A Letter to Our Fans [from Mike O'Brien] - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Sirius-NZ

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2007

Bellevue, WA (I know ... but I moved out of NZ)

Xen of Onslaught

D/

22 Feb 2009 at 18:29 - 201

There is an interesting quote to reference here, but it may be a bit obscure and I don't really want to appear to involve religion in this, so I'll just say it outright.

Concept art doesn't help. If you can't believe that the game is in progress now, another piece of artwork won't prove to your satisfaction that it does either. Is that really GW2? Does it really indicate any progress? The only things that it tells you about its progress, you would have known based on released information anyway.

Screenshots might. Depending what they were screenshots of. But it may also give away too much, who knows. I get the impression the plans for GW2 changed at some point along the line, and there's enough sensitive material in there that they don't want the word to get out to competitors. That makes some sense to me, although I can only hope they're really worth protecting that well.

But, like it or not, I can't think of many (if any) game studios that I've been able to put as much trust in as ArenaNet. I tend to believe that most of the changes they will make will probably make me happier, considering they were generally on the right track in GW1. Unfortunately, that doesn't help those of you who weren't happy with it or don't have that kind of ... well, faith ... in ArenaNet, but on the bright side you can always find another game if it sucks when it comes out.

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

22 Feb 2009 at 21:14 - 202

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qing Guang

.... I'm willing to wait 10 years for a game if the end product is good...

Why would you 'wait' for GW2? Are you setting your whole life on hold or something? Are you not playing any other games because GW2 will be released in the near future? Why do you need 'proof' of this game being in development, other than 'word of mouth'?

Why not enjoy GW1, life, other games, and just let Anet develop their game?

]SK[

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Nottingham, UK

GV

W/

23 Feb 2009 at 13:42 - 203

The lack of stuff to do other than grinding titles has made me start playing WoW

I look forward to GW2 but the wait has been just too much. I think since Gaile's departure all questions no longer get answered. Gaile did a great job of answering some of the more popular questions and keeping the community (customers) informed. I miss this quite alot.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

23 Feb 2009 at 15:58 - 204

Quote:

Originally Posted by ]SK[

The lack of stuff to do other than grinding titles has made me start playing WoW

I look forward to GW2 but the wait has been just too much. I think since Gaile's departure all questions no longer get answered. Gaile did a great job of answering some of the more popular questions and keeping the community (customers) informed. I miss this quite alot.

I'll say this again...

There is nothing Regina CAN answer right now that hasn't been answered...

she has posted on here many times saying she would love to answer questions, but she either has no information to pass on, or what she knows ANet are keeping tight lipped about right now

we all know that there is a playable tech demo that some have played and all have said is great so far, but again, thats a tech demo, nothing more

]SK[

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2006

Nottingham, UK

GV

W/

23 Feb 2009 at 17:42 - 205

I'm talking about questions in regards to both 1 and 2.

I didn't know anything about a tech demo either. So no, we don't all know.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

23 Feb 2009 at 17:51 - 206

Quote:

Originally Posted by ]SK[

I'm talking about questions in regards to both 1 and 2.

I didn't know anything about a tech demo either. So no, we don't all know.

The tech demo was accidentally mentioned by a couple of people, have a look round the forum and you will find it

And what is there you want to know about GW1?

wickedss

Academy Page

Join Date: Feb 2008

Arizona...Valley of the Sunstroke

CBO

E/Me

23 Feb 2009 at 20:32 - 207

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arduinna

Why would you 'wait' for GW2? Are you setting your whole life on hold or something? Are you not playing any other games because GW2 will be released in the near future? Why do you need 'proof' of this game being in development, other than 'word of mouth'?

Why not enjoy GW1, life, other games, and just let Anet develop their game?

LOLZ...funny how people were griping that the "nay-sayers" just wanted a rushed game and that they, "the faithful" would rather wait several years for a polished game.

Now we have a "nay-sayer" that says they are willing to wait 10 years for a great game and he gets "what? you're willing to wait? don't you have a life?!.....wtf?!

And how does his willingness to wait for gw2 that long translate to not having a life like he is just sitting on the edge of his couch drooling until it's released.

In response to those that think we just want a rushed game or that we are just lookin for a reason to b*tch:

First off let me say that Anet should be flattered at all the attention this thread, and others like it, have gotten from both sides of the discussion. Both sides are very passionate and that just shows that the game they created is truly loved.

Most of us that are bummed about the lack of info and possible release dates are bummed because we, too, love the game...not because we are lifeless boobs who have nothing better to do. We ARE willing to wait for the final product and are willing to wait for a great, relatively bug-free, game. Yes...a lot of us have started playing other games or doing other things, because there is just nothing left to do in gw1 for us. Sure there is a lot of grinding but if we wanted that we would be playing wow or any of the multitude of free mmos out there like Perfect World International or Shayia.

We are simply bummed that we have done it all in the original game, there is no REAL content in the works for it, and we are hungry for more. And when you combine that with a complete lack of hard info; ex: "hey guys, yes it will be at least 2010 or so because of the size of this undertaking" we feel in limbo (only as far as gw is concerned because *shock and gasp* we do have lives but at the moment we are talking about this subject).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild Rituals

So really why was this Post alloud to be discussed?

Its another stupid reason to complain about GW2 being years away for impatient people

^^Award for dumbest question on a forum

For those that keeps asking for concept art: http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Guild_Wars_2 It has been there for quite a while.

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

23 Feb 2009 at 23:28 - 208

Quote:

Originally Posted by Punjabi

As Regina said, they are hiring Web Developers for GW2 possitions so that could mean they are interested in getting a web site launched in the not so distant future.

They are probably going to develop a web-accessible character database that most other MMOs have (wowarmory, vangardplayers, eq2players, warhammer has one as well, etc.). Although it feels a little late to just be getting started on that now.

Shmanka

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

In Your Head

The Brave Will Fall [Nion]

Me/

24 Feb 2009 at 11:21 - 209

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo Smile

Nothing in that letter said that. Again, assumptions.

Or putting 2 and 2 together. You really think after a letter like this the game in its beta version will come out tommorow? I've given up on this GW2 thing, for the pvp aspect it seems more will be ruined then it is now. Automated Tournaments that don't Automate capes, or automate the next monthly rotation maps. Guilds that don't even gvg anymore staying on the top 20 page because they won't implement a simple rating decay system, and pvp that gets no skill balance with a whole community of top players respectively giving opinions.

I am looking forward to seeing if Aion gets North America's attention.

Shadowphoenix83

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2008

Gems Of Destiny

N/Mo

27 Feb 2009 at 19:14 - 210

Thank you for the reply Mike

Ec]-[oMaN

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Toronto, Ont.

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

W/

27 Feb 2009 at 19:20 - 211

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmanka

Or putting 2 and 2 together. You really think after a letter like this the game in its beta version will come out tommorow? I've given up on this GW2 thing, for the pvp aspect it seems more will be ruined then it is now. Automated Tournaments that don't Automate capes, or automate the next monthly rotation maps. Guilds that don't even gvg anymore staying on the top 20 page because they won't implement a simple rating decay system, and pvp that gets no skill balance with a whole community of top players respectively giving opinions.

I am looking forward to seeing if Aion gets North America's attention.

Remember the excuse for making automated tournaments? Can someone tell me when was the last time the variables were changed? Such as to implement easy core skills only type AT's? Still hasn't happened once, good joke.

PuppyEater

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2005

I'm on the left...

Guilds? Where we're going we don't need guilds...

R/Rt

27 Feb 2009 at 19:50 - 212

All I can say is that GW2 better be one helluva game when it gets done with its absurdly long development time...

Also, 5 bucks says the game launches Dec 25th 2011 and we get 1 week of play before the world ends

Rocky Raccoon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2007

Massachusetts, USA

Guardians of the Cosmos

R/Mo

27 Feb 2009 at 20:23 - 213

Quote:

Originally Posted by PuppyEater

All I can say is that GW2 better be one helluva game when it gets done with its absurdly long development time...

Also, 5 bucks says the game launches Dec 25th 2011 and we get 1 week of play before the world ends

Actually the world isn't going to end until December 21, 2012, which will give you almost a year. As far as development time by game standards it hasn't been that long.

Martin Firestorm

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2005

Louisiana

E/Me

27 Feb 2009 at 20:30 - 214

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonesamurai

And what is there you want to know about GW1?

When we will be able to use 7 heroes?

heh

moriz

??ber t??k-n??sh'??n

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

R/

28 Feb 2009 at 02:18 - 215

the same time anet make pve mobs capable of running rawrspike, just to kill your 7 hero party in 30 seconds.

DreamWind

Forge Runner

Join Date: Oct 2006

E/Mo

28 Feb 2009 at 06:49 - 216

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ec]-[oMaN

Remember the excuse for making automated tournaments? Can someone tell me when was the last time the variables were changed? Such as to implement easy core skills only type AT's? Still hasn't happened once, good joke.

The only reason AT's were implemented was so Anet could take the time away from PvP and put it elsewhere. Anybody who thinks otherwise is idiotic.

SecretLove

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2009

Delta Formation [DF]

Mo/W

22 Apr 2009 at 08:20 - 217

If this doesnt come out by late 2010, I will die of boredom, and i hope they make the GvG system even funner

SecretLove

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2009

Delta Formation [DF]

Mo/W

22 Apr 2009 at 08:24 - 218

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risky Ranger

Actually the world isn't going to end until December 21, 2012, which will give you almost a year. As far as development time by game standards it hasn't been that long.

It's December 12 2012, 12/12/12
BTW

SecretLove

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2009

Delta Formation [DF]

Mo/W

22 Apr 2009 at 08:27 - 219

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shmanka

Or putting 2 and 2 together. You really think after a letter like this the game in its beta version will come out tommorow? I've given up on this GW2 thing, for the pvp aspect it seems more will be ruined then it is now. Automated Tournaments that don't Automate capes, or automate the next monthly rotation maps. Guilds that don't even gvg anymore staying on the top 20 page because they won't implement a simple rating decay system, and pvp that gets no skill balance with a whole community of top players respectively giving opinions.

I am looking forward to seeing if Aion gets North America's attention.

Shmanka, I'd be really sad if they ruined PvP, Most of GW's players are just non-skilled PvErs, so GW2 will be revolved around PvE almost surely, if GvG isnt better, or at least the same, I will quit GW

You have my promise.

Nanood

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Supermans Crystal Palace

Legion Of The Dark Sun

22 Apr 2009 at 08:41 - 220

GW 3 Announced.

Gregslot

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2006

Me/

22 Apr 2009 at 16:43 - 221

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanood

GW 3 Announced.

What?!?!
And why did you used rez sig on this post?

MithranArkanere

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Nov 2006

wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigo

Heraldos de la Llama Oscura [HLO]

E/

22 Apr 2009 at 18:34 - 222

Ok, I have 2 years to get a better computer.

That's relaxing...

carnage-runner

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Aug 2006

Canada, B.C. Vancouver. aka.. amazing.

[Sith]

W/Me

22 Apr 2009 at 19:40 - 223

Lets all just play GW1 till GW2 comes out. When it's ready enough to be tested we will see it. Until then? No point crying over spilt milk. (Or in this case the lack of milk being spilt.) Instead lets be grateful of the knowledge we have been given.

1. When GW2 is ready, we will know.
2. When GW2 is launched it will be one of the better MMORPG's on the market.
3. We know we wont have to pay monthly fees.
4. We have been given small bits of information early in the developement stages of the game.
5. They HAVEN'T stopped updating GuildWars... (i.e. They remember that they have an audience to appease.)

I'm perfectly content with waiting.

Obrien Xp

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2009

Canada

The First Dragon Slayers [FDS]

22 Apr 2009 at 21:05 - 224

^ Glad to see I'm not the only optimist here

fifel

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Dec 2005

R/

22 Apr 2009 at 21:46 - 225

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

Lets all just play GW1 till GW2 comes out. When it's ready enough to be tested we will see it. Until then? No point crying over spilt milk. (Or in this case the lack of milk being spilt.) Instead lets be grateful of the knowledge we have been given.

1. When GW2 is ready, we will know.
2. When GW2 is launched it will be one of the better MMORPG's on the market.
3. We know we wont have to pay monthly fees.
4. We have been given small bits of information early in the developement stages of the game.
5. They HAVEN'T stopped updating GuildWars... (i.e. They remember that they have an audience to appease.)

I'm perfectly content with waiting.

Couldn't have said it better....No really i couldn't.

Halmyr

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

Canada! eh!

~none~

W/Me

22 Apr 2009 at 21:47 - 226

^ agree, theres a least 3 of us like that here.

After over 2000 hours of play over 4 year as of this weekend.....no other game comes close to how much I played GW, So for now, I'l trust Anet to make an other awomse game like this one.

by no means does that mean I'm not eager....can't wait for more info....but I'l wait

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

22 Apr 2009 at 21:48 - 227

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halmyr

^ agree, theres a least 3 of us like that here.

Mark me down as #4

Fril Estelin

So Serious...

Join Date: Jan 2007

London

Nerfs Are [WHAK]

E/

22 Apr 2009 at 22:08 - 228

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonesamurai

Mark me down as #4

Count me in. I've got my badge of GW2 optimist #5!

Nomme Moon

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Apr 2009 at 23:00 - 229

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

Lets all just play GW1 till GW2 comes out.

Sorry, the game is boring and old.

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

Instead lets be grateful of the knowledge we have been given.

Care to enlighten us on something I must be missing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

2. When GW2 is launched it will be one of the better MMORPG's on the market.

How do you know this when we've seen/heard/played nothing from it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

5. They HAVEN'T stopped updating GuildWars... (i.e. They remember that they have an audience to appease.)

Hahahahaa.

Rhamia Darigaz

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2008

22 Apr 2009 at 23:12 - 230

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

2. When GW2 is launched it will be one of the better MMORPG's on the market.

source please?

Empress Amarox

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Dec 2008

Above you.

Mo/W

23 Apr 2009 at 02:10 - 231

The reason they want to keep the players on GW1 long as possible is because they want continued income from GW1 while they're working on GW2.

Character slots... Xunlai House... Storage Panes...

You bet we'll see more. Or, at least whoever is still on GW for the next 2 years. I could give the devs of a dead game money for something I would have loved 3 years ago but don't care about now because the game is boring, or I could use that money to entertain myself on another game instead, most likely a pay-to-play one, since all the other MMO's seem to like that approach.

Really, they don't care what you do, as long as you come back, get nostalgic and buy some upgrade from them because you've wanted it for years. They couldn't care less if you lose interest a couple hours later cause there's nothing to do.

Imagine plastic surgeon/barber 2 years from now... People will still be ecstatic about it, but after you get it... The game is dead, who really cares anymore?

I just hope GW2 is very, very visually stunning. That alone is 90% of a game for me... But well... 2-3 years away... I can't really care about it until it's released, I don't even know if I'd play it. Maybe a better game will be released before it, maybe an existing game will get updates to where it's better. Age of Conan's looking pretty promising recently...

The only reason I come to these forums anymore is boredom and because I still have it on my speed dial because of XTH predictions. I don't play, so I just come here and get 1400k or so every month to horde for no apparent reason. Hoping something else might be worth buying in GW some day...

Anyways, about the letter itself... It's cool that the devs are actively paying attention to the community. Not giving us what we want, but paying attention nonetheless. I think they need a lil slice of humble pie though -- unless they wanna put screenshots where their words are.

Apollo Smile

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2008

[LORE]

E/Mo

23 Apr 2009 at 04:27 - 232

No doubt GW2 will look absolutely breathtaking. ArenaNet has an incredible art team. (Hell, GW1 has aged well and still looks great.) I just hope the gameplay will be awesome as well.

Scary

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2007

Uhmmmm??

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

N/

23 Apr 2009 at 06:18 - 233

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo Smile

No doubt GW2 will look absolutely breathtaking. ArenaNet has an incredible art team. (Hell, GW1 has aged well and still looks great.) I just hope the gameplay will be awesome as well.

Agree, Lots of people out there that play GW form the beginnig and still like it
just for the looks, Im just one of those many.
With the right group of people I enjoy GW every day. Some times just for a chat. the other days to be busy for hours.
And yes it still looks great, And if the gameplay will be the same in GW2.
I wouldnt care if it takes 5 years from now.. When Im still around to see
that day I will surtenly buy GW 2, even if it would be dated compering to
other games

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

23 Apr 2009 at 08:04 - 234

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apollo Smile

No doubt GW2 will look absolutely breathtaking. ArenaNet has an incredible art team. (Hell, GW1 has aged well and still looks great.) I just hope the gameplay will be awesome as well.

I have high hopes for the art. For the past few weeks I've been playing Aion (Chinese beta+retail), which is as amazing graphics-wise today as GW was when it came out (and performs just as well!). GW2 is coming out 2 years after Aion, so hopefully it will be at least as good, and they'll at least have something to try to beat.

Speaking of Aion, this game has serious problems. It as grindy and punishing as Lineage 2, and is going to fail pretty hard in NA/Europe when people get over its initial good looks and realize that it's a generic Korean grinder MMO. It's taken me 2 weeks of 3 hours a day to get to level 19, and apparently those are the least grindy levels.

I was hoping the ArenaNet guys who took over NCSoft West would have some control over shitty design decisions such as having your armor randomly break when you try to upgrade it, ludicrously expensive travel costs, and just endless grinding in just about every aspect of the game. Unfortunately not, as it's been stated that they are not changing any mechanics for NA/Europe. This game is basically an updated Lineage 2 with some quests added in, but it is not in any way a game for casual audiences.