[Dev update] Games Changes & Design Team Update

I used to farm Zarnas Stonewrath with my mesmer at one time by using Backfire with some other skills. Enemy AI generally won't let backfire kill them (there may be some exception if you catch an almost dead enemy with it when he's mid cast), but they'll cast through it until they get very low on health. Even though it won't kill them, it will do a hell of a lot of damage to them. That said, how often in PvE do you find an enemy living long enough to really get this benefit from outside of solo farming?

I sent along a note to the Content Programming Team to let them know that a few folks had mentioned continued concerns. But it's good to know that most are seeing things clearly now. Questions:

1. For those of you seeing icons as somewhat blurred, are you using the "Small" Icon setting? Do they clear up in "Normal?"
2. What setting are you using for graphical quality?
3. Are you using Windowed Mode? When you leave Windowed Mode, does the clarity improve?

I'm not sure that there is a change to quality, to be honest. It could be we're looking at things really closely now and "our eyes deceive us" after the last update. But assuredly there was an issue a few days ago, and I'm sure the team will take a look again, just to be sure everything's fine.

I thought pets were meant to be making sounds outside of towns now and in guild halls?

My pets are still deathly quiet.

Ferret.

Update: Checked again today and they seem to have got their roar back, so happy again now

Pet controls! *dies happy*
If pets actually become a viable weapon, as opposed to the novelty they are now, ... *shivers with excitement*
I'm so happy.
Happy happy.

I know lots of my friends will be too. =)

Mesmer improvements for PvE will be really nice to see as well. Maybe more groups will even start asking for our purple glitter. =D

One thing I would like to ask for if possible is to be able to see the drunk effects again. I used to be able to see this effect, but an update a while back made it so that I can no longer do this. I know that many people out there can toggle this effect by the 'enable post-processing effects' button, but there are still many out there like myself that have graphics cards which do not support this function.

I believe it should be possible to get this effect on my computer (since I used to get it using the same computer that I use now) and hope that this can become possible again someday.

The new Gain Zenmai quest, which i completed a few days ago was very funny. It just goes to show, 'Tragedy really is at the heart of all comedy.'

Until I realised I had to hold the team off a long way from the NPC spiker who killed Zenmai a few seconds after the dialogue with the result of 'Quest Failed', I learned the lesson Anet wanted me to learn. It took me three trials, but I am a slow learner.

The lesson was, of course, that in most cases, if you let an Assassin join your PUG, you better have a dedicated Bonder just for her/him.

It's also possible that Anet wanted this Quest available as a kind of practice arena for healing monks, but having an Assassin in your PUG is usually more than enough opportunity for that.

I reiterate, this Quest was very amusing for me because of the Anet joke about Assassins that is imbedded in it for the discerning learner. Thank you for the lesson Anet! And thanks for making it so (unintentionally) hilarious!

PS: Of course, all my Zenmai heroes are immediately turned into Critical Strike Rangers just as soon as I have control over their suicidal tendencies.

I have been seeing an increase in server lagg and error sevens amongst guildies and alliance members in the game. Also in towns i hear alot about lagging players.

This update seems to have spurred some problems in the server "much like in the past"

also the problem with skills activating is back.. its most commonly seen on a ranger.. if you have a fast bow skill and tap the button.. the ranger will continually draw back but not fire.. this has happened before and was a server lagg issue i believe.. So i can only assume the same thing is happening.

Also there seems to be some rumors of the keyless chests in nightfall being able to be opened over and over again.. this could hurt the market even more than it already is (if thats possible)

It seems that these special events always leave a trail of issues in their wakes.. Maybee its time to rethink how to implement these.




Another issue is a very old one.. still no auction house that has been promised. (not sure of the previous status on this one)

Also the godly interupt speed of certain creatures in the game needs some tweaking. Not to much but it just seems silly that a 1/4th second interupt can catch a 1/4th second cast.. and the interrupt comes from a ranger over 30 feet away..

These issues may be far to technical for gaile to clear up for us though.. If so disregard.