At best, it's 2 years until GW2. Beta is slated to be available at the end of '08 (which is highly unlikely; remember, this is software development, and this is ArenaNet, master of bad ETAs and delays.). Even then, it'll be atleast a year of Open/Closed beta (GW1 took 2 years!). And that's assuming nothing goes wrong.
And during this time, Gaile has strongly asserted that all teams are focused on GW2, and GW1 will receive little attention and no content.
Be realistic. Will players really continue to stick with GW for such a long period without any new content?
The economy is fracturing, PvE is being obsolete by Ursanway and PvE skills, PvP is stagnant due to few (and passive) skill balances. Sure, it may be acceptable to some, but for 2 years, can they really bear it?
And all of that ignores any potential killer apps which may appear during that time and drag away even more players.
No, this is not a doomsday thread. It's realistic.
Can ArenaNet retain its player base for GW2?
Zinger314
garethporlest18
Yeah I'll keep coming back just to log on and do nothing. As for others, I can't really say. I'm sure it's gonna be in a slow steady decline, but I doubt anything will make a real mark upon the population.
PS this white background SUCKS.
PS this white background SUCKS.
Snow Bunny
Zinger....
they will. They'll also attract many new customers.
they will. They'll also attract many new customers.
Dr Strangelove
It doesn't need to keep people continuously playing until then. Did the original Diablo keep its entire playerbase until D2 was released? Did Doom 3 retain the same playerbase as the original Doom? As long as there's general goodwill and name recognition, the game will likely sell well.
Vilaptca
Remember when it was just Prophecies, and everyone complained about how bored they were.
We told people to go play other games.
And I've noticed quite a few of them come back.
I'd tell people the same thing. There is no reason to keep playing GW for the next 2 years. Go play other games. You may or may not want to play GW2 when it comes out next, but I think most people will. Just like any other game that releases a new version, people will buy it and try it out, because they remember having fun playing the first one.
I haven't bought any non-GW games until maybe 6 months after Nightfall's release, for the last few years I've only played GW. I've got a little vacation time from GW coming up, and I've already got some titles in mind, but I'll be back for GW2.
We told people to go play other games.
And I've noticed quite a few of them come back.
I'd tell people the same thing. There is no reason to keep playing GW for the next 2 years. Go play other games. You may or may not want to play GW2 when it comes out next, but I think most people will. Just like any other game that releases a new version, people will buy it and try it out, because they remember having fun playing the first one.
I haven't bought any non-GW games until maybe 6 months after Nightfall's release, for the last few years I've only played GW. I've got a little vacation time from GW coming up, and I've already got some titles in mind, but I'll be back for GW2.
Esan
Are the WoW servers down again?
[citation needed]
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
Gaile has strongly asserted that all teams are focused on GW2, and GW1 will receive little attention and no content.
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Lothlorian Sassun
I'm going to try to get titles up so i will stick around. I just hope that in GW2 all the title grinding and Filling HoM will be worth it! hehe
Bryant Again
Guild Wars isn't supposed to keep you entertained for long periods of time. It's not an MMO. It's not meant to "keep you hooked".
When I beat NWN I was done with it. Did I go out and buy the expansion? Hell yes. I loved the first campaign. I did the same with KotOR and KotORII.
When I beat NWN I was done with it. Did I go out and buy the expansion? Hell yes. I loved the first campaign. I did the same with KotOR and KotORII.
Zokocow
I agree with what was said, some people will go, others will stay. There is still a lot to do in GW1. Some of those who do choose to leave though will remember how much fun they had playing GW1 and when GW2 comes out they'll want to buy it.
Winterclaw
I still have at least 3 chars I want to beat NF and GWEN with, as well as another 3 that are going for survivor. Once I achieve all that, I'll reconsider what I'm going to do in GW.
cosyfiep
who cares about gw2?????
If they piss off enough people they will get to sleep in the bed they made (and then maybe they will do more stuff for the original gw!!!).
If they piss off enough people they will get to sleep in the bed they made (and then maybe they will do more stuff for the original gw!!!).
slowerpoke
no doubt a whole new generation of gamers will come to gw 2, and some oldfa..gw1 players will move over too.
and ex-players waiting in the wings ready for the new game also.
i wouldnt worry if i was anet about shifting copies...unless ofcourse gw2 resembles eotn
and ex-players waiting in the wings ready for the new game also.
i wouldnt worry if i was anet about shifting copies...unless ofcourse gw2 resembles eotn
AW Lore
i liked it more when you werent around...
but remember what Anet said at the begining, they expected people to pick up this game, play it for a while and then drop it, and perhaps come back later.
dont know about you, but in the last few months i bought a few games, and i just play them for just a little while, then forget about them and come back to GW.
i dont know how where the first betas of GW, someone who was around them could tell us if those where on time or they where delayed. if they were on time, i dont see why these betas will be delayed, specially considering they havent even told us when they expect to launch the betas.
but after 4000 hours of playing guildwars, i know i will keep an eye on GW, whatever happens between now and GW2.
good thing is, some of us are patient enough to wait a couple of years to see what happens.
but remember what Anet said at the begining, they expected people to pick up this game, play it for a while and then drop it, and perhaps come back later.
dont know about you, but in the last few months i bought a few games, and i just play them for just a little while, then forget about them and come back to GW.
i dont know how where the first betas of GW, someone who was around them could tell us if those where on time or they where delayed. if they were on time, i dont see why these betas will be delayed, specially considering they havent even told us when they expect to launch the betas.
but after 4000 hours of playing guildwars, i know i will keep an eye on GW, whatever happens between now and GW2.
good thing is, some of us are patient enough to wait a couple of years to see what happens.
StormDragonZ
Said this once, and I'll say it again:
I'm waiting two months after GW2 is released before my ultimate decision to buy it or not. Until then, I could care less about GW2. Right now, getting all my characters to what I consider a good "quota" of titles and/or accomplishments is what I do.
I'm waiting two months after GW2 is released before my ultimate decision to buy it or not. Until then, I could care less about GW2. Right now, getting all my characters to what I consider a good "quota" of titles and/or accomplishments is what I do.
arsie
Isn't that part of the beauty of the subscription-free business model? We can take a break from GW and come back anytime.
kratimas
Quote:
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Originally Posted by arsie
Isn't that part of the beauty of the subscription-free business model? We can take a break from GW and come back anytime.
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Even people that left GW, even the ones that did nothing but piss and moan about it will probably buy a copy of GW2 just to give it a try.
Really even if you don't like it with no monthly fee you can still get you $$ out of it easy before you quite for good.
Lest121
They will retain a lot of there current base and even some that left..........but this time around gamers won't settle for a Shallow game......... if GW2 is weak i won't purchase any add-ons/expansion packs, and I don't want to see cantha and Elona 300 years into the future, the add-ons/expansion needs to be something fresh, I am not liking the fact that GW2 will take place in a future Tyria but since I like GW I will buy it, but it better be completely refreshing otherwise i will find another MMO.
RedNova88
I'll probably still hang around until GW2. I still have a lot of things I want to accomplish and see, and I'll have fun doing it. I'd have to say yes GW1 will retain it's player base, there will always be those newcomers, and those hardcore players that insist on having everything possible for themselves, and those that want to stick with their friends. So I'm sure as long as you have those 3 elements the population will remain at least somewhat stable for the next 2 years and beyond.
The_Chim
I plan on sticking with GW even after GWII is out and I am active in it. No reason to leave such a good game behind, especially if it is still playable. I just hope there will be enough people that share that sentiment who will stick around to do the more elite areas. 
I already know my guild is converting itself over to GW II, so I am not worried there. They are even talking of making a sister guild eventually.
And if I can get myself in on an Open Beta (hopes for it) wouldn't that be cool?
I already know my guild is converting itself over to GW II, so I am not worried there. They are even talking of making a sister guild eventually.
And if I can get myself in on an Open Beta (hopes for it) wouldn't that be cool?
Shadowmere
I wouldn't be worried about them retaining their player base, many old players may come back to try the sequel, and many still playing GW1 at that time will move on as well. One interesting thing to consider is that all the GW1 campaigns and expansion are still selling very well, you might not notice it but GW1 is still getting lots of new players all the time.
I think as long as Anet makes GW2 as unique and fun and true to the original it will be an even stronger game than GW1.
That being said I'm still skeptical of what Anet is doing on GW2 and won't jump on it at release. (maybe they'll win me over when they actually start talking about GW2 a bit, but we'll see)
I think as long as Anet makes GW2 as unique and fun and true to the original it will be an even stronger game than GW1.
That being said I'm still skeptical of what Anet is doing on GW2 and won't jump on it at release. (maybe they'll win me over when they actually start talking about GW2 a bit, but we'll see)
Abedeus
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Bryant Again
When I beat NWN I was done with it. Did I go out and buy the expansion? Hell yes. I loved the first campaign. I did the same with KotOR and KotORII.
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And for myself, I will probably play Ragnarok Online now (new ,,chapter'' every 2-4 months...) and come to GW to play GvG/HA. There are many, many better games than GW. And better = skill > time ;d
zwei2stein
Quote:
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Originally Posted by arsie
Isn't that part of the beauty of the subscription-free business model? We can take a break from GW and come back anytime.
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After seeing what Anet did to its once brilliant game, I won't be there to see them destroy GW2 (and I don't like its premise to begin with ... If I do the Grind and Level up stuff, I might as well do it enjoyably in quality game where devs know what they want to deliver and they do.). Free or Fee, quality wins.
Seriously, It will all end with anet getting confused about their priorities and about design of game and piss of both hardcore and casual at same time while neglecting PvP.
Lagg
My only fear is that Guild Wars 2 will resemble Eye of the North instead of going back to the original golden formula of Prophecies.
This said, ArenaNet can be pretty sure of my buck, unless Diablo 3 gets released in the meantime and it turns out to be the second coming... I mean, the third coming of, well, the devil. And even then, I'll probably still pick up Guild Wars 2 for old times' sake. Even if it gets seriously bad reviews. Not that I would wait for reviews.
However, Guild Wars 2 will have to win me over again. If it really does turn out to be a continuation of bad design decisions (Ursans, PvE skills and dungeon copypasta beware), then I'll probably stop playing before the first expansion pack gets released. At that point I might consider not entering my credit card details in the online shop to purchase the next instalment.
But to answer your question: yes, as much as I am now disappointed with the way the game has changed over the years, I'm still eagerly anticipating the sequel which will make everything right.
Right ArenaNet?
Right ArenaNet?
This said, ArenaNet can be pretty sure of my buck, unless Diablo 3 gets released in the meantime and it turns out to be the second coming... I mean, the third coming of, well, the devil. And even then, I'll probably still pick up Guild Wars 2 for old times' sake. Even if it gets seriously bad reviews. Not that I would wait for reviews.
However, Guild Wars 2 will have to win me over again. If it really does turn out to be a continuation of bad design decisions (Ursans, PvE skills and dungeon copypasta beware), then I'll probably stop playing before the first expansion pack gets released. At that point I might consider not entering my credit card details in the online shop to purchase the next instalment.
But to answer your question: yes, as much as I am now disappointed with the way the game has changed over the years, I'm still eagerly anticipating the sequel which will make everything right.
Right ArenaNet?
Right ArenaNet?
Bryant Again
NWN2 wasn't amazingly great, sure, but MotB was amazing. Also, the number of updates and game changes that Obsidian have done to the game since release show that they're really doing their best (and doing it well) at maintaining a great game.
samifly
I think for people just starting they wont have to worry about losing their player base. But people like me, who have seen the decline of GW from "the good ole days" will have to be seriously convinced to come back. Right now I am so bored of the game I can't even log in to help friends.
Doctor of Rocks
I'll be buying GW2, there is no doubt about that, but if the PvE becomes another instance of GLF rank X something or other I'll quit on the spot. I remember when pugging wasn't a hassle or that much of a pain, and I miss that, but I think Anet learned from their mistakes.
Uber Mass
Ill buy GW2 tho i will leave GW1 soon... its reaching its end
wraithe
2 yrs is long time for GW2..but i will most likely be playing GW till then...just not as often.
but i do know of several people that have just purchased all campaigns+expansion..so game is new to them, enough content to keep new players playing till GW2.
wraithe
but i do know of several people that have just purchased all campaigns+expansion..so game is new to them, enough content to keep new players playing till GW2.
wraithe
upier
Ohh crap - my crystal ball broke! 
zwei2stein
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Doctor of Rocks
I'll be buying GW2, there is no doubt about that, but if the PvE becomes another instance of GLF rank X something or other I'll quit on the spot. I remember when pugging wasn't a hassle or that much of a pain, and I miss that, but I think Anet learned from their mistakes.
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In prohecies times you had enough newbies to get group anywhere without any lameness screening. As players matured they became more picky. I know i did. Monkless groups, seemed to be just fine to me even in 8-player areas while now i would not leave outpost without at least one healing capable character.
In GW2, you will likely experience pug-friendliness/carelessness in early days. However, that is destined to change as Level will likely matter and reputations are going to be there. Question is just how fast that happen.
Esan
Quote:
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Originally Posted by samifly
[P]eople like me, who have seen the decline of GW from "the good ole days" will have to be seriously convinced to come back. Right now I am so bored of the game I can't even log in to help friends.
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Kityn
I hear about player base is in decline and yet the number in my guild are growing. What brings in players more than anything else and keeps them, is the people you play with/guild. My guild is not breaking up cause of no additional content. There are tons of stuff yet to be done in GW. Will we still be playing GW untill GW2? Definately.
Fril Estelin
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zinger314
No, this is not a doomsday thread. It's realistic.
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Can Anet keep its playerbase? Probably not given the competition for 2008/2009 (warhammer was delayed). But they'll keep a decent number and attract more new players.
-Loki-
I'll probably be happily playing Warhammer Online by then.
~ Dan ~
PvE playerbase will return for GW2. PvP'ers will not, if they have any sense.
Medic
Will I be playing GW until GW 2 comes out? No. Will I come back to the franchise and buy GW2 when its released? Yes.
I Will Heal You Ally
Well people like me have a lot to do till GW2 is released :P. We got to finish our HoM and max titles :P... It's a big job for those who only come to play GW 2-3 hours a day 
Phoenix Tears
hmm, I#ve enough to do for 2 years:
- Get my Main Character to GwamM and make its HoM complete
(AtM i'm 21/30 and I'm on the good way to become soon shooted up to 24/30 by working on the Skill Hunter Title...
- after that vanguish 21 more areas in Tyria to become 26/30
- in the meantime farm LB points to become 27/30
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after that work on 3 Grind Titles like Party Lion, Sweettooth and Drunkard, what will eat awy i think the most time...
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If I've after that still lots of time. hmm, dunno what to do then ^^ But I'm sure I'll find something to do.
PS but I hope anet will get finally the insight, that the concept around so much character based titles is bullshit and that they make all this grind crap finally account based, to speed up a bit the game in the end phase
- Get my Main Character to GwamM and make its HoM complete
(AtM i'm 21/30 and I'm on the good way to become soon shooted up to 24/30 by working on the Skill Hunter Title...
- after that vanguish 21 more areas in Tyria to become 26/30
- in the meantime farm LB points to become 27/30
----------
after that work on 3 Grind Titles like Party Lion, Sweettooth and Drunkard, what will eat awy i think the most time...
----------
If I've after that still lots of time. hmm, dunno what to do then ^^ But I'm sure I'll find something to do.
PS but I hope anet will get finally the insight, that the concept around so much character based titles is bullshit and that they make all this grind crap finally account based, to speed up a bit the game in the end phase
Redfeather1975
At what point did Jeff Strain say they wanted to make a game people would be willing to commit to. I remember him saying the exact opposite.
GW's was designed to be pick up, enjoy, then put down and play something else game. If it was fun, then pick it up again when a new one comes out. It wasn't meant to be played exclusively.
If people are saying they won't bother with GW2 because there is no new content with GW until then, I can't help but think it's sadly done out of spite for not being given a game they can devote their lives too.
GW's was designed to be pick up, enjoy, then put down and play something else game. If it was fun, then pick it up again when a new one comes out. It wasn't meant to be played exclusively.
If people are saying they won't bother with GW2 because there is no new content with GW until then, I can't help but think it's sadly done out of spite for not being given a game they can devote their lives too.
RhanoctJocosa
not the pvp base lolz
dan beat me to it ups!
ps: wow guiz guru is brokande :<
dan beat me to it ups!
ps: wow guiz guru is brokande :<