps significantly, to offset that.

I wonder if they’re working on any sort of solution, at least. Or maybe just don’t consider it a problem, because they’re of the mentality that people should be more social and proactive about finding one another?

Elfa.2876:

If he’s on Henge of Denravi, that place is practically a ghost town.

I’m inclined to think its probably an issue with all servers, but sure, I might be wrong about that. In which case, FWIW, I’m also on HOD, and can second this.

No, it’s really boring. Just tons of trash drops to collect, so you can sell enough to buy something decent.

..but even that aside, it’s all perfectly balanced and predictable. How about more random elements, with interesting bonuses and special effects, like elemental damage and fancy procs, stuff like that.

Sure, we’ve got runes, but I’m so sick of stats like 20% chance on the occasional crit to do something so weak, I won’t even notice. End up using a rune that’s reliable instead.. but that ends up being boring, which is a lame tradeoff to have to make, and isn’t really a fun system, anyhow.

vespers.1759:

the point is it’s not meant to be done alone. not every DE is a solo event. I don’t see you complaining about the Ulgoth event in Harathi hinterlands even though it requires about 20 people to even attempt.

Is that just an event, or is it a meta-event? I think meta-events should be different. They should still scale down, but yeah, not as much.

As for the ideal that this is an MMO, etc, etc.. it’s a nice ideal, and I don’t entirely disagree, but I think at a certain point, it’s better to be realistic about it. If the content isn’t getting done, it is a problem that needs to be addressed, one way or another.

vespers.1759:

the nageling giant is an easy kill if you dodge his stomps. it will just take about 2 hours to do alone :P

his HP is pretty intense, but remember that not every event is made to be run alone. A champion should not really be a solo fight. Veterans and defending points can be solo.

Yeah, in some cases, the event isn’t technically impossible. Just crazy tedious and difficult, without enough players. That’s not really much of a counter point.

Yeah, I’ve been totally disappointed in the supposed event scaling. Events barely scale at all, and what little they do scale, just seems to be up, for the times when you have a huge zerg. Except that then, it doesn’t matter, because it’s so easy no matter what.

I wish they’d work on events scaling down, to deal with reality of zone populations. Even higher level zones have relatively few players, 20 out of 24 hours a day. There’s tons of content all over Tyria that’s just impossible the rest of the time, the way its currently implemented. It’s a huge frustrating waste now, unless they do something to make it scale more effectively.

Or, add cross-realm zones, reverse overflow, or something along those lines.. but even then, that would only go so far.

I really expected a lot more from event scaling…

I’d love to hear why the devs made the spawn rate so high. I can guess, they don’t want there to be times when its too easy to waltz through, because someone killed everything before you got there? I can try to debate that reasoning, except maybe that’s not even why its like that, I don’t know.

How about some sort of endgame horizontal advancement system? Something that takes forever to cap, so level 80 feels less like game over. Ideally, two different versions, one for PvE and one for PvP, so that to cap both, you’d have to do both. and both having uses in PvE and PvP (WvW) so that the two facets of gameplay feel better tied together.

Also, community incentives, like Relics and Darkness Falls, for WvW. i.e. rewards that have more substance. Not just little bonuses, but fun things players will actively covet and strive for, for their server.

Endgame progression doesn’t have to be about gear. That’s just one way of doing it, and hold almost no appeal for me, personally. What good is progression that constantly needs to be replaced? I’d rather have something intrinsic to my character, to keep building on.

There’s not a lack of things to do, just a lack of any reason to do them.

“Fun,” sure, but the fun in RPGs is all about context and incentives, for many players. When I want straight-up fun aimless gameplay, this is definitely not the genre I’m looking for it in. I’ll go play a shooter, or a console fighting game or something like that, instead.

BrunoBRS.5178:

there’s a lot more armor than you’re counting. there are actually more than 30 sets to choose from.

here are some i think are good for engineers (remembering that mix and match makes for the best sets)

http://i.minus.com/j9nuCI8V8K1VS.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbqdWpP5FQlVDU.jpg
http://i.minus.com/joK14xG8B6cc7.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jboYGrVJrV0kFC.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jNEh2ZknfwTI2.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbqojHhbOVvYeR.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jCiUyEkEBR6VZ.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jlNJxG6HpdVW6.jpg

You illustrate the issue well, here. Those aren’t bad looking, but they are all very similar. How about anything that isn’t like a duster or trenchcoat? The only ones I know of are newbie armors that look like newbie armor, instead.

So if the servers are so full, where is everyone???

That only works if there’s one DE you really want to do. If there are unchecked DEs all over the place, and you just want to be able to do any of them.. shouting in /map probably won’t help.

How is it that you left out the DAOC approach? That is the MMO that started all this endgame business, from what I can tell.

I noticed a big difference too. In Straights of Devastation. In Sparkfly Fen, not so much? Might be zone related.

Yeah, depends on when you play. I think that’s the biggest factor, really. During primetime, its mostly ok. Other times, yeah not a lot of people around.

Yeah, but now that I see how they go about this stuff, it’s not a big deal. When they say “don’t miss it!” I’ll just make sure to be at least a few hours late, so that I can enjoy it properly.

Really, I prefer it this way. I’d much rather be able to enjoy content in my own time, than have these “one time events” be something I’d honestly hate to miss.

I’m guessing it might because they’ve realized people aren’t doing dungeons enough.. Course, maybe its not for lack of incentive, but rather because some people just don’t like dungeons, in their current format. It’s too much like the generic MMO-clone style instances that GW2 has done a great job of getting away from, for the most part.

Maybe rather than trying to push people to do them, they should be looking into alternatives to how they’re implemented. Figure out why people aren’t enjoying them, and address that, rather than nudging people to do them, anyhow.

coffeeisyum.5297:

I disagree. I did not like that one mini-game with the pumpkins. Something rumble? I played it once and hated it, and…I left and found something I did enjoy. I agree that maybe the Clock Tower shouldn’t have been tied to an achievement because some people may not enjoy that type of gameplay. Or there could be an “easy” mode or “hard” mode.

You seem to be saying you disagree, because you don’t personally feel that way? Did you notice that I said I had no problem skipping some of it, too? Doesn’t mean I’m going to go telling other people they should be more like me. In my experience, that just isn’t ever productive.

coffeeisyum.5297:

Vzur.7123:

Just trying to say that I agreed with what Foreman said. Not that I think he should feel bad, but the lesson he took from all the frustration is the right one. Difficult is good, and its great that he plans to keep making content like that. Holiday events just aren’t the best place for it.

This I just don’t understand. I mean, I do understand that players shouldn’t be “frustrated” during holiday events…but this is a GAME. Game should invoke challenge and frustration is a by-product of challenge. There were NUMEROUS other seasonal events to do—so what’s so bad about an extra challenge for the players that want it? They didn’t even give good loot at the end!! Seriously, I deleted what I spent 5 hours trying to get. But it was 5 hours of fun I had even if it was difficult.

It’s because its an MMORPG, not a platformer. That doesn’t mean it can’t have some platforming elements, but the devs need to understand a lot of their players might not appreciate those elements, or want that particular type of difficulty. Especially when it’s also that degree of difficulty.

Some people do appreciate it, and that’s great. The problem is just that when you put it into a holiday event, apparently, a lot of people will feel compelled to do it, even if its not really their thing. I didn’t even try to do it, and that was fine with me, but I can understand, people get carried away by the festivities and don’t want to miss out on any of it.

You can argue that they shouldn’t feel that way, but the fact of the matter is that they do, and trying to debate how people should or shouldn’t feel isn’t going to go anywhere. I don’t see anything wrong with the devs being sensitive to that. I applaud them for it, as long as they don’t take it too far, and make the whole game too easy, and that sort of thing.

If they decided not to do content like that at all anymore, that would be terrible, but that’s not what he was saying.

gah, just finished typing a response at the same time a mod changed the subject line.. so my whole response vanished when I clicked send. Can’t even recover it with the back button, because of the way this forum works >:(

Just trying to say that I agreed with what Foreman said. Not that I think he should feel bad, but the lesson he took from all the frustration is the right one. Difficult is good, and its great that he plans to keep making content like that. Holiday events just aren’t the best place for it.

I don’t agree with the sentiments here, that players should just be ignored..

IMO… The event was mostly awesome. Anet really went all out, and it shows. I’ve never seen such an impressive holiday event in an MMO.

However… Maybe next time, keep the rare items out of it. Holiday events should not be about luck and grinding for items which are “supposed to be rare.” They should be much more all inclusive. Whether items are difficult to attain, or depend on RNG, it creates a divisive atmosphere that just has no place in holiday events. It’s not what holiday spirit should be about. It really dragged the event down, and that’s especially sad, given how well done the event was, in every other way.

Check the posting times – I posted this first

Just wondering, has anyone at Arena considered moving players to alternate servers, to help consolidate them in lower level zones? Rather than just moving players out of crowded servers, use the same technology to help keep the pre-cap zones active?

NVranya.5013:

Ever wondered if you’re playing the game the right way?
Get a group and it’s done in a few minutes.

And it’s not losing + rewarding, it’s rewarding you for the unnecessary amount of time you’re willing to spend on it.

Well yeah, I hate that kind of grouping. I’m a huge fan of this dynamic grouping trend. Guess that means I’m “playing it wrong” and should just be glad its possible to do some of this traditional group content at all. That’s one way to look at it, I guess.

@Anymras
Only one of you had to do Mad King Says. The one with the emotes on the toolbar. I know, this is impossible to know until its too late, but, the trick is to stay at the entrance, until its over, so you don’t have to fight his minions, at the same time.

As for beating him with brute force respawns… yeah, there’s a lot of that in this game. It’s like losing, but being rewarded for it, anyhow. Just takes a lot of patience. I also did it with my gf, and really, could barely stand to get through it once.

That’s why I tried covering that in my OP.. Is everyone at the level cap, really? With all the casuals and altoholics, I find it hard to believe. So soon after release, the mid level areas should still be pretty active, and even the low level areas should be seeing more new characters, even if they’re mostly alts.

Caedmon.6798:

Bruno obviously didn’t see all armors ingame ? especially when combined.If you see a full set,it doesnt mean that using that full set is the most appealing..alot of times combining armor pieces is what gives a unique and awesome OoOoOOoOo look.

Unless almost all the tops are long coats that cover up all the other pieces.

Dabu.1258:

i dont think so, all armors looks amazing for Thieves, but only for Thieves T_T

Depends on what you want your thief (or ranger, or engineer) to look like. The problem is just a lack of variety in medium armor. It’s all too similar in style.

lacrimstein.5603:

@Jack of Tears:

Problem is, you guys just aren’t listening: Progression == Gear is not always true. (See my post above). While ArenaNet did state there isn’t going to be a gear treadmill, they never stated there won’t be any character progression. A lot of players believed that ArenaNet would compensate for the removal of the gear treadmill with some brilliant new idea, which in the end, they didn’t even attempt to do.

Are people not listening? Or not believing it? Maybe they think its just some fringe element that isn’t talking about gear? Or maybe just not reading follow-up posts? Why does this discussion go in the same circle over and over?

Jemmi.6058:

I play usually after work. I am in the Pacific time zone so probably between 6pm and 10pm pacific on weekdays, and various times throughout weekends.

I level humans primarily, so most of my leveling has been in Queensdale, Kessex, Gendarren – but I’ve been to most zones. I travel to leveling areas of the other races and complete them. I’ve leveled in Lonars Pass, that place with Ebonhawk, Bloodtide Coast, Harathi Hinterlands etc.

So.. you play during peak times, predominantly in the most populated area (human). If the game were deserted even then, that would be a whole other level of concerning.
. .
I’m not saying I want to see every zone packed full of players, even at 4am on a Tuesday, but lots of people do play games at all different times. Peak times are when the most people play, but that doesn’t mean most people only play during those times. It’s just when there’s the most overlap in play times, for a number of reasons.
. .
A thriving game can’t depend entirely on peak time, for its popularity. I’d bet its actually a relatively small minority that only play during those times.

Animus.6073:

GW2 is not true to its RPG claiming title by those standards. Nothing wrong with that, but the fact remains that GW2 is much less an RPG than traditional styled games. In those games, gear is very much a reflection of your character progression. Nothing wrong with that either.

I agree with your definition of RPG, but just want to say, there’s no reason gear needs to be part of that equation. Nice gear is nice, but when my character is a master swordsman, I’d like to believe that they’ll still do pretty well, with any half-decent sword. Not be totally dependent on their fancy equipment.

Jemmi.6058:

I’ve personally never witnessed this problem. Every zone I’ve been in has had plenty of people around and reasonably lively map chat. Could just be my server though – JQ.

I doubt its your server, since most of them seem similarly populated, but maybe your choice of leveling grounds? Where (and when?) do you usually play?

Saw a poll recently, on another site, indicating that contrary to what a lot of people are saying, most players are not actually at the level cap, yet – and that doesn’t even take into account all the people playing alts. So, the lower level areas should still be well populated.

Yet, unless I’m playing during the peakest of peak times, most of the zones seem to be empty. It’s not even a matter of difficulty, so much as just being kind of depressing, trying to solo scripted events, that are meant to be handled by at least a few people, if not a lot more.. but there’s no one around. Whole zones just feel like wastelands of NPCs hopelessly fending for themselves.

Now, I’m not trying to hate on the game here. I’m seriously looking for a discussion on what the issue is – and maybe even what can be done about it.

Supposedly, the game is still doing pretty well, so where is everyone? Did they make the world too big for the servers to handle? I know people are spread out, but I kinda thought optimal server population would mean there’d still be players everywhere.

I hate the idea that the world should be smaller, or that there should be less options for places to level up, but is the technology unable to handle such a big gameworld, without most of it being deserted?

Underwater aggro range should be reduced. Chalk it up to a lack of underwater visibility or something. Also, some classes do need help. Mainly any class that depends too heavily on traits, because under water, those traits don’t work.

No, it is not “as simple as that”

My favorite endgame was DAOC, and that game had no gear progression at all (pre-ToA, which ruined it). You could get the best items possible, just from crafting. And crafting took time and gold, but nothing like what crafting in GW2 requires.

There are all different ways to do an endgame. All it means is giving players goals to work towards that are on a much longer, much more shallow curve, than the level-up part of the game. Rewards that are minor compared to gaining levels, but at least they’re something, so that playing the game post-cap doesn’t feel pointless.

A good endgame can add a new dimension to the whole game, so that levelling up even feels more rewarding – because you’re working to be part of something bigger than just yourself, such as RvR. WvW is not filling that role at all, because its so marginalized by its irrelevance to the rest of the game as a whole.

I did the ghost hunt, and killed the mad cow, once. Ran around the labyrinth for a while, until I was dead sick of killing candy corn bosses. So, didn’t do everything, and hate the idea of farming any of it repeatedly, but didn’t exactly pass on it, either.

I was going to say something infraction-worthy, but then I read Johanson’s post in this thread, and changed my mind. Communicating with your players is a really good thing. That’s all I want to add to this, now.

Why is the edit button creating duplicate paragraphs? I can’t even delete them, no matter what I do, both versions show up..

Oculus.5703:

There are 350 of the 6 Halloween weapon skins on the BLTP.

Far from dropping left and right I would say.

Seriously.. I’m not sure people realize just how few that is, compared to the million or so players in the game.

Seriously.. I’m not sure people realize just how few that is, compared to the million or so players in the game.Not to mention, most of those aren’t even the skins people really want.

I’m still wondering who’s actually going to craft these things, ever. I don’t care if you’re casual or hardcore, that’s a ton of work, just for a cosmetic item.

Shevek.2691:

Vzur.7123:

Yeah, but I thought we were getting a major content update. The game’s been out a while now, right? Turns out, the Halloween event IS the content update? Then nothing but more little tweaks and nerfs until Christmas?

Except they’re unveiling something in November, too.

As for the Halloween content being content, well. Look at it all—that’s a lot for just a holiday. And for a new game that’s pretty much still outta the gate.

I do realize that, it is a lot of content for a holiday event.. unless its all the content we’re getting. In that case.. it’d better be a lot, right? but even still, not sure it was such a good idea for them to forego permanent content, in order to make temporary content, instead?

What’s this about more coming in November, though?

Yeah, but I thought we were getting a major content update. The game’s been out a while now, right? Turns out, the Halloween event IS the content update? Then nothing but more little tweaks and nerfs until Christmas?

Puru.4217:

If anything, the one who crafted those items (worth more than 100g for the gift and 10g for the recipie) should be the one complaining right now.

I know, right? I feel for these poor kittens.

Has anyone even done that, yet? Who would dump that much time and effort into making a skin?

I thought it was supposed to be soloed, but turns out we’re supposed to form a group first? Why didn’t they make it like the labyrinth, where people just join up when they get in there? Cap it at five people or whatever, that sort of thing…

Ohhh.. hah I left that behind in Rift, WoW, EverQuest, etc. Dynamic grouping for me, or screw it. Why would they go back to making people form parties the old fashioned way?

Stevoli.8795:

Vzur.7123:

I just can’t believe they made it a solo instance.. makes me want to just go back to the labyrinth, as much of a zergy mess as that was. A solo instance just seems so crazy anti-climactic.

Uh what? I just ran it with 4 other people.

Hmm.. must have been bugged for me, then. I was just standing there alone. Waited a while, no one else showed up. Got killed almost right away.. Thought that was how it was supposed to be. Doh, I guess?

I just can’t believe they made it a solo instance.. makes me want to just go back to the labyrinth, as much of a zergy mess as that was. A solo instance just seems so crazy anti-climactic.

I was hoping it’d be more like the labyrinth. Maybe capped at just a few players, but solo? Sorry, I’m gonna have to pass on that. I’ll let someone else have him.

Why are we supposed to solo this??? All that, and it’s like a personal story instance? What the I don’t even..?

That should be GW2’s tag line. Maybe even splash it across the game box, “Awesome Game, Terrible Rewards! So much fun, you’ll cheer with glee, every time you’re rewarded with another punch in the face!”

act 4 is clearings after halloween party ;p

The good news, Special Event Legendary Weapon Skins for everybody!

The bad news, they’re all cleaning supplies.