[Dev Update] - 15 January 2009 - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Kattar

EXCESSIVE FLUTTERCUSSING

Join Date: Mar 2007

SMS (lolgw2placeholder)

Me/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:12 - 1

Quote:

Six months ago, we assembled the Live Team with one goal: sustaining high quality support for Guild Wars. We started with smaller changes, getting our feet wet by balancing skills and tweaking AI. After these initial successes, we moved on to title balancing and the golem Hero M.O.X. before finishing off the year with new festival content. As the Live Team looks to the new year, we are streamlining our processes, where we can create even more exciting new features and content than ever before. In this Dev Update, we explain the reasons for some of these changes and reveal tidbits of what we've got planned for the future.

Monthly Maintenance

Throughout the year, our regular monthly builds will include Xunlai Tournament rewards, changing out the Zaishen chest monthly tonic, and map rotations for Automated Tournaments. These builds may also include small skill balance changes, tweaks to AI, or bug fixes on an as needed basis. However, we are discontinuing the monthly ATS skill usage charts on the website as the feature isn't popular enough to warrant the time investment required to compile, sort, and publish the data.

Content Updates

Content updates will be done separately from the monthly maintenance and occur every three to four months. By spacing out our content releases, we gain the time to tackle larger and more difficult projects that, previously, would've been impossible. Some features that once seemed unattainable are now being explored as upcoming projects. We are even expanding the Live Team to offer more of the best quality support and content that we can for Guild Wars. With this new system, we release our new content in fewer yet more substantial updates. We want players to feel connected to what we are developing even though it may be months away from release, so during development we will be more open about our process and what we are working on.

Coming Attractions

The Live Team is now designing the first big content update of 2009, which we expect to release in April. We had many discussions towards the end of last year and ended up with a major wish list and a plan for what it would take to make that list a reality. At this point, we have a clear idea of what is ahead of us and we hope everyone will be as excited about these prospects as we are.

Here are a few features we are currently developing for April:

* Increases to account-based storage
* Improvements to character-based storage
* Account-based changes to the Hall of Monuments

Hmm...interesting things may be afoot. From here.

??iljo

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:17 - 2

4 Months for extra storage?

When do gwen and ogden get fired from HA?

Well,atleast hom could be nice

Hope they change drunknard to points!

Spaced Invader

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

15 Jan 2009 at 19:19 - 3

TL;DR: Storage improvements + account-based changes to the HoM coming in April.

vandevere

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2007

The Great State of Denial

W/Mo

15 Jan 2009 at 19:23 - 4

Increases to storage... All for that. I know they probably won't be extravagant with it. But I'm looking forward to seeing what they come up with...

Simath

haha you're dumb

Join Date: Jul 2005

Moscow

15 Jan 2009 at 19:24 - 5

oh baby more storage...can't wait for the wet dream tonight

/sarcasm

Sounds like a bunch of nonsense on how they are hoping to keep people happy. Unfortunately, most of us have learned that when Anet says there will be a "big content update" it's usually a whole lot of nothing. Perhaps they will surprise us with a few more elite areas, but I doubt it.

Black Metal

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2009

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:24 - 6

wow nice, it seems GW is alive and well. I'm guessing the character-based storage improvement is combining the tomes. New content is great obviously, but hopefully specifics will be coming.

HoM is of couse eagerly awaited, as many of us haven't touched it without knowing exactly how it will work, which over a year after EoTN release, still is lacking.

Well, this is great, but I anticipate more specific info.

snaek

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:24 - 7

Quote:

We started with smaller changes, getting our feet wet by balancing skills and tweaking AI. After these initial successes

lol...
u mean after u broke the ai? and had to revert it?

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:28 - 8

Good to see some more effort is being to put to keep GW1 a healthy game. Increasing the Live Team shows Anet is finally beginning to understand something more has to been done than some new quests every 6 months to keep people playing.

Improved character storage (book storage, armor storage, weapon storage?)... Doesn't really add anything to the game really, only will fix some minor nuisances. Seriously, after playing nearly four years I've learned to cope with the amount of storage.

Increased account based storage, as in, triple the amount of the Xunlai or something?

Time will tell.

Traveller

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jul 2005

Finland

League of Extraordinary Explorers [LOST] (my one man guild)

Me/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:33 - 9

Account-based HoM is nice I guess. But April? so before that, no new GW1 or GW2 news?

Tullzinski

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Trying to stay out of Ryuk's Death Note

N/R

15 Jan 2009 at 19:38 - 10

Be glad to take any bones they throw my way

No monthly fees and still getting updates! Keep up the good work!!!

Parson Brown

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2006

In ur base...

The one true [Hope]

E/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:41 - 11

I love the idea of more storage, and I really love the idea of more people joining the GW1 live team, but really? How many months to increase storage? And is that really a "content update" anyway?

I'll take what I can get, but when I saw content updates that take months to implement, I certainly dreamed of bigger things.

EroChrono

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Netherlands

[WitB]

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:42 - 12

So they announced the HoM in june (24th to be exact) last year, and in april 2009 it's going to be live?!? 10 Months!
Nightfall was announced in july 2006 and was live in october, a mere 3 months...

The proposed updates are great, but is it worth the wait? I doubt it.

Snow Bunny

Alcoholic From Yale

Join Date: Jul 2007

Strong Foreign Policy [sFp]

15 Jan 2009 at 19:42 - 13

So I clicked on this to see some interesting balance changes and a lot of QQing. Instead I get a storage update.

sup?

Ctb

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:46 - 14

Didn't they just get done whining that they didn't have a hundred dollars sitting around for a 1 TB disk drive, so no storage increase? Or are they going to charge for it?

Shayne Hawke

Departed from Tyria

Join Date: May 2007

Clan Dethryche [dth]

R/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:51 - 15

This is somewhat promising. At least they're giving us an idea that more content is still coming, even if it's really thinly spread out. I'm at least expecting the HoM update to come before or at the same time as any storage boost, since that's one thing that they've held us waiting on for about a year or so.

kupp

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2008

The Shiverpeaks

[KISS]

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:55 - 16

Looks good. But still, April?

slowerpoke

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2007

Cuba

15 Jan 2009 at 19:56 - 17

sounds like we'll be getting less updates with longer waits

spoiler: hom updates delayed further, superior rune of holding and 1 extra storage tab in xunlai box for gwen owners

snaek

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:56 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctb

Didn't they just get done whining that they didn't have a hundred dollars sitting around for a 1 TB disk drive, so no storage increase? Or are they going to charge for it?

thats anet for u...
makin complete random bs excuses because they cant be bothered to tell u the real reason (they dun wanna put in the work for it)

Ec]-[oMaN

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Toronto, Ont.

[DT][pT][jT][Grim][Nion]

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 19:58 - 19

Storage increase for a dead game because it's been 3+years and all the farmers can't even sell their junk. Good ideas are good. I still can't fathom how people are still slaying the same monsters with the same AI after 3+years.

therangereminem

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2007

R/Mo

15 Jan 2009 at 19:59 - 20

odl news to me jjust couldnt post or say they had a meeting aweek ago abotu this update

RazmO-

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2008

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:00 - 21

I still dont get why they said they are going to make the account based HoM a few months ago when they plan to develop it on April.. but what can we do.
Nice to have a bigger storage though...

JimmyNeutron

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2007

15 Jan 2009 at 20:00 - 22

If they increase the gold storage and trade transaction from 100K/1000K to 500K/5000K or anything, that could potentially degrade the value of ectos extremely.

So, sell your ectos now and wait and see what happens.

No longer will you need ectos to trade over 100K now or Z-Keys for that matters.

Fril Estelin

So Serious...

Join Date: Jan 2007

London

Nerfs Are [WHAK]

E/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:14 - 23

When I first read the announcement, I started thinking "cool", then at the "content updates" section I said to myself "excellent", then I was surprised that the last paragraph was about storage and Hom. It was a sort of anti-climax.

On further reading (it's always good to do that, begore rushing to an interpretation), I'm a bit confused on whether they're keeping the nice new stuff for a bit later, say March (since we've got Canthan New Year next month), or not. Because given the size of an update like the title rebalancing, storage change seem like peanuts, and yet they say it's going to be bigger.

We'll see, it's quite good that the Live Team is getting bigger

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ctb

Didn't they just get done whining that they didn't have a hundred dollars sitting around for a 1 TB disk drive, so no storage increase? Or are they going to charge for it?

I indeed vaguely remember something like this, but couldn't find a reference to it. Anyone has it?

Regina Buenaobra

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Me/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:15 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

sounds like we'll be getting less updates with longer waits

As we said in the Dev Update, a lot of this content would not be possible to implement if we were held to a monthly content schedule. Larger and more complex projects like storage need more lead time:

Quote:

By spacing out our content releases, we gain the time to tackle larger and more difficult projects that, previously, would've been impossible.

You'll still get the monthly updates with the tonics, skill balances as needed, etc.

king swift

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2007

Kamadan AD1

Zealots Of Shiverpeak [ZoS]

D/A

15 Jan 2009 at 20:15 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

sounds like we'll be getting less updates with longer waits

spoiler: hom updates delayed further, superior rune of holding and 1 extra storage tab in xunlai box for gwen owners

Yup, they did this to extend winter break until April. Then in April, they extended spring break for four months. They just go to work every four months and delay all their promises until GW2 comes out in 2012 (<---that date may be changed to 2013 if they decide to have another break)

Pkest

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2006

Hooded Reavers of Eternal Life(Ankh)

R/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:15 - 26

7 heroes in a party is the only thing that would bring me back and I doubt that's going to happen. (although the thing about tackling projects previously thought to be impossible gives me a slight sliver of hope).

Mungo

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:26 - 27

I'm going to interpret this as they're spending most of their resources and people on GW2 right now, but they've brought back a few people to continue regular, large updates on GW1

. I'm not really sure why everyone is complaining, I mean really, you bought the game for anywhere from like $20 to $50, from any time between 4 years and 4 months ago. The fact that we're getting updates at all is pretty nice, considering most of the money they received is going towards keep the servers maintained .etc. I just wish everyone wouldn't be so bitter, sheesh if you hate the game so much, stop playing.

Abedeus

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Jan 2007

Niflheim

R/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:30 - 28

That's it?

Well, good thing I didn't get my hopes up.

Talk about wild goose chase. Oh, and cool Regina finally posted something on this forum. After almost a month of silence.

Way to go, Community Manager.

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:31 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mungo

I'm going to interpret this as they're spending most of their resources and people on GW2 right now, but they've brought back a few people to continue regular, large updates on GW1

. I'm not really sure why everyone is complaining, I mean really, you bought the game for anywhere from like $20 to $50, from any time between 4 years and 4 months ago. The fact that we're getting updates at all is pretty nice, considering most of the money they received is going towards keep the servers maintained .etc. I just wish everyone wouldn't be so bitter, sheesh if you hate the game so much, stop playing.

Some people just hate to see their game they came to love nearly 4 years ago to turn into a sorry excuse of a game by keeping people hooked by promoting grinding.

But that's a whole other discussion, let's not go there now.

dilan155

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2007

living room

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:40 - 30

lol 3-4 months, this wouldve been fine if it was at least new areas, but noooo. well at least its better than nothing.

DarkNecrid

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jul 2006

15 Jan 2009 at 20:48 - 31

I agree, how dare people have opinions. Guild Wars Guru you suck, please replace your memberbase with robots that don't think and are incredibly biased in favor of Anet now plz?

That said, it's probably going to be 20 slot customized belt/bags from some new elite thing like MOX or something. Probably enhance the storage with more tabs also unlocked in some way.

Scarlett Romanov

Guest

Join Date: Jul 2005

Me/

15 Jan 2009 at 20:58 - 32

Its nice to have more storage, but I have to wonder whether or not its even worth spending time implementing it when the number of people playing the game is continually decreasing. It would make more sense to focus time on producing something like the BMP to make a little money (hay...They could use that for "GW2") and spur a little interest in the game.

I do recall someone (Regina or Linsey maybe) stating that increasing storage was an issue with having server space and money. I'd like to know how this is being remedied. Are we going to have to pay for storage or is Anet making money from somewhere else?

I also doubt we'll see any Guild Wars 2 in the coming months. Hell, I doubt Anet will go to E3 this year either. (Since its reverting close to its previous glory.) If we even hear anything about the game, I expect it will come out in the Fall (September).

*runs off to play Valkyria Chronicles*

Larcen

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2007

Southern Maryland

Midnight Oasis

15 Jan 2009 at 20:58 - 33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

You'll still get the monthly updates with the tonics, skill balances as needed, etc.

Well, look at it this way, worst case scenario we get tonight's updates then nothing for 2 months. As she said, there is an off chance at skill balancing for Feb. and March. Hopefully we'll get some good one's tonight to hold us over the next 2 months.

Then there is the off chance we don't even get an update tonight, which would lead the vultures into asking "WTF have you all been doing the past month that we don't get the update we've been expecting all month?!!?!!111oneone".

I'm an optimist therefore my hopes lie in paragraph one.

romeus petrus

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2006

Urgoz Warren

Legion of Doom [LOD] Home of PWNZILLA http://PWNZILLA.guildlaunch.com

15 Jan 2009 at 21:00 - 34

Its a good thing I didnt get my hopes up when I clicked on this thread. Just what the game needed, more storage...

Reverend Dr

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Super Fans Of Gaile [ban]

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 21:03 - 35

Quote:

However, we are discontinuing the monthly ATS skill usage charts on the website as the feature isn't popular enough to warrant the time investment required to compile, sort, and publish the data.

My life doesn't revolve around GW, so I've missed all but two of the monthly tournies. This skill chart was about the only way I could keep up with the tournament meta.

Ctb

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

W/

15 Jan 2009 at 21:08 - 36

Quote:

Larger and more complex projects like storage need more lead time

...?

Storage already increases when you add campaigns and they even added a whole new type of tab with the materials update. Is this something not related to xunlai storage, or am I honestly being asked to believe that something that's already been done to a trivial piece of the game's mechanic justifies being called a "larger" or "more complex" project?

BenjZee

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2006

The Overacheivers [Club]

Mo/

15 Jan 2009 at 21:08 - 37

um wow, unexpected dev update

Thanks for letting us know. Ofcourse theres alot of stuff they can't tell us because etierh they dont know whats planned or they can't tell us as it would ruin anything fun. Besides if they told us now and changed there minds they'll be called liars
Also am i missing something here..why are some of you people complaining...all i can say is get a life. Surely some contents better tahn nothing- they dont' have to add anything. Besides everyone has been wanting more storage since day 1 and wil always 'need' it for random junk. Atleast hold you rant until they make the change because you can't complain about it until its implimented

Shadowspawn X

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Fellowship of Champions

R/E

15 Jan 2009 at 21:08 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyNeutron

If they increase the gold storage and trade transaction from 100K/1000K to 500K/5000K or anything, that could potentially degrade the value of ectos extremely.

Its a interesting thought, but I don't think they see that as an answer to inflation. I don't remember what happened to the economy when we got all the tabs in the xunlai chest. I don;t think there was hoarding or inflation immediately following that update.

Onyx Blindbow

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2007

Here & There

Blades of Burning Shadows - GoDT

N/

15 Jan 2009 at 21:11 - 39

I love the amount of QQ from ppl whenever a-net announce anything

Weird how a game that costs little to buy & nothing to play as much as you want, is fail whenever they released anything to the playerbase

The fact that people are still playing after a year or even 3 years surely proves the game is less than fail doesn't it?

No matter what they do with GW, what they release or try to change they are always going to upset someone but it would be nice if just once there was not a QQ-fest about every single thing a-net try to do

Fril Estelin

So Serious...

Join Date: Jan 2007

London

Nerfs Are [WHAK]

E/

15 Jan 2009 at 21:15 - 40

I'm starting to wonder whether this announcement is for another part of the GW community, the one which is on the wiki discussion webpages, not Guru where discussion is tougher, notably because there are a lot of retired players and trolls. (knowing all well that it's going to be discussed here, Guru-ers are well-informed people ;P ) I miss the days when Gaile was here, in the middle of the discussion.

Nice to see Regina here, and I surely hope that the part of the announcement that said "during development we will be more open about our process and what we are working on" is going to change the community relationship and we'll get more communication (rather than Q&A).

Sincerely, I <3 to hear "We want players to feel connected to what we are developing", I'd like to know how you prioritised the various tasks you got on your todo list, where you fish for this information, etc.