[Dev Update]: Domain of Anguish

Lavindathar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Manchester, England

The Monstrous Fangs (fang)

N/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
Hey, everyone lets go roll dice and maybe we'll get luck and get a Gemstone drop! Let's go do it for months and months and months...it's effort and hard work, right?
Dude, ever since the day of release, people have been getting random drops. It's always been random. People have been opening that chest in HoH for nearly two years, praying for that crystaline that's not yet come.

So yeah, it's hard work and persistance.

Repeating the area is fun, and challenging.

But Zinger, why dont you make a new thread now, asking them to nerf the difficulty as you cba making an effort with these quests?

brokenmonkey

brokenmonkey

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

CA

[UC] Uber Crue

W/

im 99.9329323923293293% sure henchies wouldn't work anyways.



And thanks Anet!

After this update, it will be my 1st time returning since its opening=(

dpcash

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2005

FoC

R/E

Quote:
Originally Posted by TheDarkGod
Very cool changes, though I'd really like to see a way for the "average" gamer to attain Razah other than paying a gem farmer tons of platinum or waiting and spamming for hours just to find a pick-up group that will accept me with my build.
If you want to play with "Your Build" then make your own group. Otherwise go get the skills that other people making groups want. OMG dude, you play a necro! Only ele's and monks are in greater demand in DoA than necros.

Sable Phoenix

Sable Phoenix

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2005

No word on Razah, I see. The rest of it is meaningless.

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalki
BTW it won't take months to find 25 of each gem ROFL
Yes, because the edict of "ROFL" wonderfully veracerates your beliefs.

Gli

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalki
Hey I have a better idea! Let's go buy ebay gold and get torment weapons without actually setting foot in the DoA area! Hey I work hard in my real life job! (sarcasm)
Of course, everyone who as any respectable amount of wealth in this game got it through eBay. How perceptive.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kalki
BTW it won't take months to find 25 of each gem ROFL
My kingdom for a roll-eyes emoticon. No empathy for the people who can't play more than a few hours a day, huh?

Kenagalaz

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

Servite Nostrum Animus [SNA]

E/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
Not enough. Not even close enough.

I think you misinterpret how much the DoA Gemstones actually cost, Gaile. I'm assuming you know that some gemstones are expensive, even about 100k each. Therefore at 15 of each stone, an Armbrace of Truth would still cost 2+ Million! That's twice as much as FoW armor for a subpar-skinned weapon! (on a related note, why even design Torment Focus!? Who in their right mind would spend 2 million on a Focus?!) Is that the designers' wish?

I suggest that you adjust the price for an Armbrace of Truth all the way down to 5 of each Gemstone. That way, more than one person will actually be able to afford one...

And no, the double gem drops will not dramatically neuter the prices to a reasonable level. Keep in mind that very few people are even doing the mission, therefore the double drops have a significantly less impact!
Cost how much?
I have yet to get a single gemstone drop (only from chests) but 15 with double drop makes it sound semi-attainable.
But this makes me sad. I can't wait to get one of these and run around with it, but it makes me sad that my guildmates are already contemplating selling the armbrace for stacks of ecto. As much as I hate the idea, I'll fricken ebay the gold so that they won't sell their freakin armbrace. It saddens me that they would sell such a hard earned trophy for mere gold and ectos to ebayers.

Frostlight

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2006

Who cares if people leave? How about Anet itself?

If enough people leave and DoA flops, at some point management will question the benefit of spending company time and resources to cater to 0.1% of the player base, while generating bad word of mouth from the rest.

Lavindathar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Manchester, England

The Monstrous Fangs (fang)

N/Mo

Dude, who says you need to play a few hours per day?

Yes, the quest in DoA can be long - 3-4 hours with a good team. But, like we are saying. This is the Elite area. If you dont want to play, or can't play, or refuse to play, don't.

But, for those of us that can, let us keep it challenging.

And this quote, has summed it all up for me -

Quote:
Originally Posted by brokenmonkey

After this update, it will be my 1st time returning since its opening=(
Might as well just call it mission number 21 now.

Lavindathar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Manchester, England

The Monstrous Fangs (fang)

N/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Frostlight
Who cares if people leave? How about Anet itself?

If enough people leave and DoA flops, at some point management will question the benefit of spending company time and resources to cater to 0.1% of the player base, while generating bad word of mouth from the rest.
Or on the other hand, people who like a challenge might sign up, if it gets the reputation as being one of the hardest games in existance...

Your messing with a two-sided coin, which no-one can predict the outcome of.

A lot of people don't play GW, as it's too easy (And lets be honest, PvE is a walk in the park. Even the Realm of Torment. If you die first time around, you've usually learnt enough to do it 2nd time). DoA is different.

Some people only buy games as they are challenging, and have a long-lasting come back tied to them.

Point And Click games for example...back in the 90's, Monkey Island. At times they could be impossible, and so frustrating. But people loved the challenge.

And like I said, if people leave because ONE area, out of the 20 missions, 100's of quests etc is too hard, they were never that into the game in the first place.

EtherealByte

EtherealByte

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

| | R E A P E R S | |

R/Rt

Hmm... Sure it is elite. They did not NERF the mission or EA's. The monsters are still as hard as they were. ANet said the mission and zones were elite. They did not say the gemstones were elite. And last time i checked the dictionary, "novel" and "elite" weren't synonyms. A novel way of acquiring weapons does not mean 99% of the fan base are not able to acquire it. I think ANet did a wonderful thing here. It's still as challenging as before, but with less of a grind. Thank you VM Anet.

Note: Monkey Island games were NOT hard. Doing something totally absurd worked 90% of the time.

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

Lavindathar, now you are beginning to be a little masochistic...

Intentionally making a game "un-fun" is a bad idea.

Frostlight

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
Or on the other hand, people who like a challenge might sign up, if it gets the reputation as being one of the hardest games in existance...

Your messing with a two-sided coin, which no-one can predict the outcome of.

A lot of people don't play GW, as it's too easy (And lets be honest, PvE is a walk in the park. Even the Realm of Torment. If you die first time around, you've usually learnt enough to do it 2nd time). DoA is different.

Some people only buy games as they are challenging, and have a long-lasting come back tied to them.

Point And Click games for example...back in the 90's, Monkey Island. At times they could be impossible, and so frustrating. But people loved the challenge.

And like I said, if people leave because ONE area, out of the 20 missions, 100's of quests etc is too hard, they were never that into the game in the first place.
We don't have the hard numbers (other than districts) so obviously it's guesswork for us players.

Anet on the other hand, if they're a competent company (which I believe they are), obviously has put in the time to observe and assess the information they have, before coming to the decision they've just made.

Gli

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
Dude, who says you need to play a few hours per day?

Yes, the quest in DoA can be long - 3-4 hours with a good team. But, like we are saying. This is the Elite area. If you dont want to play, or can't play, or refuse to play, don't.
Don't take my words out of context and build a high horse out of them, thankyouverymuch. I posted that in reply of claims that "BTW it won't take months to find 25 of each gem ROFL".

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
But, for those of us that can, let us keep it challenging.
Challenge is nice. It's challenging to do the quest, and when you succeed, it's challenging to do them more efficiently. Sure.

But going back time and time again to do the same quests over and over, that's no challenge, that's... here's the magic word... grinding.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
And this quote, has summed it all up for me -



Might as well just call it mission number 21 now.
And that's supposed to mean what exactly?

Lichtenberg

Lichtenberg

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Sep 2005

Mass Delusion [LARP]

thnx for the update anet.

the lower requirement for the CoW isnt a bad idea, and the double chance of getting a gem isnt bad either.

But Like Someone else said in a earlier post. Make them untradable so people can know that person earned it and not just bought the stuff.
this will keep all the rich ppl from buying it, and letting everyone that worked for it have it and everyone else know that.

Lavindathar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Manchester, England

The Monstrous Fangs (fang)

N/Mo

Ok, it is nearly 4am, and my posts aren't coming across exactly how I want them too.

I know Anet haven't nerfed the difficulty. But, the Torment weapons were, basically a reward for doing the quests. One consolidation I take, is that if rumour is to be beleived, then the quests lead up to the elite mission. As long as they do not nerf the difficulty, then only a few will get there.

Oh, and the Monkey Island thing was a stupid example.

Use Rubber Chicken With High-Wire. Lol.

No, I don't believe it's a grind. I've played through City about 9 times now, and haven't suceeded. But now I've got it sorted, I know what to do. That's my enjoyment, refining it. Learning, and going on to complete it. It's not a grind as you dont HAVE to do it.

But, whilst thinking about it more thoroughly, I bet if I finally complete all the quests, and am say, 8 gems short, I'll probably be pissed off and then it will be a grind. But I'm willing to live with that.

And I wasn't getting on a high horse about anything.

And I'm not trying to make it un-fun.

All I'm saying is, across the 3 chapters, there are 55 odd missions, thousands of quests, and areas. I just want Anet to leave in ONE stupidly hard place, for those of us that want it.

And personally, I don't think I'm asking too much.

Off to bed now, I'll re-read this all when I wake, and try to be more articulate.

Edit - And the mission 21 comment, was in reference to the hundreds of people who will now flock back, attempt, fail again (as the difficulty hasnt changed) farm for a bit, get bored, and think it might be worthwhile buying the gems.

Edit 2 - Just thought... What about some kind of DoA only title, for those that do complete it all? (Not like I'll ever complete it at the rate I'm going, but just an idea)

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
Who cares if they leave?

The ELITE mission (Notice the word elite, and please look up its definition), is meant to be the hardest of all areas. And within 2 weeks, its been nerfed.

If people have quit the game because DoA is too hard, then they were never really interested anyway. Theres still 3 whole PvE campaigns to play, not to mention SF/Deep/Urgoz.

Please Anet, PLEASE dont make this area any easier just to cater to the whiners and bitchers. If its too hard for them, they shouldnt play it. Let them play the normal PvE campaign. You've done your bit, it's accessible to them. It's their choice if they want to play it or not.

But, now Anet have done this, within 2 months I can see a change in the difficulty of the quests. They'll lower the spawns, or the level of the enemies etc. It's just gonna get nerfed, because Anet employees read these forums and see whining as "feedback". Everyone asked for elite mission. You made it elite. They moan. You backtrack and nerf.

Take the feedback of us people that completed NF, and want a challenge. I remember reading threads saying "Realm Of Torment" is too hard, I can't do it, yada yada. Although it was more difficult than most areas so far in GW, I still thought it was fairly do-able.

And DoA, I'm enjoying because it's so frustrating and hard. And thats what keeps me going back.

I know now Anet will not revert back to the 25 gem cost etc (although you should, and keep the drop rate how it is - you can nerf the cofffers if you want, I think thats reasonable), but please don't nerf it anymore.

And if people complain? Tell them to look up the definition of elite, and tell them it's their choice whether to play that area or not.
Just because it is called elite doesn't make it elite.

Nobody wants to spend thousands of hours for a shite weapon.

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

Wow, a team based game where people are complaining about have to make a TEAM.

Get a grip. Improved AI and heroes are part of the reason in the downhill slide the game has been in. I very rarely see any LFG spam anymore. People don't even bother.

There should be more areas where there are no henchies. Go Go teamwork.

Yes, there are stupid people that play the game. That can be said about every aspect of life. Make a guild of friends and go have fun.

Gli

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar
All I'm saying is, across the 3 chapters, there are 55 odd missions, thousands of quests, and areas. I just want Anet to leave in ONE stupidly hard place, for those of us that want it.
I don't begrudge anyone that. I'm just severly disappointed that Nightfall didn't add any other endgame content at all, suitable for more casual enjoyment.

Much as I like the Nightfall storyline, just the storyline isn't enough to hold my attention. Frostlight mentions bad word of mouth a few posts up. That's what I'm doing now. I can't in good conscience recommend Nightfall to my guildies who haven't bought it yet. I'm telling them not to bother, because it won't last them very long.

generik

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lavindathar

Some people only buy games as they are challenging, and have a long-lasting come back tied to them.

Point And Click games for example...back in the 90's, Monkey Island. At times they could be impossible, and so frustrating. But people loved the challenge.

And like I said, if people leave because ONE area, out of the 20 missions, 100's of quests etc is too hard, they were never that into the game in the first place.
Rest assured that Anet doesn't welcome the business of said "some people". Considering Anet doesn't charge a monthly and relies on people spending money on new chapters to keep the servers running, if the challenge is too great and said "some people" are too contented with the current "challenge", they might not want to move on after all...

Besides if it is too challenging, bandwidth costs will climb through the roof.

Likewise said "some people" are probably teenagers/nerds who live in their parents' basements with no real income to speak of.

Anet targets people who play the game casually. Hardcore players can "go play WoW".

twicky_kid

twicky_kid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quite Vulgar [FUN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gli
I don't begrudge anyone that. I'm just severly disappointed that Nightfall didn't add any other endgame content at all, suitable for more casual enjoyment.

Much as I like the Nightfall storyline, just the storyline isn't enough to hold my attention. Frostlight mentions bad word of mouth a few posts up. That's what I'm doing now. I can't in good conscience recommend Nightfall to my guildies who haven't bought it yet. I'm telling them not to bother.
For the $30 I paid for NF I have gotten more playability compared to some of the hardcore RPGs on console games.

$$$ value + replay ability = good stuff

Sable Phoenix

Sable Phoenix

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gli
I don't begrudge anyone that. I'm just severly disappointed that Nightfall didn't add any other endgame content at all, suitable for more casual enjoyment.

Much as I like the Nightfall storyline, just the storyline isn't enough to hold my attention. Frostlight mentions bad word of mouth a few posts up. That's what I'm doing now. I can't in good conscience recommend Nightfall to my guildies who haven't bought it yet. I'm telling them not to bother, because it won't last them very long.
This is the main problem right here. "Elite mission" is directly opposed to "endgame content", simply because most people can't use it.

Where is Nightfall's version of Sorrow's Furnace?

Gli

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Quote:
Originally Posted by twicky_kid
For the $30 I paid for NF I have gotten more playability compared to some of the hardcore RPGs on console games.

$$$ value + replay ability = good stuff
Yeah, well, you could also compare it to Prophecies, a chapter with heaps of endgame content people are still playing. Factions and Nightfall come up very short in that comparison. Too short.

Sword

Sword

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Mo/

how bout we balance the game on the pvp side and get rid of hereos and 6v6 so people can start playing the game again

FelixCarter

FelixCarter

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Mo/Me

Thank you, Gaile and ANet dev team for all your hardwork. It is very much appriciated.

While members of the community might find this to be a bittersweet news update, it is great that you have taken the time to respond to the community in a positive manner.

Thank you again, ANet. ^_^

sindex

sindex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

California

Swords of Night & Day [SWRD]

Good one pretty decent change of pace I must say. Hat's off to the A-team again. This will help people with reasonable kick in gear attitude, that really DoA has to it.

P.S. Lambert you are the man.

aohige

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

GoW

Mo/

You don't have to roll any dice, Zinger.
Complete the parts of quest guarantees you a gemstone every run.
Additional drop helps, but you are not barred form a gemstone by luck.

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by aohige
You don't have to roll any dice, Zinger.
Complete the parts of quest guarantees you a gemstone every run.
Additional drop helps, but you are not barred form a gemstone by luck.
And how realistic is it to run these areas 60 times?! And perfectly, of course.

I became sick of The Deep and Urgoz's Warren after one compleation. If anyone wants to complete these areas 60 times, they must be insane.

geminisaga

geminisaga

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/N

hurry sell yur titan gem before price drop

Zehnchu

Zehnchu

Popcorn Fetish

Join Date: Dec 2005

[GODS]

Mo/Me

I’ve must have missed all those “I’m uber leet” whine threads about CoW and bracelets being to high of a cost that warranted the change in gem drops and lowering cost of gems required to get items.

I also don’t see how it’s an incentive for all those who where there on the opening to bother to come back. Other then say hey “let’s get raped by the AI as soon as we zone” for hours on end of fun because in the doubled chance that if they kill one it will drop a gem. That’s about as lucky as the AI feeling so sorry for them and dropping a gem and walk off.

byteme!

byteme!

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

On Earth

W/P

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
Not enough. Not even close enough.

I think you misinterpret how much the DoA Gemstones actually cost, Gaile. I'm assuming you know that some gemstones are expensive, even about 100k each. Therefore at 15 of each stone, an Armbrace of Truth would still cost 2+ Million! That's twice as much as FoW armor for a subpar-skinned weapon! (on a related note, why even design Torment Focus!? Who in their right mind would spend 2 million on a Focus?!) Is that the designers' wish?

I suggest that you adjust the price for an Armbrace of Truth all the way down to 5 of each Gemstone. That way, more than one person will actually be able to afford one...

And no, the double gem drops will not dramatically neuter the prices to a reasonable level. Keep in mind that very few people are even doing the mission, therefore the double drops have a significantly less impact!
I think you misinterpret how much gemstones cost. 15 gems each per Ambrace of Truth is exceptionally reasonable. Any less and this so-called "Elite" mission with "Elite" rewards would be a joke. Might as well just give us the Ambrace of Truth on a silver platter and forget about farming for it altogether huh? Ambrace costs 2mil to make? Who's fault is that? Anets? We the players are the ones that decide how much something is worth in our player driven economy. Gaile did also mention the drop rate for gems will increase anyways. You don't wanna pay a premium for the gems? Go hunt for it otherwise don't complain. Beggars aren't choosers.

aohige

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

GoW

Mo/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
And how realistic is it to run these areas 60 times?! And perfectly, of course.

I became sick of The Deep and Urgoz's Warren after one compleation. If anyone wants to complete these areas 60 times, they must be insane.
Dunno, I've done the quests 10 times already.
Over the course of the next six month, I'm sure I'll be doing about that much.
The current drop rate is about 0.5 stone per member expected. This should rise to 1 per member, meaning you are guaranteed to get 1 gem, and most likely another from drop.
Realistically speaking, it's not 60 runs, it's 30 runs, Zinger.
You're thinking too negatively, that you're not thinking straight...

Of course, you're right, I am not sane.
And neither are quite a few hard core players.

It's not all that much diffrent than getting 100+ ectos in the early days of FoW and UW, man. Torment weapons are nothing but weapon equibilibrant of FoW armor. Sure, the prices are high for gemstones right now, but in time, there'll be enough of them around, like ectos, and market will settle on a price.

Kenagalaz

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

Servite Nostrum Animus [SNA]

E/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by byteme!
I think you misinterpret how much gemstones cost. 15 gems each per Ambrace of Truth is exceptionally reasonable. Any less and this so-called "Elite" mission with "Elite" rewards would be a joke. Might as well just give us the Ambrace of Truth on a silver platter and forget about farming for it altogether huh? Ambrace costs 2mil to make? Who's fault is that? Anets? We the players are the ones that decide how much something is worth in our player driven economy. Gaile did also mention the drop rate for gems will increase anyways. You don't wanna pay a premium for the gems? Go hunt for it otherwise don't complain. Beggars aren't choosers.
It's okay, Syria Blackblood can answer ANY question about guild wars.

byteme!

byteme!

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

On Earth

W/P

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
And how realistic is it to run these areas 60 times?! And perfectly, of course.

I became sick of The Deep and Urgoz's Warren after one compleation. If anyone wants to complete these areas 60 times, they must be insane.
Very realistic. Just as realistic as spending months farming ecto for FoW armor. Been that way since day one. The bright side of this is they increased the drops on Gems not ecto. The requirement is 15 Gems each not 120 ectos and shards. The way it is right now is PERFECT. As I said before. Reducing the requirement for the Ambrace of Truth would make this "Elite" mission a joke. Everyone and anyone would be able to obtain an Ambrace for too easily far too soon. In due time this new elite mission would lose it's prestige. Btw is anyone forcing you to pay 100k per gem or forcing you to grind out 60 gems? Anyone at all? There's a fine line between a reasonable argument and whining.

aohige

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

GoW

Mo/

heck, I don't know if you were around back then Zinger, but I remember the early days when we first saw the FoW armor requirement and went "WHAT!? You've GOTTA be insane! There's no way you'll ever get that many ectos!!!!"

Compared to that, I actually think gemstones are easier to obtain.
At least you're guaranteed at least one, unlike ectos.
And with increased drop rate, you'll be seeing them drop even more often than ectos.

Spike

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

In front of my PC

Kai

E/Mo

The DOA is STILL a waste of time and effort. This update does NOTHING to change that.

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by aohige
heck, I don't know if you were around back then Zinger, but I remember the early days when we first saw the FoW armor requirement and went "WHAT!? You've GOTTA be insane! There's no way you'll ever get that many ectos!!!!"

Compared to that, I actually think gemstones are easier to obtain.
At least you're guaranteed at least one, unlike ectos.
And with increased drop rate, you'll be seeing them drop even more often than ectos.
FoW and UW are atleast...fun.

byteme!

byteme!

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

On Earth

W/P

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zinger314
FoW and UW are atleast...fun.
So now you're being picky based on your own bias opinion that FoW/UW is fun and DoA isn't. Well since you put things that way. It's obviously your arguments have no merit and I rest my case. You only speak for yourself and absolutely no one else.

Kalki

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Summoners of Forgotten Gods

W/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gli
My kingdom for a roll-eyes emoticon. No empathy for the people who can't play more than a few hours a day, huh?
You want the glory and reward without doing what's necessary to obtain that reward. Ok so you made a forture either on ebay, an incredibly lucky drop, or griffon/ecto farming? Does the mean you should be able to get every new reward that comes out in Guild Wars?

Remember Torment weapons have the same stats. It's just status people. I can't believe everyone is crying there are weapons that are too hard to obtain.

Zinger314

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by byteme!
So now you're being picky based on your own bias opinion that FoW/UW is fun and DoA isn't. Well since you put things that way. It's obviously your arguments have no merit and I rest my case. You only speak for yourself and absolutely no one else.
I certainly don't speak for myself when I saw that DoA isn't fun...read the thread.