Sit-down strike, today at 18:00 UTC - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Bazompora

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

Belgium

N/Me

08 Jul 2007 at 13:01 - 1

Quoted from GWOnline:

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytestalker

German fan site - source - http://gw.gamona.de/news/

Its loading slowly for me...

I found this orginally linked on TGH
here;
http://www.guild-hall.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45721

Apparently they are striking over the expense of the bonus pack, along with the shift in business model (what could/should be a free update now has a cost associated with it)

I personally do not know how I feel about this but wanted to pass along the info...

Sunday 07/08/07

Quote:

Originally Posted by poster on TGH
most of the german people will sit in the great temple of balthasar(international district) at 8 o' clock in the evening (GMT+2) but the location itself doesn't matter. just overcrowd certain cities and sit down.

German Site -

Quote:

Hallo Guild Wars Community,

um unseren Unmut über diese Aktion zu zeigen wollen die 3 großen deutschen Guild Wars Fansites Wartower.de, GuildWars.info und GW-Tactics.de zu einem Sitzstreik gegen die Shopaktion (26€ für 4 Missionen) von ArenaNet aufrufen.
• WANN: Sonntag den 08.07.2007 ab 20 Uhr
• WO: Außenposten "Großer Tempel des Balthasar" (im internationalen Distrikt)
• DIE IDEE: die Community begibt sich in einen Außenposten und setzt sich dort hin. Je mehr Spieler anwesend sind desto besser (gemütliches Beisammensein).
Wenn im Optimalfall ein paar tausend Spieler einen Außenposten überfluten, sollte das bei ArenaNet auf jeden Fall ankommen. Die englische Community wird auch über diesen Streik informiert und wird hoffentlich ebenfalls daran teilnehmen.

Gruss
GW-Tactics.de, Guild-Wars.info & Wartower.de

A good translation was done by Quintus Antonius

Quote:

To show our displeasure with this course of action, the large German Guild Wars fansites, Wartower.de, Guildwars.info, and GWTactics.de wants to arrange a sit-in strike against the business practices (shop action) of ANet.

WHEN: Sunday, July 8th, 2007 starting at 20:00.
Where: The Great Temple of Balthazar, Internation District
IDEA: The community comes to the outpost and stations themselves there. The more plays present, the better. The best case scenario is that a few thousand players flood the outpost, and ANet should come. The English speaking communities should also be informed of the strike, and hopefully will participate.

Personally, I think this is better than to ignore the whole issue, and this does have the conveniance of keeping it "internal"

Big_Iron

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

The Edge

Tormented Weapons [emo]

08 Jul 2007 at 13:55 - 2

So, they're mad Anet is trying to make money? Shame on Anet! Shame!

Neo Nugget

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:00 - 3

lol oooooook! A strike? Yeah thats clever! a /sit spike!

lol im gonna laugh if we see the price go down to 20 dollars:P......which we won't, it would just be kinda funny

im fine with it as it is

Willow O Whisper

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2007

Denmark

Knights Of The Sacred Light [KSL]

Me/A

08 Jul 2007 at 14:00 - 4

A-net alredy heard our complaint's so this makes no sense. I'm sorry about they do not sell the 4 missions as a stand alone package. But hey! u can't blame A-net for keeping the game free.

Abedeus

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jan 2007

Niflheim

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:00 - 5

Cheap add-ons? Yes. Nice events? Yep. No fee for game? Yeah, why not.
...Trying to get cash for this? KILL THEM!! Geez, why dont you say "I know, let's destroy A.Net because they tell us to PAY for their game!''? I kinda dont understand those people.

WinterSnowblind

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2007

08 Jul 2007 at 14:06 - 6

Bad idea, isn't going to work.

I don't even see what the big fuss is. It's nothing more than a freebie for purchasing something from the official store. I personally would like to get the bonus pack, but I'd prefer a boxed copy of the game. I'm sure by now the developers already know how most of us feel about that, and either they'll do something about it, or they won't. This "strike" isn't going to achieve anything. People are completely overeacting about the whole thing.

Infact, I'm purposefully coming on tonight to play the game just to spite all those ungrateful "fans".

Dione Davore

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2006

R/E

08 Jul 2007 at 14:10 - 7

Only thing I need is a different method to pay for GW:EN and there isn't a problem at all. I'm sure they will come up with something. I don't see that as a reason to strike. I'll strike on the AFK-rings

warren_kn

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

London, England

08 Jul 2007 at 14:14 - 8

Lol, a strike. What will ANet think, "Oh no a couple of dozen people are gonna type /sit all at once, now we HAVE to listen!" Complaints have been put on forums where Gaile and others can see and respond. THATS the way to deal with any issue you have.

garethporlest18

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

[HiDe]

W/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:25 - 9

Baz you should included more so 99% of the people that posted thus far in this thread don't remain ignorant.

First off, that was posted before they knew about the changes Gaile is trying to make go through with the payment options.

It was mostly about the payment options, they do not care that Anet is trying to make money and they do not care that they have to pay for it.

In fact before posting on here, I want all of you to go read that thread so you don't sound like a fool.

I'm not sure if we can post links to GWO here but, here's the thread http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum...456831&page=24

JeniM

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2007

W/E

08 Jul 2007 at 14:25 - 10

This is made even more crazy by the "Location doesn't matter" as there will be 1-2 people sat in each outpost lol

If you wanted to even be noiced try setting a location as 1 person per district will be walked past

Sk8tborderx

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

PA

Us Are Not [leet]

W/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:26 - 11

There are many people who want the box version and this bonus content, which means they have to pay 2 times as much to get it, when they could just offer the bonus missions by itself in the online store. (Which means they would have to pay for them BTW)

There are also a lot of people who simply cannot use the online store because of the limitations.

So yes, people did realize all of those things you mentioned, it is you that failed to realize what all of this is really about.

Pkest

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2006

Hooded Reavers of Eternal Life(Ankh)

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:26 - 12

Striker: Man we're really going to show Anet that we can't be pushed around with this show of solidarity.

Anet employee: Hey look at all the districts in Balthazar! Looks like our efforts to attract more people to pvp are finally working.

just lol.

JeniM

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2007

W/E

08 Jul 2007 at 14:38 - 13

So people want the boxed version and thats what they protesting for, Must just be cos i'd rather have more to play than more to read
I prefer to play GW not spend hours reading the lore

There is already a poll to make the Shop more accessable (poll began after this plan i know) and maybe Anet will see this and send someone to see how your flooding and spamming is going and then they will give in to you but i don't see how it hurts Anet to ignore int-1 for 10mins till you all get bored and go back to playing

Raiin Maker

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2005

England

Blood On The Worlds Hands

W/

08 Jul 2007 at 14:46 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8tborderx

There are many people who want the box version and this bonus content, which means they have to pay 2 times as much to get it, when they could just offer the bonus missions by itself in the online store. (Which means they would have to pay for them BTW)

There are also a lot of people who simply cannot use the online store because of the limitations.

So yes, people did realize all of those things you mentioned, it is you that failed to realize what all of this is really about.

I agree, however if the GW:EN Box will only contain the disk and a crude manual then i will purchase from the store.

However if theres a CE, or more than just a manual then i will purchase from a real store, and would very much like to buy the bonus pack its self from the store, without having to buy anything else.

Guess we'll see.

Rehnahvah Gahro

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Underground

Rt/R

08 Jul 2007 at 14:54 - 15

This strike has often led to misunderstandings: It is NOT that Anet wants money for the Mission-Pack! That is NOT the reason for this!

It is the way you have to get it: Per Credit-Card. Credit-Cards are not as common in Germany/Europe as in America, because of a number of reasons, for example there are way safer methods for us to pay without cash. Most of the gamers here don't even have a credit card.
[For example it is legal to play GW at the age of 12, but you will not get a credit card at the age of 12, under no circumstances, and parents are often very sceptic about online-purchases, so no chance for 13year-old timmey to get Bonus (I know it's a bit of a stupid example, but at the current time CC is the only way to purchase in the GW-Store]

Second reason: If you would purchase GW:EN to get this Pack (which most of us would probably do, a 10th, 11th, 12th Char-Slot anyone? -_-), you get the game BUT you DON'T get: Printed Manual, the Box, Poster, in short: Everything that would have been in a Box if you bought it in a local store. And then it is going to be even MORE expensive in the Online-Store than in a local store (at least here in europe).

So these reasons plus the fact that most germans can't even play the game for 2 weeks now (massive lag-issues, we KNOW that it is NOT Anets fault and that the error lies within the Server-Station at Fankfurt, but most people are angry anyway) has led to a massive inconvenience among players.

The first thing we would like to see is an alternative Payment Method, like an automatic debit transfer system or payment through SMS via cell phone. Edit: Paypal cannot be an option, it is an option for Ebay, but in my experience it is not very common here to pay with this system. But I appreciate the fact that an alternative payment method is considered in the first place XD

Thx in advance for your patience xD

DarkNecrid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

08 Jul 2007 at 14:59 - 16

Anet is implementing SMS into the shop though.

So....

????

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

08 Jul 2007 at 15:18 - 17

I actually received emails from the 3 major german fansites regarding this so here's the information below:

Quote:

Hi,

I´am Kronos1980 from the german elite fansite Guild-Wars.info. The big german Fansites Wartower, GWtactics and Guild-Wars.info, want to do an sit-in against the Bonus Mission Pack Promotion.

The Idea ist: The Community come together in the international district from the great teble of balthasar.

We start this sit-in on sunday 8th July at 20:00 MESZ (18:00 GMT, 11:00 am Pacific)

We hope you will join us by this event an help us with a little news post.

Best regards

Kronos

http://gw.onlinewelten.com/news,id23...paktion.ht ml
http://gw.gamona.de/news/
http://www.gw-tactics.de/

Quote:

Hi,

in Germany we have some different problems with this shop.

Only a small part of the german Players have creditcards. We have other payment systems and so only a small part of the germans peoble use credcards.
The most player like to buy a box, because for the most fans a box is a part of fanartikels. They collect them an like to watch them. Many many fans buy collector editions only for this reason. Now ArenaNet say: The only way to get tihs Bonus is to order GWEN in the shop.
I take me for an example: I have 3 CE, 2 Accounts, 12 slots. I spent more than 300 Euro for Guild Wars artikels. I have nothing to order in tis shop. So I want to buy this Missions, but it´s not possible for me and this is also a reason, why many german players dont´t like this system.

To make it clear: We like the idea to give new Content to the player over the shop. I think its a realy good idea. The problem is, that they take the wrong way for this bonus.
They should give new Content to all players and not only to a small part of the Community.

Best regards

Kronos

And yes, any reference to 'lame' or 'idiotic' is an insult and your post will be deleted. Contribute, keep it on-topic. Just because someone feels differently then you about an issue doesn't make it idiotic because you might not understand all the issues they feel with this.

BuD

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Mar 2006

Nunya

E/Mo

08 Jul 2007 at 15:22 - 18

This community is so ungrateful its just sickening. Complain about EVERY decision Anet makes. They should charge a monthly fee just to put up with the constant complaining.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

08 Jul 2007 at 15:24 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycan X

This community is so ungrateful its just sickening. Complain about EVERY decision Anet makes. They should charge a monthly fee just to put up with the constant complaining.

Agreed... the only reason I'm still covering the GW community witht he new radio station is because I'm working with NCSoft and ANet on it... otherwise i wouldn't bother

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

I actually received emails from the 3 major german fansites regarding this so here's the information below:

And yes, any reference to 'lame' or 'idiotic' is an insult and your post will be deleted. Contribute, keep it on-topic. Just because someone feels differently then you about an issue doesn't make it idiotic because you might not understand all the issues they feel with this.

Apologies for the post Inde, but this really is ridiculous as i know that credit cards are indeed available in Germany and a large number of the population do use them (according to the Visa figures i have in my hands right now, ok yes, they are from Visa themselves, but still)

The payment methods for the ingame store ARE available in all countries of Europe according to both Visa and Mastercard... and anyone checking the CC companies websites can find that information for themselves...

XvArchonvX

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 15:30 - 20

What better way to protest playing GW...than...by...playing GW?

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

08 Jul 2007 at 15:30 - 21

All right here's some of the info I've gathered from other players. Just because you have a Visa or a Mastercard doesn't mean you CAN purchase from the online store. Some countries with high incident of fraud have been blacklisted so just having a Visa isn't a guarantee.

I've also been told that the German CR has been promising since June of '06 for an alternate payment in the online store and nothing has been forthcoming. There could be other issues here people, don't jump to conclusions. I'm sure someone will clarify who is involved with those sites, issues, or knows the entire matter soon.

Zinger314

Debbie Downer

Join Date: May 2006

N/Me

08 Jul 2007 at 15:36 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by XvArchonvX

What better way to protest playing GW...than...by...playing GW?

In World of Warcraft (gasp!), such strikes have worked since the strike usually caused an entire server to collapse due to the amount of players in one area.

In GW, due to the district system and cap on players in districts, it won't work.

Clord

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Finland

Victory Via Valour

08 Jul 2007 at 16:04 - 23

They can inform English fansites better when they plan to do things like this.

Bryant Again

Hall Hero

Join Date: Feb 2006

08 Jul 2007 at 16:14 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zinger314

In World of Warcraft (gasp!), such strikes have worked since the strike usually caused an entire server to collapse due to the amount of players in one area.

Whoa, when was this? The only strike I've heard about was in EQ with Tigole.

Now to be on topic, I think it's pretty cool that people are organizing this. I do hope that it does have an effect. I'll see how I can go to it, but I suck at translating timezones.

Gli: Why thank you!

Gli

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

08 Jul 2007 at 16:18 - 25

It'll be 1:46 hours after you posted that, Bryant.

Seissor

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Squiggilyville. Population: Me.

[oRly] Hello Kitty Death Squad

R/Me

08 Jul 2007 at 16:54 - 26

I find it kind of funny, I find it kind of sad, the dreams in which im striking, are the best I've ever had.

Ok they are protesting a valid point though. Some people really really want the bonus but simply have ZERO way of achieving it short of migrating to another country.

But those who whinge about money grabbing are blah! I would have paid $480 AUD to play WoW for this time. Instead I paid $290 AUD to play GW for the same length of time.

Tea Girl

Banned

Join Date: Jan 2007

Mo/Me

08 Jul 2007 at 17:03 - 27

lol... very cute but no.

gooutsidemorepls.

Series

Banned

Join Date: Aug 2006

08 Jul 2007 at 17:09 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pkest

Striker: Man we're really going to show Anet that we can't be pushed around with this show of solidarity.

Anet employee: Hey look at all the districts in Balthazar! Looks like our efforts to attract more people to pvp are finally working.

just lol.

I laughed out loud at that.

Sli Ander

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2006

Deep in Maguuma, by the Falls

Liberators of Agony

Mo/R

08 Jul 2007 at 17:15 - 29

While my vocabulary extends beyond "lame" and "idiotic", I will resist the urge to poke fun.
Seriously, however, I can understand their frustration at the inability to purchase through the online store and thus get the bonus packs. But a sit-in/strike simply isn't the way to go about it. Send emails to Anet, post on forums, and work through normal channels.
I can only presume that they have tried these, but is there any news of that? Gaile and the gang are obviously looking into alternative methods of payment, but perhaps the news of this was simply delayed longer than the players felt they could wait on the issue.

But that's just my two cents

edit: That'll teach me to skim Inde's posts. So they have tried other methods, and for quite some time. I guess because of the bonus missions its become more "urgent". I still think that there are better ways to go about this, but if they do pull it off it will at least give Anet a ballpark number of the people that want the problem solved.

Neo Nugget

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 17:24 - 30

Well id like to see how many people actually show up at his and what happened if someone is bored and would like to tell us what happened.... im curious to find out.

Exoudeous

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Honor Warriors

E/

08 Jul 2007 at 17:31 - 31

The best part is that after all this complaining and whineing, all these people will be doing the same after getting the missions when the realize how uselesss they turn out to be, and complain they had to pay money for it, when they themselfs offerd to pay for something that was free.

ume kurosaki

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

R/

08 Jul 2007 at 17:37 - 32

There are better ways to tell a-net than just sitting down and increasing districts.

Kashrlyyk

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2005

08 Jul 2007 at 18:07 - 33

We used everything. There is even a letter about paying in Germany. http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum....php?p=4975666

Navaros

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2005

Mo/Me

08 Jul 2007 at 18:09 - 34

I agree that customers should do something about the no good "Forced to use the GW online store if you want to buy the bonus missions" thing.

However, a bunch of players using the sit emote in the game isn't going to accomplish anything.

Better to use the unity in other ways that might actually change this policy.

Raziel665

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Defenders of the Blackblade [DotB]

N/Mo

08 Jul 2007 at 18:24 - 35

Currently, there are 48 Districts filled with sitting Germans and other supporters.

More than I expected really. I joined them.

Divinus Stella

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Wales

Steel Phoenix

08 Jul 2007 at 18:30 - 36

I dont understand why so many people criticize the strike, its a good way of showing displeasure.

Currently 49 districts, pretty good considering its an event weekend also.
Anet will likely ignore it like everything else the community says.

Sir Green Aluminum

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

08 Jul 2007 at 18:30 - 37

The sit in brought attention to it. I Think a run around town would be better, nothing bothers a server more than people running around. And I agree why pay for these missions? I bought the expansions/campaigns and the game which is about the same as paying a monthly fee for a game with instances, no in game GM support and increase in content except for sorrow's furnace. I thought they were working on Eye of the North and GW2. I already bought everything you could for this game including that $5 /bonus thing you could get free weapons with and now they want me to buy more? I thought they said no cash shop but it looks like they're leaning towards more cash! Funk junk.

Chop it Off

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

Saviors of [EviL]

A/

08 Jul 2007 at 18:33 - 38

there is currently 49 districts in id balth.

GloryFox

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

Good ol' USA, where everyone else wants to be

Now Plays World of Warcraft on Whisperwind

08 Jul 2007 at 18:34 - 39

Quote:

Chop it Off
there is currently 49 districts in id balth.

I joined as well. This offer will screw the retailer and I'm against that.

ObiWan07

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

08 Jul 2007 at 18:40 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonesamurai

Apologies for the post Inde, but this really is ridiculous as i know that credit cards are indeed available in Germany and a large number of the population do use them (according to the Visa figures i have in my hands right now, ok yes, they are from Visa themselves, but still)

Many visa cards here are corporate visa, limited to special things like gasing up.
Despite the gas stations only very few shops accept visa or master cards here.
More common is the ec/maestro card.

Thats one of the main problems, why getting a card, and buying a yearly fee, if you're only able to use it at a limited amount of shops, where the existing check-cards are accepted almost everywhere.