Some problems that I’ve noticed, and a few remedies I thought might work. This is completely unrefined and hopefully a good discussion will procure an idea that maybe, just maybe, will be implemented.
1. GW2 originally drew many into it because of the sense of adventure associated with discovering new regions and maps. Granted, Living Story has made limited progress into uncovering portions of the map previously inaccessible, but the new maps are just…. claustrophobia inducing. It seemed way too structured, and almost unnatural. (Dry Top / Silverwastes). Very little to “explore” and too many puzzles to solve and puzzle piece hunting.
Possible Solution: Maybe release old GW1 areas without a hitch? Provide areas purely for adventuring rather than task toiling in the name of Living Story?
2. Sense of community grew with megaservers and revamped bosses (triple trouble, teq), but fell with Living Story. Living Story had a few mini-objectives that required teams, but the majority of it was simply story mode 1.5, and it was kind of boring. I don’t even know whats going on since I forgot to log in for a bit. The Living Story is a little recycled and the outcome is predictable. There’s just something that doesn’t seem fun, or something preventing it to be more entertaining. Can’t pin the exact reason but there’s definitely semi-solutions or alternatives
Possible Solution: Introduce a problem bigger than our small viewing area. If this map is accurate (linked bottom of post) then the tiny area that we reside is a penny in a full treasury. What’s going on globally? It’s been years of hoping for expansions, free or paid, that broke out of our tiny island of conflicts. Personally it’d be amazing to have that we are fighting a nation instead of kittened off giant reptiles. I would further suggest possibly having the region of Elona engage in some conflict with the region of Tyria (the area we are confined) and have battles head to head with soldiers instead of 100+ players tapping a dragons foot or running in a sandstorm to collect rocks.
These two problems are what I think are contributing to a lack of player retention. Several of my friends bought the game but quit after a few months citing that they just lost interest in the run-of-the-mill “adventures” that keep being put out.
Again, this game is unlike the rest. I personally enjoy most of the content, and this is simply to build a consensus on what exactly could be done to retain players and make it fun for the people who stick around.
Increase level cap-Add new regions-Secondary professions to make it up to the people who have max amount of characters already/dont want to start all the way over-New races (Although I would be fine without them). Basically new regions are places to expand already-maxxed characters to higher levels and they have separate map completion etc.
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