This is something I've been wondering about since the start of factions, it seems like such an obvious thing to implement, part of me wonders why it's not already there. I'm going to try and lay out my suggestion in a constructive way and I ask that you post on it in a constructive manner.
What's prompted me to finally post this suggestion is a poll I posted here:
http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum...d.php?t=457499
Which details why players choose not to PVP. The overwhelming response was the "elitist attitudes" of the community, i.e. - they want to play with and AGAINST their friends. Right now they're able to do this through scrimmaging, but scrimmages are severely limited in what they're able to do, currently PVP in Guild Wars is a "you against the world" scenario, the problem with this being a lot of players don't want to deal with the world, they simply want to play with their friends, not only that but the less skilled players among us have trouble finding players to play against at their skill level.
So what I'm suggesting is expanding the scrimmaging options available to players, as well as removing some of the barriers that get in the way of fun, less competative play.
Guest Invites
First of all, having to pay 100g to invite players to your hall in order for them to scrimmage you is a pretty large barrier, and a needless one I think, I understand the need for the 100g restriction on players you wish to guest with your guild in regular ladder/AT based GVG. However this charge should be separate from simply inviting someone to your Guild Hall to scrimmage. I suggest the addition of a free "Invite Visitor" function, this would enable a person to visit your hall and/or scrimmage you, but restrict them from entering ladder or automated tournament GVG with your guild.
These visitor invites should also be permanent until removed manually.
This also turns your Guild Hall into more of a social hub for your friends, a place people can find you, it gives the Guild Hall more of a purpose.
Lack of Game Types
Right so once we have players in our hall, what can we do? Well we can GVG... on one map. First of all GVG as a gametype pretty much requires 8 players on each team to be worth playing. Second, that one map is going to get dull very very fast if you don't enjoy playing "public" PVP.
GVG as a gametype doesn't really support casual play, and yet it's the only gametype available for casual scrimmaging.
When setting up a scrimmage, you should first be able to choose a game type, including GVG, Relic running, Arena matches, Kill count and so on. After selecting a game type you should be able to choose a map for that game type. All these maps would exist in the game already for minimal required work, i.e. relic run maps from HA, arena maps from Random Arenas.
Lack of Custom Rules
Lots of players enjoy playing by their own rules, that's why modding and servers running their own rules in popular FPS pvp games often thrive beyond those running standard rules.
Lots of players have mixed feelings regarding certain skill sets, certain game mechanics, certain methods of play. Allowing players to filter these out in a private setting is a good thing, whilst preserving the integrity of a set style of play in public.
Players have been begging for 1v1 for example, since the start of Guild Wars. Whilst this style of play can't be competative for balance reasons, there's no reason to disallow those players who'd enjoy playing it to do so.
We could alter the number of players in these gametypes, 6v6 Arena anyone? Don't have the players? np, set it to 3v3!
Flexability, as long as it stays inside your Guild Hall, is a GOOD thing.
Benefits
Apart from just creating a whole new casual game for those of us who are fed up with the drama of the guild ladder, and those players who just want to play amongst friends. You open up the possibility of external tournaments being hosted, possibly with prize money.
You also give new players a method of learning to play PVP, something that is sorely lacking in the current game. Being able to play against players strictly of the same level - or better players that rather than roll you, will teach you, is the best practice there is.
Here's hoping my suggestion is considered, I'd like to hear constructive thoughts on the subject, frankly even if they just added the choice of arena maps without all the settings and extras, there'd be a new - very fun - method to play Guild Wars in a casual way.
Cheers.
T
often wanted to play like this with my friends, tournament hosting for alliance etc.
needs more gwpickup
