This is quite a long thing I sent to the NC Soft Customer Support desk. They asked that I post it on a fansite; so, obviously, this was the best one to choose. I apologise in advance if there is already a topic on this subject, and I appreciate any non-flammatory input.
This concerns two matters: Switching Territory, and the Favour system. They are interlinked, so I shall simply let the structure form itself, rather than separating the two issues; and relay what I have to say in what I hope is an understandable manner.
A friend and I, who both play on the American servers, decided that we would like to start a farming operation in the Underworld. Since Europe nearly always have Favour, it would only be practical, given that I am English and he is American, for us to switch to the European servers, so that we could play the Underworld area at a time beneficial to both of us.
It has come to my attention, since then, that this is not fair. Europe currently holds Favour 90% of the time. I have been awake at such ungodly hours as 4AM GMT after particularly long jaunts in The Underworld, and yet Europe still has favour. Europe seems only to lose favour for maybe two hours in any twenty-four-hour period. This means, of course, that anyone wishing to enter the Realms of the Gods can only do so under two circumstances: Switching to Europe; or in this two-hour window. The latter is clearly impractical, given that it means that those in the other Territories can only get through one trip per day; two if they're very lucky. Switching to Europe is the only efficient way to get into the Realms.
This means, then, that the oriental Territories are the most unjustly treated: they *do not have* this Switch option; and, when Europe does not have Favour, America does. I have only seen the oriental Territories gain Favour maybe three times this week; and I know for sure that their hold over it did not last for very much more than the 30-minute minimum period.
This problem is not all directed at the other Territories, though: Europe suffers too. Because Europe has grasped Favour with near-perpetuity, it means that much of its population has taken residence in the Entrances to the Realms of the Gods, and do not ever leave because the Realms are such profitable places. This means that the other areas: Missions, both competitive and cooperative, such as Fort Aspenwood; and Towns & Outposts where one picks up other quests, are almost entirely deserted.
My personal experience of this has only been realised today, when I tried, as a Monk, to form a group for the series of Storyline quests starting at Seitung Harbour on the English Districts. (I try to form a group here because it is so difficult as a Monk to use Henchmen for any quests after this point.) To my deep surprise, I received almost no interest whatsoever. This is particularly extraordinary when one considers how often, on American servers, Monks are invited to groups because they are such a high priority.
The other problem I have is with the limit imposed on Territory switching. A maximum of five for the entire life of one's account is insanely restrictive. I understand, of course, the reason for it: Anet does not wish people simply to abuse the Favour system by switching automatically to whichever Territory holds Favour; but this could be done by less restrictive measures. Five switches per month, for example, would have the same effect. (Provided, of course, that the maximum Switches one can have at any one time is five: That if one has zero switches at the end of the month, they gain five more; but if they have three Switches remaining, they regain only two).
This change, while it may be linked to favour, is necessary regardless of whether Anet chooses to change the Favour system or not: It is simply unfair to expect people to only require 5 Switches for the life of their account. I hope, of course, that Anet wishes Guild Wars to grow and grow for years to come. As such, it is necessary to allow people to breathe properly. It is necessary for them to be permitted to explore the benefits of the other Territories without fear that they will never be allowed to return home. Just as Human Beings do not wish to be tied to one place in real life (particularly when they are aged 16-30, which must be, surely, the dominant demographic in Guild Wars), so, too, will they feel smothered if they are forced to remain in a single Territory for said "Years to come". The 5-per-month system is not so much that it allows Favour abuse, but not nearly as restrictive as the current allowance.
Regarding a solution to the horrid imbalance of Favour: It can only be resolved, I believe, through a solid Rotational system: Giving Favour of the Gods to each Territory in an equal amount, such that it is the Peak time for that Territory. For example, rotating it such that when Favour is with Territory X, it is evening in Territory X. Since, I believe, the timezones of the Eastern servers are quite close together, perhaps it would be most beneficial, for ONLY the purposes of this Favour Rotational system, to tie those three Territories together. Then, it works out that Europe has 8 hours of Favour; America has 8 hours of Favour, and the Eastern Territories have 8 hours of Favour.
I understand that the most likely reason for Anet to have set up the Favour system the way it is currently operating is that it adds an extra benefit to the PvP aspect of the game: Fighting for your country, et al. But, under the current circumstances, I believe it is strangling the PvE game, which it directly affects.
The only drawback I can identify with this change to Favour is that it will make Heroes' Ascent worthless. However, I feel confident that Anet could come up with a different reward for winning in the Hall of Heroes. Suggestions for that are also welcome.
S
.