News for PvP Players - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 01:37 - 1

Hello, and Happy Friday, everyone!

I wanted to let you know a major update for PvP players, and I think it's pretty sweet! After rolling out the PUPs (PvP Unlock Packs for those who haven't caught the very latest and best car on The Acronym Train(tm) ) we're taken a look at your feedback. Many of you had made some great suggestions. And we are responding with the following:

In the near future, a purchase of Prophecies will not be required to purchase the Prophecies All-Profession Skill Unlock Pack. Those who purchase this pack will be able to create Prophecies PvP characters and play PvP without purchasing the game itself. At that time, we'll rename the pack to something like Guild Wars Prophecies PvP Edition. (Ok, the name is very much a TBD, so it may change before release.)

Furthermore, prior to the release of Nightfall, we are contemplating offering a Guild Wars Factions PvP Edition (name, again, TBD). This, too, will not require the purchase of the game itself.

Now, one thing: In order to accomplish this, we will be phasing out the single-profession skill unlock packs. That means that if you wish to own the PvP Edition, you'll purchase it for the full complement of professions, not for, say, just a Monk and Mesmer alone. So a tip here: If you happen to want to buy a single-profession skill pack, do so within the next few days. They'll last forever; we'll always support them; but we just won't be offering them for individual sale anymore in the future.

Discuss!

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

09 Sep 2006 at 01:44 - 2

First! [/wowforums]

I don't see why you want to phase out single-professions. No point.

Kakumei

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2005

Grind is subjective

learn this please

09 Sep 2006 at 01:46 - 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

I don't see why you want to phase out single-professions. No point.

Simplicity, I guess.

Neat update. Nice to be reminded that you listen to player feedback so openly.

Red

Rawr!

Join Date: Mar 2006

Kentucky, USA

Team Love [kiSu]

Mo/

09 Sep 2006 at 01:46 - 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Now, one thing: In order to accomplish this, we will be phasing out the single-profession skill unlock packs.

... I'm sorry.... why?
Most hardcore PvPers that would pay to have unlocks... they'll want them all anyway.

But what about people like me, who have all skills for monk, mesmer, and ele... but have barely touched necro?
I -might- have been inclined to spend $10 for the necro unlocks. But now you're taking that offer away?
Now people like me, instead of give you $10 a pop, will be Not Buying At All. Seems more like you're shooting yourself in the foot, ANet....

************************************************** *******************

That said, the fact that you're making yet ANOTHER update--especially one that edits what you just rolled out--is so inspiring! Whether or not I think the unlock packs are a good idea at all, I'm REALLY happy to see you guys actually doing something, being proactive.

Keep it up! ^^

croc

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2006

09 Sep 2006 at 01:49 - 5

Are you going to be introducing the nightfall pvp edition as well?
I have been comtemplating whether i'll buy nightfall as i dont really enjoy the pve that much, so a pvp edition is definitely attractive.

Unlucky Slayer

RAGE INCARNATE

Join Date: Apr 2006

Sitting at The Guild Hall 2, being happy.

Nerd Clan [NK]

R/

09 Sep 2006 at 01:51 - 6

Because they want you to pay $40 even if you want to unlock just -one- skill set.

As for the PvP only versions... Hurray for another way to split the PvP'ers and PvE'ers? It's good they can pay $10 less for PvP only. Let them isolate themselves to the "wonders" of PvP. *goes back to adventuring*

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 01:58 - 7

Oh, pul-lease, U-S, such cynicism! This isn't a choice for money's sake! Phasing out the single-profession PvP Unlock Packs is necessary in order to allow the purchase of the PvP version without a required purchase of the game. For complicated reasons, and because we have 6 core professions and 30 (!) possible combinations, it's unwieldy to try to offer access to character creation to single professions. And if you think about it, character creation is one thing that the no-game-required option offers that the current PUPs do not.

So phasing out the single-profession packs is not money-driven, but driven by logic and the practicalities involved in offering the much-requested PvP Edition [or whatever we end up calling it

].

Remember, you can still purchase the individual packs for a few days, maybe a week. And they will remain supported, so no problem there. The option is yours for now, but in order to broaden what we offer and expand the opportunity to address the desires of a vast number of players, we're going to curtail that smaller option soon.

Hope that helps!

Venom4112

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

We are all pretty [Ugly]

Mo/Me

09 Sep 2006 at 02:04 - 8

You just love saying Oh, pul-lease dont you Gaile? You posted in my ban thread (Still banned btw) And in this one :P

Nek

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2006

09 Sep 2006 at 02:04 - 9

Quote:

As for the PvP only versions... Hurray for another way to split the PvP'ers and PvE'ers? It's good they can pay $10 less for PvP only. Let them isolate themselves to the "wonders" of PvP. *goes back to adventuring*

Split the PvP'ers and PvE'ers? You're wrong to place the blame on Anet for the divide between PvP'ers and PvE'ers, when the actual factor lies within players' and their preference.

First time seeing such flexibility/luxury of choices offered by a game developer. Great job A'net.

Agyar

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

AUSSIE TROLLING CREW - CAPSLOCK CONSULTANT

[Dong]

Mo/

09 Sep 2006 at 02:29 - 10

How anyone can associate 'flexibility and options' with well, less options, I will never now.

If the issue is allowing purchase of the full packs without owning the actual game, then just restrict that option to the full packs. I can't really see the need to remove the single packs, other than to further wedge the divide between the PvP and PvE community. If you're going to talk about expanding options for players, I can't see how limiting their purchasing power to an 'all or none' decision is going to help. Basically this change puts those packs into the realm of 'hardcore PvP'ers' or bust. For those people out there who play the game in the manner I thought it was intended (a great synergy between PvE and PvP), they're just going to be wasting their money if they purchase the future unlocks.

Age

Hall Hero

Join Date: Jul 2005

California Canada/BC

STG Administrator

Mo/

09 Sep 2006 at 02:37 - 11

I guess it is just in case they decide do some skill nerfage so you might just have to change secoundaries.That is if the Mo/Mes goes the way of the Mo/N.This is the boonprotect but boon might get a little nerf when NightFall comes out.This happened in the PvP Nightfall weekend.

fallot

I'm the king

Join Date: Nov 2005

Aussie Trolling Crew: Grand Phallus and Chairman Pro Tempore

09 Sep 2006 at 02:56 - 12

Brilliant change. Please price it well.

Knightsaber Sith

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2006

Few Fallen Heroes [FFH]

W/E

09 Sep 2006 at 03:26 - 13

This reminds me of the original PUP thread that had to be closed all over again. In that thread everyone said "$40 for all professions would be reasonable if it wasn't for the fact that you had to buy Prophecies too" now they listen to the voice of the community and everyone finds something else about it to whine about........ I don't particularly have an opinion either way, but I think we all need to just stop whining and picking at every little thing.

Nevin

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 03:37 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

driven by logic and the practicalities

Logic and practicalities of a business wishing to rake in more cash.

KamikazeChicken

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/

09 Sep 2006 at 03:44 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevin

Logic and practicalities of a business wishing to rake in more cash.

The main population this is marketed to? PvP players
Do PvP players intend to buy campaigns, if they can get UAX for the same cost? Not likely.

They have to ensure they're still making some money off the population that PvPs but doesn't like to PvE. >.> It's not that they want to drain casual players of their monthly incomes.

Caleb

Nil nisi malis terrori.

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/Me

09 Sep 2006 at 03:51 - 16

Thank you for listening to the player requests and acting on them. I always thought that is how the PvP pack should work, and glad it will be an option now!

Clusmas

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

Brisbane, Australia

n/a

09 Sep 2006 at 03:54 - 17

Smart move, there's no way GW would be able to keep up with the (soon to come) competition without a "PVP Edition."

But still, I have to say this:

THANKYOU!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

This is by far the best addition to the game EVER.

lemming

The Hotshot

Join Date: May 2006

Honolulu

International District [id???]

09 Sep 2006 at 04:01 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

In the near future, a purchase of Prophecies will not be required to purchase the Prophecies All-Profession Skill Unlock Pack.

Sweet.

Guess Anet does listen to TGH at times.

<3

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 04:05 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knightsaber Sith

This reminds me of the original PUP thread that had to be closed all over again. In that thread everyone said "$40 for all professions would be reasonable if it wasn't for the fact that you had to buy Prophecies too" now they listen to the voice of the community and everyone finds something else about it to whine about........ I don't particularly have an opinion either way, but I think we all need to just stop whining and picking at every little thing.

I can't help but agree with you. Great news, and somebody's complaining about the font in the post?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nevin

Logic and practicalities of a business wishing to rake in more cash.

Excuse me, but what planet do you live on, where profit is evil and companies all operate as a charity? Do you want more games? Do you want to see the servers run, updates added, balance changes rolled out, and much more? Then stop the childish whines about "cash" and deal with it. But, wait, I malign children with that, for any child who's ever operated a lemonade stand knows about profit, and realizes it's not something to be shunned. Sheesh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamikazeChicken

The main population this is marketed to? PvP players. Do PvP players intend to buy campaigns, if they can get UAX for the same cost? Not likely. They have to ensure they're still making some money off the population that PvPs but doesn't like to PvE. >.> It's not that they want to drain casual players of their monthly incomes.

Thank you, KC, you said it better than I.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tehlemming

Sweet. Guess Anet does listen to TGH at times. <3

We listen to all our players. Even those rascals over on... I mean all players. *ahem*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clusmas

Smart move, there's no way GW would be able to keep up with the (soon to come) competition without a "PVP Edition." But still, I have to say this: THANKYOU!! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 This is by far the best addition to the game EVER.

It's great to see you happy. I think that a lot of people agree with you.

Lex Talionis

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

in the real world away from virtual idiots

Wtf Is Guildwars [Duno]

09 Sep 2006 at 04:06 - 20

Nice about time something like this came out for us pvper's. I hate wasting my time going through all the boring PvE stuff just so I can pvp later. For those of you accusing Anet of wanting to make profits like mad, can cut the nonesense. If you've met any real pvper's in this game, they'll tell you they hate pveing to get skills and crap. Lets not forget now, PvE = grind. There are ppl in this world who could care less about exploring, questing forming a group for missions and farming for some godly rare skin weapons.

This may be hard to accept, but this doesn't affect you pver's the least bit. So stop the absurd complaints, grow up and play the game how you want. Thank's to Anet for this nice idea.

Lady Lozza

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oz

Angel Sharks

Me/N

09 Sep 2006 at 04:08 - 21

I still don't see why the profession unlocks have to go. As a player of both Pve and Pvp per profession unlocks may prove highly useful. For instance, I don't have a primary warrior, necro, or assassin. It requires a LOT of ingame money to get all those skills unlocked in PvE, sure I could use Balth Faction, but (in the past at any rate) that has been use to unlock the runes and mods that I hadn't managed to ID during PvE play. I'd like to see what sort of statistcs there are for unlock packs being purchased only by PvP players, as oppose to those who do both and simply haven't got around to unlocking a full compliment of warrior skills yet.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 04:14 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Lozza

I still don't see why the profession unlocks have to go. As a player of both Pve and Pvp per profession unlocks may prove highly useful. For instance, I don't have a primary warrior, necro, or assassin. It requires a LOT of ingame money to get all those skills unlocked in PvE, sure I could use Balth Faction, but (in the past at any rate) that has been use to unlock the runes and mods that I hadn't managed to ID during PvE play. I'd like to see what sort of statistcs there are for unlock packs being purchased only by PvP players, as oppose to those who do both and simply haven't got around to unlocking a full compliment of warrior skills yet.

I'll be happy to answer. In order for us to offer the full "tournament pack" or whatever we end up calling it, we need to code things on the back end. You can understand how complicated this might be when you realize that the current PUPs do not allow character creation on their own, but are tied to the existing account to allow character creation. With the many choices in Guild Wars -- 6 core professions, 30 combinations as primary and secondary -- it's not feasible for us to code for that extremly high number of possibilities: 30 profession combinations times 3, for PUP versus the tournament pack versus neither. Well, it just gets to be too much to manage in a reasonable fashion.

So in order to offer the PUP or tournament pack in the future, which we feel is an order of magnitude more valuable and more sought-after by the community at large, we need to simplify the coding that is involved in these options. That means that while we will continue to support individual skill packs that were purchased in these early weeks, we will not be able to offer them in the future.

perfect

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 04:22 - 23

Only new players who are 2-3 chapters AND hardcore PvP will purchase these packs.

Being an avid PvP player I will still purchase each chapter as they are released, as will every PvP player I know. Any talk of 'splitting the community' doesnt make much sense since this will help welcome new players by not having them 1000 hours behind us all in skills.

Good Job on Anet's part by not letting the new players get left too far behind.

Ellipson

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2005

Hic Sunt Leones [HiC]

Me/

09 Sep 2006 at 04:23 - 24

This is a great idea. It's actually feasible for new players to jump into high level PvP right away now, which was going to become an issue sooner or later. Glad to see ANet being proactive and fixing things before they get bad.

Knightsaber Sith

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2006

Few Fallen Heroes [FFH]

W/E

09 Sep 2006 at 04:25 - 25

If you guys didn't catch that, what she's getting at is that coding the individual class PUPs to be able to function without purchasing the full campaign would be an astronomical pain (hyperbole

) due to the vast amount of potential combinations. Far more efficient to simply do away with the single class PUP's and focus on the good ol' all-in-one.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

09 Sep 2006 at 04:29 - 26

.-.

in one hand i like the idea of giving PvPers what they want so they dont have to play through the "boring pve" but at the same time, its splitting the community even further.

T_T

well...at least it will shut up people who say "GW needs PvErs cause PvPers arent the ones giving the money".

Lady Lozza

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oz

Angel Sharks

Me/N

09 Sep 2006 at 04:29 - 27

Correct me if I'm wrong, Gaile, but the way it works at the moment is that:

Pve account + unlock key = Pve account with x unlocks.

I understand that the new tournament packs will require a lot of programming and that it would be impossible/difficult/not sensible to offer a:

Pvp account + unlock key = Pvp account with x unlocks.

However for Pve players, who are going to continue purchasing the campaigns and may occassionally have use for the:

Pve account + unlock key = Pve account with x unlocks,

will have no option at all should they need a certain set of skills to support their pvp fun. What will we be expected to do? Purchase the tournament pack too?

Just to make this absolutely clear. I don't have a pve warrior. I've unlocked some, but not all of the warrior skills. Say my guild wants me to play warrior in HA or GvG, what do I do if I don't have all the skills? In the past it simply would have been a case of purchasing or using Balth faction to unlock, but these new unlock packs have made that easier. Now say I have no balth faction, and no in-game cash, my guild is stuck with a bit of problem. Certainly I doubt that this is going to happen all that often but it will happen more frequently as more chapters come along. Why shouldn't a Nightfall monk be able to purchase Prophecies skill sets?

Loch

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 04:41 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyra_song

in one hand i like the idea of giving PvPers what they want so they dont have to play through the "boring pve" but at the same time, its splitting the community even further.

Believe it or not, forcing PvP fans to PvE 10,000 hours made the divide much much wider, not narrower.

Ristaron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2005

Canada, eh?

Legion Of Valhalla

E/

09 Sep 2006 at 04:47 - 29

I have to agree with the whole 'splitting the community' point of view. On the one hand you'll have the so-called 'hard core' PvP players who simply purchase the skills and ignore the storyline that is the true difference between the chapters (with so many duplicate skills introduced with the new expansions, you're not getting much for your money if you already have the other chapters). On the other you have the people who play through the storyline and then seek to test what they've learned - only now it will be against people who have been practicing their strategies for a while and have the upper hand right off the bat.

A lot of what ANet has said in the past has been proven untrue, and this time it's the whole 'PvEvP characters benefit the most' promise that takes the hit. I would like to see some tangible, meaningful manifestation of that, rather than something that would only further elliminate the 'middle ground'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Excuse me, but what planet do you live on, where profit is evil and companies all operate as a charity? Do you want more games? Do you want to see the servers run, updates added, balance changes rolled out, and much more? Then stop the childish whines about "cash" and deal with it. But, wait, I malign children with that, for any child who's ever operated a lemonade stand knows about profit, and realizes it's not something to be shunned. Sheesh!

Oh Gaile, it's good to see that you're human.

anonymous

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

09 Sep 2006 at 04:49 - 30

Gaile, any ETA on how long after Nightfall before a PvP Edition becomes available?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ristaron

A lot of what ANet has said in the past has been proven untrue, and this time it's the whole 'PvEvP characters benefit the most' promise that takes the hit. I would like to see some tangible, meaningful manifestation of that, rather than something that would only further elliminate the 'middle ground'

Please don't make it where I need to grind to be competitive. Armor swaping and more weapons is just a small advantage, anything bigger than that would just add grind if you wish to pvp on par with everyone else character wise.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 04:53 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Lozza

Correct me if I'm wrong, Gaile...

Ok, I'll correct you.

Unlock packs do not apply to PvE characters. They only apply to template or PvP characters, the Level 20s that you make on the "other" side of the character creation screen.

According to the design team, we have no intention of offering unlocks for PvE characters. To do so would totally obliterate the reason for playing PvE to begin with, and would muddy the line between the many benefits of creating a PvE player and raising it to Level 20 and making an inst-character that is already max level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anonymous

Gaile, any ETA on how long after Nightfall before a PvP Edition becomes available?

At this point, we're considering the options and listening to player feedback. Your input is more than welcome, and I've noted it along with that of many others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by perfect

Only new players who are 2-3 chapters AND hardcore PvP will purchase these packs. Being an avid PvP player I will still purchase each chapter as they are released, as will every PvP player I know. Any talk of 'splitting the community' doesnt make much sense since this will help welcome new players by not having them 1000 hours behind us all in skills. Good Job on Anet's part by not letting the new players get left too far behind.

I couldn't agree with you more. Instead of spending time in "the old campaign" scrambling to get those skills, the player can move ahead and join his veteran friends. I think it's really a great idea!

Autumn_Leaf

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Taunton, Mass.

09 Sep 2006 at 04:56 - 32

okay so i have to ask, since the new installments are only gonna be 2 characters each, will there be cheaper price for those packs? and if so, any idea on the price range?

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

09 Sep 2006 at 05:00 - 33

I don't see that it will split the community. That's already been done. It you take even the well-above-average sstrictly PvE player and put him/her in HA, they won't understand 90% of what's said there. And many of the current PvP players who've been around for awhile have already UAX'd all of the skills, runes, & weapons mods for Prophecies anyway.

I see this offering as a way for players that are new to GW as a way to be somewhat competitive right away. Which is a very good thing.

As for the change to make them all-professions, that's good for the newer players, too. As they can be flexible in their builds.

Relambrien

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Delaware, USA

Error Seven Operators [Call]

W/

09 Sep 2006 at 05:03 - 34

I can give a semi-explanation until/unless Gaile gets back to you, Autumn.

There are 300 skills in each new campaign. 150 of which I believe are for the new professions. The remaining 150 are spread across the six core professions.

Now, there are 454 Prophecies skills, and this pack costs $40. 300 is about two thirds of 454, so logically, the new packs should cost around $27. But Anet is a business, and they need profit, so I would still expect the price to be at $40. Having it at $30 would be a nice surprise though.

In short:

Probably $40, but logically $30. Chances are we'll see the former, hopefully we'll see the latter. Make sense?

Autumn_Leaf

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Taunton, Mass.

09 Sep 2006 at 05:03 - 35

i also have to ask, since skills was the major faction sink, will there be any extra uses for faction in the future. any concideration to the cosmetic upgrades that some were suggesting in past forums, or would that take too long on the programming part?

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 05:04 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Autumn_Leaf

okay so i have to ask, since the new installments are only gonna be 2 characters each, will there be cheaper price for those packs? and if so, any idea on the price range?

Are you forgetting the upgrades to the skills of the core professions? We didn't just add skills for the Ritualist and Assassin in C2. We added a boatload of skills for the other 6 core professions. And we'll do the same in Nightfall.

So no, we won't lower the price for subsequent campaigns, sorry.

Relambrien

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

Delaware, USA

Error Seven Operators [Call]

W/

09 Sep 2006 at 05:08 - 37

Wow, Gaile responds fast o_O

So yeah, looks like it's gonna be at $40 still for the subsequent chapters.

And about your other question, Autumn, I don't believe faction will have any use beyond its current uses. However, perhaps, and this is *TOTAL* speculation on my part, a new type of faction will be implemented with a new use. Remember, that's *TOTAL* speculation with absolutely no evidence to back it up

Autumn_Leaf

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Taunton, Mass.

09 Sep 2006 at 05:08 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Are you forgetting the upgrades to the skills of the core professions? We didn't just add skills for the Ritualist and Assassin in C2. We added a boatload of skills for the other 6 core professions. And we'll do the same in Nightfall.

So no, we won't lower the price for subsequent campaigns, sorry.

ok, thats cool. so when a person purchase these packs do they get the new skills added in future installments as well? if thats the case i can't see the price being an issue then.

much appreciate the fast response and time out for the forum community =)

thanks to Relambrien for the response too.

Red Locust

Site Contributor

Join Date: May 2005

09 Sep 2006 at 05:10 - 39

Gaile, please confirm my assumption that this will be a $40 prophecies or factions pvp package that unlocks everything in the PvP character creation screen, including all skills, runes and items, at the cost of the PvE world. If this is true, ArenaNet gets some serious praise, and I will be deleting random hate posts without any solid reasoning behind them.

I guess the endlessly bickering about how we needed something like this finally kicked in

Now if only they put a nightfall PvP package out with the same release date as the full game, I would be in GW heaven.

Carth`

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

09 Sep 2006 at 05:14 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

According to the design team, we have no intention of offering unlocks for PvE characters. To do so would totally obliterate the reason for playing PvE to begin with, and would muddy the line between the many benefits of creating a PvE player and raising it to Level 20 and making an inst-character that is already max level.

Hm isn't that a lot like what Factions did? Straight to level 20, and then buy all your skills from the Skill Trainer if you can afford it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

I couldn't agree with you more. Instead of spending time in "the old campaign" scrambling to get those skills, the player can move ahead and join his veteran friends. I think it's really a great idea!

So you are encouraging the "old campaign" to be empty, and nobody should play it. Given up on it.