New Guild Wars 2 info

[BigJonno]

Info from the new GW2 blog, (http://www.arena.net/blog/) found on Rock, Paper, Shotgun. (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/04/27/guild-wars-2-blog-and-new-details/#comment-435143)

Quick round-up shamelessly lifted from Gillen's post:


A lot of story personalisation, based on the character. You apparently fill out a bio which defines your background, which changes your path. Later choices alter the narrative. You interact with NPCs, adventure with them and have your moral dilemmas with them. In other words, a lot of stuff which we’ve traditionally more seen in Single-player RPGs.

“Each time you play through the game, you can experience a different storyline”.

Rather than having static quests they have dynamic ones, so you learn about what needs to be done by seeing it. The example they use is that in a trad-MMO you’d discover a village is under attack by a bloke lying there with an exclamation mark over their head telling you about that. In GW2, you’ll see the town is under attack and the people being slaughtered. You don’t need to be told to realise what Mr Hero should be doing right now.

While it includes traditional parties, it wants to make the game more co-operative PvE without it. They want to make people happy to see people appear in an area, rather than view them as competition for resources (like spawns, etc).

“When I’m out hunting and suddenly there’s a huge explosion over the next hill – the ground is shaking and smoke is pouring into the sky – I’m going to want to investigate, and most other players in the area will too. Or if the sky darkens on a sunny day, and I look up and see a dragon circling overhead preparing to attack, I know I’d better fight or flee, and everyone around me knows that too. “

Example of how they make people glad to help: Anyone who was 100% involved in a fight gets 100% of XP.

“Everyone has the same objective, and if your world can get 501 people working for the same goal, that’s only going to be more helpful than 500 people.”

It keeps the flexible collectible-card-game-esque system, but is trying to make it more “visceral” and “immediate”. I’d add “Transparent” to that – they’re talking about the visual effects showing exactly what’s going on, and making the process of discovering combos and counters easier.

All players now select their races, which gives new abilities which they can select for their build.

“Dozens” of environmental weapons. Remember the catapults? Lots more like that, apparently.

Implication that physical positioning will be key. “Avoid the Oakheart’s roots as they creep out of the ground looking to entangle you. Launch yourself on a sweeping attack that takes you behind your enemy. Smash open the garrison gate and begin your assault. Dodge out of the way before the Drake Broodmother unleashes her fire attack.”

Sounds rather interesting to me, especially without a monthly sub.

[LordDon]

New screen up too:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc346/jerimmortal/4558240121_ff8e6cd329_b.jpg

[JRR006]

Still no monthly subscription? Oh, yes. Day one for me.

[Nura]

This game is still very high on my personal to-watch list. I really hope ArenaNet can pull it off.

[Chris_D]

Loved the first game.

[Wasson_]

One of the only MMO's I've get a good vibe from. More-so even than than Old Republic.

[CappinCanuck]

New screen up too:

http://i526.photobucket.com/albums/cc346/jerimmortal/4558240121_ff8e6cd329_b.jpg

Hawt Sorceress.

[Panthera]

As long as I can still be a Mesmer I'm in.

[Nura]

mmorpg.com has some videos (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/view/videos) from it aswell. There is also an interview and some more info on the Elementalist class.

So far it's looking pretty sweet imo.

[Vermillion]

Necro-mez FTW!

I am definitley looking forward to this.

[Stoke]

Sounds good. The PvE experience they described sounds a lot like the public quests from WAR. Hopefully they can find a way to iron out the issues those had. Fantastic news about the monthly fees. Last time I heard about them they said they still weren't sure but they flat out stated they won't happen this time.

[Illuminus]

I noticed there were seven silhouettes instead of the six original professions... maybe they adding the assassin as vanilla? edit* Check out www.guildwars2.com, silhouettes are on the main page

But yea, they be damned if they take away the mesmer!

*Apparently i cant count and their are eight. I am hoping this include a secondary healer, like the Ritualist.

[Deadend]

Sounds good. The PvE experience they described sounds a lot like the public quests from WAR. Hopefully they can find a way to iron out the issues those had. Fantastic news about the monthly fees. Last time I heard about them they said they still weren't sure but they flat out stated they won't happen this time.

Well, the fact everyone gets full XP for doing something useful on monsters is a start.

I also imagine it won't have SO FUCKING MANY PQs spread out all over the place. As WAR had the problem of having too much content in a way. As there were 4 PQs per zone? and 3 zones covering a level range.. so 12 PQs per side optional, but a good number of them were hidden a bit and the leveling pace as well.. and the 2 sides.. so at any time you had about 24 PQs for players of a level.. and PVP in instances and PVP in zones. The game had a bit too much content that relied on a high player count.

Guild Wars 2 is probably going to be everyone on the same side, and it's subscription free, built for multiple plays and will probably not use shards but selecting instances like the first game, so it shouldn't have the problems of under/overpopulated PQs.

I'm interested in GW2, as I enjoyed the first game, it had good graphics and was fun to play. It was also quite advanced on a technical level, as it had a 48 kb client and was able to steam areas to players while they played.. in 2004.

[Panthera]

This got me playing Guild Wars again. I never did finish any of the campaigns, but I topped off a level 19 character to level 20 last night and I'm getting back into the groove.

[Satertek]

Yea I'm currently trying to hunt down Eye of the North, it's not on Steam for some reason. I wanna fill up that achievement whatsit that's supposed to transfer over to GW2.

Do I need EotN before I start getting them, or will anything I've earned unlock as soon as I get it? Guess I should look at a list of what there are.

[Ondo]

More new info today at the official site here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/combat/part-two/).

Now I'm going to speculate wildly on professions - from the article:
There are eight professions in Guild Wars 2, many of which will be familiar to fans of Guild Wars, as well as a few professions new to the Guild Wars world. Each of these professions is roughly categorized by the type of armor they wear: scholars wear light armor, adventurers wear medium armor, and soldiers wear heavy armor. Currently there are three scholar professions, three adventurer professions and two soldier professions.
We already know the Elementalist and Warrior are in - so no more than 4 of the other 8 Guild Wars classes make it in. None of them seem like they'd be appropriate for the second heavy armor class though - anybody want to guess what that might be?

Also, from yesterday's article on combat:
Our goal is to design skills that are visually unique and explain them without overly complex skill descriptions.
It seems to me that many of the Guild Wars classes have skills that would be difficult to do that with. For example, the Dervish's enchantments, the Paragon's shouts, and most of the Mesmer's spells. The lack of a scythe and spear in the list of weapons lends weight to those two being gone.

The Ranger seems like it could easily remain, as one of the medium-armor classes - though the Warrior's ability to use a rifle means he needs more to define him that just using ranged weapons. No idea how a beast companion would work with the new skill setup.

The Ritualist seems like it could work well - they'd need to make the spirits each visually distinct, but that seems quite doable. The spells that summon an urn to carry could be a lot more interesting when five of your skills are determined by what you're holding.

The Assassin seems likely to be in - they do list daggers as weapons, and the combos seem like an easy thing to build off of to make the class feel distinct. The Necromancer seems workable. I expect we'll see a primary healer, but I'm not sure it'll be the Monk - that didn't seem to have a whole lot of flavor besides being the healer, and giving the class a distinct feel could involve changing the name. Also, if they boost the armor the main healing class can wear that'd pretty much require a name change. I suppose they could even make the Ritualist the primary healing class.

[BigJonno]

New info about the warrior class (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/warrior/) and traits. (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/combat/traits-overview/)

The videos in the warrior section are well worth a look.

[SilentScreams]

Looking good so far. They are making a lot of ambitious promises though, so I'm reserving judgement until I have the game in my hands (or on Steam if they let me).

[Illuminus]

The fact that they scrapped secondary professions which was a major feature in GW 1 worries me... :(

[BigJonno]

The fact that they scrapped secondary professions which was a major feature in GW 1 worries me... :(

Secondary professions have been replaced with races. Unlike most MMOs, races are a big deal and provide you with unique skills that you can choose for your build, like Norn shapeshifting abilities.

[Illuminus]

Still, it removes some of the "creativity" that GW had. Toucher Rangers... Mending Warriors and so forth... you will be missed :p

Hopefully we still have those Frenzy and Healing Signet warriors though

[BigJonno]

Still, it removes some of the "creativity" that GW had. Toucher Rangers... Mending Warriors and so forth... you will be missed :p

Hopefully we still have those Frenzy and Healing Signet warriors though

Not really. If the races have the same variety of skills as classes (which I'm led to believe they do) it'll have the same degree of creativity. Instead of choosing a class and then another class, you choose a race and then a class. In fact, if you read over the example of a character build in the traits section, it looks more detailed than the original. There certainly seems to be some of that GW flexibility showing through; ranged-based warriors look viable, which is cool.

[Illuminus]

Not really. If the races have the same variety of skills as classes (which I'm led to believe they do) it'll have the same degree of creativity. Instead of choosing a class and then another class, you choose a race and then a class. In fact, if you read over the example of a character build in the traits section, it looks more detailed than the original. There certainly seems to be some of that GW flexibility showing through; ranged-based warriors look viable, which is cool.

But the major difference is that you physically stuck with your race, where in GW you can switch secondary professions on the go. Anyway, i guess its to early to really be worried since there isn't that much information about it at this moment.

[SilentScreams]

I like the idea of a Charr warrior playing completely differently to say a Human warrior. It's always bugged me on WoW that your race doesn't really make a huge difference. A Gnome warrior can go toe to toe with a Tauren warrior with no problem and it doesn't make a lot of sense.

[BigJonno]

I like the idea of a Charr warrior playing completely differently to say a Human warrior. It's always bugged me on WoW that your race doesn't really make a huge difference. A Gnome warrior can go toe to toe with a Tauren warrior with no problem and it doesn't make a lot of sense.

It's a symptom of one of the biggest problems with MMO design: balance. If you look at Everquest, race made a much bigger difference to your character than in WoW. There were race/class combos that were pretty useless because of it. Understandably, people got annoyed when they found out that their character was never going to be as good as another character of the same class, but a different race. The WoW approach, copied by most, is to make racial differences so small as to be irrelevant.

The issue is that hardcore raiders want the best, most efficient everything. Once they've found it, they scream and shout about it so much that a large part of the playerbase believes it. It doesn't matter how much time Blizzard spend balancing and streamlining and trying to drum it into people's heads that you don't need Heroism/Bloodlust on every raid, the hardcore want that extra 0.5% advantage and that desire trickles down to everyone else.

Under current typical MMO systems the choices seem to be:

1. Aim encounters at "optimal" groups, balance characters appropriately and let everything become increasingly bland.
2. Aim encounter at "optimal" groups, choose flavour over balance and let many players end up with the MMO character equivalent of the short, fat kid with asthma and glasses.
3. Aim encounters at as many group make-ups as possible, then find that the hardcore players get bored because their "optimal" groups just destroy them.

[Stoke]

It's a symptom of one of the biggest problems with MMO design: balance. If you look at Everquest, race made a much bigger difference to your character than in WoW. There were race/class combos that were pretty useless because of it. Understandably, people got annoyed when they found out that their character was never going to be as good as another character of the same class, but a different race. The WoW approach, copied by most, is to make racial differences so small as to be irrelevant.

The issue is that hardcore raiders want the best, most efficient everything. Once they've found it, they scream and shout about it so much that a large part of the playerbase believes it. It doesn't matter how much time Blizzard spend balancing and streamlining and trying to drum it into people's heads that you don't need Heroism/Bloodlust on every raid, the hardcore want that extra 0.5% advantage and that desire trickles down to everyone else.

Under current typical MMO systems the choices seem to be:

1. Aim encounters at "optimal" groups, balance characters appropriately and let everything become increasingly bland.
2. Aim encounter at "optimal" groups, choose flavour over balance and let many players end up with the MMO character equivalent of the short, fat kid with asthma and glasses.
3. Aim encounters at as many group make-ups as possible, then find that the hardcore players get bored because their "optimal" groups just destroy them.

There weren't any Race/Class combos in EQ that were crippled. By the time you hit the level cap you were nearing the stat cap and were well past the point where they mattered a great deal.

I'm not a hardcore MMOer so I don't really care about min/maxing but I love being able to take a character that shouldn't do well and make them perform.

[Ondo]

So it's old news, but hasn't been mentioned here - they showed off a bunch of concept art at GDC, and that included concept art for five professions. The warrior concept art did show up when they did the official reveal, though it was changed slightly (the weapon switched to a sword).


http://wiki.guildwars2.com/images/9/99/GDC_2010_maceandflags.png
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/images/1/1f/GDC_2010_sylvariarcher.png
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/images/a/a1/GDC_2010_daggerbattlestance.png
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/images/b/bf/GDC_2010_purplefan.png
http://wiki.guildwars2.com/images/5/53/GDC_2010_macewoman.png


That seems to be a Ranger, Assassin, Mesmer, and the second soldier class. Also, the Guild Wars 2 art book apparently includes a Sylvari Necromancer, so it's likely that class is returning.

[Ondo]

New article answering questions about warriors and traits here (http://www.arena.net/blog/eric-and-ben-answer-your-questions-about-warrior-and-traits).

[Ondo]

New info on achievements, feats, the personality system, and map travel today - Kill Ten Rats has a nice summary with links to the primary sources here (http://www.killtenrats.com/2010/06/30/little-pieces-guild-wars-2/). Presumably the ArenaNet blog will have an article about it before the end of the day.

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog now has an entry about activities here (http://www.arena.net/blog/activities-games-within-the-game), and there's another interview here (http://www.gamereactor.eu/articles/4160/Guild+Wars+2+interview/)

[Ondo]

New article up on Healing and Death here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/combat/healing-death/). Also new round of interviews on the same topics - at gamona.de (http://www.gamona.de/games/guild-wars-2,interview-pc:article,1770674.html), PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/08/exclusive-guild-wars-2-to-scrap-healers-and-tanks/), and Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5582273/).

The very abbreviated version is that death is more reminiscent of Left 4 Dead than other MMOs, and instead of DPS/heal/tank they have Damage/Support/Control.

[Ondo]

Ranger info up here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/ranger/).

Also, more followup on Healing and Death - a Q&A (part 1) on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/jon-peters-answers-your-first-batch-of-healing-and-death-questions), an interview from GameKult translated here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-healing-and-t5315.html), and another interview from Nukem.se translated here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-interview-nukem-t5366.html).

[Ondo]

More ranger info at IGN (http://pc.ign.com/articles/110/1106052p1.html), PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/07/14/interview-meet-guild-wars-2s-acrobatic-ranger/), and Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/07/14/you-can-have-a-shark-as-a-pet-arenanet-unveils-the-guild-wars-2/).

[Xerxes]

Wow... I know those video kinda sensationalize how the game will actually play but wow. Like what I'm seeing.


Will you still be able to cross classes? I loved my Warrior/Elementalist. First Battle Mage that ever really felt right. In WoW I was reduced to using weak potions to get any magic out the warrior.

[BigJonno]

Wow... I know those video kinda sensationalize how the game will actually play but wow. Like what I'm seeing.


Will you still be able to cross classes? I loved my Warrior/Elementalist. First Battle Mage that ever really felt right. In WoW I was reduced to using weak potions to get any magic out the warrior.

Nope, races are taking the place of secondary classes.

[Xerxes]

Nope, races are taking the place of secondary classes.

Frowny face emoticon exclamation mark exclamation mark

[AversionFX]

No dedicated healing class.

Head asplode.

[SilentScreams]

I like that they are trying to get rid of the "holy trinity" but it's never going to work.
DPS will always be DPS. They are giving support classes healing abilities, so they are still healers, and control is still tanking. Even if the devs don't intend it like that, the players will make it so.
It doesn't sound like they've really changed the holy trinity, they've just renamed it.

[BigJonno]

I like that they are trying to get rid of the "holy trinity" but it's never going to work.
DPS will always be DPS. They are giving support classes healing abilities, so they are still healers, and control is still tanking. Even if the devs don't intend it like that, the players will make it so.
It doesn't sound like they've really changed the holy trinity, they've just renamed it.

The first Guild Wars didn't have tanking mechanics, so they're half way there already. All classes will have healing abilities, so it completely removes the obvious "kill the healer so they can't regain health" tactic from PvP. It might be that the support classes become the new obvious targets, but I think it's much easier to add tactical flexibility without clear healers.

I'm hoping we're going to see support classes in the vein of D&D clerics. Sure, plenty of clerics stand at the back and cast cure wound spells, but they suck. A good cleric will use defensive and enhancement spells to avoid damage in the first place and, most importantly, will know when to wade in with mace a-swinging. There's a reason that they can wear plate and carry shields!

I'm thinking that GW2 might end up a bit FFXIII-ish, in that strategy is going to revolve around players switching roles on the fly. So a warrior might use a big two-handed axe against a horde of smaller creatures, but switch to a sword and shield to defend against a big boss monster that shows up.

[SilentScreams]

I hope you're right, Jonno. If they can really get rid of the MMO staple of the so called holy trinity, then I'll be even more excited for GW2 than I already am!

In my ideal MMO, any group would be able to do any quest regardless of what classes they have. Even 5 Elementalists would be able to do a quest if they worked together...like say one goes with earth magic and protects everyone with defensive spells, one uses ice to damage and slow down the enemy and the others use fire to nuke them down.

[BigJonno]

I hope you're right, Jonno. If they can really get rid of the MMO staple of the so called holy trinity, then I'll be even more excited for GW2 than I already am!

In my ideal MMO, any group would be able to do any quest regardless of what classes they have. Even 5 Elementalists would be able to do a quest if they worked together...like say one goes with earth magic and protects everyone with defensive spells, one uses ice to damage and slow down the enemy and the others use fire to nuke them down.

Allow me to prove my divinity by altering reality so that such a thing already exists.

With FIRE attunement, the elementalist can inflict scorching damage on multiple enemies by turning the ground to fire or raining down molten rock from the skies. Why kill just one enemy when you can burn them all? Just by attuning to fire, the elementalist automatically causes flame damage to any foe foolish enough to touch her.

When the elementalist attunes to AIR, she can harness wind and lightning to target specific foes with focused, high-damage attacks. Dazzling bolts of lightning rip from the elementalist's fingertips, and brilliant flashes of light blind her enemies. When an elementalist attunes to air, nearby enemies are continuously pelted with lightning strikes.

WATER attunement forgoes the raw damage of air and fire, in favor of controlling an opponent's movement. By creating slippery ice or freezing foes solid, water attunement ensures that the battle is always fought on the elementalist's terms. Nearby allies receive continuous healing from an elementalist who is attuned to water.

In the most dangerous situations, the elementalist relies on the powerful defense of EARTH attunement. An earth elementalist uses the ground under her feet to defend herself and her allies, turning flesh to stone, destabilizing foes with seismic shocks, and destroying threats with volcanic eruptions. Earth attunement automatically confers magical protection to the elementalist.

You may begin with the worship now.

[SilentScreams]

I already worshiped you! I guess I'll have to start making sacrifices now. The blood of beautiful virgin women is kind of hard to come by these days without attracting attention, so it might have to be goats blood. If it helps, I'll make sure the goats are virgins.

I swear, the more I read about this game, the more I think I should invest in a tinfoil hat, because AreaNet are quite clearly reading my mind.

[Xerxes]

I have to read more. Any of these races have natural magic abilities that can be a warrior?

[BigJonno]

I have to read more. Any of these races have natural magic abilities that can be a warrior?

They've not released any solid info on racial skills, as far as I know, but they're going to be a pretty big deal. Norns, for example, can shapeshift into various arctic animals. I'm pretty sure that at least one of the races will be magically-inclined enough to let you do a convincing warrior mage.

[Ondo]

They've not released any solid info on racial skills, as far as I know, but they're going to be a pretty big deal. Norns, for example, can shapeshift into various arctic animals. I'm pretty sure that at least one of the races will be magically-inclined enough to let you do a convincing warrior mage.
There's an interview that includes brief blurb about each race that mentions some skills here (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/guildwars2/news.html?sid=6260499&om_act=convert&om_clk=newsfeatures&tag=newsfeatures%3Btitle%3B1&mode=previews&page=2).

The Asura's Arcane Blast makes them sound most promising for a warrior mage. There's another mention of it in this interview (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/guild-wars-2-news/interview-with-eric-flannum-isaiah-cartwright-and-ryan-scott/) (along with other info on racial skills).

[Ondo]

In my ideal MMO, any group would be able to do any quest regardless of what classes they have. Even 5 Elementalists would be able to do a quest if they worked together...like say one goes with earth magic and protects everyone with defensive spells, one uses ice to damage and slow down the enemy and the others use fire to nuke them down.
They actually mention playing in a group with 5 elementalists - from an interview with GameKult, translated here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-healing-and-t5315.html):
6. The rarest commodities in MMOs when you are trying to form a group are usually healers and tanks, with healers being out of the picture in Guild Wars 2, aren’t you afraid that tank-like characters might become extremely sought out to the point that you can’t start a group without one?
Eric: The concept of a “tank” profession that holds “aggro” is not something we embrace. Damage mitigation and absorption is of course important but every profession has some access to those things. I’ve been in a dungeon designed with a party of 5 elementalists and had a lot of fun. In that particular case we had water and air elementalists freezing, slowing, blinding, and stunning monsters while fire elementalists inflicted a ton of damage. We also had a couple of elementalists switch into earth attunement for additional damage absorption as needed. All in all it was quite effective.
Though, to be fair, the elementalist is the most versatile profession, so it probably wouldn't work as well with any other profession, though it still might be viable. I'm pretty sure every class has at least some damage, support, and control.

[SilentScreams]

Thanks for the link, Ondo.

They are saying all the right things as far as I'm concerned and I really hope they can pull off the game in practice as well as they do in theory.

[Ondo]

New interview up at Guild Wars 2 Italia (http://www.gw2italia.it/sito/interviste).

[Ondo]

Ranger Q&A up on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/eric-flannum-fields-your-ranger-questions). Also, another interview on LiveSpot (in Polish), translated here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/exclusive-interview-with-creators-guild-t5690.html).

[BigJonno]

Everyone must read the Q&A, just for the bit about the foul-mouthed moa.

[SilentScreams]

I can't figure out what people thought it could have been saying.

[BigJonno]

I can't figure out what people thought it could have been saying.

Really? I heard it first time. Bullshit.

[Xerxes]

Q: I thought I heard a naughty word in the Barrage video after the female ranger asks her party if they heard something. Is this a voice-over slip?

Eric: No, that’s a moa sound you hear in the video. As you can see and hear below, the sound is actually a cross between leopard, walrus, and bird. It’s 100% profanity free!

I think the Moa said it best. BULLSHIT!

[SilentScreams]

Really? I heard it first time. Bullshit.

Hah! It's so obvious now it's been pointed out. Don't know why I didn't get it.

[CappinCanuck]

I hope some of you Canadians saw my GW2 thread in the Deals section. 29.99 preorder, should lock in the price. AFAIK, EB has the same policy as futureshop and bestbuy about preorder pricing.

[Stoke]

I hope some of you Canadians saw my GW2 thread in the Deals section. 29.99 preorder, should lock in the price. AFAIK, EB has the same policy as futureshop and bestbuy about preorder pricing.

Wow, that's a fantastic price for a game not even out yet.

[Ondo]

So a little bit of info from Comic-Con - Gamespot has coverage of the panel here (http://comic-con.gamespot.com/story/6270906/guild-wars-2-uniting-behind-community/?tag=gs_news); not a whole lot that's new, but I found this bit interesting:
Phinney then turned the panel over to Perry, who talked a bit about character customization. The big new change with Guild Wars 2, she said, was that players can now wear nearly all of the clothing that non-player characters can wear, giving the example of a merchant's garb or blacksmith's apron. Also, armor and clothing dying will be greatly expanded, with players able to alter the hue for up to three parts of each piece.
Also a new interview up on Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/07/26/san-diego-comic-con-our-interview-with-guild-wars-2s-jeff-grub/) - I think the only significant new info is that they will reveal one more class before the demo at GamesCon.

[Mason]

Re: killing the holy trinity, I'd say that GW1 already did that pretty well. While healing and DPS builds exist, any team that tried to naively min-max them would be wildly outclassed, simply because of the complex system of countering skills.

The rise and fall of spike groups demonstrates this pretty well. These were groups mainly filled with air elementalists, who would unleash their single-target DPS simultaneously in order to get around healing. This got popular...until it was too popular, and people started bringing in strong counters (like protection enchantments, fast rezzes, pretty much anything that could let you absorb the spike). So even mathematically optimal DPS wasn't an ideal strategy.

So don't doubt that GW2 can pull off a radical gameplay shift, because GW1 already lay the foundation. Anyone unfamiliar with the series should go look up a list of Mesmer, Necromancer, or Protection Monk skills. It's game design pornography.

[Expugnare]

Re: killing the holy trinity, I'd say that GW1 already did that pretty well. While healing and DPS builds exist, any team that tried to naively min-max them would be wildly outclassed, simply because of the complex system of countering skills.

The rise and fall of spike groups demonstrates this pretty well. These were groups mainly filled with air elementalists, who would unleash their single-target DPS simultaneously in order to get around healing. This got popular...until it was too popular, and people started bringing in strong counters (like protection enchantments, fast rezzes, pretty much anything that could let you absorb the spike). So even mathematically optimal DPS wasn't an ideal strategy.

So don't doubt that GW2 can pull off a radical gameplay shift, because GW1 already lay the foundation. Anyone unfamiliar with the series should go look up a list of Mesmer, Necromancer, or Protection Monk skills. It's game design pornography.

Air spike was a bit too powerful though, it took nerfing Chain Lightning to really kill it. Same with a lot of the really popular PvP strategies: Air Spike, IWAY, Smiters, Minion Factories, Blood Spike, Spirit Spam, etc. I haven't played PvP since about 2007 but many builds reigned supreme until they were nerfed.

I do agree that the design behind many of the classes is truly beautiful and it has really started to shine as the philosophy behind the game has become really refined over the last couple years. Damage prevention is vastly preferred to healing so nearly all monks have shifted to protection while letting hybrid heroes take care of pressure relief healing. Also, reducing the effectiveness of the entire group of enemies while focusing on spiking down one target has become preferable to large AoE DPS builds. Unfortunately, this created the scenario where Necro/Monk and Necro/Rit heroes are far better at the game than real people and most people just play 2 man hero builds except for very specific areas like the Domain of Anguish and the Underworld.

[Ondo]

New article up on the ArenaNet blog, Personality in Guild Wars 2 (http://www.arena.net/blog/personality-in-guild-wars-2). I really like the sound of this, and hope it actually works well in practice.

Also, there was an article on Progression and Leveling (http://www.arena.net/blog/progression-and-leveling-in-guild-wars-2) earlier. The quick summary is max level is 80 and the amount of time to level will be constant throughout the entire range.

[SilentScreams]

I like the idea of a constant levelling speed. It worked well with Wrath of the Lich King.

[Vigil80]

I like both those articles quite a bit. There's some obvious cheerleading in there, but these reports definitely go farther than a typical marketing push, and I haven't read one thing that I wasn't happy about. The roleplaying support also makes me feel good. I definitely like to RP in my RPGs. Heck, I'd be happy if all they did was add chairs in taverns and houses could actually be sat in, and weren't just decoration.

What does it say that I'm more intrigued by this "free" MMO than any of the others on the horizon?

Also, Wal-Mart has the full Guild Wars collection for $20 or $30. I wonder if I should grab it to whet my appetite.

[Xerxes]

I think personality was what's missing from the first game. I'd like to see this in action. In WoW I was my character. In the mail GW campaign I didn't feel this at all. I think one of the later games did try to have NPCs interact with me a bit more. But that was the start mission.

[BigJonno]

This has definitely become my most anticipated MMO. I'm liking everything I hear about it.

[Ondo]

Another interview up at Univers Virtuels (http://gw2.univers-virtuels.net/article/2307/Interview-GW2-Univers-Virtuels.html), with some new tidbits.

[Ondo]

Another new ArenaNet blog entry up, Talking Heads: VO and Dialogue in GW2 (http://www.arena.net/blog/talking-heads-vo-and-dialogue-in-gw2).

[SilentScreams]

Good reads. Thanks, Ondo.

I haven't anticipated an MMO this much since WoW. I can't wait. The attention to detail here is insane.

[Ondo]

ArenaNet posted a new video of concept art, used for a talk at China GDC.

0_RxPXsOSNA

[Ondo]

ArenaNet's releasing a new video tomorrow, and showed off this screenshot from it:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4876831542_de82e665d4_o.jpg

[LordDon]

ArenaNet posted a new video of concept art, used for a talk at China GDC.

I wish they had a gallery somewhere where you could rip off crib ideas from the posted art.

[Ondo]

The new video is up here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/media/videos/#gw2-video-manifesto).

Also, the ArenaNet blog has a new entry (http://www.arena.net/blog/walking-the-walk) describing what will be in the demo at Gamescon next week, and at PAX Prime.

[BigJonno]

I was going to post that video, but I was too busy looking for my jaw. I didn't see where it bounced after hitting the floor.

[Expugnare]

God damn, ArenaNet knows how to sell a product. Sorry Bioware, if you release anywhere near the same time as GW2, you will be ignored.

[BigJonno]

That's what I was thinking. I'd go so far to say that, if they live up to their promises, all other MMOs can go die quietly in the corner. I'm sure the reality won't be quite as awesome, but we can hope.

[SilentScreams]

That was an awesome trailer.
I'm sold on this game for sure. Day one.

I seriously doubt it'll be as good as it sounds, because I've lost count of the number of MMOs that have fallen way short of their promise. If it's half as good as it sounds, it'll still be the best MMO out there.

[Xerxes]

I liked what I saw.

[NotJeff]

No one's said it explicitly. They're calling this video their "MMO Manifesto", and in it, amidst all the pretty footage, they say exactly the things I want to hear about game design in MMOs.

http://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/watch-our-mmo-manifesto-video.html

[Xerxes]

That's the same vid Ondo posted. O_o

[NotJeff]

That's the same vid Ondo posted. O_o

I know. Like I said, no one described the contents: the ArenaNet vision/manifesto on the state of the MMO.

[Vigil80]

Horned lion-men? Giant scorpions with two tails? How much awesome can you tease me with before releasing this already, ArenaNet?

I think the lack of a subscription fee might be what will make this a better MMO, and not just for the obvious reason. They keep pushing the fact that they don't want the game to be a grind, and it's the lack of a monthly fee that keeps them from feeling pressured to extend the content with tedium.

[Ondo]

So there's a new ArenaNet blog entry up on QA for the Gamescon demo (http://www.arena.net/blog/the-road-to-gamescom-assuring-quality).

Also, new interviews up at Gamespot (http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/guildwars2/news.html?sid=6273004&mode=previews) and Game reactor (http://www.gamereactor.eu/articles/4498/Interview:+ArenaNet+on+Guild+Wars+2/).

Also, the manifesto video (at about 3:09) shows a ranger and then elementalist rolling - a dev confirms that a dodge roll is something you can do in a post at GuildWars2Guru here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/manifesto-trailer-guildwars2-com-t6321.html?p=253417#post253417).

I know. Like I said, no one described the contents: the ArenaNet vision/manifesto on the state of the MMO.
Yeah, I'm generally really terse with my posts, because otherwise I waste stupid amounts of time rewriting them. Feel free to add descriptions anytime. :)

[SilentScreams]

I think the lack of a subscription fee might be what will make this a better MMO, and not just for the obvious reason. They keep pushing the fact that they don't want the game to be a grind, and it's the lack of a monthly fee that keeps them from feeling pressured to extend the content with tedium.

At the same time it limits their funds. Double edged sword and all that.
I'm actually amazed they've made enough money out of Guild Wars to even think about making a second. Guild Wars was never super popular and they only released a handful of expansions, which isn't a lot compared to what a subscription fee would net them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for ditching subscription fees, as long as quality doesn't suffer as a result. I'd rather pay a sub and have a good game than play a game like the original for free.

[Expugnare]

At the same time it limits their funds. Double edged sword and all that.
I'm actually amazed they've made enough money out of Guild Wars to even think about making a second. Guild Wars was never super popular and they only released a handful of expansions, which isn't a lot compared to what a subscription fee would net them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for ditching subscription fees, as long as quality doesn't suffer as a result. I'd rather pay a sub and have a good game than play a game like the original for free.

I think GW sold better than you are giving it credit for. Definitely not WoW numbers, but it still has a large player base, most of whom have all of the campaigns at this point.

[Ondo]

I think GW sold better than you are giving it credit for. Definitely not WoW numbers, but it still has a large player base, most of whom have all of the campaigns at this point.
They sold over 6 million units (http://www.guildwars.com/events/press/releases/pressrelease-2009-04-24.php), across all the campaigns and the expansion.

[Xerxes]

Ondo that's like 4 box versions. That's almost a franchise. Still impressive. Guild Wars 2 is day one buy from me.

[Ondo]

So a new ArenaNet blog entry up discussing writing the demo (http://www.arena.net/blog/the-road-to-gamescom-writing-the-demo).

They also added an entry last Friday on reactions to the Manifesto video (http://www.arena.net/blog/mmo-manifesto-reactions).

The Escapist has an amusing Stolen Pixels (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comics/stolen-pixels/7980-Stolen-Pixels-220-Guilt-Wars-2) on Guild Wars 2.

The demo kicks off on Thursday at Gamescom, and Wednesday is the press-only day at Gamescom, so we might see something then. And, according to this interview (http://www.massively.com/2010/07/26/san-diego-comic-con-our-interview-with-guild-wars-2s-jeff-grub/) they'll reveal a fourth class before then. (I'm expecting the Necromancer.) This should be a good week. :D

[Ondo]

So a ton of new info today, as they've started doing demos at Gamescom.

First off, the ArenaNet blog updated, with the animation team talking about the demo (http://www.arena.net/blog/the-road-to-gamescom-animated-conversation), and a video on creating cinematics (http://www.arena.net/blog/video-creating-guild-wars-2-cinematics).

IGN has a hands-on report here (http://pc.ign.com/articles/111/1113687p1.html).

Character creation video:
9nzii9esvgI

Gameplay video:
30947

Necromancer gameplay video:
30949

A bit about the Necromancer - his unique mechanic is apparently gaining Life Force, and he can use a Death Shroud, and gains extra skills when he does.

NCSoft has a live stream here (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ncsoft-west), though there's nothing more today. They've got a schedule up on this pgae (http://eu.ncsoft.com/en-gb/events/gamescom.html) (which didn't list anything for today). They're nine hours ahead of Pacific time, so the next Guild Wars demo is 2 AM here, 5 AM on the east coast. Here's a list of the Guild Wars 2 stuff on the schedule for Thursday, translated to Pacific time (primarily for my own benefit):
2 AM, 5 AM, 7 AM, 9:30 AM: Live demo - 1/2 hour long.
3:30 AM: Q&A with Art Director Daniel Dociu + Artbook signing
5:30 AM: Q&A with Designer & Writer Jeff Grubb + Novel signing
7:30 AM: International Podcast with Lead Content Designer Colin Johanson (about dynamic events)

I doubt I'll watch more than the 9:30 demo.

There's a lot more collected info on GuildWars2Guru over in this thread (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/this-gamescom-compilation-information-streaming-t6651.html?t=6651).

[Ondo]

Another thing I forget, from before Gamescom, there was a german article on Gamestar.de (http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/guild-wars-2/artikel/guild_wars_2,44574,2317034.html), and a summary of the new info on GuildWars2Guru here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/summary-gw2-info-including-new-t6667.html).

Also, here are a couple more videos I found interesting.

Town in Guild Wars 2 (shows inventory screen and map):
Xk8IbOqnj4c

Gameplay footage of a Charr ranger- with awful sound quality. Mute it.
Y_VsBO_avW8

[Ondo]

The best video I've found so far, with good quality and an ArenaNet employee talking in English, though unfortunately the German subtitles cover much of the screen. Skip to about 1:20 in to get past the German guy's introduction. Some interesting discussion of traits near the end.
xcDFbg2HC3w

Also, ArenaNet's flickr page has a selection of skill icons (http://www.flickr.com/photos/arenanet/4897900597/).

Pictures of the inventory and dye screens here (http://img24.imageshack.us/g/4903836821d78794a88bo.jpg/).

One more thing: the text of all the character selection options seen so far are listed in this post on GuildWars2Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/brief-look-character-customisation-menu-t6743.html?p=274391#post274391).

[Hotcod]

oh dear lord who ever did those subtitles should be fired... and kicked in the nuts.... i mean.... realllllllllllly half the time the big grey block hiding half the screen was empty!

other than that that video has sold me on the game really, not that I wasn't already but I've really wanted to see how gameplay works and get some of the ideas they've been talking about put in to context of actually playing. and it looks awesome

[SilentScreams]

Far too many players there to really get a decent idea of what was going on. Hopefully it's not always so hectic.

[Ondo]

So there's now a version of that last video without the obnoxious subtitles available here (http://vid.buffed.de/v/5MT2t8AbyGE/Guild-Wars-2/Wartower-Spotlight-GC-2010-Folge-1-eng/).

Another reasonably good video with discussion with some developers and then a look at creating an elementalist and the early part of the game is available here (http://www.onlinewelten.com/games/guild-wars-2/videos/wackligen-schritte-11047/).

There's a list of the skills seen so far in this thread (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/gamecom-skill-compendium-t6847.html) on GuildWars2Guru.

The ArenaNet blog has a new article (http://www.arena.net/blog/designing-the-demo-a-chat-with-kim-chase-and-leah-rivera) with a couple more designers saying how excited they are about the demo.

This picture (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4904527324_f001fc6582_o.jpg) shows the controls for the demo.

Posted over at GuildWars2Guru (here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/potions-t6752.html?p=278026#post278026)) was an explanation of why they have energy potions - I'll go ahead and quote it:
Energy in Guild Wars 2 is a long term resource. It lasts over multiple fights. Every skill uses energy. It is a way for players to gauge how difficult a fight was and how cautious to play. This makes encounters a lot more diverse and in our more solo friendly environment, it allows players to push into higher level and more difficult areas and get into more challenging fights without killing them outright.

Guild Wars 1 did not have a long term resource. Energy regenerated immediately outside of combat. This created a number of problems for us. The greatest of which was there was no good way to balance encounters. Encounters were very binary – you either won or lost and there was nothing available to tip the scales of the fight in your favor. The only way you could tell if a fight was difficult was if players died. Most of the time this was either because they made a series of mistakes that they couldn’t recover from once they realized it.

A long term resource allows players to learn from their mistakes, makes the game more approachable, and together these things make the game more fun. You don’t just win or lose – you have time to react and time to recover from errors instead of being punished by death for not playing perfectly.

Energy regenerates slowly on its own, however, all players have a potion button attached to their energy bar. Drinking a potion returns energy and puts this button into recharge. Out of combat, this recharge is short. During combat, the potions recharge slower, allowing us to reward skilled play and balance difficult encounters against a finite resource pool, so that challenging bosses can’t simply be defeated by bringing more defensive and healing skills. Energy potions are the only kind of consumable that is usable in combat.

Since I know it is the first follow up question, we aren’t talking about PvP yet, but there will be interesting energy dynamics in PvP, but we will not force players to buy and pound potions to be competitive. Potions are not very expensive, they refill a significant portion of your energy pool and they will also drop off of mobs.

Also the second question, what about energy management and energy denial skills? Energy as a long term resource does mean that energy management is no longer a direct mechanic in the game. However, we recognize the strategy implications of this decision and there are other mechanics in the game that replace these elements and play style in a way that makes sense for the new game we are making.

Hopefully this addresses some of people’s concerns with potions in the game. Remember, Guild Wars 1 and Guild Wars 2 share a lot of philosophical similarities. but this is a new game and…instead of trying to explain it I’ll just quote one of you since I think this was as well as I could have said it…

http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=272871&postcount=691

[Ondo]

Another reasonable demo of a human necromancer up at Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/events/gamescom2010/gw2/necromancer-gameplay).

There's a text interview up at GuildWars2Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/devs-answer-your-questions-gamescom-t6867.html).

Nice video interview up at Jeux Online (http://www.jeuxonline.info/video/2721/gamescom-2010-interview-lead-content-developer-guild-wars-2).

There's another, long video on Jeux Online (http://www.jeuxonline.info/video/2723/gamescom-2010-presentation-demo-guild-wars-2) - it's a designer going through the demo in English, but I haven't watched more than just the start so far.

[Ondo]

GuildMag has a brief article about the demo here (http://www.guildmag.com/gmb-gc-update), and some new concept art.

PCGamer also has some impressions of the demo (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/08/19/guild-wars-2-gamescom-impressions-big-wow/).

There's a list of traits seen in the demo here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/gamecom-trait-compendium-t6865.html).

There's a video here (http://vid.buffed.de/v/H9KJydK9uZp/Guild-Wars-2/Wartower-Spotlight-GC-2010-Folge-3/) that shows early story for a human noble.

Also, a video of just the dye system (I recommend muting it):
hvpRH6AFRds

[digitalErich]

I'm glad to see someone finally take that idea of Tauren "plains running" and put it into a game. Now that I see it, so much cooler than those lame mounts Bliz gave them instead.

[Ondo]

The official website reveal of the Necromancer is now up here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/necromancer/).

The ArenaNet blog has Demo Tales from Gamescom (http://www.arena.net/blog/demo-tales-from-gamescom).

GameInformer has an article on Guild Wars 2 here (http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/08/21/guild-wars-2-s-pve-content-finally-explained.aspx?). The most interesting bit, IMO, was that if enough siege weapons used to fight the Shatterer are destroyed, a new event starts elsewhere to escort a supply caravan in order to fix them.

[Ondo]

A couple more inteviews - one at Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2010/08/27/guild-wars-2-necromancer-interview/) and one at GuildWars2Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/q-with-jeff-grubb-chris-t7520.html).

[Squidbot]

I was never much of a fan of Guild Wars, but Bigjonno has been flooding me with info on the sequel this evening, and I have to say I am now extremely interesting to see how this pans out.
The Charr look fantastic. Do want.

[BigJonno]

I was never much of a fan of Guild Wars, but Bigjonno has been flooding me with info on the sequel this evening, and I have to say I am now extremely interesting to see how this pans out.
The Charr look fantastic. Do want.

While I did flood him with....info, it didn't take much to convince him. I showed him the manifesto trailer and, two minutes later got:

"ffs
Im not eben half way in
SOLD"

[Squidbot]

He he he. Well, it is a very nice trailer. Also; cats with guns ftw.

[NotJeff]

Another preview from someone at gamescom:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/30/thoroughly-gilded-guild-wars-2-preview/

[Ondo]

More interviews up at Rock Paper Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/08/31/guilding-it-bigger-guild-wars-2-interview/) and MMORPG Italia (http://www.mmorpgitalia.it/forum/showpost.php?p=3598259&postcount=2).

For anyone interested in the concept art, Kekai Kotaki updated his blog (http://kekai.blogspot.com/2010/08/guild-wars-2-concept-art.html?spref=tw) with new concept art, and the ArenaNet blog notes that there's an article about science fiction and fantasy art up on io9 (http://m.io9.com/5621039/scifi-art-appreciation-101-the-two-rules-of-awesome-sffantasy-art) that mentions ArenaNet Creative Director Daniel Dociu’s artwork.

[Squidbot]

In the space of a few days I have gone from complete apathy to rabid anticipation.
That concept art is glorious.

[CappinCanuck]

In the space of a few days I have gone from complete apathy to rabid anticipation.
That concept art is glorious.

I had the same thing with GW1 and I only played it for two weeks.

Butttt... that's because, for me, the best part of MMOGs is the M for Massive and GW just didn't do that. That's probably why DAOC is still my favourite... it did massive the best and I'm still anticipating the next big RvR hit (Warhammer boo).

[SilentScreams]

I always highly anticipate the next big MMO. I always think the next one coming will be "the one". I'm usually disappointed.

So far only WoW has come close. I think I was spoiled by old school UO. All other MMOs feel like they're "on rails" by comparison. I want an MMO with true freedom (if anyone mentions EVE, I will kill them with my mind).

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog was updated with a Q&A on Necromancers (http://www.arena.net/blog/eric-and-izzy-answer-your-necromancer-questions), and details on their PAX plans (http://www.arena.net/blog/pax-to-the-max).

[Panthera]

I always highly anticipate the next big MMO. I always think the next one coming will be "the one". I'm usually disappointed.

So far only WoW has come close. I think I was spoiled by old school UO. All other MMOs feel like they're "on rails" by comparison. I want an MMO with true freedom (if anyone mentions EVE, I will kill them with my mind).

Star Wars Galaxies. :V

[Squidbot]

Star Wars Galaxies. :V

*Foams at the mouth*

My favourite and most hated MMO.

[SilentScreams]

I loved what SWG was, but I hate what it's become.

[BigJonno]

Squid and I were having a bittersweet, nostalgia-laden conversation about SWG on Facebook the other night. If they'd just stuck to their guns and not listened to the whiny bitches on the forums it would have been so goddamn good.

[Chris_D]

SWG was my first MMO. I played for 6 months and had a pretty good time. Don't regret it.

[Xerxes]

GW was M enough, but I never felt connected to my character. He was just something I moved around to do something in a world that never really seemed alive. Even with the events that changed the world.

SW: TOR, GW2, and it's another one I'm missing. I cant wait to see which will be one I burn some time into.

Atleast the GW2 is setup, I know I'm buying it.

[Squidbot]

Heh, I actually saved a bit of our SWG memoirs, just because it made me so damn nostalgic.
Also; I swear a lot.

Jonno
And my fave MMO of all time is still SWG.

01:32Me
Oh my yes
I came very close to resubbing a few weeks ago
just to have a look

01:33Jonno
It's horrible.

01:33Me
I met *Mrs Squid* in swg

01:33Jonno
It'd just make you cry.
Doubly so in that case.

01:33Me
Oh Im sure it is, but I wanted to go see if my house is still there, and the town i started
My house was amazing
And last time I looked someone was still running the town

01:34Jonno
What the vocal fucktards failed to realise is that it was actually a roleplaying game.
You had to go to a medic or an entertainer so that you would stop and actually fucking interact with people.

01:34Me
YES
What killed the game, before the nge
was the holo grind

01:35Jonno
Definitely.

01:35Me
As it fucking DESTROYED the ent profession
so many people left or stopped being ents because there was no fucking point when every cantina was filled with 50 bots

01:36Jonno
It was so incredibly stupid. "Hey, let's make people forget about playing the game and just grind random profs."

01:36Me
One of my fondest memories was I knew this Bothan crafter chick that I used to escort to her harvesters regularly because she had no combat skills at all, so I used to travel with her as a bodyguard while she did her crafter thing
That sort of interaction between combat and non combat classes was fucking amazing

I knew people who had never fired a weapon at all in swg
And then when the holo grind hit, long standing crafting stores disappeared cos the crafter had fucked off to grind jedi

People went nuts

holy hot norn batman

http://www.guildwars2.com/global/includes/images/hero-norn.jpg

01:39Jonno
My smuggler was amazing. I found out who all the best crafters were and acted as a go between. I built up a rep for knowing where to get stuff, then just sat around in the cantina making deals.

There's a wallpaper of that. I know because I had it for months.

01:40Me
You're my wallpaper now Dave

YES!

That's EXACTLY it

SWG encouraged RP and interaction between classes in a truly unique way

You actually were playing a smuggler, an underground shady character that knew how to get things done

brilliant

fuck I miss that game

And fucking space combat that wasn't on rails!!!!

SWTOR looks like space wow

01:41Jonno
The outfit that I wore was handcrafted for me by a tailor whose store I wandered into as a noob. She only charged me a fraction of what it would have cost to buy the stuff from her vendors. She like putting outfits together.

01:42Me
Dude you're making me so fucking nostalgic XD

01:42Jonno
I've decided to think of TOR as a single player game. It's KotOR 3, end of story.

01:42Me
I knew this wookie that had a like 6 robes the same but different colours, with matching hats, and he had a macro to change clothes, he was like this colourful flashing wookie
And great cantina bands that actually used scripts and macros to play in time with their flourishes

01:44Jonno
My RL friend who played had a bounty hunter. We used to go on hunting trips together, but in the literal sense. We'd trek off into the wilderness just to find something big and interesting to kill.

01:44Me
Totally! :D:D

When I first played on the us servers, before vehicles, I used to organise hunting trips to explore the planets, before they were all mapped and easily accesible with speeders

Big group of people randomly stumbling around dantooine getting eaten

01:47Jonno
Oh yeah. I used to display my "master artisan" tag all the time so that people would underestimate me. This one time in the cantina, some wookiee came in with all his pets and they were blocking the band and the dancers. One of them told him to put the pets away or get out, but he refused. I sauntered out from booth and told him to take it outside. He thought I was just a crafter, but you have to max out brawling to be a smuggler, so I beat the shit out of him. He apologised to the dancers and left.

01:47Me
I MISS SWG!

Stop saying cool things about it!

Im seriously loling

01:48Jonno
Do you want to hear the best SWG story ever?

01:48Me
still loling

wait

or write it while im smoking and ill read it when im back

01:48Jonno
Okay. It's not one of mine, but it's brilliant.

01:54Jonno
Two overt Imperials walk into a cantina, full uniform, with some chick. It's like a scene from some war movie with the girl flirting with the two young officers. An overt rebel is in the cantina and starts giving the girl some shit for hanging out with Imperials. It turns into a fist fight and one of the Imperials puts the rebel on his arse and pulls his blaster. There's a long pause, baited breath stuff and then the Imperial utters the words "Rebel scum." and executes him.

The place goes crazy. Virtually the whole cantina were covert rebels/Imperials and as soon as this guy has fired his blaster, they all go overt and start shooting. There's a massive firefight and only a handful of Imperials survive, including the guy that started it all. He then gets a whisper from the rebel he killed telling him "That was fucking AWESOME!"

[SilentScreams]

Damn it, Squid...now I'm all depressed again.

I will forever hate them for taking my SWG away. :(

[EWolfmanD]

You guys are making me want to play the game you're describing. Who has the time machine?

[Ondo]

So the first bit of news from PAX - they're working on an iPad and smartphone app (http://www.curse.com/articles/guild-wars-2-news/811276.aspx).

[Xerxes]

Mind blown. That's awesome right there.

[Stoke]

So the first bit of news from PAX - they're working on an iPad and smartphone app (http://www.curse.com/articles/guild-wars-2-news/811276.aspx).

Noice.

That remote auction house feature would be worth a purchase by itself. The chatting and other features are just icing on the cake. Plus the fact that it's free.

[Squidbot]

Sexy Gamescon movie (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/gc-10-guild-wars-2/703829), not sure if it's in this thread already.

[SilentScreams]

I hadn't seen it. Thanks, Squid.

[Ondo]

New hands-on impressions up at Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/04/pax-2010-guild-wars-2-hands-on/). Also includes a bit of new info from talking to devs - I really like the sounds of the new dye system.

Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/tweets-rising/) has a nice post collecting tweets about GW2, including info from the dynamic events panel.

[Hotcod]

that video is really cool... i just love the idea of the dynamic events system... that said some of the combat as epic looking as it is seems a tad cluttered and confusing at times. Sure the game will lead you through learning what is important but ya could be a little too much at times. I'm still all over this like a rash.

[SilentScreams]

I know what you mean about the combat seeming cluttered. There seems to be way too many people all doing the same stuff at the same time. I'm sure they will figure out a way around that for the final release though.

[Ondo]

So this post (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=333902&postcount=816) on GuildWars2Guru has some more info on the dynamic events panel.

Also, some GW2 pictures here (http://s743.photobucket.com/albums/xx75/izgame/events/paxprime2010/gw2/), most from that panel, I think.

[BigJonno]

that video is really cool... i just love the idea of the dynamic events system... that said some of the combat as epic looking as it is seems a tad cluttered and confusing at times. Sure the game will lead you through learning what is important but ya could be a little too much at times. I'm still all over this like a rash.

I guess it comes from a large amount of people in the same area doing the same thing without having much of an idea how to play their characters. When the game is finished and players are more spread out, I don't think it'll be as hectic.

That said, as long as you know what you're doing, you should be all right. I've seen some great strategy come from open-world PvP in WAR because people have just known what they should be doing.

[Squidbot]

I agree, that video does seem a little....hectic, and also a little too dark in places, but it's early days yet. And if you look at videos of some other MMO's in large combat situations (WoW raids, Warhammer Sieges, Eve large scale battles) they too can look rather confusing if you don't know the game.

[ClannerDelta]

I agree, that video does seem a little....hectic, and also a little too dark in places, but it's early days yet. And if you look at videos of some other MMO's in large combat situations (WoW raids, Warhammer Sieges, Eve large scale battles) they too can look rather confusing if you don't know the game.

WAR sieges look confusing even if you DO know the game.

"MY EYES! THEY BLEED FROM THE PARTICLES! WHY ARE THE DORFS FLYING EVERWHERE?!?! STOP HITTING ME! WAIT... WHAT'S HITTING ME?!"

I'm hoping I can connect to GW2. For some reason I can't connect to the first one at all. Constant lag, really horrible.

[Ondo]

So some impressions from PAX posted to GuildWars2Guru - by elixabeth here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=334667&postcount=919), here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=336540&postcount=1127), and here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=336626&postcount=1131), and Gigashadow here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=336295&postcount=1091) and here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=336645&postcount=1132).

Also, Univers Virtuels (http://gw2.univers-virtuels.net/article/2366/Interface.html) has an article on the interface, translated by Google here (http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fgw2.univers-virtuels.net%2Farticle%2F2366%2FInterface.html).

[Ondo]

GuildWars2Guru has a couple of Q&As up - on gameplay here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/community-q-from-pax-gameplay-t8154.html) and on lore here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/community-q-from-pax-lore-t8153.html).

Also at Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/06/flameseeker-chronicles-pax-2010-travel-diary/) Rubi talks about her experience with GW2 at PAX.

[Deadend]

Fucking.. wow. Now that seems like the step forward in MMOs that hasn't hit yet. What year is it coming out in?

[Ondo]

Fucking.. wow. Now that seems like the step forward in MMOs that hasn't hit yet. What year is it coming out in?
2011, probably. They haven't even said that much yet, though.

[Ondo]

There's video of the GDC Europe talk ArenaNet gave on designing dynamic events here (http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1013691/Designing-Guild-Wars-2-Dynamic). A fan recording of the PAX Guild Wars 2 dynamic events panel is up on YouTube here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mjiRKkHwXk).

More impressions of the PAX demo, from a poster on GuildWars2Guru here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=340204&postcount=1305), and from TenTonHammer - part one (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/previews/pax2010/hands-on-part-one) and part two (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/previews/pax2010/hands-on-part-two).

A new interview is up at MMORPG (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/feature/4528/page/1).

Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/) has a couple of nice posts - on the size of Guild Wars 2 (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/how-big-is-guild-wars-2/), and the level up effects (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/level-up/).

[Ondo]

New interview up at Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/features/interviews/pax-combat).

A writeup of the PAX panel on designing dynamic events is up at Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/09/quaggan-sad-a-look-back-at-the-guild-wars-2-dynamic-events-pane/).

Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2010/09/09/guild-wars-2-completionist-hearts/) has a nice article on the hearts on the map.

Blog of the Vagabond (http://belzan.wordpress.com/2010/09/09/conditioner-is-better-oh-really-fool/) has a nice recap of conditions and other effects, and how they've changed from GW1 to GW2.

Another look at the game at Destructoid (http://www.destructoid.com/pax-10-a-hands-off-look-at-guild-wars-2-183338.phtml).

More demo impressions at Bio Break (http://biobreak.wordpress.com/2010/09/08/i-saw-neither-guilds-nor-wars-guild-wars-2-is-a-total-hypocrite-man/).

[Ondo]

Another interview (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/features/interviews/story-and-progression) up at TenTonHammer, discussing the personal story and progression.

Also, I started up a blog (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/); at least for the new future it'll be Guild Wars 2 related. I'm interested in feedback...

[Ondo]

Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/15/arenanet-releases-images-from-guild-wars-2-designing-dynamic-eve/) has pictures, direct from ArenaNet, of the slides used in the dynamic events panel. More concept art and two pictures each of three zones, one with all the event names listed and one with all the region and landmarks labeled.

GuildWars2Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/manifest-destiny-manifesto-vs-gamescom-t8589.html) has an article comparing what ArenaNet said in their manifesto video with what was shown at Gamescom and PAX.

[Ondo]

Giant Fire Breathing Robot (http://gfbrobot.com/?p=7351) has demo impressions and an audio interview. Hunters Insight (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/2010/09/15/qft-guild-wars-2-pvp-info/) has a transcription of the new info from the audio interview - it has more info on PvP then we've heard before.

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/gaming-outside-the-game-rick-ellis-talks-the-guild-wars-2-extended-experience) has a new article with more on the smartphone app. Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/21/the-extended-experience-of-guild-wars-2-taking-tyria-outside-of/) also talks about that article, and has more screenshots.

GameTrailers (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/pax-10-guild-wars-2/704708) has a video interview up with Eric Flannum from PAX talking about the smartphone app. Most interesting bit being that it's planned to work with Guild Wars 1 as well.

Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/features/interviews/core-gameplay) has more of their interview from PAX up.

[Ondo]

Two interviews about the smartphone app - at Rock Paper Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/09/21/guild-wars-2-extended-experience-missus/) and games.on.net (http://games.on.net/article/10284/Guild_Wars_2_Extended_Experience_Interview).

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/rick-ellis-answers-your-extended-experience-questions) was updated with a Q&A on the extended experience. Nothing interesting, IMO.

PC Gamer's (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/09/27/commence-freakout-guild-wars-2-is-our-next-cover/) next issue has a GW2 cover, and promises an "exclusive look into the dungeons of Guild Wars 2". It should hit newsstands October 11th, and get to subscribers before that.

Also, I updated my blog (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/) with thoughts on possible ways I'd design the assassin for Guild Wars 2.

[Stoke]

Just thought I'd let you know I appreciate the updates you're doing to the thread, even if conversation has died down. You're not alone in here. :p

[SilentScreams]

Seconded. :)

[Ondo]

Thanks!

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/live-and-let-dye-%E2%80%93-kristen-perry-on-the-gw2-dye-system) has a new article on the dye system. I knew it looked awesome from the demo information, and this confirms it. Also, more pretty pictures. :)

This quote was interesting:
The dye hues themselves will be unlockable through various means, both in-game and out
Out of game ways to unlock dye? What? Any idea what that could mean? I hope it's not just paying for them.

I'm curious if weapons will by dye-able, and really hoping it's as easy to change your character's hair color as it is your armor.

Also, Tyria.eu (http://www.tyria.eu/community/interview-mit-leah-rivera-englisch/) has a new interview with content designer Leah Rivera.

[Squidbot]

Micro transactions for sure I'd say. Considering they're still running free to play, and given the success of WoWs MTs, I would imagine Arenanet will be keen to explore more methods of revenue generation.
As long as it remains cosmetic, like the dyes, I'm fine with it.

[Xerxes]

I would hate them to add micro transactions to this game. ~_~

Say if they the phone app had a mini game though I'd be game.

[Ondo]

I would hate them to add micro transactions to this game. ~_~
They are going to have micro transactions. Guild Wars 1 added them eventually, and they've said Guild Wars 2 will have them as well, though they haven't said anything about what they'll sell.

Micro transactions for sure I'd say. Considering they're still running free to play, and given the success of WoWs MTs, I would imagine Arenanet will be keen to explore more methods of revenue generation.
As long as it remains cosmetic, like the dyes, I'm fine with it.
Well, they're not really "free to play"; they still sell the box. That makes a huge difference to how they have to approach micro transactions (compared to free to play games; not compared to WoW) - anything valuable they hold back from the game to sell as micro transactions means they'll sell fewer boxes. Anything less valuable will have less effect on box sales, but also generate less revenue from micro transactions.

I could see them selling dye unlocks in their online store, like the skill unlocks in Guild Wars 1, with the dyes all also being unlockable in-game. I'll be annoyed if there are dyes that are only available from the store.

But honestly, if it was only micro transactions, I don't know why they'd mention it. No one is going to be excited about that. I'm wondering if they'll make it so they can give out codes that unlock dye colors, and then do things like giving them away for pre-orders, or at conventions like PAX, or routinely handing them out to fan sites to give away in contests.

[Ondo]

Massively (http://www.massively.com/2010/09/28/exclusive-massivelys-interview-with-kristen-perry-on-the-guild/) has a new interview with Kristen Perry on the dye system; not much new info but there is another nice image.

There's a german interview at Gamona.de (http://www.gamona.de/games/guild-wars-2,exklusiv-interview-guild-wars-2-auch-unterwegs-auf-dem-handy:news,1825137.html) with Rick Ellis about the extended experience - translation available in the Guild Wars 2 Guru forums (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/guild-wars-2-gaming-road-t9209.html).

Oh, and another thought about unlocking dyes out of game - one obvious possibility is that unlocking dyes could be a reward from the Hall of Monuments in Guild Wars 1. We're supposed to get info on those rewards "very soon".

[Ondo]

A poster over at Guild Wars 2 Guru (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=378801&postcount=266) got the newest issue of PC Gamer, and posted some info on what it contains.

[Ondo]

New post up on the ArenaNet Blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/a-rewarding-experience-john-hargrove-talks-about-loot), discussing loot.

[Ondo]

Also, god fucking damn it ArenaNet.

Hey, we feel it's important that you look the way you want to look. So we made it so that you can, unlike WoW. Oh, and we fucking charge you for it.

I can't imagine this making more money in DLC than it costs them in box sales. What a shitty move.

But of course, the money it makes is measurable, and the money it costs them isn't, so why wouldn't they?

[Stoke]

Also, god fucking damn it ArenaNet.

Hey, we feel it's important that you look the way you want to look. So we made it so that you can, unlike WoW. Oh, and we fucking charge you for it.

I can't imagine this making more money in DLC than it costs them in box sales. What a shitty move.

But of course, the money it makes is measurable, and the money it costs them isn't, so why wouldn't they?

Totally agree. If they don't have a way to earn transmutation crystals in game I will be disappointed. Still, even if the only way to get them is cold hard cash it's a minor thing I don't like thrown in with a whole list of things that I do. And I really doubt it will cost them box sales, no one would even know about it until they purchase the game and it's relatively minor.

[Ondo]

And I really doubt it will cost them box sales, no one would even know about it until they purchase the game and it's relatively minor.
I have no doubt it will cost them some sales. All other things being equal, higher quality games sell better than lower quality ones, and they seem to have deliberately reduced the quality of their game.

I suspect sales won't be lost because people know about it and decide it's just enough to reduce the value to where they won't buy it, but because they just won't get as much good word of mouth from the people who do buy the game. I know I would've been more enthusiastic about the original Guild Wars if not for their shitty decision to only give you four character slots.

Sure, it's minor, so I expect the loss won't be that big - but the gain isn't that big either. Obviously it's impossible to measure the loss - I just like companies, like Valve, that highly value the quality of their games and the goodwill of their customers. ArenaNet does a fairly good job of that, but I wish it were better.

It does bothers me quite a bit less if it's still possible to get every combination of armor art and stat bonuses without a transmutation stone; then it'd just be a convenience, rather than more cosmetic options.

But honestly, they nailed the dye so perfectly, I was really hoping the rest of the system would be good in the same way. Have armor appearance be completely separate from its stats, and give me a closet in my home instance that contains all the different types of armor I've ever received, and let me switch for free.

[Vigil80]

For the sake of conveniece, here's the pertinent paragraph from the article. I didn't fully get what you fellows were on about at first.
Going forward into Guild Wars 2 we knew we had to trust our players to know how to dress themselves, so we introduced a system that has now become known as transmutation. With the transmutation system, you’ll be able to acquire new items known as Transmutation Stones through our in-game store that allow you to customize your appearance. With transmutation, you take two items of the same type, pick one that is the most visually appealing to you, one that is the most statistically appealing to you, and then you simply combine the two items into what will hopefully become your perfect piece of armor or weaponry.

Since it's a purely cosmetic mechanic, they wouldn't be under much pressure to make them available anywhere but the store. But I would hope they'd make them available as uncommon in-game drops, too. At the very least, give me a stack of 15 or so stones for two dollars or something. Personally, I'd only ever have to buy them once, in that case, as I'd be rather stingy with them.

[BigJonno]

I'm happy to reserve judgement until I see prices. I've been expecting something like this to crop up as I really couldn't see them offering a fully-featured MMO that was purely funded by box sales, especially one that seems to be as innovative as GW2. As long as they keep those micro-transactions micro.

[Nura]

I don't have a problem with microtransactions, as long as it's not 20€ for a mount.

[BigJonno]

I love this line from the dye article. Not sure why, it just tickled me.

To put it more succinctly: you don’t look like an undyed dork just because you’re out of turquoise. You’re welcome.

[Ondo]

So I bitch about the issue more in my blog (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/2010/10/02/a-failure-of-principle/), but to summarize, a big issue I have with the transmutation system is that the "core principles" they claim shaped the design would, if followed, actually lead to something like a Lord of the Rings Online system, where there's never a cost for looking how you want to look. They gave no reasons for instead using the system described.

[Grifter]

If the game is as good as it seems to be and is constantly updated I have no problem throwing them $10 or $15 a month for random stuff. Hell, I'd donate it for nothing. The problem I have with current monthly subs on MMOs is I'm not a serious player. I play for a few hours a month but I still have to pay the same as everyone else. With the GW2 model I can support the developers when I want and get cool shit in the process. As long as I don't nickel and dimed or have to pay to progress (I'm looking at you LotRO and EQ2) I'm all for micro-transactions.

[Ondo]

Just to be clear, here's what it looks like ArenaNet did, when I'm being uncharitable to them:

1) Understand how to make a good item system, and express it in principles.
2) Deliberately make a worse system in order to include microtransactions.
3) Dishonestly still claim their system was based on their principles for making a good item system.

The issue I have with this scenario is very emphatically not the microtransactions.

[Vigil80]

Let's be honest, if you have a MMO, you want in on the "micro" transaction bandwagon. If you have a MMO without a subscription, you will have such transactions.

In other words, there was no way we were going to get a transaction free Guild Wars 2. (Whether we should is a separate discussion.) Personally, I'd rather see them use it for cosmetic stuff than things like XP potions. Is it dishonest? I don't think so. They have to make their money somewhere, and it's still a well-designed system even if it is behind a pay wall.

Paying for stuff stinks. But, they're still doing better than the Cryptic store so far. If this is as bad as it gets, I'll consider us lucky.

[SilentScreams]

I agree with Grifter. I'd rather pay for stuff as and when I want it than paying a flat fee regardless of how much I play.

Do we even know the pricing yet? It could be cheap enough to be a non-issue.

[BigJonno]

Minor confession here; I'm a regular user of Second Life. Well, less of a confession and more a statement that will open me to ridicule. I'm an active participant in a small medieval fantasy RP sim. I've pretty much given up on MMORPGs providing a decent role-play environment, so I scratch that particular itch on SL. I spend a reasonable amount of cash there, probably roughly equivalent to a MMO subscription, but every penny I spend is optional and, for the most part, the prices of items is way more in line with what I consider microtransactions than any implementation of that model.

A great example of a store on SL that gets it exactly right is a place called Bare Rose. It's a place run by a very prolific Japanese designer and the outfits are hugely varied, ranging from modern and historical Japanese styles, crazy anime stuff, more Western-influenced fantasy designs and everything in between. I'd place the quality of the outfits in the upper mid range of the SL quality scale.

The important thing is that they are cheap. 99% of the clothing (which is almost always complete outfits) is in the 100-200 linden range, which is $0.39-0.77 by current exchange rates. They don't sell multiple colour variations of an outfit; you'll likely get several colours included.

As far as I'm aware, that place makes money hand over fist. Every time I visit it's crowded to the point of lagginess (not hard with SL's shitty, well, everything, but that's besides the point.) Most people I know on SL shop there, do so regularly and rarely walk off without buying a few outfits, probably spending more than they would have done buying a single outfit elsewhere.

This is microtransactions perfected. It's stuff that is cool and WOOT!-inducing, but also completely optional. It's incredibly cheap, which encourages impulse buying and buying in bulk. It's exactly the sort of model that I'd be happy to see in MMORPGs. If I was playing a MMO that had a store full of cool, purely cosmetic, clothing and armour, I'd spend a bloody fortune there and not even realise I was doing it.

[Deadend]

I could see Transmutation Gems becoming the In-game-economy. If you can freely trade them.

Want some gold? Buy a Trans Gem, sell it on the AH.
BOOM!
Gold Farming thwarted.

I think it could be a great system.

[Ondo]

Do we even know the pricing yet? It could be cheap enough to be a non-issue.
It could be cheap enough the microtransactions are a non-issue; that wasn't my issue in the first place though.

it's still a well-designed system even if it is behind a pay wall.
A well-designed system accomplishes its goals. If their article introducing the system is to be believed, one of their goals was that "players should look the way they want to look"; this system doesn't accomplish that as well as copying Lord of the Rings Online's system would have.

It's possible the article was just fucking wrong about their goals, and it's actually good design, for reasons they didn't bother to explain. But since I like the goals they gave, that's not a lot of comfort.

[Vigil80]

Honestly, I think you're being a tad nitpicky about it. Yes, it would be more idealistic of them to do it for free. As it is, you can amend their goal in this case to be "players should look the way they want to look, and throw us some change now and then." :)

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/james-boer-opens-the-cinematics-toolbox) has a new entry up, discussing the tools they use to make cinematics.

[Ondo]

The ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/john-and-eric-answer-your-items-and-loot-questions) is updated again, with an answers to questions about the item & loot article.

Relics of Orr (http://www.relicsoforr.com/?p=786) has an interview about the extended experience.

[Ondo]

GuildWars2.com (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/hall-of-monuments/) was updated with info on the rewards available from the Hall of Monuments in Guild Wars 1. Also arguably the first "extended experience" app, as it can pull info from your Guild Wars 1 account to show you what you've earned.

[Expugnare]

This has alrady caused my to start up Guild Wars again and dedicate some goddamn minipets.

[Ondo]

This has alrady caused my to start up Guild Wars again and dedicate some goddamn minipets.
Yeah, me too. Plus grabbed the statues for M.O.X. and a generic animal companion, which I'd never bothered to do before.

[Squidbot]

Minor confession here; I'm a regular user of Second Life. Well, less of a confession and more a statement that will open me to ridicule. I'm an active participant in a small medieval fantasy RP sim. I've pretty much given up on MMORPGs providing a decent role-play environment, so I scratch that particular itch on SL. I spend a reasonable amount of cash there, probably roughly equivalent to a MMO subscription, but every penny I spend is optional and, for the most part, the prices of items is way more in line with what I consider microtransactions than any implementation of that model.

A great example of a store on SL that gets it exactly right is a place called Bare Rose. It's a place run by a very prolific Japanese designer and the outfits are hugely varied, ranging from modern and historical Japanese styles, crazy anime stuff, more Western-influenced fantasy designs and everything in between. I'd place the quality of the outfits in the upper mid range of the SL quality scale.

The important thing is that they are cheap. 99% of the clothing (which is almost always complete outfits) is in the 100-200 linden range, which is $0.39-0.77 by current exchange rates. They don't sell multiple colour variations of an outfit; you'll likely get several colours included.

As far as I'm aware, that place makes money hand over fist. Every time I visit it's crowded to the point of lagginess (not hard with SL's shitty, well, everything, but that's besides the point.) Most people I know on SL shop there, do so regularly and rarely walk off without buying a few outfits, probably spending more than they would have done buying a single outfit elsewhere.

This is microtransactions perfected. It's stuff that is cool and WOOT!-inducing, but also completely optional. It's incredibly cheap, which encourages impulse buying and buying in bulk. It's exactly the sort of model that I'd be happy to see in MMORPGs. If I was playing a MMO that had a store full of cool, purely cosmetic, clothing and armour, I'd spend a bloody fortune there and not even realise I was doing it.


Bare Rose is awesome.

[Ondo]

So some interviews about the Hall of Monuments, at Kotaku (http://kotaku.com/5658994/uncover-your-guild-wars-2-legacy-in-the-hall-of-monuments), Rock Paper Shotgun (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/10/08/bam-guild-wars-2-player-reward-calculator/), and OnRPG (http://www.onrpg.com/MMO/Guild-Wars-2/interview/Guild-Wars-2-Interview---Hall-of-Monuments).

Also, info from New York Comic-Con - interviews up at MMORPG (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/feature/4603/page/1) and Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/features/interviews/endgame-philosophy), and some interesting info on the Guild Wars 2 Twitter account (http://twitter.com/guildwars2).

Also, I made a new blog post (http://divertedmuse.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/the-extended-experience-and-guild-wars-1/) on the kind of things I'd like to see from the extended experience if it came to Guild Wars 1 in any significant way.

[Ondo]

PCGamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/18/guild-wars-2-hands-on-preview/2/) has a new preview up. They'll be posting more info throughout the week - info in this post (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=413354&postcount=312) on GuildWars2Guru.

[Ondo]

PCGamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/19/guild-wars-2-exclusive-dungeon-reveals/) has their promised next article up, with info on dungeons. Basically the same info reported by a poster on GuildWars2Guru after seeing the UK PCGamer article, but straight from the source now.

[Ondo]

PCGamer has more info up - the "kitchen sink" article here (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/20/guild-wars-2-the-kitchen-sink-post/), the silly misinterpretation of ArenaNet post here (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/21/guild-wars-2-to-have-dlc-microtransactions/), now updated to be mostly meaningless (instead of claming dungeon DLC was confirmed), and a concept art dump here (http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/10/21/guild-wars-2-the-art-dump/).

There's also a new slideshow of concept art from ArenaNet here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxIhTZEEWL8&hd=1).

Martin Kerstein answered some questions on a German forum - translation in this post (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/martin-kerstein-answers-community-questions-t10181.html) at GuildWars2Guru.

[bryan]

So I'm now really keen for this game, so much so I'm considering picking up Eye Of The North. This worth the purchase?

[Ondo]

So a new article on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/when-its-ready), talking about why there hasn't been new info for so long, primarily.

A bunch of smaller, older bits:

Interview with Eric Flannum up at GuildFans (http://www.guildfans.com/story.html?story=24059&storypage=1), a new site.

Interview with Colin Johanson at GuildMag (http://www.guildmag.com/gmblitz-interview-with-colin-johanson). Also translated demo gameplay impressions and an interview with Eric Flannum here (http://www.guildmag.com/pcgameplay-gw2-interview).

Interview with Jeff Grub and Eric Flannum in the New York Post (http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/gamereport/guild_wars_VLBHkktdTgcqtpP063qkxO).

EDIT: Also, info on PvP from a discussion with Isaiah Cartwright on Mondes Persistants (http://gw2.mondespersistants.com/?article=171&page_art=2).

So I'm now really keen for this game, so much so I'm considering picking up Eye Of The North. This worth the purchase?
Well, I enjoyed it. Eye of the North is an expansion, and requires one of the other three - Prophecies, Factions, or Nightfall. If you don't have any of those, you can pick them up together as Guild Wars Trilogy - I'd recommend trying the free trial (http://www.guildwars.com/freetrial/) first.

[Ondo]

Very nice interview about energy up at Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2010/11/29/gw2-interview-on-energy-and-skills-pt-1/).

My biggest concern about the energy as a long-term resource idea was that it would encourage very boring tactics in easy fights. After reading the interview, it sounds like that won't be a problem.

[bryan]

Thanks for the info.

[Ondo]

Second part of the Kill Ten Rats interview is now up here (http://www.killtenrats.com/2010/11/30/gw2-interview-on-energy-and-skills-pt-2/).

(Also, I'm selling a couple of copies of Guild Wars Trilogy here (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=20748), if anyone is interested.)

[Grifter]

Huge Arena NET interview. (http://www.shackvideo.com/arenanet-behind-the-scenes-an-arenanet-retrospective-video-23530) Not much new info on GW2 but it's interesting none the less

[Ondo]

New article up on the ArenaNet blog (http://www.arena.net/blog/the-wisdom-and-power-of-the-kodan), discussing the lore of an NPC race, the Kodan.

Also, ArenaNet has promised another profession reveal sometime in January.

A bit older, there's a lore interview at GuildMag (http://www.guildmag.com/gmblitz-lore-interview-with-jeff-grubb).

The Edge of Destiny novel gives some info on Logan Thackeray, who's pretty clearly a member of the second soldier profession. There's a nice summary of the spoilers over at Hunter's Insight (http://huntersinsight.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/guardians-of-guild-wars-2/).

[Ondo]

So ArenaNet will be revealing the guardian profession next Thursday (source (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=518576&postcount=140)).

PCGamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/01/21/big-10-of-2011/3/) has a blurb about Guild Wars 2 in an article on upcoming games, including this screenshot of Logan Thackeray and confirmation that he's a guardian.
http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/01/GW2_OfficalGuardian.jpg

[bryan]

Thanks for the updates Ondo.

I'm so looking forward to this that I picked up the Edge of Destiny.

[Lekon]

So ArenaNet will be revealing the guardian profession next Thursday (source (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=518576&postcount=140)).

PCGamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2011/01/21/big-10-of-2011/3/) has a blurb about Guild Wars 2 in an article on upcoming games, including this screenshot of Logan Thackeray and confirmation that he's a guardian.
http://media.pcgamer.com/files/2011/01/GW2_OfficalGuardian.jpg

Yay! new class!

[stevebucknor1]

It is really amazing and outstanding game for ever. I have never seen this type of game before in my life. It is really fantastic game.

[Ondo]

Guardian info up here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/guardian/)!

Also, a lot of good interviews up - at OnlineWelten (http://www.onlinewelten.com/games/guild-wars-2/specials/exklusives-interview-guild-wars-2-lead-designer-7330/seite-7/), GameSpot (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/guildwars2/news.html?sid=6286994&tag=gumballs;subtitle;3&mode=previews&page=1), Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-27-guild-wars-2-guardian-replaces-monk), and GameKult (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.gamekult.com/actu/itw-guild-wars-2-le-gardien-A0000090056.html&sl=fr&tl=en&hl=&ie=UTF-8).

[Vigil80]

The flavor of the guardian sounds a lot like Tabula Rasa's class of the same name. My kind of class. I'm excited.

Now that I think about it, all the classes have something that makes them sound awesome. In most MMOs there are at least a couple classes that I don't have any enthusiasm for, and can pass up. But I could see myself having an alt for every class here.

[DeathByVoid]

I am so looking forward for this game, being waiting for so long.

[Dorkandproudofit]

When it comes, I'm definitely running a Charr warrior.

Rawr.

[Ondo]

New article (http://www.arena.net/blog/jon-peters-talks-combat) on the ArenaNet blog, talking about how combat works and the lack of the Holy Trinity.

Also, new Guardian interviews at MMORPG.com (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/473/feature/4940/Jon-Peters-Talks-Guardians.html/page/1), Ten Ton Hammer (http://www.tentonhammer.com/gw2/features/interviews/guardian-interview), and Massively (http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/behind-the-scenes-with-the-guild-wars-2-guardian-massivelys-in/).

GuildWars2Guru had an IRC chat with the developers - log here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/showpost.php?p=529975&postcount=1).

[DeathByVoid]

I am going to go Asura Guardian. Think it would look funny. xD

[SilentScreams]

I'm playing an Elementalist as I did in the first game. I have no idea what race though.

[Grifter]

The lack of a general release date for this game is driving me fucking nuts... I almost wish I didn't know the game was in development.

[Ondo]

Gamespot has a short interview up here (http://www.gamespot.com/special_feature/most-anticipated-2011/day-3/index.html?page=1&tag=topslot;thumb;1).

Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2011/02/04/gw2-tear-the-roof-off/) has a nice post with some links I won't duplicate, and this info:
Next week ArenaNet is going to cover the human race in-depth all week with all sorts of goodies (even in-game audio and a new video), and humans won’t be the only race getting a whole week treatment in February!
(Note that this was posted last Friday, so it's this week we can expect info on humans.)

[Ondo]

And human week begins (http://www.arena.net/blog/oh-the-humanity-human-week-begins), with a post on what to expect each of the next four days.

It looks nice, but I'm disappointed there's no mention of discussing the actual game mechanics of being human.

[Ondo]

Voice clips of humans now up here (http://www.arena.net/blog/against-the-wall-humanity-in-guild-wars-2).

[Ondo]

Human Character Art (http://www.arena.net/blog/designing-humans) is up.

[Illuminus]

Human Character Art (http://www.arena.net/blog/designing-humans) is up.

You know what... they should just stop tormenting us and just reveal the Mesmer class.

[Stoke]

You know what... they should just stop tormenting us and just reveal the Mesmer class.

They should just stop tormenting us and release the game. ;)

[Ondo]

New human page is now up here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/races/human/).

Also, Kill Ten Rats (http://www.killtenrats.com/2011/02/10/gw2-ncsoft-4q-conference-call-and-release-date-speculation/) has info from NCSoft's call with investors - GW2 should finish planned development in 2011, but may be released later in order to react to beta feedback.

[Blue]

I want it. I want it now.

[BigJonno]

It's Norn Week! (http://www.arena.net/blog/norn-week-begins)

Find the awesome new video here. (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/races/norn/)

I'm definitely playing a Norn when this comes out. :cool:

[SilentScreams]

Is it just me that can't hear Norn without thinking of these instead?

http://images.wikia.com/creatures/images/a/a6/Desert_Norn.gif

[BigJonno]

Actually, I think of these lovely ladies. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norns)

[DeathByVoid]

The lack of a general release date for this game is driving me fucking nuts... I almost wish I didn't know the game was in development.

OMG! Same here!
I'm just like WHHHHYYY!?! I WANT TO PLAY!

[Rune_74]

It is strange you can't get a date yet, have they run in to trouble?

[SilentScreams]

I doubt it. I presume they are using the Blizzard "when it's done" strategy.

Much better than setting release dates ahead of time, IMO.

[resikel]

Damn I want this NOW!

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wM_C4WqADFg

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[BigJonno]

Dual pistols! WOOT!

[Dorkandproudofit]

Due to the number of gameplay vids out, I'd say it will probably be out sometime around the holidays.

[Illuminus]

Ok, i love ANet and Guildwars... but a "Thief" class? Come on.. why do people still butcher the definition of the word. Assassin or Rogue would have been perfectly fine.

[bryan]

Ok, i love ANet and Guildwars... but a "Thief" class? Come on.. why do people still butcher the definition of the word. Assassin or Rogue would have been perfectly fine.

Also can steal attacks from mobs, so it fits. Seems OK to me.

[Illuminus]

"a person who steals, especially secretly or without open force"

Anyway, its just a personal annoyance... :(

[Ondo]

Article on crafting (http://www.arena.net/blog/andrew-mcleod-talks-crafting-in-gw2) up now. Also, one on attributes (http://www.arena.net/blog/pax-east-preview-izzy-on-attributes-and-iteration) went up yesterday.

[Lekon]

Dual pistols! WOOT!

OMG Pew pew x2!

[Saladin]

Article on crafting (http://www.arena.net/blog/andrew-mcleod-talks-crafting-in-gw2) up now. Also, one on attributes (http://www.arena.net/blog/pax-east-preview-izzy-on-attributes-and-iteration) went up yesterday.

I hope their discovery system has a random element, because otherwise their stated aim of "to allow crafters to distinguish themselves" falls down the minute someone opens up a spoiler site.

[Hotcod]

http://www.gametrailers.com/game/guild-wars-2/11916

those videos in a bit better quality but you will get ads, just started to watch through them now... I keep forgetting just how excited for this game I am ha

[DeathByVoid]

The thief looks pretty sick.
Still no word on a release date right?

[NotJeff]

new preview (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-03-23-guild-wars-2-hands-on) up at eurogamer.

[Farsight]

I never gad any interest in GW1, but this looks and sounds very cool. I do wish games wouldn't have so much promotion before a realistic release date, as it's going to be hard to forget this exists for a few months...

[bryan]

Preview makes it sound spectacular. The waiting is unbearable!

[NotJeff]

New class reveal (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/commando/), probably around only *TODAY, 4/1*.

[DiBiddilyBop]

I've been looking for an upcoming MMO to jump into. This may very well be it.

[Lekon]

New class reveal (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/commando/), probably around only *TODAY, 4/1*.

One of the best parody classes I've seen in any game. They really went all out on the videos for it.

[DiBiddilyBop]

New race reveal (http://www.arena.net/blog/those-sneaky-sneaky-skritt).

Looks good to me. The more I see from this game, the more excited I get.

[DeathByVoid]

Nice they look like furry rodents. Still going with Asura.

[BigJonno]

That's not a playable race, it's a kind of monster. Same with the Kodan info from a few weeks back.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Aww, that's too bad. Seemed like that'd be a cool playable. Oh well.

[Grifter]

Stop teasing me damnit!!!

[Reverant]

I just stumbled across that preview on Eurogamer mentioned earlier, and damn, does this game sound like a breath of fresh air.

There are no healers as such; every class is effective in combat, can revive allies, and can equip one healing skill. Lead content designer Colin Johanson is emphatic about ArenaNet's rejection of the tank/healer/damage roles. "We're basically saying, listen, this as a core game mechanic is tired, we can do something better, we can do something more interesting than this... And that's what we've spent many years now perfecting and working on, and getting to the point that we feel we have a combat system that doesn't need it and, we feel, works better without it."

I've pretty much sworn off MMOs, but that right there makes me want to try it.

[resikel]

Looking good!

xBC_ig73aMs

[Cyndair]

Excellent video. I don't think I've ever been so sold on an MMO prior to its release. It just looks solid all around. I hope it isn't a mirage. I also hope that the true potential of this game can be realized without a monthly payment plan. The original GW was great but I felt like it suffered from a lack of true progression once you hit lvl 20.

[Xerxes]

Do want. So glad I'll have a PC that should play it with out belly aching.

[CappinCanuck]

Wow, that video worked on me. I've been waiting for a good Realm vs. Realm system since DAOC.

[Ondo]

New profession announced today - the Engineer (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/professions/engineer/). Also a related interview up at wartower.de (http://www.wartower.de/artikel/artikel.php?id=562).

[BigJonno]

Okay, that looks awesome. I think that might have to be my first class.

[NotJeff]

Guild Fortress 2? Sign me up!

[Squidbot]

Come to me my underwater love. (http://www.arena.net/blog/jonathan-sharp-talks-underwater-combat) Info on underwater combat.
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[Ondo]

GamesCom is bringing a ton more info - from the ArenaNet blog, there's a list of what will be in this demo (http://www.arena.net/blog/get-ready-for-gamescom) (PvP, character customization, and all five races), and of what mechanics have changed (http://www.arena.net/blog/jon-peters-on-the-new-gamescom-demo).

There's a new trailer up for GamesCom here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/media/videos/).

PvP info from the ArenaNet blog here (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/pvp/).

GuildWars2Guru is tracking info coming from GamesCom here (http://www.guildwars2guru.com/forum/ultimate-gamescom-thread-2011-t20301.html).

In somewhat older news, they just had Sylvari week (http://www.guildwars2.com/en/the-game/races/sylvari/), and there's a nice interview from San Diego Comic-Con over at NecroBator (part 1 (http://www.necrobator.com/features/interviews/exclusive-sdcc-interview-with-colin-johanson/), part 2 (http://www.necrobator.com/features/interviews/exclusive-sdcc-interview-with-colin-johanson-part-two/)).

[Ondo]

So Wartower.de has a couple high-quality videos up:

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BqWcn2Ua6lg

[SonofSeth]

Excellent video. I don't think I've ever been so sold on an MMO prior to its release. It just looks solid all around. I hope it isn't a mirage. I also hope that the true potential of this game can be realized without a monthly payment plan. The original GW was great but I felt like it suffered from a lack of true progression once you hit lvl 20.

What he says, so much win coming from all the info about this game :eek:

[Ondo]

Footage of PvP between the developers and Boon Control:
uB8z_2OJE70
(There are some comments about it on a Boon Control player's blog (http://gamers1up.wordpress.com/).)

[Rune_74]

Footage of PvP between the developers and Boon Control:
uB8z_2OJE70
(There are some comments about it on a Boon Control player's blog (http://gamers1up.wordpress.com/).)

My god, what a dweebfest.

[Farsight]

So Wartower.de has a couple high-quality videos up:

BqWcn2Ua6lg

Well, I know what I'll see in my next nightmare...

[Nura]

Wartower also have a full playthough of the demo with commentary.

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I need this game so badly!

[Karmakin]

I was a fan of GW1.

This game looks absolutely bonkers. I mean really. I'm not 100% convinced of all the systems, but damn I'm convinced of the passion they're putting into this game.

[SonofSeth]

I was a fan of GW1.

This game looks absolutely bonkers. I mean really. I'm not 100% convinced of all the systems, but damn I'm convinced of the passion they're putting into this game.

That's why i believe this is a must buy on launch when the world is full of people ready to do all the content and make it seem epic.

[Nura]

TotalBiscuit have a WTF video up with GW2!


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[Squidbot]

God I hate that guy.

[SonofSeth]

How come? I mean, i can totally see that people would react to him in that way, i just like to know why.