Why is the event so short???

I would just like to make a complaint stating that the event was too short. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a lion hat thanks to work, sleep and the fact that I live in Australia and the timing of the event is not as suitable for us as those in Europe or the States. I'm not lucky enough to have my free time at the exact same time that the event was running.

It would be nice if future events had an extended window of opportunity to get hats and special items, maybe around a week, every 3hours or something like that. It would make events more suitable for those who have obligations in real life. Either that, or a) put up a package containing festival hats in the Guild Wars online store so those that missed out and want them can still buy them, b) have a crafter that can make festival hats using collectable drops.

I want my Lion Hat

It was over a 12 hour period and you forewarned, i'm sorry but tough luck :s They can't spread it out too much or even less people would get hats due to the districts not having all the items required.

*24 hour period

Hmm, I read AM as PM.. yeh 24.

I know I was forewarned, but I cant structure my work around a game now can I? I just think it would be nice if there was another way to get festival hats, so us unlucky ones can have a chance to get one as well.

Could you not have got a friend to log on for you and leave the thing afk for 15 mins?

If you couldn't make time to get yourself a hat, then the hat wasn't as important than what you have IRL. You just have to move on...

I also live in Australia, and I had no problem going to all but 2 of the pig arrival events. Sure, work can sometimes get in the way, but think about how many items one single player could build up if they had these running every 3 hours for an entire week. I got 9 pigs, and 230 or so red bags over all but one or two events. Plus a few hats. Multiply that by 7... well, you get the point.

Also, if you do happen to have work for that time, just set your char up in a district, and you'll get a hat. The hats are given out to everybody for almost all the events, whether they participate in the other things or not. So going afk if you have no other choice is a perfectly valid option.

They had given enough time to let you get a hat the most is to get someone to login for u else park your character in game. Tough luck though. Happy new year btw.

Tough bikkies... I parked and participated in 2 events. I got my hat and pig I worked/church/celebrated CNY with mates I am sure you could of made one event or at least AFK'ed your character.

Many People, including myself, just logged in, wen't to Shing Jea, and went AFK. A simple solution to an unfortunate situation.

He's not talking about any pig or red bags. He's talking about the hat.
Why don't they give hats for an entire week and have the bags and pig appearance on the last day as a finale?

Because if it had been a week, people would complain that it wasn't two weeks. Seriously, 24 hours is more than enough time, especially since all you had to do to get a hat and a minimum of two bag was be in town.

The fact that they have done a lot of work to make getting these event items more accessible with each event is much appreciated. You no longer have to bring each and every character in to get a hat on each one (I have 17 characters over two accounts and that is tough as hell to get in 8 event showings.)

The fact that it lasts a day is realistic. Does New Year's Day or Halloween last a week where you live?

You can't please all the people all the time. If you couldn't have been working for 24 hours straight. I can understand not knowing about the AFK ability for the first showing since no one knew what was required, but after that all the info was on wiki, the forums and asking anyone in town. Put the slightest amount of effort into it, which you would have if you really wanted the item, and there is no problem.

they could give you a hat if you complete the quests perhaps?

i was able to hit all but 2 of the events on 2 pc's, and occasional 3

Lol, first of all I didnt know about the afk thing, second of all, like I said, I wasnt able to play during that period. I managed to play a few hours every other day of the event, just not that day. Im only asking for another way to get a hat. I dont care about gift bags and whatever else. From what I heard, dont you need to be there to pick up your hat anyway? Last but not least, I dont have any friends who play this game.

Maybe the solutions I offered are not the right ones, but it would be nice if there was another way to get the hats over the whole week.

Yeah, I think there should be quests for hats. I wouldn't mind a quest called "Canthan New Year Preperations" or something to get my hat I missed out on 3 of the christmas hats as well. I'll get over it though ^^

They did offere this with the Dragon Masks. You just had to have the 250 Jade Moon(?) Orbs and you could still get it for like a week after the event.

Of course, then every one complained about getting the jade wind/moon? orbs.

It's a special community event. They want people to have an incentive to participate in the event to build up community spirit. Making it available for a 24 hour period seems like a pretty decent compromise. I think this is just going to be filed under the "can't make everyone happy all the time" heading.

I would point out, however, that if you had posted this complaint before the event (and many people complain about the hat on one day thing during EVERY event I've participated in), you would have learned about the afk idea in time to use it. ANet tries to make the players happy, but sometimes you have to do a little work yourself too. Better luck next time.

How is the timing worse in Australia than other countries? 24 hours is a day, whatever time zone you're in. Now if it were that the final event was something extra special, then you'd have something to complain about. But obviously they've taken that into account, that's why they have the 24 hour period.

Seriously though, it's not like missing the hat is going to affect your gameplay. For the first christmas event I was away visiting family, without computer access, the whole time. So I missed out on both the hats AND the candycanes. It was the candycanes that annoyed me most. But, really, it doesn't matter. Your characters will survive without a 0 armor piece of headgear.