This is going to be a difficult issue to bring up, and discuss fairly (much bias on the subject exists). With the introduction of "Legendary Defender of Ascalon", and the reintroduction of death leveling as a means to obtain it has made playing in pre-searing a legitimate part of this game. Some people want to grab the title, and then move on (some prefer to have permanent pre-searing characters). Fair enough.
Now let me say that I have a few items not normally available in pre-searing (mostly salvaged runes), so I am speaking from a position of the "haves", instead of the "have-nots". The vocal minority against having fair access for other players are those that are profiting from exploitative actions (using the travel to guild hall, and accessing storage from pre-searing). I started playing guild wars after the exploit was found and fixed. My aquisition of these items was done through in game commerce with these people and I have a strong understanding of the situation.
The underlying soloution is to add expert salvage kits to the merchant's inventory for sale in pre-searing.
Here is my interaction with Customer Support of the issue. Read from the bottom up, to keep the flow of responses linear. Names removed:
Updated Response
Quote:
Originally Posted by New response from Customer Support, transfer of Ticket to the CR Manager
Response (***********) 06/21/2007 09:16 AM
Hello,
Thank you for contacting the Guild Wars Support Team. In order to better assist you with this issue, we will transfer this question to our Community Relations Manager. She will be able to answer your question or provide you additional information. Please allow a few extra days for her reply. Please contact us again if you need any further assistance.
Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team
Customer (**********) 06/20/2007 04:03 PM
This has generated alot of interest on the forums.
There are currently thousands of views on each thread (after little more than a day). I am requesting one extra measure, that would go a long way in helping to find some resolution to the situation.
Will you please submit this Support Ticket to the Guild Wars Community relations department?
Due to the interest, from following support's instruction to take this to the public forms, it's clear that some sort of offical response is needed to let us know that it's been heard by those that can address the matter more directly.
I'm requesting that this is submitted to Gaile Grey or Andrew Patrick, so they are aware that some input is needed from them.
I know this is an unusual request through these channels, but I believe this is an unusual concern.
Again, thanks so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule. Please know that I appreciate your efforts in addressing these concerns as a support staff member.
-***********
Customer (**********) 06/19/2007 08:42 PM
Please keep this support ticket open.
I have taken the suggestion to post on the community guild wars fan sites. I have posted the concerns on two of the larger sites:
GuildWars Guru:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10169760
GuildWars INC GAMERS:
http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum...d.php?t=455200
Please forward this to the relevent developers and community reps. The discussions show both concern and support for these issues.
Thank you so much for your time.
-***********
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Customer Support Ticket
Quote:
Originally Posted by Currently the last response from Support
Response (********) 06/19/2007 11:33 AM
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Guild Wars Support about this.
We have forwarded your suggestions to the developtment team but we encourage you to consider posting your suggestions on one of the many Guild Wars Fansite message boards. A compiled list can be found on the official Guild Wars web site at http://www.guildwars.com/community/fansites/. By posting on one of these message boards, other players can comment on your ideas, concerns, and suggestions, and Development Team members are able to catch up on what the community wants to see in Guild Wars. Fansite forums make it easy and efficient for us to learn from those playing the game.
Thank you for your efforts in assisting us to make Guild Wars the best gaming experience possible.
Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team
Quote:
Originally Posted by My last request to address the issue
Customer (*******) 06/18/2007 07:47 PM
Thank you for taking the time to personally respond to ticket. I know it saves time to use the standard reply. I also understand that your work load at Customer Service must make replying to each ticket difficult, and time consuming.
Is there anything you can tell me about the suggestion to add expert salvage kits to the pre-searing merchant (a measure that will correct the problem)? Will this suggestion be forwarded to the correct people? This is the chief support question I'm interested in addressing.
The website was just reference to demonstrate the out of balance condition that I'm reporting (not the website itself, I'm sure they are doing nothing wrong). I just may have not been clear enough on the prime purpose of this support issue.
Thanks again, I appreciate the time you've spent addressing my concerns.
-*********
Quote:
Originally Posted by Third response, half read my request and missed the point (again)
Response (GM ********) 06/18/2007 04:46 PM
Hello,
Thanks for getting in touch with the Guild Wars Support Team regarding the website you mentioned.
We will use the information you have provided to investigate whether a violation of the rules has occurred. All information related to the outcome of that investigation will be discussed only between the responsible website personnel and Customer Support. If it is found that the website has operated in an inappropriate manner, our privacy policies nearly always prevent us from divulging decisions or actions that we have taken. Therefore, you most likely will not hear back from us. But please be aware that we take all such reports very seriously, and pledge that we will do our utmost to research and resolve any issues.
We appreciate your support of Guild Wars and your interest in keeping the game world and the websites associated with the game pleasant for all players.
Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team
Quote:
Originally Posted by My response, and request to address the questions
Customer (***********) 06/18/2007 03:34 PM
Do not set this to "closed".
There has been no response other than what amounts to the standard "auto" response given when a person is reported for misconduct, or general infraction (this is NOT the case). I require an actual response to my report.
I would like to escalate the problem to the next tier of support.
I will be discussing the response on the GuildWars Guru. Please address the issue directly. Please respond with something other than the standard pre-made response.
Thanks.
-*********
Quote:
Originally Posted by Second Auto response, didn't even read the ticket, and closed the support ticket
Response (GM ******) 06/18/2007 12:42 PM
Hello,
Thank you again for reporting this incident to the Guild Wars Support Team.
We have reviewed the game logs of this incident and taken the appropriate action based on the information from the logs. As previously indicated, due to our Privacy Policy ( http://www.guildwars.com/support/leg...acy-policy.php) we will not be able to provide any additional information regarding this report. That is to say, we cannot reveal what action, if any, was taken, nor if the actual violation was confirmed. Also, we are unable to reimburse you for any items or gold that may have been lost as the result of a transaction with another player. However, please be assured that the Guild Wars team takes User Agreement and Rules of Conduct violations very seriously. We are dedicated to maintaining an enjoyable playing environment. Because the incident that you report has been handled by the Guild Wars team, we are now setting this incident to a "Closed" status.
Thanks again for submitting your report.
Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team
Quote:
Originally Posted by first auto response
Response (GM ******) 06/17/2007 11:32 PM
Hello,
Thanks for contacting the Guild Wars Support Team. In order to better assist you with this issue, we will transfer your ticket to our Game Support Department. A member of that department will be in contact with you shortly. If you have any further questions, please let us know and we will gladly assist you.
Regards,
The Guild Wars Support Team
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1st support request
Hello,
I have, perhaps a more unusual condition to report. I also have some questions.
You may be aware of, there is a thriving underground economy in the Pre-searing area of Prophecies, Guild Wars. This "Black Market" is made up of individuals that took advantage of an exploit some time ago that allowed travel to guild halls from Pre-searing.
This gave these people access to max weapons, expert salvage kits, and items that were just not availble to the average player.
With the Legendary Protector of Ascalon title introduced into the game, there is quite a number of people left out from this advantage (who are now interested in playing in pre-searing). Those that wish to aquire these "post-searing" items must pay incredible prices. Here is a link to a website that specializes in the elitist market:
http://presearing.com/
(You will have to register to see the pre-searing auction section)
There you will find people extorting insane amounts of in game gold for items that should be available to the average player. Some of the examples are, 75K per use from an expert salvage kit, 10s of thousands for salavage runes, insignias, mods, etc. There is even a superior salvage kit selling for over 2 million!
Now I know it is not reasonable to try and correct the situation, by removing these items from the game. What I would like to see is a very simple solution. If an expert salvage kit were to be introduced to the pre-searing merchants, it would level the playing field.
The "average" player could make use of the minor runes, insignias, weapon mods, etc. that they find in the North Lands (where the charr are).
I have an example, with screenshots of one of these people (*******) trying to offer me max gold items from post-sear. He wanted a mini Kunnvang dragon from my CE Factions, that I have in pre-searing. Please see the attached files.
In closing, I would like to discuss the responses from Support on this issue in the public Guild Wars fan forums, specifically Guildwars Guru.
Thank you so much for your time.
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Phew that's a lot of info to go through, please read through it before commenting.
With some persistence, I've managed (at least I hope I did) to get through the auto-responses they issue to support requests. However, it all boils down to them deferring the question to the fan forums (Guild Wars Guru, etc.).
Basically, I'm requesting some feedback from the community, as this subject is ultimately being placed in your lap, and I'd like to point back to the support ticket with a link to this discussion.
My stance, is that expert salvage kits should be added to the pre-searing merchants. It will fix the exploited black market condition, and provide the average player (who paid the same amount of money as the next player) equal access to game content.
^
Above point in bold for those that don't wish to read the full content.