Pre Searing: Please stop it being possible to drag someone (unwillingly) out of pre! - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

dread pirate fargus

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

in bed

X Peace And Love X [PaL]

W/

08 Aug 2007 at 18:54 - 1

i decided (with a nudge from nursing assistant) that its about time something is done about the whole post-dragging thing. its just dispicable. so i emailed support about it.

the problem is all to do with a few people who give a party invite, pretending to either be a friend of the target, or a new player seeking aid, and then accepting the quest from sir tydus and 'dragging' the target out of pre, through the academy, and into post searing, therefore ruining hours of hard work.

Many people are currently going for the Legendary Defender of Ascalon title, or simply consider themselves to be 'Perma-pre characters' that means PERMANANTLY in pre of course. they dont want to leave pre for any reason yet are being forced by unscrupulous people with nothing better to do.

i explained this to support and here is the response...

start at the bottom section and read up, the newest stuff is at the top.

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Subject
Maliciously 'dragging' characters through the academy (unwillingly)

Discussion Thread
Response (GM Stefania) 08/08/2007 10:50 AM
Hello,

Thank you for contacting Guild Wars Support about this.

We encourage you to consider posting your suggestions/feedback on one of many of the 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.

Please feel free to contact the support team again if you encounter any other problems.

Regards,
GM Stefania

Guild Wars Customer Support
NCsoft Europe
http://www.guildwars.com

Customer (J. Hattersley) 08/07/2007 07:06 PM
Hi, this question regards specifically to the 'pre-searing' tutorial area of the prophecies campaign.

It has recently come to my attention that at least 1 (possibly more) user has started 'dragging' characters through the academy and out of presearing forever. The main target of this are level 14+ 'perma-pre characters', in an attempt to ruin the progress and endless hours of hard work that goes into working towards the Legendary Defender of Ascalon title track.

The main methods of doing so seem to be either:
a) pretending to be a new player who needs an ally for the 'adventure with an ally' quest.
b) spoofing the character name of a well known member of the community, and pretending to be a friend of the target.

there have been multiple topics started about this on the www.presearing.com community fansite forum; please see the following topics for proof of what is happening, screenshots showing the offending parties, and more information on the subject.
http://presearing.com/index.php?opti...5&topic=4366.0
http://presearing.com/index.php?opti...5&topic=4294.0

i am requesting the following actions be taken;

1) the offending parties be subjected to whatever actions you deem neccesary, following the clear abusive behaviour... the main offending party being 'Tech T V' (allthough he seems to change his character names all the time, he has had many other spoof names but this seems the only static one)

2) something is done to prevent party members being unwillingly dragged to post-searing, such as making it neccesary for BOTH party members to agree before it can happen.

however, i appreciate that it is against your policy to accept game suggestions? so i was wondering if it would be useful to post a petition on several community fansites (such as www.presearing.com and www.guildwarsguru.com) and if you would consider making changes upon seeing the reaction from the community on this matter.

i must also stress, that this is not an issue that can be fixed simply by banning the account of the main offender here. this has been a long standing issue with presearing which has, until recently, been primarily caused by new players who did it by accident. (allthough there have certainly been many malicious attempts made to remove members of the community from presearing in this manner)

any feedback on this issue would be welcomed. thankyou very much for taking time to read this.
regards,
James

Question Reference #070807-002127
Product Level 1: Guild Wars Europe
Category Level 1: Rules and Policies
Date Created: 08/07/2007 07:06 PM
Last Updated: 08/08/2007 10:50 AM
Status: Critical
Department: Violation Report
PlayNC Account:
Game Account:
Operating System:
Character Name:

so as you can see, the best thing to do from here is to get as many people as possible to give there view on wether or not it should be possible to do this.

PLEASE NOTE this is NOT a thread to discuss further improvements you would like to see added, but it is instead a thread for you to give your opinion on this topic, provide evidence and understanding about the problem and to give opinions about what you would like to see done about this.

i also posted this at www.presearing.com (official fansite also) which can be seen at http://presearing.com/index.php?opti...5&topic=4449.0

wether or not anything is done about this is down to you guys. make your opinion well known please.

Seppi

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2007

Behind you O.o

The League Of Extraordinary [NUBS]

Mo/

08 Aug 2007 at 18:59 - 2

That's pretty messed up...
The simple solution to the problem would be to make it so that you must be the only player in your party in order to accept Tydus's mission.

That guy should get banned though. :X

TheRaven

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

Virginia

Spirit of Elisha

W/

08 Aug 2007 at 19:28 - 3

Wow, I haven't heard of that problem before. That's just evil!!

Personally, I think the simplest solution is the best one.....

Set a mission start countdown timer like most other missions have. Set it at 30 or 60 seconds and make the countdown timer window VERY BIG AND NOTICEABLE! This way if the victim does not want to leave pre, he has time to disconnect.

1 up and 2 down

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2007

Rt/

08 Aug 2007 at 20:17 - 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRaven

Wow, I haven't heard of that problem before. That's just evil!!

Personally, I think the simplest solution is the best one.....

Set a mission start countdown timer like most other missions have. Set it at 30 or 60 seconds and make the countdown timer window VERY BIG AND NOTICEABLE! This way if the victim does not want to leave pre, he has time to disconnect.

That wouldn't be enough, what if someones screen loaded slow? So lets say that you get someone to open the gate for you then when you load into the explorable area it says you are connected but you still are on the loading screen? Then the puller could just map to ascalon start the timer and drag you to post before you have a chance to stop any of it.

So anyways /signed for some kind of box or something that makes sure both parties accept to go to post.

Kinn

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2007

Englandshire, England.

The International Association of Mending Wammos

R/

08 Aug 2007 at 20:55 - 5

I've seen a number of high level perma-pres with no secondary profession. Obviously too late for those already with secondaries, but I'm assuming that they do that as a safety net to prevent them from being dragged into post.

[DE]

Hugs and Kisses

Join Date: Oct 2005

Scars Meadows

08 Aug 2007 at 20:59 - 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 up and 2 down

So lets say that you get someone to open the gate for you then when you load into the explorable area it says you are connected but you still are on the loading screen? Then the puller could just map to ascalon start the timer and drag you to post before you have a chance to stop any of it.

That's impossible. When you're in an explorable area you can only map by yourself and can't take your party with you.

emoxcore

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

No Guild

N/

08 Aug 2007 at 21:44 - 7

/signed ^^

presearing.com rules!

1 up and 2 down

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2007

Rt/

08 Aug 2007 at 21:45 - 8

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Phantom

That's impossible. When you're in an explorable area you can only map by yourself and can't take your party with you.

I ment rezone(you know, walk back in the portal

)....

Firebaall

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2006

08 Aug 2007 at 22:01 - 9

It's a really dirty trick. I feel for those that have been duped by this malicious practice. All my perma-pres are protected by having only one profession.

It shouldn't be a requirement for peace of mind. These people that are preying on the perma pre-searing community are attacking some of the very best ambassadors of the game.

Now there's a ripple effect of fear in pre-searing. Those, who at one time thought nothing of lending a hand, are now too fearful to even accept a party invitation from some new player simply looking for a partner to get the resurrection signet.

The easy fix is the second button removed from Sir Tydus' dialogue when there's a party ready to leave pre-searing. Easy change for the programmers.

/signed

P.S.

I think this is a situation that shouldn't be waived off to the fan forums by support. This isn't a game mechanic or balance issue. It's a direct attack on guild wars players. As such, I don't think this belongs in Sardelac either. It shouldn't be a mere suggestion to stop the attacks.

KiyaKoreena

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2005

USA

Kirins of Holy Light

N/

08 Aug 2007 at 22:20 - 10

Edit: Got my question answered. It would be nice if when you closed GW before the vs battle ended that it would send you back to pre-Ascalon.

There is a counter, but it is dependant on how many others are crossing over. If there is no opposing people it goes very quick.

Neo Nugget

Site Contributor

Join Date: Jan 2006

R/

08 Aug 2007 at 22:25 - 11

Yea it really sucks. I read about on presearing.com about someone who was dragged out at lvl 19! It is horrible. Best idea is that you cant take someone with you to the academy.

/signed times a billion

i dont want to have to be a victim of this myself. Pretty please anet fix quickly:P

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

08 Aug 2007 at 22:26 - 12

THey do not add the time counter like in all the other missions?

They should add it, so you could log-off or something.

If there is a timer, it should be increased, or, since parties are only of two, change Sir Tydus dialogue to wait until the second character.

=HT=Ingram

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2005

Anchorage Alaska

Haz Team [HT]

R/W

08 Aug 2007 at 22:29 - 13

Two pretty basic solutions to keep this from happenieng.
1 : Don't accept a 2nd profession, then you can be force into the academy at all.

2: Don't party in Ascalon if you have 2nd profession commitment already.

Also its worth noting that if you see titus countdown. Disconnect and do not come back for 10 mins. You will still be in Ascalon. Of course if the new Rage quitter penalty system hits that could end up being bad for you later, but Its all in what you want to do.

vergerefosh

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2006

Englishmen Don't Drink [Tea]

W/R

08 Aug 2007 at 22:38 - 14

Since as far as I knew you ended up with random people in the academy anyway, dragging someone through seems very cruel and unfair to me.

/signed, especially as I'm thinking of making a perma-pre, admittedly probably won't reach high levels, but I don't want to be "abducted" into post

darkangel921

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Dragon Lance [TAS]

Mo/

08 Aug 2007 at 22:43 - 15

/signed

I had a close call with this degenerate as well.

Div

I like yumy food!

Join Date: Jan 2006

Where I can eat yumy food

Dead Alley [dR]

Mo/R

08 Aug 2007 at 22:45 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kinn

I've seen a number of high level perma-pres with no secondary profession. Obviously too late for those already with secondaries, but I'm assuming that they do that as a safety net to prevent them from being dragged into post.

They're just saving secondary profession quests for the exp reward when they get to level 19...

OhCrapLions

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ivalice

D/P

08 Aug 2007 at 22:57 - 17

Why not just make a confirmation window for both members of the party? Like trading but to exit pre-searing.

Titan Undone

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2007

The Black Swordsmen

W/R

08 Aug 2007 at 23:05 - 18

The quest should definatly need to be accepted by both parties. Easiest way to prevent this.

/Signed

genofreek

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

USA

Jenova's Apocolyptic Remains [JAR]

D/

08 Aug 2007 at 23:34 - 19

I had no idea people could do this. Why would you drag a permapre from their world? And c'mon, there's not even a countdown timer? That's dirty, man.

/signed for confirmation from both players/timer/warning of some sort.

dread pirate fargus

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

in bed

X Peace And Love X [PaL]

W/

08 Aug 2007 at 23:44 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by genofreek

And c'mon, there's not even a countdown timer? That's dirty, man.

there is, but the problem is that it is often only 1 or 2 seconds, not even giving you time to react. you cant rezone once the timer starts you have to log out, and even after logging out, it doesn allways recognise that you have logged out until its too late.

and thanks for all the support people!
me being a legendary defender myself i know exactly how it must feel to be dragged out of pre, i spent allmost 10 months levelling myself (not exactly rushing i admit) and if someone ruined it i would be devastated. not that they ever will ^_^

Thargor

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

08 Aug 2007 at 23:57 - 21

So we have a title that takes a ton of hours to get and the only way to get it is by death leveling enemies. Add to that the issue that we now have to worry about some asshat trying to be funny and warping us out of presearing and we now have a very bad situation. This is unacceptable and needs to be dealt with.
Anet needs to make it impossible to drag someone out of presearing. I think that a permanent ban would be in order for anyone found doing this. I am sure that after they drag you out they will have some retarded childish comment about it so make sure and screenshot it and report.

Until anet does something about it I suggest that those of us that are serious about getting this title start using Ashford Abby as the place to get a gate opener. It is a longer run to the gate but at least you don't risk the chance of getting all your hard work wasted by an idiot.

DonBrouhaha

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

09 Aug 2007 at 00:04 - 22

/signed

While going for the LDoA everytime I joined a party to go Across the Wall I'd sweat someone would hijack me to Post - so assume six weeks+ = not fun

Zet

"signed @ presearing.com also"

william1975

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Scotland

Dragons of Torment (DOA)

Me/

09 Aug 2007 at 00:18 - 23

very nasty stuff. should be some way to prevent being dragged out,
especially for the legindary defender attemptors, as that takes way too long to do, to have to start again.

Countdown timer as said can be way too quick simple solution would be just to ask both party members if they want to go

Horseman Of War

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jun 2006

The Cult of Doom

P/

09 Aug 2007 at 00:26 - 24

well this hasnt happened to me yet, but Im so lazy that ill even use the striders outside said abbey.

im glad this thread brought this to my attention before I got 'jacked.

Government Flu

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Paradoxa Zoloft Asylum [PXZ]

W/R

09 Aug 2007 at 00:43 - 25

I attempted, passingly, to get to level 20 in pre-searing Ascalon only to quit eight hours later because it was mind numbingly boring. Ever since I learned about this title, I've considered the people who get it to be absolute fanatics in every respect.

However, there is no excuse for this horrendous griefing. If someone wishes to spend 300+ hours getting a title or enjoying the tutorial area every now and again with an established character, they should be able to do so. This is indeed a nasty nasty problem, even if it's rare.

I don't know what the others suggestions have been from above posters, but I believe the quest to go into post-sear should only accept one person. So if you want to talk Sir Tydus to exit pre and there's two people together, a red text message should appear reading that the party is too large.

Simple as that.

Fighterdoken

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jul 2007

09 Aug 2007 at 00:53 - 26

/signed

I wouldn't like to see pre become a "no-group" land just because of jerks that like bothering people to inflate their ego...

nursing assistant

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Apr 2007

vsa

Mo/W

09 Aug 2007 at 01:36 - 27

The people who does the dragging can just delete their character and be back at it in minutes. While those who are going for level 20 losses countless hours of hard work.

It takes away the perma-pre characters which hurts the presearing community.

/signed here and at presearing.com

Echuu Ishtar

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

Sacred Forge Knights (SFK)

09 Aug 2007 at 01:50 - 28

Another thing that could be done is to still allow map travel during the academy mission. I'm not sure if there's a guild hall travel button in that area, but if there is, it would obviously have to be taken out. I don't see that hurting anything.

/signed just because doing that is an all-time low.

CyberMesh0

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jul 2005

Charter Vanguard [CV]

N/Me

09 Aug 2007 at 03:14 - 29

Ok, I refuse to acknowledge the existence of anyone cruel and ruthless enough to do something like this.

As far as a solution goes... make it be a confimation screen for all involved or something? Best solution I can think of.

Melei Hawke

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2007

SoF

R/Mo

09 Aug 2007 at 03:18 - 30

I had not heard of this or even considered it a possibility. I have a pre character that will stay there forever and I would be very unhappy if someone dragged me out against my will kicking and screaming (cuz I would be). Unfortunately I have already accepted a secondary profession so that solution will not work for me.

They already have one mission in nightfall that you must leave your party in order to enter the mission. It should be an easy change to set this mission as a solo mission as well.

/signed to prevent kidnapping of your pre character

Harmless

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Uber Elite Rit Force of Justice Headquarters

What's a Guild? [LoL]

Rt/

09 Aug 2007 at 03:57 - 31

/signed

I think I won't take a secondary till this is fixed.

Invertation

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2006

Shiverpeaks Search And Rescue [Lost]

W/

09 Aug 2007 at 06:14 - 32

A simple solution, as has been mentioned by some above, is just to make it possible so that only a single person can be waiting to do the mission. Change it so that whenever someone takes the quest and the timer begins, they de-party from you so that it renders it impossible for them to drag you along.
/signed

dread pirate fargus

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jun 2006

in bed

X Peace And Love X [PaL]

W/

09 Aug 2007 at 09:05 - 33

thanks for all the support everyone, if anet dont listen to you guys il be suprised.

Astral Wraithguard

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Mar 2007

Dark Dreaming Gods

N/R

09 Aug 2007 at 09:58 - 34

signed/ This needs nipping in the bud and stamping out

Dreikki

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jun 2006

Kemi, Finland.

Pirates of the Searing [YoHo]

Mo/

09 Aug 2007 at 10:44 - 35

/signed with all I've got.

I am nearly level 17 and I would bloody kill someone if someone dragged me out after 5 months of doing this.

Kurald Galain

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Oct 2005

Fishermans Haven

[DVDF]

Mo/

09 Aug 2007 at 11:46 - 36

/signed

I am not goin for the title atm but i do enjoy pre sometimes on my char parked there. I can only imagine how bad someone must feel if this happens to him(her. And since i am level 8 with no secondary yet and the long wait between GW:EN and GW2 i might consider goin for the title and i would hate to see my efforts beein ruined by someone who thinks its funny to do that.

Easiest solutions to this would be to make it (as stated by various posters before) so you can only leave Pre solo or to make it so everyone has to accept the mission if you are grouped.

DreamCatcher

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Sep 2005

Netherlands

DVDF

R/Mo

09 Aug 2007 at 14:10 - 37

Even though the initiater of this thread (Dread Pirate) himself in involved with a small group of people being responsible for sending post items back to pre (these items include Elite Tomes...people have flesh golems in pre now) and I myself was random partied by a lvl 1 W/Me standing next to sir tydus once, I'd rather have Anet use their resources to forever put an end to these glitches.

However, theres been one or a few people trying to deliberately send perma pre's to post. This person creates new characters with names that are very similar to the ones used by the more well known people of the pre community, gets mesmer secondary asap with the sole purpose of searing as many perma pre's as he possibly can. This person or persons seeks to do nothing but cause as much damage as he/she possibly can.
Even though this is easilly avoided (check who you party with before actually accepting folks!) I'd rather have not to worry who my level 17 perma pre parties with in Ascalon City so I say:
/Signed

Anet, fix these glitches in pre plz..all of them

tasha

Auctions Mod

Join Date: Jan 2006

UK

Mystic Spiral [MYST]

09 Aug 2007 at 15:28 - 38

/Signed

While I don't have to party with anyone I don't want to in pre because I can dual client and have 2 accounts, I do regularly help people across the wall with my second account while my first is death levelling. The idea that people will no longer accept my help because a few decided that ruining hours of work is funny is a horrible idea (while my first account has only one profession, my second was meant to be a presearing mule/farming character and has taken a secondary).

ShadowbaneX

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

Heroes of the Horn

A/Me

09 Aug 2007 at 16:29 - 39

While reading this I had a few ideas. It mainly deals with the topic at hand, but it also expands into other, related-topics (namely getting LDoA).

The first is a change to the way you leave Pre-Sear. Right now you enter "Ascalon Academy" and that's it, ie, you do that one PvP battle, then mini-mission, then you're off to Post, no going back. However, what if this were changed to a mission? Having that little Charr hunting expidition with Rurik be a mission (complete with it's own location) would make it nearly impossible for someone to drag you out of Presearing for two reasons. You have to complete that mission to move on, if you leave/fail the mission, you'd just return to the mission location. Another way would be to do as they did with the "Final Blow" quest as the entrance to the Ring of Fire mission. Literally when you accept you are sent forward alone, each person has to talk to the NPC seperately to move forward. With these ideas in place, it'd be impossible to drag someone out of Presearing as long as they didn't party in the Mission location and the go afk for long enough for that other person to complete the mission. If this were to happen, this mission would not count towards the Protector of Tyria title though.

Of course, if that were to happen, what would happen to the PvP fight? Well, it could just be gotten rid of, but there's another possibility: add a PvP arena, similar to that of the other low level PvP arenas (ie Post-Ascalon/Shiverpeak/Shing Jea/Sunspear). One change though would be to allow characters of all levels to enter. Granted, it'd probably be a pretty good idea to seperate the levels, ie when you hit "Enter Battle" you'd find yourself facing off against other characters near your level (ie 1-10 and 11-20). This way rather then AFK'ing for hours to death level some beast to finally slaughter it, you could just go PvP against other people near your level to gain XP.

The last idea (and the most unrelated and probably already suggested elsewhere in these forums) would be to make it so that deaths in pre-sear don't count towards the survivor title, much like deaths don't count towards Death Penalty there. It'd actually make it possible to get both LDoA and Survivor.

tmntfreak

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Aug 2007

N/

09 Aug 2007 at 16:47 - 40

/Signed

While I am currently safe from this as I do not have a secondary, it also means I will not be able to take one as I have no wish for this Character to ever end up in post searing.