So what's the general consensus on the Search function? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Tahlia Tane

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2006

W/

30 Apr 2007 at 17:27 - 1

I was initially excited about this but it's not being used by anyone...... My suggestion would be to make it search in all cities and outposts, or make it search in cities and outposts in certain areas (For Tyria: Kryta, Ascalon, Southern Shiverpeaks).

I like the search function and using it is just fine, there could be improvements. But I don't see what's so horribly wrong with it that no one decides to use it. It's great for temple of ages, for example. Or mission locations. Other than that it isn't very useful if it doesn't search outside the particular outpost or city you are in. Finding a team for vanquishing or those titan quests would be easier if it did search in more locations, but for now it is nigh impossible.

Kas

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

30 Apr 2007 at 17:32 - 2

Two words why it sucks tremendously:
Character Limit.

And that is precisely the reason why I refuse to use it at all. The limit for text you can put in there is way to low. You can't even write out which classes you're looking for unless you're using some ultra macrolanguage and even then it is not enough.

LFP, 1 EP - HP/DF ELE, 1 BL MO... , character limit reached.

Edited by Arkantos - Don't try to get around the swear filter.

RTSFirebat

The Humanoid Typhoon

Join Date: May 2005

UK

Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 17:36 - 3

Kas don't try to get around the swear filter... /report your post. If know you were making a point, but here on the forums please use censor our words completely, like so ****

Party search tends to be more useful for trading then anything else.

Edited: Sorry confused Guild Wars Guru search with in-game Part Search, edited my post to correct that.

Fender

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Ohio

XoO

30 Apr 2007 at 17:37 - 4

too little, too late
old habits die hard

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

30 Apr 2007 at 17:38 - 5

I use it.... when I have to.... and I don't have to very often.

I encourage other people to use it, and typically someone else does for about 2 minutes tops.

I think ideally what is needed is further and harsher measures in place to stop spamming:
~ Prevent the same message being posted twice in succession (inhibiting copy+pasting), or without at least two other different messages inbetween.
~ Tighten the limit on rapid-posting, and add to the message a note to use the Search Function instead of spamming.
~More filters on variants of "WTB" and "WTS" to stop people bypassing the existing censors in Local Chat.

If these things were put in place then I expect at least some people would try using the Search Function instead...
It really isn't all that bad but for the low character limit... but then most folks use abbreviations and don't have any problem with it anyway. I crash against the char-limit because it is beneath me to use abbreviations. I make do though...

Zorglubb

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

30 Apr 2007 at 17:42 - 6

Character limit make it rather useless. Another issue is that if you move, the text is gone.

-> should be made to search worldwide (and really *search*, not just an organized list).
-> should be "permanent" on your character (only dismiss manually), and work when you're outside of cities too.
-> should have a way to "link" a mission/item, so you don't have to type a description/name, everybody knows what you're looking for, and that could be used for filtering too.

Sol Deathgard

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Shadows of the Dragon

W/N

30 Apr 2007 at 17:44 - 7

I use it, but usually no one else is, so I end up just using it to add hench & heroes to my party before I go. Seems people would rather just spam the same sentince 15 times in 2 seconds then use it. As for Character limit, well you could just type something like, LFG for Mish, and then pick and chose from the people inviting themselves. that is if people would remember that it's there.

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

30 Apr 2007 at 17:47 - 8

Anyhow... for Search function to actually be used, it would have to be made more efficient than just spamming... which means making spamming more difficult. I will keep announcing this until I get people agreeing with me.... -_-; ... I'm sick of the spamming everywhere and I will persist in speaking out against it and offering simple solutions until it is dealt with!

RTSFirebat

The Humanoid Typhoon

Join Date: May 2005

UK

Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 17:51 - 9

True spamming is and always has been a problem. But even with the search function in page, it tends to not stop spamming.

Party Search would be used more if filters were in place to stop spamming in general, but it isn't going to happen.

The text limit on the Party Search is by far the biggest disadvantage of it at at the moment.

RTSFirebat

The Humanoid Typhoon

Join Date: May 2005

UK

Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 17:53 - 10

The text limit on the Party Search is by far the biggest disadvantage of it at at the moment.

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

30 Apr 2007 at 17:55 - 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by RTSFirebat

Party Search would be used more if filters were in place to stop spamming in general, but it isn't going to happen.

Why not?
Given that Local Chat already has "WTS" and "WTB" at the starts of sentences filtered out and prevents such things from being posted.... it wouldn't be too difficult (nor unfeasible) for A-Net to add all regularly used bypass variants to the list... including "WT.S", "W.TS", "W T S", "W_T_S"... etc... and all equivalents for the buying too.

RTSFirebat

The Humanoid Typhoon

Join Date: May 2005

UK

Servants of Fortuna [SoF]

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 17:58 - 12

Yes good point, maybe a month long scan of all the different methods being used to get around the filter would do they trick. But of course people will always find a way. Which is why the only option would to be to implement an automated chat scanner which could updated filter as required.

Alas Poor Yorick

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2007

30 Apr 2007 at 17:58 - 13

I think the search idea was great - but Anet didn't listen to real needs

They ask, "why is no one using the search function?"

Players respond, "Because the character limitation is too small to give the information you need to about what you are selling or doing."

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "Because the character limitation is too small "

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "BECAUSE THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL"

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: /hold protest, /wave banners, /spam forums, /shout, /use megaphone: THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL!!!!!

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Big_Iron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

The Edge

Tormented Weapons [emo]

30 Apr 2007 at 18:06 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alas Poor Yorick

I think the search idea was great - but Anet didn't listen to real needs

They ask, "why is no one using the search function?"

Players respond, "Because the character limitation is too small to give the information you need to about what you are selling or doing."

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "Because the character limitation is too small "

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: "BECAUSE THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL"

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

Players: /hold protest, /wave banners, /spam forums, /shout, /use megaphone: THE CHARACTER LIMIT IS TOO SMALL!!!!!

Anet: "Why is no one using the search function?

LOL! Funny stuff. That pretty much sums it up. It's a great idea, but the execution hasn't been outstanding. Indeed, if they increased the character limit, even just a few chars, it would help tremendously.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

30 Apr 2007 at 18:10 - 15

Character limit too small.

and importantly NOBODY REALLY KNOWS ABOUT IT!

Seriously. I tell people and they are like "Oh i didnt know that" -.-

Where in the game do they tell you about it?

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

30 Apr 2007 at 18:12 - 16

I've only ever used it to add Hero's and Henchman in a faster, less annoying way.

Other than that its the most useless addition we've ever been given.

SotiCoto

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Drazach Thicket

Temple of Zhen Xianren [Sifu]

30 Apr 2007 at 18:15 - 17

Point: A lot of people aren't even aware of the contents of the UI.

I've had to explain to quite a few newb assassins that the combo-level markers show up on the enemy's health-bar.... as if they couldn't find that out for themselves by looking... JUST for example...

If the anti-spam message that pops up for copy+paste freaks actually mentioned using the Search Function, some of them might take heed of it.... though I doubt alone it would effect much.

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

30 Apr 2007 at 18:16 - 18

I agree, the character limit is a huge problem. I only use it for trading green weapons "S: Victo's Axe - 15K" For selling most other items, it's useless.

If it were a continent wide message board, that would also make it tons better than what it is. Of course, people would have to type more than "LFG for Mission"

KamikazeChicken

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Mo/

30 Apr 2007 at 18:25 - 19

Search is wonderful, but the current version sucks. >.>

Kuldebar Valiturus

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

Garden City, Idaho

The Order of Relumination (TOoR)

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 18:26 - 20

My feeling is that the Party Search is useful if it's used. But, as said above by Fender, " too little, too late, old habits die hard".

What I don't find useful is the tacked on function of listing Trade goods. The text field is much too limiting.

There's a related discussion concerning the state of in-game trade here.

Enix

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2005

I am in a transitional period.

GRE

30 Apr 2007 at 18:26 - 21

Search was more effective for trading before the low charecter limit. I used to play on one compy and sell on another (no need for spaming). I agree, it was too little too late. It is a nice way to add henchmen though.

To fix it (and maybe curb the selling spam a tad), it would be nice if there was an option to include search options for every area in the entire game (or at least areas you could get to). There are plenty of missions and masters I need or quests I would like to complete, but I always do them with heros and hench because nobody is ever in the town I am in that moment. It might be nice to hit search and see "Hey, there is a M&B in THK needing a MM. That might be fun."

VitisVinifera

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2005

Northern California

HoTR

N/Me

30 Apr 2007 at 18:27 - 22

half baked, half implemented, half realized

ChyldeOfTheLotus

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2007

N/Mo

30 Apr 2007 at 18:29 - 23

The Party Search is like Communism. Both look good on paper, but in real life, niether of them work.

Tahlia Tane

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2006

W/

30 Apr 2007 at 18:34 - 24

All I want is just to find a party. I KNOW there are people in Tyria that want need a party for vanquishing and so I do, I just can't find them. Same for some of the quests I have like Titan quest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChyldeOfTheLotus

The Party Search is like Communism. Both look good on paper, but in real life, niether of them work.

So ArenaNet = communists? Very interesting!

El Panty Bandito

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2006

Kansas

[LaZy]

Mo/Me

30 Apr 2007 at 18:37 - 25

I agree, I totally love the search function, but rarely use it due to the low amount of characters I can fit into a message. _IF_ I was able to fit maybe double to triple the amount of characters, I would use it 95% of the time.

And to "SotiCoto", people are not copy/pasting anything...just pushing the up arrow on their keyboard. Don't believe me? type something to yourself, then push the up arrow. Thus providing spam, (up arrow, enter, up arrow, enter...etc etc...).

And someone mentioned way earlier about maybe a global search...that would be almost too large and making most groups very hard to find/form.

Nekretaal

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2007

30 Apr 2007 at 18:37 - 26

It's decent for finding groups where (1) there is more than one thing to do in the town, and (2) the town has multiple districts.

Whats wrong with it:

(1) the text box is too small. This is probably the biggest problem with the feature. You cant describe the quest that you want, the build your running (pvp) or the item you want to sell.

(2) Almost all areas in the game are single district, meaning that its best just to use local chat.

(3) The party search is only able to be seen by people actually in the town at the same time as you, and it disappears when you switch districts

(4) There just doesnt exist the population in guild wars to do what you want to do without waiting a sizable amount of time in town. Even with party search your not going to get a group for titan quest any faster, because few players are even elegible to do these, and those players largely dont want to do them. Ditto with vanquisher: the group of people that this actually apeals to is very small, and the group that wants to do this and is actually willing to wait in town for groups rather than just hero/hench it is even smaller. Heroes cut out a large part of the GW population, and hard mode again split the GW population in half... even as people are leaving because the GW game is bloated (according to the anet people quoted in the PC gamer article) and on its last legs...

(4a) The people in heroes ascent (TA to a lesser extent too) just dont want to accept randoms, even ranked randoms or high ranked randoms, so a party search function is useless because it not a feature that pvpers desire.

I like the feature though. If it were fixed (larger chat box; ability to display weapons or item like skillbar interface) and improved (regionwide) it would be a lot better

El Panty Bandito

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2006

Kansas

[LaZy]

Mo/Me

30 Apr 2007 at 18:41 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nekretaal

ability to display weapons

Now that is a very good idea! Just have the dang weapon in search so you can hold your mouse over it and see stats possibly? I dunno...But dang thats a good idea!

Alleji

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

30 Apr 2007 at 18:52 - 28

Nobody is using the party search thing in WoW, either... and it's much better than in GW. I guess there's something about spamming LFG endlessly :/

Renegade26

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 18:53 - 29

They need to make it continent wide, and have many different options to choose from for sortings sake, so you can find ppl doing "fun groups" "hard mode" or "all mesmer groups" type thing. They also need to make it so you can then join another persons group in that area by clicking, to relieve hassle.

They also need to make it so you can see each continents searching parties by clicking on little tabs at the top to sort between tyria, cantha, elona and "eotn".

Then ppl can find friends, random ppl, and groups suited to them with ease.

Kuldebar Valiturus

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2006

Garden City, Idaho

The Order of Relumination (TOoR)

R/

30 Apr 2007 at 19:04 - 30

The last game I played where LFG function worked well was in DAoC, and people used it. From what I recall the feature was added relatively early on and not 1-2 years after release.

People get set in their ways. For example, I dusted off my old Nostromo n52 game pad intending to revolutionize the way I played Guild Wars...but I failed miserably. So, I'm back to keyboard and mouse buttons.

Tahlia Tane

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2006

W/

30 Apr 2007 at 19:04 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleji

Nobody is using the party search thing in WoW, either... and it's much better than in GW. I guess there's something about spamming LFG endlessly :/

Well in WoW it's more complicated, IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuldebar Valiturus

The last game I played where LFG function worked well was in DAoC, and people used it. From what I recall the feature was added relatively early on and not 1-2 years after release.

People get set in their ways. For example, I dusted off my old Nostromo n52 game pad intending to revolutionize the way I played Guild Wars...but I failed miserably. So, I'm back to keyboard and mouse buttons.

That's a good idea, people don't even get to learn the LFG function in the game. It's just added and it's just there. You don't get to learn it when you start a character or something, sooo. I really hope Guild Wars 2 addresses this issue because I don't want that game to be ruined.

xarchitect

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2006

E/

30 Apr 2007 at 19:08 - 32

While a globalization of the Search function would create a lot of clutter (if it was used), there could be a tremendously easy way to sort it. Here is what I am thinking:

1. For selling: right click on an item in your inventory. A message pops up asking if you want to post it for sale, if yes is entered, you type in the price you are seeking. That item is then posted only in the sell portion of the search function. They could even sort it further into categories like runes, weps, mods... I would say there would be a 3 item max per account on the board.

2. For buying: Since you won't actually have the item, you will have to manually type it in. Character length should be increased to allow you to actuall write in the item you want and the price.

3. Party: If you are in a mission town, you click on the search button and in the party search area there is another couple options are you LFG Mission or adjacent explorable areas? After selecting one of those, you get another pair of choices: HM or NM. If they want to be really clever about it, they will give you an option to specify the remaining party members (by primary class only). It would automatically accept anyone of that class into your party.

4. Specific Quest: Open your active quest window and right click on the quest you want to do. A message pops up asking if you want to post it in the search. Same party options as above.

Now, the next thing as mentioned above is that it needs to remain active until you manually delete it or log out. That way you can roam about killing mobs while you wait for the group fill up. When the group is full, you get a 60 second timer countdown to get mapped to the starting town (or you could go there manually before that).

Evilsod

Banned

Join Date: Mar 2006

England

Lievs Death Squad [LDS]

30 Apr 2007 at 19:18 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alleji

Nobody is using the party search thing in WoW, either... and it's much better than in GW. I guess there's something about spamming LFG endlessly :/

Because spamming it in Local chat, you're almost certain to have at least someone in the district reading it. Likely nobody else is even using Search.

VanDamselx

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Buffalo, NY

[TTBH]

30 Apr 2007 at 19:23 - 34

I only use the Search function while I'm selling a single weapon or something of the sort or when I'm looking for groups in ToA. It is a shame no one uses it, it has good intentions. It's just flawed like everyone has stated above.

GenobeeX

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2006

W/Mo

30 Apr 2007 at 19:25 - 35

They should increase the char limit is the first problem, they could also limit the amount of spamming in channels to influence use of the search function. Because surly everyone can agree that begging and trade spamming can be very annoying and search is such a great tool if they added more functions. I see several trade and search things they could add to make it more popular.

1. Have a mini window that shows the people/professions in the group apon clicking.
2. in Lotro they have the ability to drag your items into the chat as a clickable object just like build coding, it would be handy to be able to reduce extra spam by having a link that shows you the item stats itself.
3. Realm search options would be cool, but what about searching within both english and international districts for partys. In this case having a window that shows what impost or area the team is in would be good to have.

greenchylde

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

CT

Heroes Etc

E/Mo

30 Apr 2007 at 21:01 - 36

i agree all around. when i am looking for a group or to buy/sell somethingi always look at search and *sigh* find it empty. then when i go to sell find that i cant figure out what squish down what i am selling so folks can figure out what it is so dont use it and never get an invite if i post i am looking for a group. i think it is an awsome feature if it was a bit more usable and got used.

cyberjanet

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2007

The Netherlands

Rich Mahogany

N/

30 Apr 2007 at 21:05 - 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender

old habits die hard

You said it, honey.

I'm old and I can use the search function.
Tip: if you use it, play with people who do. You'll find that rare animal, a like-minded player.

Liberations

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2006

Azeroth (shhh)

Ryders of the Sword [FrNd]

E/

30 Apr 2007 at 21:34 - 38

I agree it's underused. The only place I ever see Party Search used is in port towns (ie Lion's Arch) and sometimes HA in the international districts. And its a shame because I think it's a genius feature!

There's only 3 things that party search needs! It's so simple it's funny.

1. Make it able to be a watermark in the screen, like the Observer mode team display. Also, make the text and text boxes in it slightly smaller for more space. So simple. If it's there in front of you and it doesnt take up half the screen in its annoying dark box, I guarantee people would use it since its staring you in the face, but for those who don't like the little thing, they can always switch back to normal. I hope ArenaNet doesn't try any crazy ideas on this one.

2. Like others before me, make the character limit higher.

3. Allow the ability to post item stats in the trade text box, with a link like the new skill ping (which is much better than the old one) and the WoW item ping.

So, so simple...

creelie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2007

Alberta

Charter Vanguard [CV]

Mo/

30 Apr 2007 at 21:34 - 39

The character limit is way too low - you can't communicate anything detailed.

Jetdoc

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Jul 2005

The Eyes of Texas [BEVO]

D/A

30 Apr 2007 at 21:37 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChyldeOfTheLotus

The Party Search is like Communism. Both look good on paper, but in real life, niether of them work.

I have the same experience with college interns.