Can not play Guild Wars outside China anymore - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

26 Feb 2008 at 23:54 - 1

So, I guess this is more like a goodbye post more than anything else...

I'm Portuguese and I've been working in China for about three years and playing Guild Wars for more than two years. I was quite happy that Guild wars allowed me to play with friends in Portugal and from other parts of the World. In appreciation, I've been merrily buying everything the online shop has to offer and playing with my friends from American and European districts throughout this time.

But since this last week, it has been impossible to play anything. I would always get stuck as soon as my characters would step into any district, including the empty Korean ones.

I was already suspicious that something BAD happened, but nevertheless I called support about my problem. This was their answer:

"Unfortunately, people with Chinese IPs can not connect to the servers that host the EU and US districts. This is not a limit of the game itself, but is a limit imposed by the Chinese government. Chinese Guild Wars players can only play in the Chinese districts."

This... really... sucks...

I'm really sad about this, but it seems it's done.

Goodbye people. It was fun.

jonnieboi05

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Mableton, Georgia

Guild Ancestors Reunited [?????????]

27 Feb 2008 at 00:06 - 2

so let me get this right... your account is filed under "european", crrect? well, i have a friend who moved to china from germany and requested to have her account territory changed and PlayNC did this for her. try this? hope it works for you as well.

overall-- sorry to hear this... it's messed up to have something you love so dearly violently ripped away from you.

Smile Like Umean It

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2006

E/Rt

27 Feb 2008 at 00:08 - 3

Total kick in the face. Sorry, dude.
Is there any way you can get on the other server?

Bohya

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Vabbi

Farming Crewuk [fcuk]

D/

27 Feb 2008 at 00:08 - 4

Btw you could always change your name and identity and move back to China. I did that once but I was found 5 years later hiding in the back my my mate's pub drinking whisky and Rye and had to move back to Japan.

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

27 Feb 2008 at 00:22 - 5

Please don't turn this political. I'm wondering if there was an announcement from NCSoft or ArenaNet concerning this? I wouldn't imagine it would be announced on the US or Euro site but am wondering when this change happened?

Selket

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Grand Court of Selket/Sebelkeh

What If You Had An Outpost Named After You [slkt]

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 00:31 - 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

Please don't turn this political. I'm wondering if there was an announcement from NCSoft or ArenaNet concerning this? I wouldn't imagine it would be announced on the US or Euro site but am wondering when this change happened?

Chinese guild wars has never been connected to the rest of Guild Wars.

Harmless

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Uber Elite Rit Force of Justice Headquarters

What's a Guild? [LoL]

Rt/

27 Feb 2008 at 00:36 - 7

Yes but you could select what region you were associated with. It sounds to me like he is forced to be in the Chinese region now.

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

27 Feb 2008 at 00:37 - 8

The OP was referring to having a chinese IP. He wasn't trying to play the Chinese Guild Wars but connect with a chinese IP to other regions/countries.

Selket

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Grand Court of Selket/Sebelkeh

What If You Had An Outpost Named After You [slkt]

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 00:38 - 9

Seems like they've decided they want business to stay within their country.

Nothing new D:

In any case would TOR be of help?

Ennes X

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Teh Outsiders [xxxx]

27 Feb 2008 at 00:39 - 10

What are you guys talking about I work in Shanghai and nothing has changed with Guild Wars since I moved here. My coworker friend did a trials with no problems either. Neither accounts created overseas or here have stopped being able to connect to the American district game. Granted, the ping is horrible (minimum 250ms, average 500-1500ms or more), but that has nothing to do with the servers at home. Amon, I am surprised you suspected a change because the internet is so unreliable here hiccups, blackouts, or just plain slow access is a frequent and normal occurence.

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

27 Feb 2008 at 00:41 - 11

Ennes, the answer he was given was from support. I'm assuming NCSoft support. Which is why I was asking how recent this change was.

Ennes X

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Teh Outsiders [xxxx]

27 Feb 2008 at 00:51 - 12

I was on minutes ago to check.

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

27 Feb 2008 at 00:59 - 13

Maybe NCSoft is just giving a "canned" answer then. Not really much we can do to help Amon.

Snow Bunny

Alcoholic From Yale

Join Date: Jul 2007

Strong Foreign Policy [sFp]

27 Feb 2008 at 01:58 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennes X

I was on minutes ago to check.

There have always been odd-problems with the Chinese and Guild Wars though

arsie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2007

N/

27 Feb 2008 at 02:01 - 15

Yeah, it seems that Ennes X, who is also playing from China, is the best placed to offer any insights into the situation.

Amon Warrior, perhaps an ISP change? I dunno.

Lady Yuna

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2008

inside your closet.......

ViLE

Mo/W

27 Feb 2008 at 02:06 - 16

Just making my point, video game in China, Japan and Korea(south, duh) are HIGH. So the governments have to find ways to lower that.

But if you can play WoW in China....shouldn't you be able to play GW in China as well? (I mean, what does the districts do, seriously? why can't we change our districts at will?)

Lord Darksoul

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2007

R/

27 Feb 2008 at 02:28 - 17

Ask Arena Net if there's anything to do.

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 03:07 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnieBoi05

so let me get this right... your account is filed under "european", crrect? well, i have a friend who moved to china from germany and requested to have her account territory changed and PlayNC did this for her. try this? hope it works for you as well.

Well... yes, I could try that. But that way my account could only be used in China. I wouldn't be able to connect to other territories besides China.

One of the reasons I was playing GW was the connection to the "outside" world and that seems to be gone now.

I'm staying here for one more year and a half. Basically, if I wanted, I could still play GW one month of the year when I go back home on vacation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

I wouldn't imagine it would be announced on the US or Euro site but am wondering when this change happened?

My guess is that they're wrapping up the beta in China and certain details are being worked on now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ennes X

Amon, I am surprised you suspected a change because the internet is so unreliable here hiccups, blackouts, or just plain slow access is a frequent and normal occurence.

I've always had some lag, like you, but now GW is unplayable. No Taiwan earthquake happened to damage underwater cables, my internet is working in normal parameters besides Guild Wars and I got this very clear answer from support.

Shanghai is more open than other places and the firewall structure around China is pretty complex. I'm in the special economic area near Hong Kong and Macau. The situation here, as far as I know it, is as I described.

I surely hope that this is just a glitch in the system and that support could be incorrect. But it's strange that this glitch is happening only to Guild Wars.

Anyway, I appreciate all your support and sympathy. Thanks guys.

October Jade

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

drifting between Indiana and NorCal

27 Feb 2008 at 03:23 - 19

Quote:

Unfortunately, people with Chinese IPs can not connect to the servers that host the EU and US districts.

What impact does this have upon the selling of gold? I hope it cuts down on the whisper spam, if not the entire practice.

Off-topic, I know, but an interesting notion...

RedNova88

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Oct 2007

Behind you!

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 03:32 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Bunny

There have always been odd-problems with the Chinese and Guild Wars though

Not just Guild Wars. Many games released to the world are banned in China (especially MMOs) because the government is suspicious about the games content or something. I don't have all the facts but it does seem that way.

In any case sorry for the major inconvenience OP. That's one major damper on your fun

Hopefully NCsoft/Anet can help get it sorted out.

Solange

Banned

Join Date: Feb 2006

Kings Army of Surmia [KAOS]

27 Feb 2008 at 03:34 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by October Jade

What impact does this have upon the selling of gold? I hope it cuts down on the whisper spam, if not the entire practice.

Off-topic, I know, but an interesting notion...

there might be ways around it like connecting to a proxy server outside of china then connecting to guild wars from that proxy server

I'm sure these gold sellers are on top of stuff like this moreso than the common user so we'll still probably see gold sales

I've only used proxy servers for my web browser to bypass United states rules to connect to media on NBC or MTV websites but I think its possible to direct traffic from an entire machine through a proxy as well....I Just wouldn't know how

arsie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2007

N/

27 Feb 2008 at 03:41 - 22

Could it be the other way round? That Anet is blocking Chinese IPs from the other servers?

There WAS a lot complaints here about gold seller website spamming, this could be an action taken by Anet to stop that.

Pleikki

WTB q8 15^50 Weapons!

Join Date: Nov 2006

???oo ???ugs ???lan [?????????]

27 Feb 2008 at 06:16 - 23

If arenatnet cant do anything then play int or eu/eng?

Agyar

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

AUSSIE TROLLING CREW - CAPSLOCK CONSULTANT

[Dong]

Mo/

27 Feb 2008 at 09:14 - 24

Sounds like the great firewall of China in action. Honestly you have to expect things like this living in a country like China. Normal "rights" don't exist and quality/provision of services can't really be expected.

If you want to play what you want, try another country.

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 12:43 - 25

I'm back!

So... I had an interesting conversation with people from my ISP and they insisted that there's no deliberate blocking of online games in China.

They have actually been very helpful with my problem and something finally happened, because I'm now able to play Guild Wars again.

That contradicts what NCSoft support services told me. It is possible that there's a misconception on how Guild Wars is being handled in China and I REALLY hope that blocking of Chinese IPs NEVER becomes a reality.

I in fact took their indication seriously and after a week without being able to play I even made this thread to share my sorrow and bid farewell.

But you never know what the future holds... I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

The input gained from this thread was invaluable, including the one from Ennes X, another player in China.

I guess you're right Inde, I got a "canned" answer.

I'm on my way to bash some heads now. W00t!

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 12:58 - 26

Huh, guys please don't politicize this.

It's not the proper place and despite the indication given from support, my current problem seems to have had a different origin.

I have friends from South Africa complaining about the same thing (serious lagging) a week before.

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

27 Feb 2008 at 13:04 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon Warrior

So... I had an interesting conversation with people from my ISP and they insisted that there's no deliberate blocking of online games in China.

They have actually been very helpful with my problem and something finally happened, because I'm now able to play Guild Wars again.

Sounds like someone (your ISP?) had filtered GW by mistake, but China does monitor events and conversations in virtual worlds, and does crack down when deemed "offensive".
Basically, don't discuss the Tiananmen Square massacre in your favorite MMO.

Divinus Stella

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Nov 2005

Wales

Steel Phoenix

27 Feb 2008 at 13:39 - 28

If worst comes to worst then you can always play through a proxy, you can encrypt your traffic and send it on a fairly innocent port to a machine in somewhere like France or Germany where it gets sent to its intended destination free of communist intervention.

Its called HTTP Tunneling, google it and have a read, ive recommended it to a few people that have had similar problems and its worked for them, not sure if its legal but i doubt they will find out since you have so many ways of covering yourself.

Ive used it to play GW a couple of times and you can get away with lower pings than normal which is really suprising.

Amon Warrior

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2006

W/

27 Feb 2008 at 14:02 - 29

@Divinus Stella

Thanks!

prism2525

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Among dead bodies.

The Republic of Sky Pirates

E/

27 Feb 2008 at 14:49 - 30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

China does monitor events and conversations in virtual worlds, and does crack down when deemed "offensive".
Basically, don't discuss the Tiananmen Square massacre in your favorite MMO.

honestly, how could the chinese government monitor ALL chatting done by and to chinese users?? There must be MILLIONS of players playing and surely there aren't enough employees to supervize everything that's being written.

Any pointers on this?

PS: I don't live in China, even though I'd love to visit as I like oriental cultures very much. However, this put me off living there at all.

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

27 Feb 2008 at 16:03 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by prism2525

honestly, how could the chinese government monitor ALL chatting done by and to chinese users??

I'm not sure they monitor everything, but they use packet sniffing and have computers searching through the data stream for forbidden words.

That's not unique to China: the US does the same with their Echelon programme, which scans all traffic on the internet and all conversations using cellphones in the world, plus a large portion of all telephone conversations using landlines; and the EU (which a couple of years ago got wise to the US using Echelon to give US companies unfair advantages in defense contract bidding wars) is in the process of setting up their own surveillance.

It is a brave new world.

EDIT: People worried by the fact that there is no such thing as a private conversation on the net, might want to look in to this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOR_(anonymity_network)
...and this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy

However, be advised that in an ever-increasing number of countries using software such as the above is illegal.

llsektorll

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Toronto, Canada

R/

27 Feb 2008 at 17:06 - 32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amon Warrior

So, I guess this is more like a goodbye post more than anything else...

I'm Portuguese and I've been working in China for about three years and playing Guild Wars for more than two years. I was quite happy that Guild wars allowed me to play with friends in Portugal and from other parts of the World. In appreciation, I've been merrily buying everything the online shop has to offer and playing with my friends from American and European districts throughout this time.

But since this last week, it has been impossible to play anything. I would always get stuck as soon as my characters would step into any district, including the empty Korean ones.

I was already suspicious that something BAD happened, but nevertheless I called support about my problem. This was their answer:

"Unfortunately, people with Chinese IPs can not connect to the servers that host the EU and US districts. This is not a limit of the game itself, but is a limit imposed by the Chinese government. Chinese Guild Wars players can only play in the Chinese districts."

This... really... sucks...

I'm really sad about this, but it seems it's done.

Goodbye people. It was fun.

lol?.... proxy ftw?

jurrit

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

Amsterdam

Bubblegum Dragons [GUM]

27 Feb 2008 at 17:21 - 33

When I was in China I noticed some sites were blocked. But when I logged in to my VPN connection from my Dutch University I could access all these blocked websites.

VPN is not blocked by the chinese firewall, and with vpn you get a different IP adress. You actually access the internet from THAT location.

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

27 Feb 2008 at 20:35 - 34

Just glad you are back OP!!!
and lets go bash some Charr!!!

Lady Yuna

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2008

inside your closet.......

ViLE

Mo/W

28 Feb 2008 at 00:43 - 35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

I'm not sure they monitor everything, but they use packet sniffing and have computers searching through the data stream for forbidden words.

That's not unique to China: the US does the same with their Echelon programme, which scans all traffic on the internet and all conversations using cellphones in the world, plus a large portion of all telephone conversations using landlines; and the EU (which a couple of years ago got wise to the US using Echelon to give US companies unfair advantages in defense contract bidding wars) is in the process of setting up their own surveillance.

It is a brave new world.

EDIT: People worried by the fact that there is no such thing as a private conversation on the net, might want to look in to this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOR_(anonymity_network)
...and this...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Good_Privacy

However, be advised that in an ever-increasing number of countries using software such as the above is illegal.

Nothing political, but EVERY major country monitor their people's internet/all the other sources of information to some degree(Patriot Act anyone?). So it is only fair for us common people to accept that all governments hold secrets that they doesn't want others to know, simple as that, there is nothing we can do. And hey, getting a website blocked is better than spending time with the cops, right?