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shillo

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2006

22 Jul 2009 at 19:31 - 241

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

My personal conspiracy theory involves ArenaNet dedicating resources to help NCKorea get Aion ready for release, particularly the art team.

This has been flatly denied by Regina.

Even if you don't take her word for it, there's still the fact that Aion is fully released in Korea since November last year. So the only cause for the lag is localization effort - writers' and voice-actors' work.

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 19:46 - 242

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillo

This has been flatly denied by Regina.

To be fair, she didn't. She did not in any way say that ArenaNet has never helped out NCKorea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillo

Even if you don't take her word for it, there's still the fact that Aion is fully released in Korea since November last year. So the only cause for the lag is localization effort - writers' and voice-actors' work.

I read an interview with a Lineage II (another NCSoft title) assistant producer today, which specifically covered the difficulty and delay caused by localizing from Korea to US/Europe.

More specifically:

Quote:

11. Is there any way to explain why/how Korea's updates seem to be about 6 months in advance of ours? Is it just simply down to translations, or is it more complicated?
The process of implementing new expansions to our server is definitely complicated. I wish it were as simple as just translating some text and being done with it. However, during the localization process, there are many, many thousands of files that must go through translation and multiple levels of editing. It sounds simple when explained in one short sentence, but coming from a team that works directly with the process, I can attest to how time-consuming it is. Our long-term goal is to close the gap between the time Korea launches an expansion and when we do, but in order to get things ready to be played in English, there will always be delays. This time gap is largely dependent on how much text changes between expansions, as well as other technical factors that sometimes come into play.

So yes, were ArenaNet helping NCKorea with getting Aion ready for the US and European markets they could still have a significant amount of work to do, despite the Korean version being live.

That's beside the point though. If they finished with Aion a month ago, three months ago or yesterday it could still be a reasonable explanation for the massive delay for Guild Wars 2.

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 19:47 - 243

My personal theory on the delay is that they weighed starting the beta in 2008 and getting early and constant feedback (like happened with GW1 which started beta'ing years before it released), and keeping the existing players happy, vs these two downsides:

a) Possible negative publicity given the game will be far from perfect 2-3 years before release, as people's expectations are so high these days, even for betas. GW1 looked like shit early in beta.

b) Letting competitors see any interesting new features, game mechanics, and graphical techniques. For example, all the senior WoW designers have been moved off WoW now and are working on their new MMO. And of course, there are many more MMOs in development than Blizzard's next creation. The later all the beans are spilled about GW2, the more inconvenient it is for other developers to go back to the drawing board to steal the best ideas from it.

It's a tradeoff. Being tight-lipped does piss off the type of people that post on the forums all the time, but maybe they are planning for the huge market of people who didn't even get into GW in the first place.

Ravious

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Servants of Fortuna

N/Mo

22 Jul 2009 at 19:54 - 244

I don't get this "stealing" thing. I just can't believe that's really an issue. Look at WAR. No one has touched PQs. The ToK, which can be called an iteration of LOTRO's deeds, still remains it's own beast. Or let's go back further to CoH's sidekick or now to their Architect. Still their own deal.

MMOs are big nasty beasts of code and design. You can't just mid-development "steal" a core-design feature like GW2's events or emergent skills. The whole game has to be built up with them.

I think it is much more about making a splash on this turbulent internet than competitor's stealing things.

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 20:00 - 245

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

To be fair, she didn't. She did not in any way say that ArenaNet has never helped out NCKorea.

I read an interview with a Lineage II (another NCSoft title) assistant producer today, which specifically covered the difficulty and delay caused by localizing from Korea to US/Europe.

More specifically:

So yes, were ArenaNet helping NCKorea with getting Aion ready for the US and European markets they could still have a significant amount of work to do, despite the Korean version being live.

That's beside the point though. If they finished with Aion a month ago, three months ago or yesterday it could still be a reasonable explanation for the massive delay for Guild Wars 2.

Maybe they borrowed the localizing folks and a few others, but according to the NCSoft investor materials there are something like 160 people working at ArenaNet. It seems unlikely more than a handful would be helping out Aion's localization. That leaves everyone else to work on GW2.

The art thing is an easy theory to test. The Aion credits list the art team for the game, and as far as I remember they were all Korean names.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravious

I don't get this "stealing" thing. I just can't believe that's really an issue. Look at WAR. No one has touched PQs. The ToK, which can be called an iteration of LOTRO's deeds, still remains it's own beast. Or let's go back further to CoH's sidekick or now to their Architect. Still their own deal.

MMOs are big nasty beasts of code and design. You can't just mid-development "steal" a core-design feature like GW2's events or emergent skills. The whole game has to be built up with them.

I think it is much more about making a splash on this turbulent internet than competitor's stealing things.

Examples include lua scriptable UI, achievements, making the MMO heavily quest based, queueing for a BG from anywhere. EQ2 has sidekicking, as will GW2.

Bad or mediocre ideas don't get stolen. CoH's architect didn't work out well, and is exploit city. Public quests as implemented in WAR didn't work out that great either except for initially. ToK was different but hardly worth copying, it's really for RPers. How much time do you really think the average WAR player spends reading it? Bear in mind that people don't even read quest text, they just click accept.

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

22 Jul 2009 at 20:04 - 246

Gigashadow, Michael Jackson composed the music for sonic 3. But do we see him in the credits anywhere?

Brett Kuntz

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

22 Jul 2009 at 20:04 - 247

ArenaNET doesn't share employees with NCSoft/Aion. They are two different companies.

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

22 Jul 2009 at 20:07 - 248

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

Can I read your work somewhere, interviews with Martin and Regina? I prolly missed them, that's why I ask. Read a short one some time ago, but don't know if it was you.

no you can listen to them, I dj three times a week on my station and you may have seen som adverts for it round here

check the community section, the next show is Thursday 30th

Nodakim

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

Hrvatska

N/Me

22 Jul 2009 at 20:17 - 249

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuntz

ArenaNET doesn't share employees with NCSoft/Aion. They are two different companies.

Can they then please stop advertising Aion?

Regina Buenaobra

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Me/

22 Jul 2009 at 20:39 - 250

My ears, they are burning.

Seriously, though, GW2 is on track according to our internal production schedules. What has changed WRT to the info we posted in public is the timing of the beta. Since the release of GW1, betas have changed in how they're perceived by the public and the company feels strongly about releasing a more polished product for beta.

From the GW2 FAQ:

Quote:

When will there be a beta?

Although we publically alpha- and beta-tested the original Guild Wars while it was still in early development, with Guild Wars 2 we will commence beta testing closer to the game's release. With that in mind, we will not start beta testing in 2008 as we had originally planned. Guild Wars 2 is a very large and ambitious game, and Guild Wars players rightfully have very high expectations of its quality. We want players to be absolutely blown away by the game the first time they experience it.

Brett Kuntz

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

22 Jul 2009 at 20:50 - 251

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodakim

Can they then please stop advertising Aion?

Why? Who's it harming?

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 20:55 - 252

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

betas have changed in how they're perceived by the public and the company feels strongly about releasing a more polished product for beta.

Yeah, that point I can definitely appreciate.

MMO news sites and blogs will be doing write-ups of their experience within the first few days, and they no longer have much sympathy for the word 'beta'. A few bad "reviews" can taint the launch of an MMO, which is obviously the last thing you want given the plethora of other potential problems. It's much more of a marketing exercise than it once was. Basically now treated as a free preview of the game to try and get people into it.

Then again, isn't this all the more reason to start putting together closed NDA covered beta testing groups, with dedicated individuals from the community?

Ravious

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2006

Servants of Fortuna

N/Mo

22 Jul 2009 at 20:57 - 253

This filthy bloggers and their "reviews."

Martin Kerstein

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Jul 2009 at 20:59 - 254

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravious

This filthy bloggers and their "reviews."

I see what you did there

slowerpoke

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2007

Cuba

22 Jul 2009 at 21:02 - 255

Seems like the CMs now attack in pairs

JR

Re:tired

Join Date: Nov 2005

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:04 - 256

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

Seems like the CMs now attack in pairs

Let's try not to discourage them.

Martin Kerstein

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Jul 2009 at 21:08 - 257

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

Seems like the CMs now attack in pairs

Strength in numbers, you know

slowerpoke

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2007

Cuba

22 Jul 2009 at 21:09 - 258

while your here, CMs how about some info for us.

Will there be GW2 news at PAX? y/n

icedwhitemocha

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

Ancestral/Grenz

[CneX]

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:15 - 259

I understand the reason for the secrecy, but I feel like Anet has taken it a bit too far. Thus I voted 1, although truthfully I'm tied between 1 and 2.

Martin Kerstein

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Jul 2009 at 21:17 - 260

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

while your here, CMs how about some info for us.

Will there be GW2 news at PAX? y/n

We are always there, watching in the shadows.... *drumroll*

All we can say at this moment in time is that ArenaNet will have a presence at PAX.

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:20 - 261

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Kerstein

All we can say at this moment in time is that ArenaNet will have a presence at PAX.

So, you can neither confirm nor deny that GW2 will be shown at PAX. You are such a tease

own age myname

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2007

Minnesota

[TAS]

R/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:20 - 262

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Kerstein

We are always there, watching in the shadows.... *drumroll*

All we can say at this moment in time is that ArenaNet will have a presence at PAX.

Aion won't be the spotlight though, right?

Nodakim

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

Hrvatska

N/Me

22 Jul 2009 at 21:28 - 263

Is Guild Wars Arena nets only project?

Regina Buenaobra

ArenaNet

Join Date: Apr 2008

Me/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:28 - 264

Quote:

Originally Posted by own age myname

Aion won't be the spotlight though, right?

Aion is launching later that month (September), so if you keep that in mind, you might have an idea of how big Aion's booth presence will be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodakim

Is Guild Wars your only project?

Nope, we're also working on Guild Wars 2.

slowerpoke

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2007

Cuba

22 Jul 2009 at 21:31 - 265

so much for the straight answer. although it sounds like a no

as for anet being at pax, i guess ncsoft will need help setup the aion stall

just remember you said we would have gw2 info by the end of the year, and we will keep you to that promise

RotteN

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:32 - 266

Quote:

Originally Posted by JR

Given the incredibly stiff competition ArenaNet has coming from Blizzard and Bioware (to name just two of the studios making fantastic looking MMOs right now) I can completely understand why they are keeping a lid on things. The last thing they need right now is to start talking about innovations and new mechanics, only to find them turning up in competitors products.

I'm sorry JR, but there is a difference between protecting your own franchise, and simply creating an absolute void of information.

The first will never bother your customers, since it is understandable. The second will NEVER please your customers.

As an example of what i mean: my company is a global leader in soil sanitations. We're using state-of-the-art machinery and techniques to take on jobs other companies can't. However, we don't ban all photos or information about that equipment, because we're scared it'll get stolen (and I'm pretty sure in a few years, other companies will finally copy it).

Thing is, basic, superficial information does not give away innovative secrets. If you can derive your so called "innovative mechanics" from a couple of screenshots or a dev update, chances are it's far from innovative to begin with.

Right now GW2 is just a logo. They've been cutting GW support steadily and although they claim it is "for the good of GW2", they have absolutely nothing to show for at this moment.

From a PR perspective, that is a very bad situation.
Just my 2 cents.

Then again, anet never realy managed their community properly. So I am not all that suprised.

Nodakim

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: May 2008

Hrvatska

N/Me

22 Jul 2009 at 21:36 - 267

43 day until PAX?
I started looking at the counter when it was 99 days.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

22 Jul 2009 at 21:59 - 268

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Kerstein

We are always there, watching in the shadows.... *drumroll*

All we can say at this moment in time is that ArenaNet will have a presence at PAX.

A.net will have a presence at PAX. He didn't say NCSoft (Aion), but A.net. So unless NCSoft is having Martin and Regina come to lift heavy boxes for the Aion booth... I'll expect something. Of course, it could just be like... the release of the GW2 book release date or the BMP 2 or concept art or something completely un-GW2ish. But... somethings better then nothing.

Edit: RotteN - your company doesn't have to be protective of other people stealing your ideas like A.net does. Soil sanitations? Seriously. How many companies even want to be the world leader in that?

Servant of Kali

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jan 2006

Me/

22 Jul 2009 at 22:16 - 269

Is there any particular reason for molesting ArenaNet for not having a GW2 blog or Tweeter with regular updates? It's one thing being curious and another to make "or else" comments. Stop being so spoiled.

ArenaNet will release news about GW2 when they calculate it's in their interest to do so, and they will release GW2 when they are satisfied with the product (or forced to release). It's that simple.

39% of people voted "ArenaNet is handling the situation badly". Really? As compared to whose achievements here? How many of these 39% people have accomplished absolutely anything in life? How many of these 39% people even finished high school with good grades or finished high school at all? Someone is handling situation badly, and it ain't ArenaNet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotten

The second will NEVER please your customers.

I am pleased. I am pleased to enjoy the silence. I am however not pleased with 39% children who think they have inherent "natural right" to demand this and that from others, and how every producer or anyone offering any service has to dance around to please a customer.

Guild Wars, with all the flaws, is one of the highest quality games I've ever seen. And instead of letting ArenaNet focus on GW2, or do something interesting/useful in GW1, their community managers have to appease raging mob who is about to crucify them because of lack of information. What is this about, a Pentagon conspiracy, ArenaNet withholding information about Area51, or what?

Gun Pierson

Forge Runner

Join Date: Feb 2006

Belgium

PIMP

Mo/

22 Jul 2009 at 22:18 - 270

4 weeks till Cologne and I'm coming down, you hear me Anet!

Just kidding, it's a festival, I'll spare you the questions about GW2. However...7... shhht.

Martin is going to be in Cologne right?

Martin Kerstein

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Jul 2009 at 22:19 - 271

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

4 weeks till Cologne and I'm coming down, you hear me Anet!

Just kidding, it's a festival, I'll spare you the questions about GW2. However...7... shhht.

I will be in Cologne, make sure to stop by and say hi

Inde

Site Contributor

Join Date: Dec 2004

22 Jul 2009 at 22:40 - 272

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

My ears, they are burning.

Seriously, though, GW2 is on track according to our internal production schedules. What has changed WRT to the info we posted in public is the timing of the beta. Since the release of GW1, betas have changed in how they're perceived by the public and the company feels strongly about releasing a more polished product for beta.

From the GW2 FAQ:

Thanks Regina. And a double thanks for enduring all the conspiracies us players like to dish out as well.

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

22 Jul 2009 at 23:09 - 273

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Kerstein

I will be in Cologne, make sure to stop by and say hi

Man, wish I was there

Whether anet realizes it or not, there are fanboys like me who're just begging for an autograph. Despite what some QQers think, GW is still darn one of the best rpgs I've ever seen. Merely being part of the team seems like something to be extremely proud of!!
Though since you're not Nintendo, nor' Miyamoto, I must ask:
Has the GW team ever actually signed autographs for people before? XD
Just out of curiosity.

RotteN

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jun 2005

W/

22 Jul 2009 at 23:17 - 274

Quote:

Originally Posted by Servant of Kali

I am pleased. I am pleased to enjoy the silence. I am however not pleased with 39% children who think they have inherent "natural right" to demand this and that from others, and how every producer or anyone offering any service has to dance around to please a customer.

The point of a poll is to check on people's opinions. I fail to see how your view on things would be more "correct" than others you so conveniently call "children".

Thinking Anet is handling things wrongly does not immediately mean you think you have the natural right to know everything Anet is doing.

You might consider it bad that people have to please their customers. But hey, welcome to capitalism, where companies cannot really afford losing 39% of their playerbase because "they're whiny children" (which is, in my opinion, a pretty stupid term to use in this discussion).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Servant of Kali

And instead of letting ArenaNet focus on GW2, or do something interesting/useful in GW1, their community managers have to appease raging mob who is about to crucify them because of lack of information.

It is their job as community managers to address the concerns of said community. I fail to see how doing their actual job would cripple GW2 development.

Martin Kerstein

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2007

22 Jul 2009 at 23:51 - 275

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kain Fz

Though since you're not Nintendo, nor' Miyamoto, I must ask:
Has the GW team ever actually signed autographs for people before? XD
Just out of curiosity.

Yes, it actually happens at shows - although it always feels slightly weird giving more autographs in my current job than when I was playing in a band ^^

Lonesamurai

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Cheltenham, Glos, UK

Wolf Pack Samurai [WPS]

R/A

23 Jul 2009 at 00:14 - 276

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Kerstein

Yes, it actually happens at shows - although it always feels slightly weird giving more autographs in my current job than when I was playing in a band ^^

nah, just says a lot about your band matey

shoyon456

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2006

D/

23 Jul 2009 at 04:05 - 277

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

Nope, we're also working on Guild Wars 2.

Since I think its apparent that the question you answered there was facetious, and you pointed out that it is Anet at PAX, it seems as though you are hinting there will be something GW2 related. Of course, it could be info that we essentially already know more or less (the books, their names, their release dates).

However, they have said their plan with GW2 is to make a "big splash." I'd think you would want people to know as company when your "big splash" of info will be as to build some hype. A "big splash" won't get as much initial attention if no one is expecting it. I suppose after some time it would draw more attention as does anything though.

And what a coincidence, you post on the day that the whole team logs onto GW2 to play together, I have to ask, did you have fun today playing as that Sylvari / whatever?

I don't know the steps behind a game production of this scale, but I'd think voice-overs would be one of the last steps, as it would seem to mean most main npcs and storyline are finished.

Lishy

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2008

23 Jul 2009 at 04:09 - 278

Man, Regina, I bet there's soooooo many things you wanna tell us that would be presented at PAX that higher-ups just plain aren't letting you say.
This is such a tease XD

Can I at least ask if there will be long, sexy swords and bulky warriors slashing their longswords at eachother? XD

Gigashadow

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Aug 2005

Bellevue, WA

W/

23 Jul 2009 at 05:11 - 279

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kain Fz

Can I at least ask if there will be long, sexy swords and bulky warriors slashing their longswords at eachother? XD

I think MMOs always have those

If there's one thing common to all MMOs, whenever there are 2 warriors in a group, you will always catch them checking each other's equipment out. The warrior with the smaller equipment has to take the back seat.

Brett Kuntz

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

23 Jul 2009 at 05:31 - 280

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kain Fz

Man, Regina, I bet there's soooooo many things you wanna tell us that would be presented at PAX that higher-ups just plain aren't letting you say.

Yup. That's why I say to hold judgement until after PAX..........which is only in 6 weeks!