Interview with Guild Wars Live Team | KillTenRats - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Shadar

Academy Page

Join Date: Sep 2006

Croatia

[ACID]

Me/

20 Sep 2010 at 17:39 - 1

Interview with the Live Team

talking about GW Beyond and other upcoming stuff.. no timetable included

The big things buzzing in the Guild Wars communities are the upcoming Dervish update, some GvG changes, and the loose threads from the War in Kryta (specifically Kieran Thackeray and Evennia’s disappearances, the Seer on the asuran operating table, and Gwen’s wedding). Can you tell us anything new about those upcoming additions to Guild Wars?

Some things that I can tease: the upcoming Keiran/Gwen content will be doing more than just resolving their story – it will also help bridge us into the new content in Cantha that will be coming. Additionally, when it’s all said and done, players will be able to unlock a new Hero from the content – and it’s probably not what you expect. As for Evennia, she’s not forgotten – but her story is on hold. It’s part of something larger than just her disappearance that we’re not ready to get into yet.

As for the Dervish update, it has been seeing good progress although it’s temporarily on hold while this year’s Costume Brawl is being worked on – since there’s new costumes and builds being added. For those curious, the Dervish update is looking to include some new mechanics for the class to make it more feasible to play – it’s more than just a matter of changing skill numbers around. We’re trying to address issues such as other classes being better with scythes than the Dervish itself, which offers very little incentive to play one as your primary profession.

instanceskiller

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Myst

A/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:16 - 2

Well, firstly, guess this answers the open 'Guild Wars Beyond, dead?' thread. So it should be closed. Now.

Secondly, whilst it's good that they have at least given us some information on upcoming updates, it seems a little late. The derv update would have been more preffered. On that subject, the way they phrased it as being of 'good progress' implies to me that it won't be ready for at least another month or more, perhaps even Christmas.

With regards to the new hero. Meh. We are limited to only 3 heroes so the introduction of this hero won't make too much of a difference since we already have multiples of every class. Aesthaetics might/will probably be the only reason people will want this hero. I guess this could also introduce a new triple. I'm thinking rt, which would be quite nice I guess...

As for the evennia content. LOL. Put on hold? Not ready to get into? Sounds like an update that we won't see before guild wars 2 is released. It's seems like a pointless mention to me.

Karate Jesus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2008

Texas

Reign of Judgment [RoJ]

Me/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:20 - 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by instanceskiller

Well, firstly, guess this answers the open 'Guild Wars Beyond, dead?' thread. So it should be closed. Now.

There was an interview just like this about a.....month ago? Maybe two weeks. Either way, no timetable means nothing is happening.

That's just the truth. No timetable = no foreseeable results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadar

As for the Dervish update, it has been seeing good progress although it’s temporarily on hold while this year’s Costume Brawl is being worked on – since there’s new costumes and builds being added.

Oh, for the love of.....please leave the Costume Brawl alone. I actually like that part of GW and don't want you guys to mess it up by adding insanely OP shit again.

Finish the Dervish update, for God's sake.

GranDeWun

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2005

20 Sep 2010 at 18:22 - 4

<something,something>...Mursaat Orbital Platforms...<something,something>

Yes, please.

ruk1a

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: May 2008

UR MOM LOL

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES

A/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:23 - 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by instanceskiller

Well, firstly, guess this answers the open 'Guild Wars Beyond, dead?' thread. So it should be closed. Now.

Secondly, whilst it's good that they have at least given us some information on upcoming updates, it seems a little late. The derv update would have been more preffered. On that subject, the way they phrased it as being of 'good progress' implies to me that it won't be ready for at least another month or more, perhaps even Christmas.

With regards to the new hero. Meh. We are limited to only 3 heroes so the introduction of this hero won't make too much of a difference since we already have multiples of every class. Aesthaetics might/will probably be the only reason people will want this hero. I guess this could also introduce a new triple. I'm thinking rt, which would be quite nice I guess...

As for the evennia content. LOL. Put on hold? Not ready to get into? Sounds like an update that we won't see before guild wars 2 is released. It's seems like a pointless mention to me.

regarding the hero it says it's probably not what we'd expect... try thinking outside the box. sounds like they're completely revamping the dervish.

Winterclaw

Wark!!!

Join Date: May 2005

Florida

W/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:23 - 6

Quote:

people are going to be demanding the giant combinable robot moas from the orbital space platform of the Mursaat that we promised them.

I want my giant combinable robot moa and I want it now!

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:29 - 7

oh giant moas from outerspace....

CANT wait!!!

it is nice they have said SOMETHING so that we know they are still there.....thanks for that (whomever .....)

hope they do more than THINK about 7 heroes (and yeah another hero--isnt 26 enough? -though another ele or mesmer would be nice to round out the group---

)

Karate Jesus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2008

Texas

Reign of Judgment [RoJ]

Me/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:30 - 8

Quote:

We don’t hear much about the Test Krewe, a group of 200 Guild Wars fans volunteering their time to test the game. They seem to be sticking to their non-disclosure agreements pretty well. What can you tell us about the feedback they provide?

The Test Krewe has been a really valuable resource for us, and in more ways than you might think the name would suggest. Aside from helping test out new content and weighing in on balance/game changes, the TK serves as an excellent platform of discussion for new ideas. Sometimes we’ll have something we’re thinking about (be that sane or otherwise) that we would like to see what people think of, how they react to it, or what other ideas might spawn out of discussion on the topic, and testers have been willing to indulge us in that.

Haha, just noticed this. They serious? I mean, granted the last few leaks haven't been bad *cough*dervishleak*cough*, but they've still existed.

And on top of that, the TK is no where near 200 people anymore....that whole answer is just....a mess. Sane or otherwise is right :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosyfiep

(and yeah another hero--isnt 26 enough? -though another ele or mesmer would be nice to round out the group---

)

There are already 3 ele heroes. Why would we need another?

Let's just hope it's not another melee hero. Poor AI just isn't fun.

Verene

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2009

[SOTA]

D/

20 Sep 2010 at 18:32 - 9

I'm kind of intrigued as to who the new hero may be.

However, I want that damn Dervish update already.

Robomoa FTW

fr.aodhan

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2010

D/Mo

20 Sep 2010 at 18:47 - 10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

Finish the Dervish update, for God's sake.

<snark> Which one? All of mine are disabled for the next 2 minutes, so I'm not sure they'll be of much use anyway. </snark> But yes, it is a little disheartening that they put aside the Dervish for a temporary event. This news is better than no news, but it's still unwelcome.

NerfHerder

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2010

20 Sep 2010 at 18:52 - 11

Quote:

Additionally, when it’s all said and done, players will be able to unlock a new Hero from the content – and it’s probably not what you expect.

Unless this new hero has some advantage over other heros, I dont see the point.

Quote:

We’re trying to address issues such as other classes being better with scythes than the Dervish itself, which offers very little incentive to play one as your primary profession.

This made me happy.

Quote:

As for the Dervish update, it has been seeing good progress although it’s temporarily on hold while this year’s Costume Brawl is being worked on –

This made me cry.

Quote:

This one could probably use a point of clarification – I am open to the idea of 7 Hero parties in addition to something else that we’ve been looking into. It’s still in exploratory development to see if we’re able to pull it off, but things have been looking promising so far. I don’t want to say too much about it yet, just because tldr and paraphrasing is going to happen – and the next thing you know, people are going to be demanding the giant combinable robot moas from the orbital space platform of the Mursaat that we promised them. (How did that even happen?) As for Heroes, we’re looking at having that happen in the next major build after all of the Keiran/Gwen content, as well as some other planned feature releases to help improve the game experience. More on that to come!

Sounds like a looong wait at this rate.

instanceskiller

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Myst

A/

20 Sep 2010 at 19:06 - 12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

There was an interview just like this about a.....month ago? Maybe two weeks. Either way, no timetable means nothing is happening.

That's just the truth. No timetable = no foreseeable results.

I believe this is down to opinion. Whilst the live team does seem very disorganized, and even if they may not have a timetable, it doesn't mean that nothing is happening. The fact that they are the guild wars one live team and are paid, means that they must be doing something for guild wars one. With my faith in the live team, my idea of 'foreseeable' is half a year. I do foresee some results in that time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruk1a

regarding the hero it says it's probably not what we'd expect... try thinking outside the box. sounds like they're completely revamping the dervish.

Well, since they said "players will be able to unlock a new Hero from the content" I don't think I need to think out of the box very much to understand that we will be getting a new hero that will most likely take up a hero slot, like any other hero. What they mean by it not being what we expect, all I can think of is maybe something along the lines of an unexpected plot character? A hero that can be any class?

Meridon

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2008

Funny Business Inc [FBI]

20 Sep 2010 at 19:27 - 13

Quote:

players will be able to unlock a new Hero from the content

Probably either a Mesmer, Ritualist, Assassin, or Paragon, since those are the only professions with only 2 heroes. Mesmer and Ritu would be nice in the current meta, Sin and Para would be a downright waste of time.

Quote:

As for Evennia, she’s not forgotten – but her story is on hold.

That's a polite way of saying she's being forgotten. In other words, not gonna happen in the next year.

Quote:

As for the Dervish update, it has been seeing good progress although it’s temporarily on hold while this year’s Costume Brawl is being worked on – since there’s new costumes and builds being added.

Right, so last year's 'We're going to automate festival builds to save us time, so we can focus on skill balances' was a lie. Just give the CB a new build and everything is fine. Of course, if the TK wasn't dead, you could have them do the CB build preparations, but since it is, I guess it's another viable excuse.

Quote:

It’s still in exploratory development to see if we’re able to pull it off, but things have been looking promising so far.

Read: Nothing on this has happened yet.

Quote:

I don’t want to say too much about it yet, just because tldr and paraphrasing is going to happen – and the next thing you know, people are going to be demanding the giant combinable robot moas from the orbital space platform of the Mursaat that we promised them. (How did that even happen?)

Then don't make false promises, and be transparent instead of vague. It's all a direct result of the way you work. Timetables anyone?

Quote:

As for Heroes, we’re looking at having that happen in the next major build after all of the Keiran/Gwen content, as well as some other planned feature releases to help improve the game experience.

Read: Not gonna happen in the next 2 years.

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

20 Sep 2010 at 19:30 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

There are already 3 ele heroes. Why would we need another?

Let's just hope it's not another melee hero. Poor AI just isn't fun.

I was hoping for one hero for each element (water, fire, earth and air) so that would mean we need one more-----

but yeah, no more melee ones--mine only get out when they are required for missions/quests....

Ka Tet

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

Pita Bread And Scud Missiles Ai[iiii]

20 Sep 2010 at 19:34 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadar

Interview with the Live Team

players will be able to unlock a new Hero from the content – and it’s probably not what you expect.

A Seer perhaps? One that got all carebeared out while strapped to a table by a bunch of Asurans?
Or Thackeray so that Gwen can gripe at him while you're out doing VQ's.

tripplesix

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Aug 2005

20 Sep 2010 at 19:37 - 16

Might be a "fourth" hero.

Xsiriss

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2008

20 Sep 2010 at 19:41 - 17

OMG U HERD IT GAI'S THEYR ADDIN LIK RBOT MOAS AND 7HEROES.

On a more serious note, basically we'll be seeing this stuff arrive somewhere around 2015.

fr.aodhan

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2010

D/Mo

20 Sep 2010 at 19:47 - 18

The last hero will be able to use PvE-only skills. I heard that somewhere. Specifically, I just said it.

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

20 Sep 2010 at 20:16 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruk1a

regarding the hero it says it's probably not what we'd expect... try thinking outside the box

Out of the box.. that would mean either

a different race (Oni? Grawl? A permanent minion? Sylvari?)
an unexpected ally (Shiro?..nah! A Wurm?..hm.. Mantid Hero?)
semi-fixed skilled hero (Your Doppleganger? Aggressive Xunlai Chest?)

Mintha Syl

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2010

20 Sep 2010 at 20:17 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ka Tet

A Seer perhaps?

That's what I thought when reading gw:b will unlock a new hero...yawwn. I hope we're wrong.

So, summing up my impressions:
- a new hero. Why? How do we need it? Oh right another weaponholder for storage space!
- new costumes an skills in costume brawl. Really? What for? People asked for the format to last longer, not to be reworked
- dervish: apart from the obvious "update still not coming for a long time" I'm really scared by the supposed new mechanics etc. I fear we'll regret wanting a buff

So basically they're working on unwanted things and momentarily ignoring the wanted ones. Oh well, let's hope the former are good to have.

Karate Jesus

Forge Runner

Join Date: Apr 2008

Texas

Reign of Judgment [RoJ]

Me/

20 Sep 2010 at 20:22 - 21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mintha Syl

That's what I thought when reading gw:b will unlock a new hero...yawwn. I hope we're wrong.

So, summing up my impressions:
- a new hero. Why? How do we need it? Oh right another weaponholder for storage space!
- new costumes an skills in costume brawl. Really? What for? People asked for the format to last longer, not to be reworked
- dervish: apart from the obvious "update still not coming for a long time" I'm really scared by the supposed new mechanics etc. I fear we'll regret wanting a buff

So basically they're working on unwanted things and momentarily ignoring the wanted ones. Oh well, let's hope the former are good to have.

I bolded a very, very good point.

Seriously, why are they shelving an update that from our understanding should have been done about a month ago, and changing the CB?

The CB is awesome (except the builds need to be updated) and we only get to have it for a little while. However, the game desperately needs the dervish skill update. Why the holy, flying fck would you shelf that? Have they just not started? I don't understand.

Bristlebane

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

Mo/

20 Sep 2010 at 20:23 - 22

Regarding the hero, thinking outside the box...

Perhaps 3 mini heroes fighting as 1! 3x Level 10 heroes that use same skills and respond to same hero commands. Recommended with minions and spirit walls

Eanie, Meanie, and Moe

StormDragonZ

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2008

New York

W/R

20 Sep 2010 at 20:27 - 23

I'll save everyone the suspense:

We'll get a Hero Summoning Stone that bypasses the normal "one-stone only" rule and can be used with other Summoning Stones.

FoxBat

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Apr 2006

Amazon Basin [AB]

Mo/Me

20 Sep 2010 at 20:31 - 24

The costume brawl skillbars gets updated every year, and that takes some effort to playtest every year. As for new "costumes" that may just means they pick a more popular NPC to replace the ones no-one ever liked, such as tahlkora. While not impossible, it was never said that costume brawl would be "reworked." I'd expect they would only consider "reworking" if they intended it to stay around longer (by popular request.)

Dre

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2007

Belgium

Dutch Doom Brigade

W/

20 Sep 2010 at 20:31 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ka Tet

A Seer perhaps? One that got all carebeared out while strapped to a table by a bunch of Asurans?
Or Thackeray so that Gwen can gripe at him while you're out doing VQ's.

$5 says it's a giant combinable space moa

Arduin

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

The Netherlands

Limburgse Jagers [LJ]

R/

20 Sep 2010 at 20:35 - 26

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormDragonZ

I'll save everyone the suspense:

We'll get a Hero Summoning Stone that bypasses the normal "one-stone only" rule and can be used with other Summoning Stones.

Ah yes, these Stones seems to be quite common in each Anet content update.

Painbringer

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2006

Minnesota

Black Widows of Death

W/Mo

20 Sep 2010 at 20:38 - 27

A quote from the everlasting wisdom of Wayne from Wayne’s World “ZING” /hip thrust

Warbog The Slayer

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2008

W/P

20 Sep 2010 at 20:50 - 28

great new hero...ummmm mox needs a wife,i think he fells lonely
ohh and i bet for Halloween we get a new summoning stone =))

Lord Dagon

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2009

Inside the Oblivion Gate

The Imperial Guards of Istan[TIGE]

E/Me

20 Sep 2010 at 20:56 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warbog The Slayer

great new hero...ummmm mox needs a wife,i think he fells lonely
ohh and i bet for Halloween we get a new summoning stone =))

yep M.O.X's new wife is going to be an aswsome combinable moa

.

seriously tho. dont fk with CB. Everything the team does that they arent given 5 months(and even that does) seems to fk up and die.
I would rather them work on that new hero, get that 7hero concept out the door and into development, or do that derv update. Seriously, its now probably going to be like 2011 before we see that derv update...

Jk Arrow

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2008

WI

Dark Phoenix Risin [DPR]

R/

20 Sep 2010 at 21:12 - 30

New Hero from Cantha so I would guess Rit or Sin. Something we aren't expecting? What could come from that area? Are Sylvari from the Trees in Echovald? No lore guru here. What about a Seaspray Dragon hero? Idk, just throwing out some ideas.

Not sure how they would implement a new Hero system. They can't make it account wide, I doubt they would make it pay per use if you use more than 3 in a zone, adding additional commands for positioning, attack, defense to what is there would be reworking way too much.

For future summon stones maybe WiK NPC stones - Alari D., etc.

Dervish changes are taking a long time as did the Mesmer changes. Changing the primary attributes and how the characters fundamentally play creates more balancing than just changing the skills. Not saying this is good or bad, just saying it's taking a while. Concerned a bit on how or if scythes may be changed for other classes. Changes to one weapon for a class leads others to say, change daggers for sins and change swords/axes/hammers for wars, etc.

Also WTB HoM info...anyone else find it funny that he states in the interview that he personally finds the GW2 rewards worthy enough to work on filling his own hall while the rest of us sit here without a clue? Insider info at work!

Zodiac Meteor

Imma Firin Mah Rojway!

Join Date: Aug 2008

At the Mac Store laughing at people that walk out with anything.

E/Mo

20 Sep 2010 at 21:13 - 31

Mursaat Mesmer Hero, if it's not done, people will start mysteriously vanishing. Who knew?

RA needs more game types, just sayin.

GvG needs more game types, just sa- oh wait...

PvP needs more game types and Arena's, you see what I did there 'Arena'Net?

Hells Fury

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2009

W/D

20 Sep 2010 at 21:25 - 32

Seeing this interview almost makes me wanna log in game.
Almost.
Now back to dota.

kupp

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2008

The Shiverpeaks

[KISS]

W/

20 Sep 2010 at 21:26 - 33

I'm consufed...

Quote:

Another interesting tidbit from the Relics of Orr podcast was with regard to heroes. You said you were open to reviewing the decision on using 7 heroes, but that you were looking in to something else for heroes. Can you give us any more information on a possible heroes update?

This one could probably use a point of clarification – I am open to the idea of 7 Hero parties in addition to something else that we’ve been looking into. It’s still in exploratory development to see if we’re able to pull it off, but things have been looking promising so far. I don’t want to say too much about it yet, just because tldr and paraphrasing is going to happen – and the next thing you know, people are going to be demanding the giant combinable robot moas from the orbital space platform of the Mursaat that we promised them. (How did that even happen?) As for Heroes, we’re looking at having that happen in the next major build after all of the Keiran/Gwen content, as well as some other planned feature releases to help improve the game experience. More on that to come!

So he's saying that after the Gwen/Keiran content, they'll review the idea of adding 7 heroes party to the game, not that they'll actually do it then. Right? Seems clear but could someone confirm this?

Nothing would get me playing GW again like having a 7 heroes party, everyone I know has quit by now and I'm standing in a glorious one-man guild since I rarely log in anymore, but beeing able to do the whole game solo gets me pumped up. So many possibilities for hero builds, though the thought that any kind of PvE difficulty would be destroyed by it kinda makes me sad too.

Darcy

Never Too Old

Join Date: Jul 2006

Rhode Island where there are no GW contests

Order of First

W/R

20 Sep 2010 at 21:30 - 34

Why does everyone assume that all new GW content will cease when GW2 is released? It has nothing to do with the Live Team's schedules. And, if they can freshen up the festival content, more power to them. Maybe we will hear less of the "same old" complaints.

@Kupp - John Stumme is not promising 7 heroes. He just said that he is working on a project that has to do with heroes and likes the idea of using 7 heroes. They need to see how it works out, before they commit to it. You know they won't announce something unless it's done (except for profession fixes).

And thanks to Shadar for the link and to Ravious for a great interview.

Tyris Requiem

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2009

UK

W/

20 Sep 2010 at 21:30 - 35

Derv update huh... I'm suprised when they say major changes... Normally id expect something along the lines of... duration of AoHM is now linked to Mysticsm attribute. Ofc this doesn't fix dervs in pvp, but scythes are so flawed to begin with that is kinda hard...

lemming

The Hotshot

Join Date: May 2006

Honolulu

International District [id???]

20 Sep 2010 at 21:40 - 36

Apparently, Test Krewe couldn't even field enough people to playtest GvG last weekend.

Zodiac Meteor

Imma Firin Mah Rojway!

Join Date: Aug 2008

At the Mac Store laughing at people that walk out with anything.

E/Mo

20 Sep 2010 at 21:51 - 37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

Apparently, Test Krewe couldn't even field enough people to playtest GvG last weekend.

Unable to test GvG? ~50 testkrewe fans for a 16 player game? Ahem, hey Regina, so like, I'm available for testing content. For that matter, we have tons of people more than willing to help that know the game inside and out.

Let me repeat,

tons of people more than willing to help that know the game inside and out.

Still Number One

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2008

W/

20 Sep 2010 at 21:52 - 38

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

Apparently, Test Krewe couldn't even field enough people to playtest GvG last weekend.

They need about 50 guys from Europe and 50 from America who have a lot of high end GvG experience so that they can eliminate the scheduling problem, and actually be able to test GvG. Unfortunately there are like what, barely 200 people total on the TK and I'd wager 95% have 0 high-end GvG experience? And can they even find 50 Americans who fit that bill and would actually want to do that? Are people like Axiom and Mitch even involved in the Test Krewe anymore?

The whole situation is an extreme disappointment.

Gill Halendt

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Mar 2008

20 Sep 2010 at 21:53 - 39

Maybe they finally found a way to make a multi-profession hero?

They tried with Razah, and then gave up, because it was too difficult to implement. Then tried again with M.O.X, same story.

Since all bad things come in three...

GrimmNinja

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jan 2009

UK

Society of Souls [Argh]

A/

20 Sep 2010 at 22:11 - 40

this over hyping and massive build up isnt helping and will probably end in an anti-climax. they should just tell us dates and times and thats it. tbh atm most of us will take wat we can get