New Guild Wars 2 info

[Squidbot]

He's an arrogant twat. Back in the early days of WoW he was a whiny little bitch, with an over inflated sense of worth. He's even more unbearable now.

[SilentScreams]

I find him mildly amusing most of the time. It may not sound like high praise, but it is. I usually find most game reporters to be boring or irritating...sometimes both.

[Nura]

God I hate that guy.

I don't think anyone actually likes him, but getting to see more of GW2 is worth listening to him for :P

[Squidbot]

Yeah, the video was nice. Totally stoked for Charr.

[SonofSeth]

And the second part of the Total Buiscuit video, Squidbot beware.

TnVGEYGE8hs

[resikel]

Loving what I'm seeing so far. I really want to play this on a 120" screen with 5.1 surround and maybe in 3D. I'm seriously contemplating buying a 3D projector and screen. I just have to plan it right.

Oh man, I'm tingling just thinking about it.

[Ondo]

TotalBiscuit now has a PvP video up, and he's talking with a developer throughout.
xvHV7HB2BDc

[Nura]

Some details about the crafting in GW2!

dE8FxHdgKvo

[Ondo]

Interview with Colin Johanson at Guild Wars 2 Italian Blog (http://gw2ita.wordpress.com/review/interview-with-colin-johanson-by-mmorpgitalia-and-gw2-italian-blog/).

Thoughts on the Engineer from a member of Boon Control here (http://gamers1up.wordpress.com/2011/08/24/the-engineer-of-guild-wars-2/).

PAX has started up - here's ArenaNet's plans (http://www.arena.net/blog/arenanets-pax-prime-plans), and the Guild Wars 2 Guru thread (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/ultimate-pax-thread-2011-t20870.html).

Some details about the crafting in GW2!
It actually looks like it'll be more fun to discover recipes than to just look them up. Nice. Also was interesting to see that they have multiple recipes that use the exact same components.

[NotJeff]

Lekon just dropped some news in the IRC:

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadNews/21717/Players-to-Create-Their-Own-PVP-Server-

GW2 will support player-run dedicated PvP servers.

[Lekon]

I am so utterly psyched for GW2 now. The PVE had me hooked, but to give players the option to just make their own lil fun PVP servers? I'm there.

CoG War night!

[Squidbot]

Holy crap, that's quite impressive. I wonder if you could make them private for practices....

[NotJeff]

Holy crap, that's quite impressive. I wonder if you could make them private for practices....

Yes, I think that's the whole point. You set the rules, you set the allowed players.

[Savok]

The flawed crafting system is the only thing I don't like about this game.

[Squidbot]

What's up with the crafting system?

[Savok]

XP/Skill point based systems always lead to mats costing more then the product itself. They're trying to alleviate that with the hidden recipe system but, well, that becomes null within a week.

[Ondo]

Lekon just dropped some news in the IRC:

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/loadNews/21717/Players-to-Create-Their-Own-PVP-Server-

GW2 will support player-run dedicated PvP servers.

Given that this is just from a single interview, I'm concerned it might be a misunderstanding. Certainly players will be able to set up their own matches with specific rule-sets; I'm not sure about actually hosting the games on their own servers, though. I hope so.

[Simmo]

bQ7JgKavJ5I
97V38aW6GEQ

[Savok]

Just put the unique URL bit in. So bQ7JgKavJ5I

[Savok]

Anyway, great videos, though slightly worrying. The question the guy meant I think was more does the loot scale with the difficulty of the encounter. If it gets harder with more people around but has the same rewards, then you'd want less people which is the opposite of what the devs want.

[Ondo]

New post on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/guild-wars-2-development-update-by-jon-peters) today, discussing improvements made to the Engineer's tool belt, Ranger's pets, and cross profession combos.

[Ondo]

So the mesmer is going to be officially revealed Wednesday, but there was an early leak of the skill videos:
g-wPHRE-z54

So awesome. Can't wait for more info on Wednesday.

[Dorkandproudofit]

Fuck, why won't this come out? It's painful having to wait!

[Savok]

Official Mesmer page (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/mesmer/), the joke is finally over.

[Ondo]

A couple interviews up as well - one at GameInformer (http://www.gameinformer.com/games/guild_wars_2/b/pc/archive/2011/12/14/lifting-the-veil-on-guild-wars-2-39-s-mysterious-mesmer-profession.aspx?PostPageIndex=1) (by Phil Kollar), and one at GameReactor - Google translation here (http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gamereactor.no%2Fartikler%2F127 551%2FFortryllende%2Billusjonist%2F&act=url).

Also, Jon Peters is answering questions over at Reddit here (http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/nclu0/im_a_guild_wars_2_developer_ama_about_professions/), and there is a live IRC chat (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/guild-wars-2-news/guild-wars-2-guru-presents-live-developer-chat-on-irc-2/) happening at 11:30 pacific time.

[Xerxes]

Ok, no more cross classes(professions) right. That sucks. I really wish this game was coming out.

The minstrel is going to be the first new profession in the expansion. lol

[resikel]

Close beta is starting this Friday!!!

[Xerxes]

Close beta is starting this Friday!!!

Can you get me in?

[resikel]

Can you get me in?

http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw7suno4mp1qbk5d3.gif

[LordDon]

http://alltheragefaces.com/img/faces/jpg/neutral-whyyyyy.jpg

[Lekon]

Close beta is starting this Friday!!!

Never been more glad I'm playing ToR right now. I'd be so f'n antsy waiting for a possible invite to GW2 otherwise.

[Xerxes]

I'm not ansty. I don't even know who's dick... Ok look I'm not going there but still. But thing is I haven't seen any "Hey sign up for a chance at the beta" website so I'm feel like this is limbo.

What kind of Colony has no connects? Come on man. We need more insiders. -_-

[resikel]

Close beta is in NDA lockdown.

[Xerxes]

Close beta is in NDA lockdown.

I can be quiet I promise!

I just saw there twitter messages. Seems like it's kind of friends and family. Can't imagine that being a whole bunch of people.

[Dorkandproudofit]

I can't believe what it costs to get any kind of Hall of Monuments shit these days. Apparently my 77-something platinum is pocket change now.

[Savok]

That's why the currency is mostly ectos and armbraces. Really it's not all that hard to 30/50, took me a month or so. Granted I had a backlog of birthday presents to sell and stick in my HoM, I'd say it'd add a month otherwise.

[Dorkandproudofit]

That's why the currency is mostly ectos and armbraces. Really it's not all that hard to 30/50, took me a month or so. Granted I had a backlog of birthday presents to sell and stick in my HoM, I'd say it'd add a month otherwise.

Do you have any extra money? My char is Shiku Katana.

[LordDon]

That's why the currency is mostly ectos and armbraces. Really it's not all that hard to 30/50, took me a month or so. Granted I had a backlog of birthday presents to sell and stick in my HoM, I'd say it'd add a month otherwise.

Good to know. Just got to Kryta for the first time ever. I bought the game at launch but never played it much.

[Savok]

If the game had an AH I could fund this entire site to 30/50, as it is I sent myself broke on my last point. What I can give you is information.

How I did it (http://hom.guildwars2.com/en/#page=details&details=IaBAAM40%2FPDAgQAAAgDAAACAACAAAAAAZGEIAAAA AAA), the HoM guides are generally full of shit though rather less so then when I did this.

They almost all suggest getting a Tormented weapon, those need an armbrace and they were 20-22e when I played. That was 150k or so at the time. For one god damn weapon. Fuck that. I paid around that for my Vabbian armour, granted, but that contributed to the 5 armours I needed for the 2 pointer, it's 11 weapons for their bonus point.

Minipets are your friend, cheap year 1-3 whites are excellent padding. Once they get into year 4 they start getting a little pricey but that's really a judgement call for you.

As soon as you can/are able, do EOTN until you unlock the HoM. This gives you some terribly useful heroes rather quickly. After that wait for a EOTN rep weekend to do the rest of it, you'll be swimming in rep and have access (or damn close to) to some relatively cheap armour for your HoM.

Same thing with Nightfall (if you didn't roll a Nightfall character), get access to some extra hero firepower early.

Stay away from non-campaign titles unless you're looking for a massive time and money sink. Far quicker to just farm money and buy your way to 30.

Zaishen keys are talked about a lot for the PvP 3 pointer, you need 200 of them at 5k each on the market. A million gold. Only thing dumber is Obsidian armour.

[LordDon]

As soon as I hit Lion's Arch I hopped over to EOTN, got my quick three level 20 heroes, then popped over to Nightfall and got like five more. I didn't buy Factions because I heard it was shit.

[Savok]

Factions isn't shit. It's not great or even that good but it's not shit. Not having it is going to break your legs when it comes to doing your HoM though.

[LordDon]

I'll have to pick it up when they have a sale.

[Savok]

Technically you can still get something like 46 out of the 50 points but the sheer utility of Ritualists and all the Factions skills are just too useful to pass up.

[DeathByVoid]

I'm so excited for this game.
I've been waiting ever since it was announced and went down to PAX this summer specifically to play it.

[Savok]

Yeah this is actually the first closed beta I'm interested in actually playing since vanilla WoW.

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog has a link roundup of recent interviews here (http://www.arena.net/blog/link-roundup-the-mesmer).

There's a nice recap of all the mesmer info here (http://vigilantfans.blogspot.com/2011/12/mesmer-reveal-recap.html).

The log of GuildWars2Guru's IRC dev chat is here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-guru-irc-t24658.html).

The Reddit AMA answers are nicely compiled in a Google doc here (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KQZ5m2OHpahxbhB5yIG9b8NZNlBWi8HJbDnboofAm4Y/edit).

[Xerxes]

I need a release date. -_-

[Savok]

When it's done is all they'll say. They're trying to accomplish something beyond profit, that takes time.

[Xerxes]

You know I get that. But I'd prefer not to get blue balls in the process. Moments like this I wish they would have shut up until it was less than a year out. I know games rarely do that and that's always been an annoyance of mines about the industry.

I don't think it takes this long to drum up buzz. People already anticipated a sequel. It's kind of like Blizzard, Valve, or Apple. Diablo has been floating out for a while though. We've been waiting for this one for two years almost.


I'm going to shut up and go play Guild Wars 1. :p

[Savok]

Hard to shut up when you do have playable stuff to show off though. And dat art (http://wiki.guildwars2.com/wiki/Concept_art), you really start to realize just how much Blizzard has been cruising on reputation alone the past 6 years.

[SilentScreams]

Because Starcraft 2 sucked?

[Savok]

Going by the story, yes it did.

[Ondo]

New ArenaNet blog post (http://www.arena.net/blog/guild-wars-2-year-end-development-update) today, covering achievements, updates to the thief, and combat animations.

[Ondo]

New ArenaNet blog post (http://www.arena.net/blog/dragon). The important bit:
We recently finished our first closed beta test, and we’re now ready to hold progressively larger events. In February we’ll invite select press to participate in beta testing, and in March and April we’ll aggressively ramp up the size of our beta test events so that many of you will have a chance to participate. And of course, this all leads to the release of Guild Wars 2 later this year.

[Deadend]

Guild Wars 2 and Diablo 3 in the same year? I guess everyone is trying to get their games out before the end of the world.

[resikel]

What would happen if they came out in the same month?!?!?!?!?!

[Grifter]

What would happen if they came out in the same month?!?!?!?!?!

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j262/grifter_66/ExplodingHead.gif

[Farsight]

That would be the month I'd be playing Guild Wars 2. :)

[BigJonno]

That would be the month I'd be playing Guild Wars 2. :)

*Fistbump*

Same here. I know this is considered blasphemy by some, but the only reason I'm picking up Diablo 3 at all is that my brother is a massive ARPG fan and we like playing games together.

[SilentScreams]

If GW2 and D3 come out in the same month then it means I can wait to pick up GW2 when it's like £5 in a few years time. :)

[BigJonno]

Really? Fuck, I had money on you going with GW2 first. I owe Muddi a tenner now. I just didn't see that one coming.

[SilentScreams]

I'm nothing if not unpredictable. :D

Edit: In all seriousness though, GW2 looks awesome. It's just that I haven't been waiting 10 years for GW2. Mostly because I thought the original was the most boring MMO I've ever played.

[BigJonno]

Every day I'm thankful for SilentScreams, that non-stop whirlwind party rollercoaster of random who keeps me on my toes.

[bryan]

I'm pretty sure Arenanet are smart enough not to release in the same window as D3.

Really looking forward to this but think I'll be getting D3 first, just to run around with my bro in it.

[Farsight]

As long as you don't release the same week as D3, I don't think it matters much. People can afford two games, they're just not likely to grab two at the same time (like most of us would). :)

I'd never buy D3 on the PC regardless. I assume Arenanet won't try to ram a dongle down my throat or mysteriously have every account w/o one lost to the nerdiest organized criminals of all time. within 0.01 seconds of logging in. I just want to play a game!

Plus, Guild Wars 2 looks like an interesting attempt to innovate, while Blizzard has armed guards at the front door to escort out anyone who breathes that word aloud. :)

[SilentScreams]

The only reason WoW gets hacked it because it's successful. If GW2 becomes that big, you can bet your ass you'll need an authenticator for that too.

[NotJeff]

New blog post on inter-server PvP:
http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-ferguson-on-guild-wars-2-world-vs-world

[Xerxes]

That's too bad ass.

[SilentScreams]

Awesome! Reminds me a little of Dark Age of Camelot RvR combat, which is not a bad thing at all.

[Reverant]

That actually sounds really good. Really, really good. I know developers sometimes over-promise and under-deliver, but this game sounds far enough along that this is something people are already getting to play with in the beta. I look forward to seeing this game in action.

[Farsight]

This sounds like DAoC2 as far as PvP goes. Since that game is still the best PvP game of any kind I've ever played, that's a very good thing.

[Squidbot]

You have my sword.
And my bow.
And my axe!

Fuck your silly weapons.
tKnSAGTW-ZY

[BigJonno]

I've come to the conclusion that three-way PvP is the only way to go.

[SilentScreams]

It certainly worked in DAOC. Farsight tells the truth. DAOC PvP was the best MMO PvP ever.

It's just a shame the rest of the game was a boring grindfest to get to max level. :D

[Reverant]

I kept hearing complaints in TOR like "Wait til GW2 comes out, this game will be a ghost town!!!1" and other garbage, but after reading up on this game and seeing the videos... they may be right. This game LOOKS amazing, and it sounds really awesome too. This may become a pre-order for me.

[Squidbot]

I do still really like TOR, but GW2 has been something I've been keeping an eye on for a while, as it seems they are creating something new in the genre, and that is something MMos need badly.

[SonofSeth]

I almost got TOR, but beta cured that desire. This though, I'll have to get it just to see how crazy it actually is with all its ideas. No monthly sub will help it's cause too.

[LordDon]

I tremble with pre-pubescent anticipation for this game.

[Reverant]

Not sure if it was mentioned already, but on Monday (Feb. 20th) the press get to post their impressions from the press beta. We'll soon be seeing a lot more info coming :)

[Xerxes]

I just want a release date. I want to mark my calendar.

[Ondo]

So the ArenaNet Blog had a post (http://www.arena.net/blog/guild-wars-2-limited-beta-test-begins-today) Friday about the beta weekend starting. Most interesting:
In a Dev Update right here on the ArenaNet Blog, Lead Designer Eric Flannum will discuss some of the changes players experienced during this beta weekend event. Plus, we’ll have some very specific information about an upcoming Guild Wars 2 beta event – I guarantee you will not want to miss it!
So there's that to look forward to.

Also, GameSpot has up some new WvW screenshots (http://uk.gamespot.com/guild-wars-2/images/1599764/), and Guild Wars Insider has compiled leaked shots from the beta here (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/leaked-beta-shots-runes-necromancer-traits-hall-memories-mesmer-wvw/) and here (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/beta-images-underwater-shipwrecks-shiverpeaks/).

Awesome! Reminds me a little of Dark Age of Camelot RvR combat, which is not a bad thing at all.
Yeah, the developers have cited DAoC as a major influence on WvW.

I haven't really gotten into an online competitive game to date, but I certainly plan to try out both standard PvP and WvW in GW2. Mostly I'm wondering if I'll want to mix in some WvW while primarily advancing a character through the main storyline, or have one of my alts be primarily for WvW.

I just want a release date. I want to mark my calendar.
They've said that they won't know the release date until after the beta testing, as they plan to fix issues found by that. I just want to know when/if I can get into a beta event...

[Xerxes]

So the ArenaNet Blog had a post (http://www.arena.net/blog/guild-wars-2-limited-beta-test-begins-today) Friday about the beta weekend starting. Most interesting:

So there's that to look forward to.

Also, GameSpot has up some new WvW screenshots (http://uk.gamespot.com/guild-wars-2/images/1599764/), and Guild Wars Insider has compiled leaked shots from the beta here (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/leaked-beta-shots-runes-necromancer-traits-hall-memories-mesmer-wvw/) and here (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/beta-images-underwater-shipwrecks-shiverpeaks/).


Yeah, the developers have cited DAoC as a major influence on WvW.

I haven't really gotten into an online competitive game to date, but I certainly plan to try out both standard PvP and WvW in GW2. Mostly I'm wondering if I'll want to mix in some WvW while primarily advancing a character through the main storyline, or have one of my alts be primarily for WvW.


They've said that they won't know the release date until after the beta testing, as they plan to fix issues found by that. I just want to know when/if I can get into a beta event...

Getting in on the Beta would knock my socks off.

[Reverant]

Embargo on the press beta is LIFTED!

http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-closed-beta-impressions-shawns-thoughts/

First news post I've seen.

[Reverant]

Holy fruitcake.

mzQCi7c0DuY

First battle starts at 6:00, and at 12:00 they storm a cave held by the other team. Intensely awesome.

[NotJeff]

Here's another press look by Tom Chick:
http://www.quartertothree.com/fp/2012/02/20/guild-wars-2-diving-in/

[Ondo]

Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.com/2012/02/20/all-the-cool-kids-like-guild-wars-2/) has a nice compilation of new info from the beta.

There's info on the Guild system at Guild Wars 2 Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/guild-wars-2-news/guilds-in-guild-wars-2/).

Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/guild-wars-2-isn-t-like-any-mmo-you-ve-played-before-222175.phtml) has a write up; I enjoyed their story about WvW - a nice contrast to the IGN video I watched where the player complained about nothing to do since all the opposing players were in a single massive group.

Necrobater (http://www.necrobator.com/features/a-closer-look-at-necromancer-traits/) has a look at the Necromancer traits.

[Xerxes]

Couple links to more info overload websites. Vids, screenshots, and what not.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/121/1219059p1.html

http://www.mmo-champion.com/threads/1058358-Guild-Wars-2-Mass-info-for-the-uninitiated.-READ-ME

[digitalErich]

The WvWvW stuff sounds a lot like Warhammer Online, so I'm excited to try this. I'll be curious to see how gear-driven it is.

Edit: Watching that 15 min video now, it's a small thing, but I really hope they remove those cast rings that show up for everyone else's AoE spells.

[Xerxes]

I love how PVP turns into a lvl 80 vs lvl 80 skill fight instead of outright bullying.

[LordDon]

The WvWvW stuff sounds a lot like Warhammer Online, so I'm excited to try this. I'll be curious to see how gear-driven it is.

Edit: Watching that 15 min video now, it's a small thing, but I really hope they remove those cast rings that show up for everyone else's AoE spells.

I can kind of see the use for them, though, with the combos you can create shooting through them or whatever.

[Reverant]

I can kind of see the use for them, though, with the combos you can create shooting through them or whatever.

Yeah, I think it's there for strategic purposes. The caster needs to know where his spells are going, and allies to need to know where the boundaries are so they can work out the combos. Can't wait for this!

[Ondo]

New post on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/beta-development-update) covers the updated mechanics seen in the beta.

[Reverant]

New post on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/beta-development-update) covers the updated mechanics seen in the beta.

I just love reading the design philosophy of these guys. Everything I read by them is very well thought and their motto seems to be "That sounds cool, let's do that!" instead of "This is the way it works in MMOs, so that's how we're doing it!" (*cough* TOR *cough*)

[Xerxes]

Latest tweet:
We have a surprise for you tomorrow, keep an eye on our social networks and website! Tell your friends to follow us as well! ~MK

New beta test phase, stress test, or release date!!!!

[Reverant]

Latest tweet:


New beta test phase, stress test, or release date!!!!

I saw this tweet:

@GuildWars2 Just got the info from a friend what it will be. A 10 hour live concert with the GW2 minstrel.

If that's right, it qualifies as most disappointment Twitter announcement ever.

[Ondo]

I just love reading the design philosophy of these guys. Everything I read by them is very well thought and their motto seems to be "That sounds cool, let's do that!" instead of "This is the way it works in MMOs, so that's how we're doing it!" (*cough* TOR *cough*)
Yeah, I always like seeing well thought out design philosophy. I am still a little disappointed that there advancement mechanics are pretty typical MMO, as I preferred the way Guild Wars worked (hitting max power relatively early, and gaining options after that), and the only reason for that I've seen them give is that it is the way other RPGs work.

New beta test phase, stress test, or release date!!!!
My guess is it'll be "some very specific information about an upcoming Guild Wars 2 beta event" - in particular, a date (or dates) and a way to apply.

[Squidbot]

Guild Wars 1 had beta event weekends, similar to the one just gone, that were open to the public. However, that was close to release, so who know when and if we'll see similar with this.

[Ondo]

Beta signups at beta.guildwars2.com, up for the next 48 hours only.

Not working for me right now - they are aware of problems and working on them.

EDIT: Seems to be working now.

[Squidbot]

Semi. My detail entry page was in German, Mrs Squid's was in French as was Simmo's. His Dutch friend saw it in English. Still not received a confirmation email.
They're getting hammered.

[Ondo]

I got my confirmation email, though it took a few minutes.

[Squidbot]

Aye, got mine now. Fingers crossed.

[Jackel]

Signed up. Awaiting my confirmation email.

[Reverant]

Signed up with my laptop. I got to the thank you page, but no confirmation email yet. I'm hoping to sign up again with my desktop and another email when I get home.

[Libuke]

Signed up and waiting for my e-mail. Took a number of tries to send the computer information.

[LordDon]

You gents are on top of things, carry on.

[Reverant]

Signed up with two different machines and two different email addresses. No confirmation email to either yet :(

[Xerxes]

Got my confirmation. Now we wait to see if I'm in the beta.

[Reverant]

Well, got a confirmation for the second email address I signed up with. That's good enough for me!

[Ondo]

So for more impressions from the beta, there's Tap Repeatedly (http://tap-repeatedly.com/2012/02/impressions-guild-wars-2-beta/) and a post about the PvP part from Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/02/21/gw2-closed-beta-war-stories/).

[Ondo]

Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/02/22/gw2-press-beta-the-richest-pve-experience-part-1/) now has the first part of his PvE impressions, discussing how he felt about the initial Human zone, which he got 100% completion on.

[rein]

I received an email from NC Soft telling me about the beta with a sign up link in the email but I didn't get a confirmation.

[Ondo]

I received an email from NC Soft telling me about the beta with a sign up link in the email but I didn't get a confirmation.
Apparently confirmation is taking a while due to volume (surprise!) - according to Guild Wars Insider's summary of tweets (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/guild-wars-2-beta-sign-issues-info/), it could take up to an hour right now.

[Reverant]

If you didn't get your confirmation email, go here. (https://beta.guildwars2.com/resend) ArenaNet set up a page that will resend your confirmation email if you successfully registered.

[Ondo]

New ArenaNet blog post (http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-ferguson-takes-your-wvw-questions-here-and-on-reddit) up answering questions about WvW, and a developer will be answering more questions on Reddit tomorrow morning at 8 AM Pacific time.

[Dorkandproudofit]

Signed up and awaiting my confirmation.

....so, know any good jokes to pass the time? :p

[SonofSeth]

How do pirates know that they are pirates?
They think, therefore they ARRRR!!!!!

Finally got my confirmation email, i was starting to doubt the whole process.

[Reverant]

They hit over one million beta signups. I don't feel good about my chances :p

[Dorkandproudofit]

How do pirates know that they are pirates?
They think, therefore they ARRRR!!!!!

What did the fish say when it slammed into the wall?

"DAMN!"

Two peanuts were walking down the street. One was assaulted.


A corpse walks into a bar, and says to the bartender, "Hey, I don't exactly have enough money for a beer, so can I just owe you?" The bartender replies, "Hell, I oughta be paying you! I've never seen a stiff drink!"

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/link-roundup-wvw-and-beta) has a new link roundup of WvW and beta discussion on other sites. There's a nice article and video on crafting at Massively (http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/flameseeker-chronicles-extra-guild-wars-2-crafting-explained/) that I'd missed.

The Q&A on reddit ran today - you can read the answers here (http://www.reddit.com/user/ArenaNetTeam/) (click context to see the questions), or read summaries elsewhere - Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.com/2012/02/24/qft-reddit-2/) has some quotes and commentary.

Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.com/2012/02/24/the-details-in-the-beta/) also has a post listing more details learned from the beta.

Band of Brothers (http://www.bob-guild.net/gw/extras/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?17251.1) has a look at the options available in the beta. I may take some time to plan out my keyboard bindings sometime...

There's a massive image of Guardian weapon skills (http://imgur.com/Arorq) made by a poster on reddit, as well as one of Elementalist skills (http://www.reddit.com/tb/q2w8r).

[Libuke]

I was sorta avoiding information on this game since it seemed like it was so far out but since the beta sign up I have been reading things and I have to say I am getting excited for this now. I hope it is not to much longer until release.

[Reverant]

Guild Wars 2 twitter feed indicates that the beta event will be towards the end of March. Let the long wait begin!

[Libuke]

Guild Wars 2 twitter feed indicates that the beta event will be towards the end of March. Let the long wait begin!

That long! But, I want it now!

[c0m3d14n]

I was sorta avoiding information on this game since it seemed like it was so far out but since the beta sign up I have been reading things and I have to say I am getting excited for this now. I hope it is not to much longer until release.

i was not following this game at all. i played gw but not really long and wasnt very interested in gw2. but boy since i read this thread (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-mass-info-t25557.html) and watched a few yogscast videos on youtube i cant wait for its release.
they seem to have removed most of the stupid, boring and grindy stuff in mmos and replaced it with all around pleasentness ;)

[Libuke]

i was not following this game at all. i played gw but not really long and wasnt very interested in gw2. but boy since i read this thread (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-mass-info-t25557.html) and watched a few yogscast videos on youtube i cant wait for its release.
they seem to have removed most of the stupid, boring and grindy stuff in mmos and replaced it with all around pleasentness ;)

I went through the post in that thread and some of that stuff sounds to good to be true. However, It makes me excited and if they are pulling that off this is going to be one fantastic game.

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/play-your-way-jon-peters-on-traits-and-attributes) has a new post up on traits and attributes.

GW2Tools (http://www.gw2tools.com/) has an online trait calculator.

Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/02/27/gw2-press-beta-the-richest-pve-experience-part-2/) has more about their experience with PvE in the press beta.

Colin Johanson posted on Guild Wars 2 Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1158311&postcount=35) with more clarification on meta-events and related stuff.

There's a ranger weapon skills image here (http://minus.com/mFSSwtHBL#1f), and one for all necromancer skills here (http://i.imgur.com/0hLE0.jpg).

I've been enjoying the Yogscast (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2EE83973FE2CC4F2&feature=plcp) videos from the press beta. Footage of the two of them playing as each of the three races, some WvW, and videos focusing on each profession (7 done so far, Warrior probably coming soon).

[Xerxes]

I don't know why but being a duel pistol wielding engineering speaks to me.

Normally, I'm a warrior.

[c0m3d14n]

I've been enjoying the Yogscast (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2EE83973FE2CC4F2&feature=plcp) videos from the press beta. Footage of the two of them playing as each of the three races, some WvW, and videos focusing on each profession (7 done so far, Warrior probably coming soon).

yogscast rules, i watched nearly all their gw related videos and really like the vibe of the 2 guys. also it helped me more than any other profession video so far in deciding which one to choose. i will be a guardian unless the warrior video is somehow even more awesome ^^

[c0m3d14n]

yogscast warrior spotlight is up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jA6TPoWWdV0)

[Reverant]

I've spent a couple hours watching these Yogscast videos now. Great insight into GW2, narrated by two humorous brits. Pretty awesome

[resikel]

yogscast warrior spotlight is up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jA6TPoWWdV0)

Wow. Watched all of the class videos and I'm excited about the Warrior and Ranger, maybe the Guardian, too. The Elementalist looks insane with so many combos.

[Squidbot]

From 10th April, players can pre-purchase the Guild Wars 2 Collector’s, Digital Deluxe or Standard Editions from buy.guildwars2.com or select retailers. All players that pre-purchase Guild Wars 2 will be given access to all upcoming beta events and will be given head start access prior to release. Follow the link for more information about this and our incredible Collector’s Edition!

https://buy.guildwars2.com/

[LordDon]

Oh god beta access with purchase, oh god.

[Reverant]

For those who didn't click:

Standard: $60
Digital Deluxe: $80
Collector's: $150

All three get you beta access, three day headstart, and an equippable ring.

If they allow pre-orders for the DD from Amazon, I may grab that as I have a bunch of trade-in credit. Only two of the DD rewards are permanent, though. One is an elite skill (probably only useful in the beginning when you don't have any) and the other is a "miniature"- not sure if that means a vanity pet or an action figure or what. One is a banker pet that lasts for 5 days, and the other two are one time use bonuses.

Definitely AT LEAST going to get the basic pre-order. Beta access? Head start? Sign me up!

[Libuke]

For those who didn't click:

Standard: $60
Digital Deluxe: $80
Collector's: $150

All three get you beta access, three day headstart, and an equippable ring.

If they allow pre-orders for the DD from Amazon, I may grab that as I have a bunch of trade-in credit. Only two of the DD rewards are permanent, though. One is an elite skill (probably only useful in the beginning when you don't have any) and the other is a "miniature"- not sure if that means a vanity pet or an action figure or what. One is a banker pet that lasts for 5 days, and the other two are one time use bonuses.

Definitely AT LEAST going to get the basic pre-order. Beta access? Head start? Sign me up!

I didn't see the prices but that is to much for the Collector's for me. I can't justify 150 dollars for a game no matter how much I want to play it. I'll probably just get the basic game.

[c0m3d14n]

this will be a painful wait ;)
when will it release, what do you think? 1 month later?

[Reverant]

this will be a painful wait ;)
when will it release, what do you think? 1 month later?

Pessimistically, I'd guess it launches in June. I'm really hoping May though.

[Ondo]

Only two of the DD rewards are permanent, though. One is an elite skill (probably only useful in the beginning when you don't have any) and the other is a "miniature"- not sure if that means a vanity pet or an action figure or what. One is a banker pet that lasts for 5 days, and the other two are one time use bonuses.
Your elite skill slot doesn't unlock until level 30, so the DD elite skill won't be available any sooner than the others, though it could save you some skill points.

I'm very surprised to see that as a reward, though. Each profession only has 3 elites, though races have an unknown amount more (at least 4 for the Norn, I think). So an additional option for all your characters seems significant.

They haven't talked about miniatures yet, but they were just cosmetic in the original Guild Wars. They made some comment about them playing a bigger role in Guild Wars 2, but I suspect that will be true even if they remain merely cosmetic. (Pure speculation, but I'm wondering if they'll go in the hand slot when you're wearing town clothes. That'd prevent you from seeing tons of minis during world events, and it'd probably imply they'd have some skills attached - which could also be purely cosmetic.)

All this seems to be an indication of what they'll be selling in the in-game store. Having expendable items is considered good business, so no surprise those exist - so far the only varieties of those I've seen are uninteresting or offensive, so I'm glad these seem to be uninteresting...

[Deadend]

Pessimistically, I'd guess it launches in June. I'm really hoping May though.

Launching same day as Diablo 3.

[Xerxes]

I think I may go Digital Deluxe.

[Squidbot]

Digital Deluxe for me. I'm bored with CE sets. I haven't got a suitable area to display all the stuff.
I want beta weekend access!

[Reverant]

Be forewarned, ArenaNet is making sure players know the difference between pre-order and pre-purchase. Only the latter gets you the Beta weekends and 3-day headstart. Pre-orders get 1 day headstart and no beta.

Also, saw this in the official FAQ:
When do Beta Weekend Events (BWEs) start, and how many will there be?
The first BWE is currently planned for late April, and we expect to have one every month or so. The schedule is subject to change and will be confirmed at a later date. Currently, we do not know how many of these events we will have.

First is at the end of April, and they plan to have one every month. That pushes my release date estimate back to June or July :(

Edit: Especially with D3 dropping mid-May. I wouldn't want to tangle with that either.

[DiBiddilyBop]

I hate myself for wanting the collector's set. I can't justify spending that much money on it, but I have a feeling my willpower might give out anyway.

[c0m3d14n]

apparently the first wave of beta invites for next weekend have gone out, sadly currently not including me ^^

[Reverant]

Me either. Poor Rev!

[SilentScreams]

I can neither confirm nor deny me getting beta access. :D

[BigJonno]

I can neither confirm nor deny that I will be turning up at Silent's place with beer and pizza at the start of the beta.

[Reverant]

If you didn't make it in yet, don't give up hope. The Facebook page says invites will be going out over the next few days.

[c0m3d14n]

If you didn't make it in yet, don't give up hope. The Facebook page says invites will be going out over the next few days.

thats why i said "first wave" in my post, but maybe that wasnt explicit enough ;)

[Reverant]

Aw, yeah. My brain just blocked that out. I was reading the twitter feed at the time, which had a less hopeful post than what you and Facebook were saying.

[Ondo]

So I finally posted to my blog (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/2012/03/19/thoughts-on-professions/) again, with brief thoughts on each of the professions.

Short version is Elementalist and Mesmer look great, and have the best chance of being my main. Thief also has a chance, but I'm less sure I'll like it. Ranger and Guardian will probably get some play. Necromancer, Engineer, and Warrior will probably be left out, assuming we only get five slots - Necromancer because I like the other scholars better, Engineer and Warrior because the skill system makes them feel more magical than I'm happy with.

[Reverant]

From the footage I've seen, I'd also put Mesmer on the top and Necromancer on the bottom. I'm really excited to try out the Engineer and Warrior though :)

[Ondo]

A couple new posts on the ArenaNet blog - one on Personal Story (http://www.arena.net/blog/the-evolution-of-narrative-in-personal-story) yesterday and one on Microtransactions (http://www.arena.net/blog/mike-obrien-on-microtransactions-in-guild-wars-2) today.

[StarGypsy]

I can neither confirm nor deny me getting beta access. :D
Same here. :D

[Reverant]

I can neither confirm nor deny that I have two names on my murder list that both start with S.

[SilentScreams]

Well that's not very nice. At least Jonno had the decency to bring beer and pizza when trying to usurp my beta place (which I may or may not have).

[Reverant]

You're right. On second thought, I withdraw my statement.

I can neither confirm nor deny I have two names on my hostage list that both start with S.

[Reverant]

It's agonizing to see the GW2 Twitter feed full of responses to people reminding them that they're breaking the NDA by twittering about the beta. Dear ArenaNet: I'm not mentally retarded. I know how to keep my fingers shut. Take away their spots and give one to me! :(

[Xerxes]

I tweeted what you wrote. :p

[Reverant]

So, was anyone hypothetically impressed? Hypothetically disappointed?

[SilentScreams]

Hypothetically indifferent.

It's not that it's a bad game, it's just nothing new. I got bored of WoW a few years ago, and GW2 has shown me nothing that makes me want to play this any more than I want to resub to WoW.

I'll show the NDA a sliver of respect and not write any more though.

[Farsight]

Interesting. "Nothing new" is the last criticism I would've expected.

[SilentScreams]

There's a lot of pretense that you're doing something different, but when it comes down to it, it's the same old stuff.

[StarGypsy]

There's a lot of pretense that you're doing something different, but when it comes down to it, it's the same old stuff.


Different strokes I guess.
Your quote describes how I feel about the D3 beta. But I had a "hypothetically" really fun weekend here.
I hope we both get to play the games we really want to asap.

[Ondo]

So Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/03/26/gw2-the-opening-crush-of-closed-beta/) has new beta impressions up; I'm liking the sound of the Thief.

Yogscast has a new video up covering the racial elites:
kdEvtzdVl8U

Hopefully info on racial utilities will show up soon...

Another change is that you can now select eye color in character creation, so that's good.

[SonofSeth]

There's a lot of pretense that you're doing something different, but when it comes down to it, it's the same old stuff.

I was afraid of this.



Different strokes I guess.
Your quote describes how I feel about the D3 beta. But I had a "hypothetically" really fun weekend here.
I hope we both get to play the games we really want to asap.

Yeah, different strokes. The difference for me is that I'm looking for something genuinely new from an MMO, because I played so much of WoW. When it comes to Diablo 3, while Torchlight was cute, it was rather dull after a few hours, so D3 is something I haven't really experienced for years, Titan Quest was OK I guess, but it wasn't Diablo.

[StarGypsy]

These 2 write-ups are pretty good.
http://www.gamebreaker.tv/mmorpg/great-expectations/
and
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/03/26/guild-wars-2-beta-preview/

[Grifter]

Hypothetically indifferent.

It's not that it's a bad game, it's just nothing new. I got bored of WoW a few years ago, and GW2 has shown me nothing that makes me want to play this any more than I want to resub to WoW.

I'll show the NDA a sliver of respect and not write any more though.

There's a lot of pretense that you're doing something different, but when it comes down to it, it's the same old stuff.

This seems to be the biggest problem with almost all video games. The developers are doing all this awesome stuff behind the curtain that, theoretically, should make the game different, more diverse, have killer life like AI or give us all these crazy random choices world altering choices but by the time it get's to the screen where we can control it the surface looks/plays almost identical to everything else in the given genre.

I think this may be one of the major shortcomings of video games in their current form. There is only so much that you can do with our display and control technology that it almost doesn't matter what's going on underneath the hood the final "perceived" result is going to feel almost identical to everything else.


Different strokes I guess.
Your quote describes how I feel about the D3 beta. But I had a "hypothetically" really fun weekend here.
I hope we both get to play the games we really want to asap.

But that is exactly what (most) people want from Diablo 3, more Diablo just prettier.

From an MMO perspective a lot of us want something different than WoW, we want a Skyrim like feeling in a massive, populated world that's constantly changing where our actions (even if just an illusion) changes the world around us... we also want large bags full of money left on our doorstep every morning, a harem full of super models and the ability to eat whatever crap food we want while effortlessly maintaining a god like physique. ;):D

So Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/03/26/gw2-the-opening-crush-of-closed-beta/) has new beta impressions up; I'm liking the sound of the Thief.

Yogscast has a new video up covering the racial elites:
kdEvtzdVl8U

Hopefully info on racial utilities will show up soon...

Another change is that you can now select eye color in character creation, so that's good.

That was hilariously entertaining...

I can't wait to get my chance at the beta, I really hope this doesn't turn out to feel the same as everything else. I have yet to play an MMO that can hold my attention for more than four months. I am hoping Guild Wars 2 change that.

[Reverant]

I don't expect the game to be radically different any more than I expect shooters to be radically different from one another. The most I can hope for is for the game to address things I found frustrating in other MMOs.

For example, I quit SW:TOR because PvP becomes a mind-numbing grind for commendations for gear for honor for commendations for gear for honor etc etc all the while I was being ground into dust by people who by virtue of their playtime had accrued gear that made them untouchable to me. GW2's match-based PvP eliminates this issue entirely by putting level 2s and 80s on the exact same footing in terms of gear and skill sets. A small thing like "Don't make the customer run an endless treadmill to be competitive" is quite revolutionary to me. World vs World doesn't quite have the same mechanic, but it does level everyone to 80 so newbies at least have a fighting chance. That's refreshing.

I'm a big "honorable fair fight" kind of guy, so what GW2 is doing in those terms really interests me. Can't wait for my beta access.

[Ondo]

Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/03/27/gw2-crafting-in-the-march-beta/) has a new article up on crafting in the beta.

There's a nice post on changes to skills from the previous beta on the Guild Wars Insider forums here (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/forum/general-guild-wars-2-discussion/changes-to-profession-skills/).

I don't expect the game to be radically different any more than I expect shooters to be radically different from one another. The most I can hope for is for the game to address things I found frustrating in other MMOs.

Yeah, I played WoW for a month and didn't like it. GW2 looks like it's fixed the things I didn't like in WoW, so I'm looking forward to it; I understand why those changes wouldn't be as important for someone who liked WoW and played it extensively.

Guild Wars is the only MMO (if you want to call it that) that I've put a significant amount of time in. Crafting was interesting to me in what little I played of WoW and Rift; I'm looking forward to it in GW2, without it needing to be new for the genre.

[Deadend]

The RPS preview read like everything was just Public Quests from Warhammer.. EVERYWHERE.

[SilentScreams]

The RPS preview read like everything was just Public Quests from Warhammer.. EVERYWHERE.

I can neither confirm nor deny that that's exactly how the game is. :)

[StarGypsy]

I believe a few of the previews talk about how the personal story of your character works.
It's not public though you can bring other people if you want.
Some of the bullshit in other games like ks'ing, node stealing, and travel just to waste time while still giving you the option to explore are taken care of. According to previews anyway.

[Wasson_]

Anyone else notice that the game looks like complete shit in some of the preview videos that seem to be made by people in the beta? I cringe when I see them sometimes...I think it's mostly them and having the game set for performance. that is the case, right?

and what the fuck is with the running animation? Everyone looks like they're walking on the moon or something.

[StarGypsy]

I'm assuming like a lot of beta's the high res is nonfunctional. Most ppl are running at medium and lower. I also read on some other site the running animation is due to a problem with shadows not working right. I guess anyway.

[SilentScreams]

I could turn the resolution right up. The game is pretty, don't worry. It'd have been prettier without my account name stamped all over the background. They really didn't want people sharing screenshots.

[Reverant]

I could turn the resolution right up. The game is pretty, don't worry. It'd have been prettier without my account name stamped all over the background. They really didn't want people sharing screenshots.

That is pretty clever.

If you hunt around on Youtube, you can find some older videos that are absolutely gorgeous. Many of the players in the press beta remark in their coverage that they were defaulted to low and unable to change settings. I haven't noticed any odd running animations in any of the videos I've seen... possibly because 90% of players are Charr :p

[Ondo]

Massively (http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/27/flameseeker-chronicles-life-in-the-legions/) has an article comparing the starting story for each of the three Charr legions.

Guild Wars Insider (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/stealing-hand-thief/) has a nice video showing off the Thief's steal ability:
TP6T5-ZXVVI

[Reverant]

I read a couple of GW2 articles at Massively this morning and subsequently drooled over the competitive PvP videos. I'm afraid that I'll have to once again force myself to go on a blackout. I'm super excited for this game, but it sounds more and more like we won't be seeing release until at least June/July.

I judge that based on the fact that the pre-purchase, which opens in April, is confirmed to give you access to "all beta events" which will happen "once a month." Sounds like they're planning on at least 2-3 months more of beta testing come April. Such a long wait :(

[Ondo]

They have to announce a release date by April 10th, when the pre-purchase goes on sale, right?

I figure one thing that will help me with the wait is playing the original Guild Wars - they've had some really neat content updates as part of Guild Wars Beyond, advancing the timeline of the game a bit to see some of the changes that lead into Guild Wars 2, and they still have more to go. I assume they'll finish before Guild Wars 2 comes out...

I also want to work more on my Hall of Monuments. :)

[DiBiddilyBop]

I'd actually be very surprised if they announced a release date before April 10. I kind of think they'll leave that open so they have flexibility to work on things based on feedback from the ENORMOUS influx of pre-purchase beta people.

[Ondo]

I'd actually be very surprised if they announced a release date before April 10. I kind of think they'll leave that open so they have flexibility to work on things based on feedback from the ENORMOUS influx of pre-purchase beta people.
Apparently you're right - from reddit (http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/rx4yo/prepurchasing_the_collectors_edition/c49d1j8):
It's not like we have a secret release date and we're not telling you. We meant what we said: we'll release the game when it's ready. And beta testing is where we find out if it's ready.
That fits with what they've been saying all along; still, asking people to pay in full without a release date, or anything more than this year, doesn't sit right with me. It seems rude. They clearly have plans, and know far more than they're telling us. Yes, if they say they are hoping for June, say, and then it gets postponed people will be upset, even if they admit the possibility ahead of time. But people will also be upset if they push pre-purchasing without a release date.

In other news, the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/jordan-massey-on-the-role-of-the-squad-in-wvw) has a new post on squads in WvW, WarTower (http://www.wartower.de/forum/showthread.php?threadid=1037675) has an interview about the new official forums and such, and PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/previews/guild-wars-2-dungeons-preview/) has a preview talking about dungeons and such - the most interesting bit being talking about jumping puzzles and riddles at the end. (The latest Yogscast (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZSn_jKA1pE) covers the riddle dungeon he talks about.)

(Also, I wrote a post on my blog (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/2012/04/07/character-creation-ui/) about a feature I'd like to see in ever game's character creator.)

[Ondo]

A new interview is up at GuildWars2Hub (http://www.guildwars2hub.com/features/interviews/traits-and-builds-interview-jon-peters), with nice info on changes to the Necromancer.

[Reverant]

For those of us who drank the GW2 Flavor Aid, pre-purchase begins tonight at midnight... somewhere!

I've decided to go with the standard edition, seeing as all but two of the digital deluxe version's bonus items are one-time use.

[bryan]

I can get where you're coming from, but if paying without a release date is a problem for you why not just wait? Unless I'm mistaken you don't get a bonus for getting it before a release date.

This seems to me you're a tad over-invested in the game, no offense.

[Ondo]

I can get where you're coming from, but if paying without a release date is a problem for you why not just wait? Unless I'm mistaken you don't get a bonus for getting it before a release date.
You do get a bonus for getting it before the release date, hence the issue. People who pay in full beforehand get access to all the beta events, a 3 day head start, and an minor in-game item. People who pre-order but don't pay in full just get a 1 day head start.

[bryan]

Aside from the beta events, I'm assuming you can get the rest easily enough as I'm sure they are gonna announce a release date at least a week in advance.

I wasn't very clear, it's not that I entirely disagree with you. I look at it more of a situation that sucks rather than them being rude. I would love to to jump into the beta events myself. :) I also look at it as a bit like a kickstarter, except they have an almost complete game to show you before you plonk down your money. Also, pre-purchasing now gives you access to the beta events, so in effect you are getting something by putting your money down.

But yeah after all the waiting, it would have been cooler to get a firm date, like how D3 did it. I rather suspect they need the money to keep them going so they can finish up the game as much as possible before release. They built up a lot of hype, but if the launch is bad it will be utterly disastrous for them.

[Reverant]

I don't see anything bad about how they're going about with the pre-purchase program, and I can be very cynical about the motives of devs and publishers.

I'm fine with paying now without a firm release date. I'm sure they have a general idea of when they expect the game to launch, but announcing a timeframe and then delaying it (if that needs to happen) has the double effect of aggravating the massive talking asshole known as the gaming community and shaking confidence in the title itself. I know that I like what they're selling (beta with pre-purchase), so I'll bite. If I get burned, I know to stay away from this company.

[Farsight]

The pre-purchase is only for hardcore addicts anyway. :)

I'm perfectly happy waiting until beta is over and I can make a character that's not going to get wiped.

[Squidbot]

Purchased.

[Reverant]

Man ham. (Persian for "me too!" :D)

[Ondo]

So thinking about it more, my main issue is that I've never liked it when game companies say "when it's done", and refuse to give any more info. It bothered me back when id did it for Quake. Pre-purchasing just exacerbates that issue a bit.

I'm sure they have a general idea of when they expect the game to launch, but announcing a timeframe and then delaying it (if that needs to happen) has the double effect of aggravating the massive talking asshole known as the gaming community and shaking confidence in the title itself.
That's fairly typical reasoning for why talking about a timeframe is bad, but when has this ever actually turned out badly for a company? I can't recall ever seeing a company say anything like "when it's ready, but we expect that to be around June", much less then have it turn out badly for them.

Delaying games doesn't seem to have hurt Valve, so why is it so feared?

And if Guild Wars 2 were to be delayed until, say, September, do you really think they could avoid aggravating the gaming community and shaking confidence in the title by never talking about it?

I rather suspect they need the money to keep them going so they can finish up the game as much as possible before release. They built up a lot of hype, but if the launch is bad it will be utterly disastrous for them.
I don't think they need the money; I'd expect it to be fairly easy to borrow money when you can show pre-order money you'll be receiving. But it does reduce ArenaNet's financial incentive to release the game early, and I do like that.

It's all academic for me; my brother bought my the game as a present. :)

[bryan]

I don't think they need the money; I'd expect it to be fairly easy to borrow money when you can show pre-order money you'll be receiving. But it does reduce ArenaNet's financial incentive to release the game early, and I do like that.

You sure you thought that sentence through? The ability to borrow money is ALSO contingent on pre-order money, ergo they need the money hence they open up pre-orders.

That's fairly typical reasoning for why talking about a timeframe is bad, but when has this ever actually turned out badly for a company? I can't recall ever seeing a company say anything like "when it's ready, but we expect that to be around June", much less then have it turn out badly for them.

Delaying games doesn't seem to have hurt Valve, so why is it so feared?

Valve also don't announce release dates so not sure sure what you're trying to illustrate here. The fact is not having a release date frees them. By stating one they paint a target on themselves.

Also though I am not a lawyer I am pretty sure if they take your money now and promise you a release date and they miss it that opens them up to a class action, looking at the number of people who will be buying the game.

[Ondo]

You sure you thought that sentence through? The ability to borrow money is ALSO contingent on pre-order money, ergo they need the money hence they open up pre-orders.
That sentence was a mess - while they may need to allow pre-orders, I don't think they need pre-purchasing.

Valve also don't announce release dates so not sure sure what you're trying to illustrate here. The fact is not having a release date frees them. By stating one they paint a target on themselves.

Also though I am not a lawyer I am pretty sure if they take your money now and promise you a release date and they miss it that opens them up to a class action, looking at the number of people who will be buying the game.
Portal 2 was announced for late 2010, then delayed to February 9th, then delayed to April 18th. That was the only one I really followed, but I assume from the jokes about Valve Time it wasn't the first time that happened.

And I'm not suggesting they promise a specific date. I'd like a vague window; something along the lines of when it'd be released if everything in beta goes smoothly, and some idea of their contingency plans if issues need fixing. NCSoft talked about seasonality affecting the release timing - is there any chance of a July release, or would they push it back rather than release in the summer? Things like that.

[bryan]

Actually you're right I think HL2 was delayed a few times.

Yeah a release date would nice. But in the meanwhile we could be playing Diablo 3 and Max Payne 3! :) That's what I'm looking forward to anyway.

[c0m3d14n]

well since nobody else posted it till now ^^
the first BWE is 27-29
can't wait!

[Reverant]

How could I have forgotten! ROLL CALL!

[DiBiddilyBop]

I'm in but I'm also magic pre-releasing it up, so it's going to be a busy weekend.

[Reverant]

ANet's blog post for the BWE:

http://www.arena.net/blog/the-beta-weekend-event-is-coming

[LordDon]

I'm this close || to pre-ordering this.
Edit: And I just read they'll have WvW open for the beta event on the 27th.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Lord_Don/fc220x200white.jpg

[DiBiddilyBop]

Client is available for download today. Can't log in until this weekend, but at least I can look at an icon on my desktop until then.

[digitalErich]

I'm curious to see how gear dependent (and thus time dependent) the PvP is in this game. I'm looking forward to hearing reports from you guys after this weekend.

I really want to play a good WvW/RvR game, but I just don't have the want or desire to sink hours and hours into an MMO right now.

[Farsight]

I really want to play a good WvW/RvR game, but I just don't have the want or desire to sink hours and hours into an MMO right now.

You might try support skills then. You don't need as good of gear if you're not supposed to get hit. :)

[Grifter]

Just pre-purchased it. I'll now be eating Ramen for the next week, thanks ArenaNET.

[Reverant]

The folks running the Guild Wars 2 Twitter feed must be saints. I can't believe the insanity they put up with. I guess if I were paid to be cordial to savages I could hold my tongue... for a bit.

PvP Gear: In competitive, match based PvP, gear has no meaning. Everyone has same gear/weapons, it's all about how you customize your talents and loadouts and how well you play. In WvWvW, gear does have an affect. From what I've read, it doesn't seem like in TOR or WoW where max-level players who've farmed PvP gear are invincible juggernauts compared to everyone else. We won't know until we actually play, though. We've heard that a level one at least stands a chance next to a gear 80... not a good one, but the outcome isn't determined completely by gear before the fight even starts.

[Farsight]

So, someone has learned from others' mistakes:

GW2 will have paid character transfers from the start, but you can also PvE on any server you like, it's only the server-v-server pvp that locks you into your "home" server. Auctions are also cross-server. So basically, the game is nearly population-imbalance-proof out of the gates.

Yay!

[bean]

The folks running the Guild Wars 2 Twitter feed must be saints. I can't believe the insanity they put up with. I guess if I were paid to be cordial to savages I could hold my tongue... for a bit.
I've worked in community support for an MMO. What happens is you get a sense of humor about it. We used to share around the worst ones. Then there is a process that you go through for the response.

[Squidbot]

The folks running the Guild Wars 2 Twitter feed must be saints. I can't believe the insanity they put up with. I guess if I were paid to be cordial to savages I could hold my tongue... for a bit.


Try working as CS for Blizzard. It's an eye opener.

[Squidbot]

Is anyone actually able to DL anything? I have a 20 meg file that just keeps looking for updates. Cheked my firewall, etc, it just doesn't do anything.
I'm assuming there isn't anything happening at ArenaNet's end yet.

[Reverant]

Yes, I actually have the entire client done. Did it last night. It automatically launches the client once it's done downloading, so that's how you'll know if everything worked out.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Same here. I just get to stare at a login screen for the next couple days.

[digitalErich]

PvP Gear: In competitive, match based PvP, gear has no meaning. Everyone has same gear/weapons, it's all about how you customize your talents and loadouts and how well you play. In WvWvW, gear does have an affect. From what I've read, it doesn't seem like in TOR or WoW where max-level players who've farmed PvP gear are invincible juggernauts compared to everyone else. We won't know until we actually play, though. We've heard that a level one at least stands a chance next to a gear 80... not a good one, but the outcome isn't determined completely by gear before the fight even starts.
Thanks for the post, this is exactly the type of info I was looking for. I'm much more likely to buy the game now. How big can match games get? I'm more interested in the RvR size stuff, but knowing that the match stuff is all normalized I'm more interested in it now.

[Ondo]

How big can match games get?

I think the max is 10 on 10, though tournament matches are always 5 on 5.

[Reverant]

I think the max is 10 on 10, though tournament matches are always 5 on 5.

That sounds right. ANet really wants to make the competitive PvP translatable into an e-sport, and to do that they've equalized everything so it's about the player, not the gear.

I've got the client all done and ready, but I can't login to the forums. Whenever I login and accept the EULA, I get the error "Email already taken." Yeah, by me!

[DiBiddilyBop]

Sounds like about time to start coordinating servers to play on. I'm headed over to Darkhaven with some friends.

[Ondo]

So what server do people want? There's a list of which servers various communities have decided on at Reddit here (http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/srmfg/homeworlds_of_various_online_communities_for/). I was leaning towards Tarnished Coast, as the unofficial RP server and choice of rpg.net, but I care more about where other CoG people are going to be. Darkhaven would be fine.

Is there any interest in a Colony of Gamers guild? If we wanted our tag to be [CoG] (and I'm not sure I do, but it seems reasonable) I was thinking of Champions of Grenth. Any other ideas? (And we can probably check out emblem options in the beta.)

Also, I'd like to try out some PvP with people here - if we wanted to use a voice chat program, what do people prefer? I used TeamSpeak back when Guild Wars launched, and switched to Mumble a year or so ago, but I'm not really familiar with the current options.

[Reverant]

Ghostbear setup a Mumble server for CoG use. I don't play RP servers, but other than that, I'm willing to play with guys here on any NA sever. I don't think we'll have the numbers for a guild, unlike TOR or WoW.

[Ondo]

Ghostbear setup a Mumble server for CoG use. I don't play RP servers, but other than that, I'm willing to play with guys here on any NA sever. I don't think we'll have the numbers for a guild, unlike TOR or WoW.

I don't think we need numbers for a guild, since you can be in multiple guilds. Even if none of us use it as our primary guild, having one set up might be worthwhile for helping us communicate - if nothing else, I'd like to try it in the beta and see how it works.

[Reverant]

OOooh yeah. That's right. Good point. Might as well give it ago. I have no idea when I'll be playing, though. Could be some obscenely early morning time (5-6am) or something late Sunday.

[Grifter]

So what server do people want? There's a list of which servers various communities have decided on at Reddit here (http://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/srmfg/homeworlds_of_various_online_communities_for/). I was leaning towards Tarnished Coast, as the unofficial RP server and choice of rpg.net, but I care more about where other CoG people are going to be. Darkhaven would be fine.

Is there any interest in a Colony of Gamers guild? If we wanted our tag to be [CoG] (and I'm not sure I do, but it seems reasonable) I was thinking of Champions of Grenth. Any other ideas? (And we can probably check out emblem options in the beta.)

Also, I'd like to try out some PvP with people here - if we wanted to use a voice chat program, what do people prefer? I used TeamSpeak back when Guild Wars launched, and switched to Mumble a year or so ago, but I'm not really familiar with the current options.

I was going to play on Tarnished Coast as well. I'm pretty sure Darkhaven is going to be packed and I don't feel like dealing with wait times if I can avoid it.

[Ondo]

So a bunch of sites have tips for playing the beta - Guild Wars Insider (http://www.guildwarsinsider.com/beta-weekend-event-primer/), GuildWars2Hub (http://www.guildwars2hub.com/features/editorials/seven-tips-gw2-beta-participants), and Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2012/04/18/10-helpful-hints-for-the-guild-wars-2-beta-weekend-event/). Guild Wars Insider mentions that you can create a guild as soon as the opening cinematic ends, so that's cool.

I was going to play on Tarnished Coast as well. I'm pretty sure Darkhaven is going to be packed and I don't feel like dealing with wait times if I can avoid it.

Even if it's packed, that may not be a problem - to quote that Kill Ten Rats article I just linked:
There is a queue in Guild Wars 2, but players are actually playing in it. Once a player gets through the queue a popup will invite the player to the “main” zone to get out of the “overflow” zone. Normally players would want to press yes to get to a higher populated zone, but if a player is having fun in the middle of an event, the player can press no to head back in to the queue.

OTOH, WvW doesn't have the overflow zones, so that could be full. (I think it handles ~100 people per side on each of the four regions.) Still, empty WvW could also be a problem.

In summary, I've no idea if a packed server should be avoided.

[Reverant]

GW2 support still won't get back to me why I get account errors when I try to accept the EULA. It's been a day and a half. This is starting to get fucking ridiculous.

[Ondo]

So I think I'm going to play on Darkhaven. My main goal for the beta is to learn more, so I'm going to try doing some WvW and voice chat with people from reddit, see if I like it, and maybe learn whether or not I'll want to avoid servers that look like they'll be crowded at the actual launch.

GW2 support still won't get back to me why I get account errors when I try to accept the EULA. It's been a day and a half. This is starting to get fucking ridiculous.
:( Hope things work out...

[Farsight]

GW2 support still won't get back to me why I get account errors when I try to accept the EULA. It's been a day and a half. This is starting to get fucking ridiculous.

It's a beta test. That applies to the launcher and web services too...

[Reverant]

It's a beta test. That applies to the launcher and web services too...

No. You advertise a feature of a payed product, then you better damn well be able to support that feature when a customer pays for it. 48 hours from my request, no response. If I hadn't been able to download the client in the previous stress test, I wouldn't even have access to the client for this beta weekend.

[SilentScreams]

But a beta isn't a paid product.

[Reverant]

Edit: Throwing this garbage out.

Yeah, I know it's a beta. It's just that it's an advertised feature of the product I paid money for, and I can't even access the page where I'm supposed to download the client. If the game works horribly/doesn't work at all this weekend, I get that. But I think it's unfair to say that I shouldn't even expect to access the website properly.

Editedit: It's been confirmed by the devs that GW2 has sold out digitally. No more keys are being sold so as to keep server performance acceptable. Pretty cool, actually.

[Ondo]

But a beta isn't a paid product.
It is when you sell access to it.

If I hadn't been able to download the client in the previous stress test, I wouldn't even have access to the client for this beta weekend.
I think they've tweeted direct links to the client a few times, so I think you could still have gotten it.

[SilentScreams]

It is when you sell access to it.

No, it's still a beta and so bugs are to be expected. You paid for the finished product. That's what a pre-order is.

[Ondo]

No, it's still a beta and so bugs are to be expected. You paid for the finished product. That's what a pre-order is.
Yes, and a pre-order doesn't get you in the beta.

A pre-purchase, where you pay now for a list of benefits, including beta access, is not just a purchase of one of the things on the list. It's paying for all of them.

Bugs are still expected, but they're also expected to be dealt with reasonably, and not be crippling.

[SilentScreams]

So you didn't just pay for the finished product, you also paid them for the broken product...knowingly? Interesting.

Sorry, but complaining about a beta being buggy is like going to a metal concert and complaining that it's loud.

[Reverant]

It is when you sell access to it.


I think they've tweeted direct links to the client a few times, so I think you could still have gotten it.

Yeah, I actually got everything sorted out myself. I SHOULD be good for the test, but we'll find out. It may have turned out there was never a problem to be solved in the first place and I made something over nothing. I'll admit I am often dumb. But even if I was being dumb, that doesn't excuse the fact support hasn't responded to my multiple emails. Once money has changed hands, then the seller has certain obligations, and I think they failed to live up on their end of the deal. "Beta" or not, this is a commercial transaction.

Anyway, did we pick a realm?

[Ondo]

Anyway, did we pick a realm?
I'm planning on Darkhaven.

[Ondo]

Server is up now!

[torrefaction]

Darkhaven is full, I'm going to Crystal Desert.

[Squidbot]

I'm a giant cat person with a steampunk eyepatch and matching set of pistols.
Oh god yes!

[Shjinta]

So mine says my account is prepared but there is no beta running... Anyone else get that when they try to log on?

[LordDon]

I'm a giant cat person with a steampunk eyepatch and matching set of pistols.
Oh god yes!

That sounds glorious, Squid.

[Squidbot]

I got that when there was no beta running, but not now.

[Shjinta]

I got that when there was no beta running, but not now.

Well I read a post after I posted that. They said that preordering doesn't let you on the Beta weekend event.. So I'm kind of bummed out.

[Grifter]

I've got a bit of lag and just got booted from the server. I should have picked a less crowded server.


Well I read a post after I posted that. They said that preordering doesn't let you on the Beta weekend event.. So I'm kind of bummed out.

It's always been pre-purchasing.

[Reverant]

So mine says my account is prepared but there is no beta running... Anyone else get that when they try to log on?

Yeah, this actually really weird. If I logged in with the account info I registered with, ie my email and that password, this is the message I get. Account prepared, no beta running.

BUT, if I login with my NCSoft master account, I actually get to the screen where I pick a server. When I click "create', however, I get booted to the login with the error "Transaction in progress. Wait a few minutes and try again."

I'm not sure why both accounts are acknowledged.

Edit: And I did pre-purchase. Must be my NCsoft one with the GW2 key. Not sure what the hell my email address is tied to.

[Reverant]

Fitty Coin, the afro-sporting, sideways pistol-shooting African-Tyrian Engineer is GO!!!

Edit: I can see some potential issues that might be inherent in the game structure and not beta troubles, like the flow of your questing experience being dictated by the mass movement of other players.

But damn. The animations and gameplay are smooth as silk, and it's FUN to run around with groups doing quests. Looks good, feels good, and it's very fun.

[Farsight]

I'm pretty sure the quests are supposed to adjust to the number of people tackling them.

[Shjinta]

I've got a bit of lag and just got booted from the server. I should have picked a less crowded server.




It's always been pre-purchasing.

Yeah well I couldn't afford the whole cost of the game right now.. So oh well.

[Reverant]

I'm pretty sure the quests are supposed to adjust to the number of people tackling them.

They are. Most of them, at least. I'm not sure if there are individual quests that are designed for individuals, like the story quests or something. I'm less concerned about the difficulty of quests and more about there being players around, period. WAR had a similar issue. The public quests were a great idea and very fun, but if there were no players around, they were either dull, impossible, or both.

[Grifter]

Yeah well I couldn't afford the whole cost of the game right now.. So oh well.

Thankfully there should be a few more of these (at least one a month) until release and each one will be more stable than the last so hopefully you'll be able to get in on one of those.

I also signed up for the beta with a different account so if I get a key and you haven't been able to purchase it yet I'll give it to you.

I know it sucks not being able to play something you've been waiting for while others are. I've always hated betas because of that and I rarely if ever get an invite.

I know it won't fill the Guild Wars 2 hole but I should be getting another beta key for Path of Exile Monday or Tuesday so if you like A-RPG dungeon crawlers I'll shoot you over one of those (if you don't already have one). At least it will give you something else to play while you're waiting.

[Shjinta]

Thankfully there should be a few more of these (at least one a month) until release and each one will be more stable than the last so hopefully you'll be able to get in on one of those.

I also signed up for the beta with a different account so if I get a key and you haven't been able to purchase it yet I'll give it to you.

I know it sucks not being able to play something you've been waiting for while others are. I've always hated betas because of that and I rarely if ever get an invite.

I know it won't fill the Guild Wars 2 hole but I should be getting another beta key for Path of Exile Monday or Tuesday so if you like A-RPG dungeon crawlers I'll shoot you over one of those (if you don't already have one). At least it will give you something else to play while you're waiting.

Yeah been waiting for a key for path of exile :) That would be sweet

[Ondo]

Darkhaven is full, I'm going to Crystal Desert.
There are apparently free server transfers until Saturday at 6 pm, PDT. I'm probably going to leave Darkhaven - I've constantly been in the overflow servers (with plenty of people), and in WvW there's only been like one or two outposts not belonging to our server. I tried playing, but it was a ton of running around without fighting...

How's Crystal Desert? Anyone else have a server they like, with a vaguely balanced WvW going on?

[Reverant]

I think I went with a medium population sever. It's been pretty packed in WvWvW and questing. Fort Aspenwood or something?

Edit: I'm going to assume everyone is too busy playing to come in here and shoot their mouth off about how awesome this game is. So far, everything but one small item has lived up to my expectations. I guess it helped that I watched a couple hours of videos and knew exactly how the game played (but that did NOT prepare me for how fluid and beautiful it is in person!)

My disappointment comes in the framerate :p. I'm guessing this game isn't GPU bound, like BF3, which I run on ultra with no issues. I'm packing 4gbs of ddr2 ram and an old q9550 quad-core behind my new GTX 680, and in some spots/circumstances I'm suffering abysmal FPS, and I put graphics on one notch above medium. I think my 15 fps got me killed a couple times in RvR.

Sweet moment: We were driven back from the gates during a siege, and our whole army turned its tail and fled as defenders came pouring out of their fort. I was in the back of the group, and I got killed by some pursuers. I went with the "rally" downed ability, which lets you get back up and fight for a short period. I used that time to distract the enemy by charging headlong into their writhing mass and give my teammates some time to escape.

[LordDon]

Coming up for air. Divinity's Reach is absolutely gorgeous.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Lord_Don/gw011.jpg

Got a Norn guardian up to level 5ish. I LOVE the revive mechanic, when there are a group of you zerging a group quest and people stop to help you back up. Played a little WvW last night and Sorrow's Furnace was annihilating the other two servers. I can see spending a bunch of time in WvW.