Guild Wars 2

I was certain a Living Story event centering around a tropical resort would introduce new alcoholic drinks. I was expecting colorful kittentails, complete with umbrellas. I was expecting spiked fruit punch. I was expecting some new spiced rum. And what he get is the same stuff the norn are selling in the snow-capped Shiverpeaks? Disappointing (in a “they missed an opportunity to add a little more fluff to the world”, not “they blew it” kind of way).

Vayne.8563:

The real issue here isn’t Anet themselves, but who Anet has to compete with to keep this game viable. Box sales alone are never going to make that happen. Would just selling the item in the trading post? I don’t know.

If it was enough to fund this game’s development, I don’t see why it wouldn’t be enough to keep it running.

I hate CoF armor, so the first one gets my vote.

Vol.5241:

And for companies, games aren’t meant to be fun. They’re meant to make money.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but ArenaNet made money from their cash shop in Guild Wars without rng. Am I wrong? If not, doesn’t it stand to reason they’d be able to make money from the cash shop in Guild Wars 2 without rng?

Molonlabe.3761:

darkace.8925:

Molonlabe.3761:

I knew someone who opened 10 BL chests and received two fused weapon tickets and an Abyss dye. I also knew someone who opened 87 BL chests and received nothing.

Assuming this anecdote is true, and assuming they paid cash for the gems instead of converting gold (a big assumption, I’ll admit) it perfectly illustrates the case against rng items. Person B was clearly willing to spend the cash to get a cosmetic item. But because rng – something that is completely beyond a player’s control – was not favorable to them, they had to go without something they obviously wanted.

RNG = Luck.

Let me put it this way:

Person A purchase ONE lottery ticket and won millions of dollars.
Person B purchased an entire lot of lottery tickets and won nothing.

Because luck – something that is completely beyond anyone’s control – was not favorable to everyone. Therefore, lots of people have to go without something they obviously wanted.

This isn’t the lottery. It’s not a casino. It’s a video game. If someone wants an item, why should he/she be denied that item because of luck? If someone is willing to put forth the effort in-game or is willing to spend cash in a cash shop to obtain an item, should that not be enough?

Remember, games are supposed to be fun. What’s fun about being told “you can’t have the items you want because you weren’t lucky enough”? We’re not talking about a lack of effort, and we’re not talking about an unwillingness to spend money; we’re talking about bad luck – in a video game – preventing one from getting the items they want.

Sedoks.3576:

I think Legendaries shouldn’t be in trading post. They shouldn’t cost only gold. They should be special and how is buying an weapon from trading post special ?! It’s not special when your legendary is made by other guy :S

How is grinding for materials/gold to buy materials and/or precursor any more “special” than buying the Legendary itself? As it is, the Gift of Mastery is just about the only thing that resembles a quest/adventure, and the rest is all grinding of one kind or another. Hopefully the addition of a Scavenger Hunt will shift some of the emphasis away from tedious grinding for a Legendary towards a system that feels more engaging and “heroic”.

Molonlabe.3761:

I knew someone who opened 10 BL chests and received two fused weapon tickets and an Abyss dye. I also knew someone who opened 87 BL chests and received nothing.

Assuming this anecdote is true, and assuming they paid cash for the gems instead of converting gold (a big assumption, I’ll admit) it perfectly illustrates the case against rng items. Person B was clearly willing to spend the cash to get a cosmetic item. But because rng – something that is completely beyond a player’s control – was not favorable to them, they had to go without something they obviously wanted.

Had the item in question simply been offered in the Gem Shop straight up, players would have spent the money to buy it. They’d have the item they wanted. And ArenaNet would have their money. I’m sure rng is profitable, otherwise they ANet wouldn’t be doing it. But I’m also sure they’d make money without it; and they’d do so without jading so many of their players.

Rezzet.3614:

its not a price issue its

1. Its Temporary Content
2. Random Chance of obtaining

simply sell them like Rox and Braham’s gear and everyone would be happy to buy
even more than 1 item .

I’m amazed that people can’t or won’t understand the argument against limited items being rng.

Rezzet.3614:

sadly tipping gave most noobs the idea of Selling portals they was Charging 50s per person at least on FA.

I sincerely hope no one paid them. Players who help other players only for rewards are the kinds of players I think this game could do without.

Chuo.4238:

Not at all. I doubt even 1 million play regularly at all. Of course I can’t prove this.

What I do know, however, is 3 million is less than half of the sales Guild Wars made…

So a seven+ year old game with three expansions sold more copies than a nine month old game? Color me surprised.

I tip, but not money. I keep a small stack of alcohol on my characters and send some with my thanks to those who go above and beyond to help others out.

phys.7689:

Guns and Giblets.9308:

xephire.8324:

Can we please do some more work on the boring skills system?

That would be most welcome.

However, there’s no monetary incentive to revamp the skill system. Right now the game is making bank from the cash shop, especially RNG boxes. The living story helps keep the target demographic of casuals and whales engaged long enough to consider making a purchase (or several). Working on the skill system does little to help the bottom line, since the kinds of people who care about a finely balanced, fluid and interesting meta either already left the game or are now in the minority.

you sound a bit bitter, but maybe i am reading into things.

He does indeed sound bitter.

Ashen.2907:

Erasculio.2914:

My arguments are infallible since no one here has managed to refute them. The great majority has not even tried.

There is a serious lapse in logic here.

People not trying to refute claims that have not been adequately (if at all) supported by substantial (or any) evidence is not an indication that the claims are infallible.

I suspect the “lapse in logic” is intentional; I suspect OP is just trolling with his “review”.

I’ve jokingly suggested The Illusive Man (Mass Effect series) was the power behind The Consortium. I just read a memo in Southsun to a Consortium officer stating indoctrination of the refugees is a high priority. Be afraid, people…the Reapers are coming.

Nick.6972:

Yeah, good luck with that, the game will never be perfect, you can;t possibly make everything good.

I’ve already done probably everything in GW2, now what’s left for me is to stand in LA afk and do absolutely nothing.
And before you say quit, I haven’t played for 2+ weeks.

“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”

? Vince Lombardi

I’m sorry you’re out of things to do in-game, but there are many aspects of the game that still need work. There are still traits that flat-out don’t work, for example. I’d much rather they get those fixed before they start diverting resources to the development of a new expansion.

Obsidian.1328:

dot dot dot

The Elder Dragons were written into the GW2 storyline starting with Eye of the North.

So it’s true that the gods didn’t know about ED’s…because they didn’t exist before then.

Is there not in-game lore that implies the fall of the Juton society is due to a past rising of the Elder Dragons?

Nick.6972:

When the hell are we getting a new content then, zones, dungeons, etc?

Arena Net, I’m WILLING TO PAY for an expansion, I’d even pay for new dungeons, I don’t want the existing content to be made better…

And I’m willing to wait for the core game to be as good as they make it before they start distracting themselves, and us, with expansions.

mercury ranique.2170:

Second I would advise to delete the level 80 and start over. The way to learn the game is by playing it yourself. So dont take advantage of it.

In the event a rollback can’t/won’t happen and you do decide to delete any characters you didn’t create or play, do put all their stuff/money in your bank and spend all their karma on items your new characters can benefit from.

I can understand these mini-games not being ready at launch, but I don’t understand why they’re not ready now. Mini-games like these are enjoyed by casual and hardcore players alike, and will only serve to increase traffic in the main cities.

122 passifloras!? Why, or why didn’t I sell my stash before now!?

/kicks self

Mkalafut.1273:

Creeper.9360:

The RNG chests/lock boxes are in every free to play mmo under the sun now, better get used to it. Do I like it? Hell no. I refuse to buy them even though I’ll never get the cool looking items. If there is one thing I really despise about this game it is the RNG.

Yes they’re in every free game. But the difference is those other games likely have new content added to them in addition to the RNG boxes. All we get from month to month in terms of new weapon or armor skins is from the RNG cash boxes. That’s a problem.

That’s neither fair nor true. I loathe the items-in-RNG-chests business model as much as anyone and I feel Kristen Cox bringing the Maplestory cash shop model to Guild Wars 2 is the worst thing, by far, that’s happened to this game. But I don’t think you’re being fair. There have been items added to the game obtainable without having to gamble with RNG chests.

laokoko.7403:

anet have no other way to generate income beside box sales and cashshop, and most people who wanted the game already bought it.

Last time I’m going to bring this up, then I’ll leave you guys to acknowledge or ignore it to your heart’s content.

In Guild Wars, players lined up to purchase items from the cash shop. Because the items weren’t hidden behind RNGs chest, the players got exactly the items they wanted. And ArenaNet got the money they needed. It was a win/win. It was both customer friendly and profitable at once. This method may be profitable, but only a fool would argue it’s customer friendly.

Stark.1350:

Best part of all the complaints is that you can still get these items without spending a dime, via drops from mobs or exchanging your gold.

Best part of all the defenses is that no one will tell us why the RNG tactic is a necessary part of GW2’s profits when it wasn’t for GW’s.

Jaall.3420:

Lol at all the people complaining yet again about RNG. Seriously? You don’t go to a casino and start crying at the manager because his games are making him too much money and taking too much of yours. They’re a business therefore their major aim is to make money, and as was mentioned this is by far the best way. If you were in their position you would do this too.

You don’t need these skins, because they are just skins, they don’t make you any better or any worse. The point of them is to look different and look “exclusive” and not make everyone look the same. If any old person could just go in the store and buy them then everyone would look the same, and oh wait… I could have sworn I have seen posts on here complaining that “everyone looks the same”.

There is no pleasing any of the people on here that complain about every tiny detail in this game just because it doesn’t play exactly how you want it to. I know it’s been said countless times but the game is cheap to buy and no subscription fees. If you want these items, take the chance. If you want them but don’t want to pay, farm them. If you want them, but don’t want to put any effort or money in at all, but still choose to complain to everyone and go off crying, play a different game that better caters your needs. There are plenty out there that have what you’re looking for.

Is Guild Wars 2 a casino?

Better question: why does Guild Wars 2 need this system when Guild Wars did not?

Windu The Forbidden One.6045:

Tell me about it, I have 228 of those things now…

The three I just got put me up to 234. A MF recipe to change them to Crystals would be most appreciated.

Curunen.8729:

More reasons to stay in the best zone of the game.

This thread is about Caledon Forest, not Queensdale.

Stark.1350:

Getting tired of these posts.

Anet is a business. They’re in this business to make money and profit. Clearly this business model is WAY more profitable than just selling the skins directly on the store. Considering they don’t charge a monthly fee, they need to make money somehow.

You say that as if they wouldn’t make money offering these skins in a direct buy fashion. Guild Wars cash shop was, supposedly, highly profitable without resorting to these kinds of tactics. There, you paid a fixed amount for exactly what you wanted to purchase, and you could do so regardless of when you picked the game up.

You never said to yourself, “well, I really wanted that weapon skin, but I never got lucky enough to get it from the scores of chests I purchased.” And you never said to yourself, “that’s a cool looking armor skin, I wish I’d been playing during the short span of time they offered it.”

No, you bought exactly what you wanted. And ArenaNet got your money. It was a win/win relationship. This? Not so much. “It’s a business,” I hear you say. Well, Mr./Mrs. Businessman, is good will worth nothing to businesses these days?

Lately I’ve been working on world completion with my five characters. More often than not, my map completion rewards me with Transmutation Stones. Now all five of my characters are level 80, so these things are literally worthless to me. But even if I were <80, there are many, many items I’d rather have then these things. I’d be most grateful if you decreased the odds of getting these things from map completion, and I’m willing to bet I’m not alone. Thanks.

I don’t think there are any boring of race/class combinations, but I’ve most certainly seen a TON of boring characters. The following things are so ubiquitous I’m at the point I wish I had the authority to issue suspensions to the offending players (I’m only half-kidding):
– Twilight
– Anyone with a greatsword
– Citadel of Flame armor
– Abyss Dye
– Celestial Dye
– Assassin Creed wannabe thieves in white armor and hoods

And to those of you who said human warriors are boring, for shame. Human warriors are essentially a blank canvas. Whether you want to look like the honorable knight in shining armor, the hardened savage brute, or anything between you can pull it off with style. I can’t say this of this of warriors of any other race.

Omen.1879:

OP makes very valid points.

Valid
val·id
Adjective
Actually supporting the intended point or claim; acceptable as cogent: “a valid criticism”.

Posting these quotes again, just in case anyone mistakenly thinks there is anything “valid” about OP’s “review”.
– "the community is really bad”
– “the community of GW2 players is deeply flawed”
– “It speaks wonders about how bad the GW2 community is”
– “One of Guild Wars 2’s main issues is its community”

Maybe they realized at some point during the development of that puzzle that a fifth – yes, fifth! – jumping puzzle in the sylvari starting zone would show their bias?

Nachtz.4930:

Is that a joke ?

Thank you for this awesome event, ANet definitely needs to keep on like this. Several month of living story for… a fire, and 10 achievements points.

Yeah, because the experience of the story, the experience of the dungeon, the new crafting recipes, the new titles, the new weapon skins in the gem shop, and the fused gauntlets are all worthless. Right?

The stat combination of attributes found on Vakyrie items is Power/Vitality/Critical Damage. In PvE this combination can be found on beryl jewels.

kozeljko.8201:

Molten Facility is the only place that has those things. Similar to Snowflakes they seem a a limited resource.

As someone whose mild OCD compels him to have 250 of every common, fine, cooking, and jewel crafting material that’s going to be quite irksome.

Kain Francois.4328:

Well I’m also spending my laurels on t6 bags (3 t6 mats inside). Any more tips to completing my t6 stacks?

I’m sitting on quit a few laurels (93) and the ascended laurel gear doesn’t appeal to me, but even still I’m hesitant to follow this route as I’m wondering what other items might be added to the laurel vendors soon.

Erasculio.2914:

I’m rather curious as to how you know what “most people” think.

The same way you know what “the community” is… speculation and generalization and a glaring absence of objectivity, logic, or fact.

So the lack of fishing, farming, and player housing makes GW2 a hardcore mmo? This forum…

/shakes head

Erasculio.2914:

The purpose of this review is to tell ArenaNet what they have done wrong.

Really? Really?

So when you say “the community is really bad”
and “the community of GW2 players is deeply flawed”
and “It speaks wonders about how bad the GW2 community is”
and “One of Guild Wars 2’s main issues is its community”
and “again showing how such a great community it is” you’re just telling ArenaNet what they’ve done wrong?

Yeah, sure you are.

Grounder.7381:

i have bad experiences with korean mmo before..
now that i know gw2 is handled by koreans..
i hope it won’t go the road other korean mmo has gone..
“pay to win”.. getting every new content in to the cash shop and rng gambling..

RNG gambling is certainly already in the game; it’s prevalent and will always be so. I wouldn’t worry about any of the other stuff, though. Grinding – real grinding, not the stuff vocal minority of players constantly whine about on this forum – and pay to win are things the ANet team has gone to great lengths to avoid.

I, too, would like to see more hoods for medium armor.

I’d also like some tall, pointy wizard hats for light armor (I hate the masks and hoods for light armor) and a few basic barbutes for heavy armor. I think headgear is, to a very large extent, lacking. More choices/variety would be great.

Kaiem.8297:

Translated out of corporate speak that reads “we plan to do an expansion pack at some point but currently haven’t started but you’ll give me kitten if I say that so ill just tell you we have started and give a load of vague reasons for not having a scheduled release”.

I read it to say “we’re going to release an expansion when it’s in our best financial interest to do so.”

Edit: I personally take the fact that they aren’t rushing an expansion out the door asap as a good sign that the game is doing well.

Here’s the thing, TC, if you want anyone to take what you’ve got to say seriously you’ve got to let objectivity, not subjectivity, shape your review. You failed to do so, and so it’s hard for open-minded people to put in stock in what you’ve got to say. In the future, if you base your reviews in objectivity you’ll make better traction with those who read them, whether or not they agree with your final judgment.

Has ANet said if they’ll add a permanent source of this stuff after the Molten Facility is shut down?

ZudetGambeous.9573:

Well you can attempt farming them, spiders for powerful venom and dust, risen for ancient bones, southsun for powerful bloods, anything high level for fangs and claws.

You will earn about 2g worth of mats an hour that way and it will take you 3-4 months to do if you can farm for about 4 hours a day.

A depressing outlook for someone who has the notion of eventually gearing up each of his characters with a Legendary.

I guess this is also an opportune time to suggest adding fishing.

Fish, shellfish, and sushi would be perfect means of giving us x/condition duration (or a host of other stat combinations) foods.

I didn’t intend to post in this thread, as your opinion is your opinion and all that. But you seem to be stretching very hard to find as many criticisms as you can just so you can justify your negative opinion of the game.

I.g. “the community”. You label the community as a bunch of “grinders, farmers, addicts and exploiters”. Fact is there are a great many players who enjoy this game simply because it affords them the avenue to enjoy an mmo without having to be any of the things you’re accusing them of being.

I could go point by point, countering each of the things you’ve convinced yourself is a negative, but it’s clear you want nothing more than to slime the game. So I’ll leave you to it.

Preference? Open World.
Reason? I’ve not once been told by someone in open world to skip a cut scene.

I run a crowd control engineer that makes heavy use of cripple, immobilize, and vulnerability. I can inflict bleeds and burns, but these aren’t the mainstays of my build; as such, I have little use for condition damage. This means condition damage/condition duration food (pizzas) is of limited use to me. I’d love to see some power/condition duration or precision/condition duration foods added to the game some time soon.

I’m wondering whether or not it’s worthwhile to convert tier 5 materials into tier 6. So, show of hands, how many of you guys convert T5 materials (common, fine, doesn’t matter) into T6?

While we’re on the subject of engineers being denied this or that, I’d personally like to see them get some signets at some point. For whatever reason, it bugs me that all classes save one have signets.